Trigger Warning: This article contains discussion of dialogue with implied incestuous themes, which some readers may find disturbing.
Everyone knows that the Golden and Silver Age of comics were full of wacky plots and character portrayals, andSupergirlandSupermanwere no exception. In fact, the two Kryptonians were among the biggest offenders in DC Comics when it came to wild yet hilarious dialogue that had fans cringing and laughing in equal measure. However, one Kara Zor-El line takes the cake, and it’s so controversial that it most definitely won’t be making it into James Gunn’sSupergirl: Woman of Tomorrowmovie.
WithSupergirl: Woman of Tomorrowon the horizon, Supergirl hype is higher than ever for the Maiden of Might, with fans desperate for any and all teasers about the upcoming movie. One of the biggest questions circulating is which aspects of the comics James Gunn will recreate in his interpretation of the character.
While fans know that Tom King’sSupergirl: Woman of Tomorrowcomic series will serve as the core inspiration, Gunn will undoubtedly pull from other sources as well. However,if there’s one comic fans can rule out as a source of inspiration, it’sAction Comics#289(1962) by Henry Boltinoff, Jerry Siegel, Leo Dorfman, Al Plastino, and Jim Mooney.
Supergirl’s Most Controversial Comic Is One James Gunn Will Definitely Avoid
Action Comics#289 (1962) Features a Romance So Awkward, It’s Still Shocking Decades Later
Action Comics#289 is infamous for featuring one of DC’s most controversial covers (drawn and colored by Curt Swan, George Klein, and Ira Schnapp).It shows a romantic moment between Superman and his love interest, Luma Lynai, with Supergirl observingin the background. The scene features some questionable dialogue from Supergirl, which becomes even more uncomfortable when readers examine Luma more closely. On the cover, Kal-El is shown embracing Luma, with a thought bubble revealing that he is in love and wants to marry this“superwoman.”That alone isn’t controversial until you read Supergirl’s thoughts about the situation.
Supergirl Kara Zor-El is Superman’s cousin, and inAction Comics#289 she was only a teenager.
However, Supergirl’s internal monologue changes everything:“I’m so happy for Superman. But how strange that the woman he is finally going to wed looks exactly as I will when I grow up!”This line is undeniably unsettling, especially given the visual resemblance between Kara and Luma. Once the similarities are noticed, they’re impossible to unsee, casting an awkward shadow over what could have been a touching scene. As a result, it’s safe to say thatAction Comics#289 and its slightly incestuous implications won’t be among James Gunn’s sources of inspiration forSupergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, especially considering the story only becomes more bizarre beyond the cover.
It’s True: The Story inAction Comics#289 Is MORE Controversial Than the Cover
Action Comics#289 Is Beyond Problematic, And Makes Superman a CREEP
As the synopsis forAction Comics#289 succinctly puts it,“Supergirl tries to play matchmaker for her cousin Superman.”Right from the start, this premise has some fun and quirky potential, leaving plenty of room for well-meaning but misguided shenanigans. However, DC may have taken the characteristic wackiness of the Silver Age a little too far in this issue. Concerned that Superman is lonely, Supergirl decides he should get married and takes it upon herself to find him the perfect romantic match. She eventually settles on Luma Lynai, a super-powered woman from the planet Staryl, who has abilities similar to Superman thanks to its orange sun.
What begins as a lighthearted matchmaking story quickly turns unsettling in an infamous panel where Superman tilts his cousin’s chin toward him and says:“If I ever did marry… it would be to someone super and loveable like… you!We can’t marry because we are cousins. Though cousins can marry in certain countries here on Earth… we’re both from Krypton where the marriage of cousins is unlawful.”The dialogue is already beyond creepy, but the body language makes it even more controversial, especially considering the significant age gap between them in this comic, with Clark old enough to be Kara’s father. Unsurprisingly, this moment has been heavily criticized by modern readers.
The fact that the story then transitions to Superman and Luma’s budding romance, with Clark kissing her and proclaiming that he wants to marry her, only adds to the reasons why this comic is so controversial. It is exceptionally creepy that after Clark essentially admits he would marry a teenage Kara if it weren’t for the laws of Krypton, he then proceeds to pursue a romance with a woman who, as Kara herself points out, looks exactly like her. Hence,this is a disaster of a comic that took the wackiness of the Silver Age a little too far.
This Controversial Supergirl Comic Has One of the Lowest Fan Ratings Ever
Action Comics#289 Crossed a Line So Weird Even Silver Age Fans Can’t Defend It
The Silver Age of comicsis often adored by fans for its weirdness and charm. However, there were definitely times when DC Comics missed the mark, straying from beloved quirkiness into outright controversial territory, as seen inAction Comics#289.This issue has become infamous among fans and currently holds a 2.3 out of 5 ratingon League of Comic Geeks, earning it a“mostly negative”response. Even that rating might be generous, considering the score is skewed by the fact thatAction Comics#289 features two separate stories: one focused on Superman, and the other on Supergirl.
In fact, browsing through fan reviews reveals that the 2.3 rating is propped up by readers who admitted to scoring it slightly higher due to the Superman storyline. If the comic had only included the Supergirl matchmaking plot, it likely would have slipped into 1-star territory. The recurring sentiment among readers is that while the Superman story was relatively decent,the Supergirl one was“terrible”and included too many incestuous implications to ignore.As a result, when it comes to the broader legacy of Supergirl stories, this one is best left forgotten.
What Is the Main Source of Inspiration for 2026’sSupergirlMovie?
James Gunn’sSupergirlMovie Will Definitely Avoid the InfamousAction Comics#289
While there’s no doubt that Gunn won’t be drawing fromAction Comics#289, fans may still be curious about where he is finding his inspiration to get a better sense of the movie’s tone. One of the main confirmed sources isTom King’sSupergirl: Woman of Tomorrow(2021-22), a series widely regarded as one of the strongest Kara Zor-El stories ever told. It blends action, adventure, and emotional depth, offering a compelling look at Kara’s journey of self-discovery in the face of loss and grief. Although not required reading, the series is highly recommended for anyone looking to connect with the character before the release ofSupergirl(2026).
