Supergirl Loses Powers to Gold Kryptonite
Kara Zor-El is powerless after Reactron exposed her to gold kryptonite in Supergirl #18, while Matrix steps into a new role.
Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Materials Science
In Supergirl #18, Reactron attacked Kara Zor-El and her allies as they set up the Fortress of Solidarity, exposing her to gold kryptonite that stripped her of super strength, speed, flight and heat vision. Lena Luthor later revived Matrix using the S-Matrix suit as a new body.
Why it matters
The storyline removes the title character's core abilities and introduces Matrix as a possible replacement lead, reshaping the Supergirl book's direction. Readers will see whether Matrix permanently takes over the role or whether Kara's powers are restored.
Kara Zor-El debuted as Supergirl in Action Comics #252 in 1959, and the current arc is set across Supergirl #18 and #19, with #19 scheduled for release Wednesday, November 11 by DC Comics. Gold kryptonite saps Kryptonians of their powers, and Kara currently has none of her signature abilities.
The players
Supergirl (Kara Zor-El)
Kara Zor-El is the Kryptonian superhero who debuted as Supergirl in 1959 and is the title character of the DC Comics series.
Matrix
Matrix is a character who served as the Girl of Steel in the late 1990s and early 2000s and has now been revived as a new Supergirl.
Lena Luthor
Lena Luthor is a DC Comics character who discovered Matrix's data cube and used the S-Matrix suit to revive her.
Reactron
Reactron is the DC Comics villain who attacked Kara and her allies and exposed her to gold kryptonite.
The details
During an attack by Reactron on Kara and her allies at the Fortress of Solidarity, Kara was exposed to gold kryptonite. Lena Luthor discovered Matrix's cube of data and used the S-Matrix suit to bring Matrix back to life as a new body, and Superman and Lena are working to restore Kara's powers.
Timeline
1959: Kara Zor-El first appears as Supergirl in Action Comics #252.
Late 1990s to early 2000s: Matrix serves as the Girl of Steel.
Wednesday, November 11: Supergirl #19 is released by DC Comics.
Legacy Shift
Kara Zor-El first took flight as Supergirl in Action Comics #252 in 1959, and this arc departs from that long-running status quo by stripping her powers and handing the mantle to Matrix, who previously served as the Girl of Steel in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The move reframes a character whose identity has been built around her Kryptonian abilities.
Readers following Supergirl will need to track whether Kara's powers are restored or whether Matrix becomes the book's lead. The outcome will determine which character fans follow in upcoming issues.
The takeaway
Storylines that strip a character of core abilities often reset a series' direction, so the next issues will show whether this change is temporary or lasting.
What happens next
Supergirl #19 is scheduled for release Wednesday, November 11, and will show how the storyline develops.
Further reading
Explore more on Materials Science to see how exotic substances like kryptonite connect to real-world material properties.
Source note: This article includes information reported by ScreenRant.
