Warning: Spoilers for Action Comics #1072Supergirl has just revealed that she can no longer use one of her most powerful abilities, setting her apart from other Kryptonians in DC lore. As Superman’s cousin, Kara Zor-El usually shares most of his powers, but that changed with the loss of a major Kryptonian power. Supergirl’s power set has been rewritten and time will tell if this change will be permanent.
The supporting story of Action comics #1072 by Mariko Tamaki, Skylar Patridge, Marissa Louise and Becca Carey follows Supergirl as she embarks on a mysterious quest through space. The Woman of Tomorrow traveled through the stars to the Thanagar High Court as part of a covert operation to track down a prisoner and ends up surrounded by enemies after trying to save a kidnapped judge. To defend herself, Kara charges her heat vision, but nothing happens.
When her heat vision fails, Supergirl says: “Still doesn’t work.” In a shocking revelation, Supergirl lost access to her heat visionredefining his power set with important implications for his Kryptonian ties.
It’s official: Supergirl can no longer use her heat vision
Supergirl has lost one of her most iconic – and powerful – Kryptonian abilities
Supergirl has lost her heat vision, depriving her of a superpower that has long been a staple of Kryptonians. It first received its name in 1961 Action comics #275 by Jerry Coleman, Wayne Boring, and Stan Kaye, Superman’s heat vision is a power he shares with every Kryptonian he’s encountered, and Kara has been included in that group – until now. This loss of power can be attributed to the Absolute power #4 by Mark Waid and Dan Mora, when the superheroes suddenly switched powers. Since Black Canary is seen shooting lasers from her eyes as her power changes are revealedit can be assumed that she has Supergirl’s heat vision.
Supergirl losing her heat vision is a notable blow to her battle power, but there’s also an element of tragedy to this change. Kara Zor-El has always had deeper trauma surrounding the destruction of Krypton than Superman because, unlike him, she remembers the life she led there. Superman escaped Krypton as a baby, while Kara has memories of the planet and may miss them. As a result, powers like heat vision keep her connected to her Kryptonian heritagebut now that link has been partially severed. The situation isn’t entirely a loss for Supergirl, as she also gained a new superpower.
Supergirl replaces heat vision with a terrifying new power in DC’s new era
Instead of shooting lasers, Kara Zor-El can now control minds
With the loss of one Kryptonian superpower, Supergirl has unlocked another ability that grants her power in a very different way than her direct heat vision. In Action comics #1070 from the same creative team, Supergirl reveals her new power of mind control, which gives her a frightening advantage over those around her. Essentially, when activating this power, Supergirl can erase people’s memories and plant artificial memories in their place. This power can work on anyone, from humans like John Henry Irons to Kryptonians like Power Girl. It’s even useful in Supergirl’s current mission.
Supergirl may have lost her heat vision, but the power she got in its place could make up for it.
As she embarks on her mission, Supergirl’s allies on Earth try to uncover her plans, so she uses her new mind control abilities to throw them off her trail. The effects of this are shown in Power Girl #14 by Leah Williams and Adriana Melo, when Power Girl incorrectly explains Supergirl’s absence with the false memory of her attending a concert. This gives Kara a strategic advantage she didn’t have before, as she can manipulate allies and enemies alike. Supergirl may have lost her heat vision, but the power she got in its place could make up for it.
Action comics #1072 is now available from DC Comics.