Mike Maihack’s Supergirl/Batgirl, the dream project that was conjured during the "DC FIFTY-TOO" indie project, is realized... for six panels.

We have earlier covered on cartoonist Jon Morris's "DC FIFTY-TOO" indie project, of which fifty-two independent cartoonists gave their takes on the task of reimagining the DC Universe, in response to the controversial "DC Comics - The New 52" initiative. Out of the fifty-two entries, Mike Maihack’s Supergirl/Batgirl is quite likely one of the most popular choices.

Encouraged by the positive response to his entry, Maihack further expanded his take on the young girls version of the "World's Finest" with this cool six-panel strip.

In Maihack's own words:

I really love how in the seventies Kara would change outfits almost every issue. It just makes sense in some odd teenaged superheroie kinda way. I grew up with two younger sisters that had more shoes in their closet than I had shirts. One look is not enough. And I think because of how iconic the colors and symbolization of Supergirl are (and because she’s already had so many different looks anyhow) she’s one of the few characters that could get always with it on a monthly title. Okay, maybe the logistics don’t make sense. Maybe on top of the ability to fly and pummel bad guys into the earth, the yellow sun also made Kara an excellent seamstress. Or Martha Kent showed her how. Or Martha Kent makes them FOR her. Whatever the reason, I would bring that back. And I think it says a lot about her personality too.

As for Batgirl, it’s important to note she’s not just a younger female Batman. Where Batman has become almost superhuman in his ability to do ANYTHING, Barbara has to work really, really hard to do what she does! I mean, she’s naturally super bright, but I imagine she still trains and disciplines her mind and body to a ridiculous degree both day and night in order to not look like a complete fool fighting next to the likes of Batman and Nightwing cleaning up the gritty streets of Gotham City. And then along comes this wonder-teen from Metropolis who’s able to do it all so effortlessly. And with better hair. That would be a fun relationship to explore.

For those who missed out our coverage on the aforementioned "DC FIFTY-TOO" indie project, here's a recap of Maihack's work.

SUPERGIRL/BATGIRL #1 by Mike Maihack
Mike Maihack lives in Tampa, FL and draws a popular webcomic called Cleopatra in Space with the help of his two Siamese cats. He draws a bunch of other stuff too, but his cats don’t help much with those things. In fact, they don’t help much on Cleopatra either now that he thinks about it… Let’s start over: Mike lives in Tampa, FL with two very lazy and useless cats. Also with a loving wife and soon-to-be newborn son (who will hopefully wind up being a much better assistant). More of his work can be found at cowshell.com


Mike says: Can the same blonde-haired, wonder teen from Metropolis who helped Barbara Gordon finally put an end to Killer Moth's week-long crime spree also be the new popular transfer student at Gotham High? Good thing they have superheroics in common because Babs' and Kara Zor-El's student lives are about to clash."

That's a rough tagline for a book that shouldn't come as any big surprise for those who have followed me online for longer than a week. I would take a more all-ages approach to the series, placing Babs and Kara in high school who, despite some social differences, eventually become best friends. That's when I would introduce an idolizing fourteen-year-old Mary Marvel to annoy the heck out of them.

Batgirl was created by Gardner Fox and Carmine Infantino.
Supergirl was created by Otto Binder and Al Plastino.