Before Supergirl arrives in US theaters on June 26, there is another adventure waiting for fans who want to spend more time with Kara Zor El. While James Gunn's new DC Universe prepares to hand the spotlight to one of DC's most beloved heroes, a lesser-known chapter of Supergirl's legacy is quietly streaming on Netflix. For longtime comic readers who remember everything from Crisis on Infinite Earths to Tom King's modern reinvention of the character, it is the perfect warm-up act before the next cinematic take on the Girl of Steel.

While James Gunn's upcoming film appears ready to introduce audiences to a tougher, more battle-tested version of Kara Zor El, fans do not have to wait until June 26 to spend time with the character. Hidden in Netflix's superhero catalog is a series that explores many of the qualities that have made Supergirl a fan favorite for generations.

Long before the new DCU gave Kara another shot at the big screen, The CW's Supergirl spent six seasons proving that she could carry an entire universe on her shoulders. Streaming on Netflix, the series stars Melissa Benoist and offers one of the most complete explorations of the character outside the comics. What made the show special was its understanding that Kara was never meant to be a female copy of Superman.

Where Clark Kent often represents certainty, Kara frequently embodies resilience. The series builds a world around friendships, mentorships, and found family. Along the way, she teams up with heroes such as Grant Gustin and Stephen Amell during major Arrowverse crossovers, creating the kind of interconnected superhero storytelling that comic readers have enjoyed for decades.

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Yet the crossovers and superhero spectacle are only part of the appeal. What truly separates Supergirl from many of its comic book contemporaries is its willingness to slow down and explore Kara Danvers as a person before fully embracing her destiny as a symbol. 

One of the most fascinating aspects of the television series is how differently it approaches Kara's journey. Instead of immediately presenting her as a fully formed icon, the show introduces a young woman trying to find her place in a world that already has Superman. Working at CatCo Worldwide Media while hiding extraordinary abilities, Kara spends much of the early story wrestling with identity, responsibility, and the pressure of living up to a legendary family name.

The turning point comes when she saves her adoptive sister Alex during a near-disaster, a moment that finally pushes her into the public eye as National City's protector. From there, the series embraces everything that makes superhero comics fun. Alien invasions, dimensional threats, secret organizations, and larger-than-life villains all appear, yet the emotional core remains Kara's relationships with Alex, Winn, James Olsen, and J'onn J'onzz.

Villains such as Lex Luthor and Kara's own Aunt Astra challenge her physically and emotionally, helping shape her into the symbol of hope fans recognize today.

For viewers counting down the days until Supergirl lands in theaters, the Netflix series offers something increasingly rare in superhero storytelling: time. Time to understand Kara's struggles, celebrate her victories, and appreciate why she has remained one of DC's most enduring heroes for more than six decades.

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Will you be revisiting Supergirl on Netflix before the new movie arrives? Share your thoughts in the comments.