As DC Studios prepares to release Supergirl, star Milly Alcock has sparked debate online after claiming her version of Kara Zor-El is “objectively stronger” than David Corenswet’s Superman.
The poster for Supergirl – DC
The comment came at the film’s premiere, where Alcock was asked who would win in a fight between the Kryptonian heroes. While Superman is typically considered one of the most powerful characters in the DC Universe, Alcock argued that Supergirl would have the advantage.
The Superman vs. Supergirl Debate
The remarks immediately generated discussion online, particularly among longtime DC fans. The question of whether Supergirl is stronger than Superman has been debated for decades across comics, animation, and film.
In some comic storylines, Kara has been portrayed as possessing greater raw power because she spent more of her childhood on Krypton before arriving on Earth. Other stories have suggested that Superman’s greater experience, discipline, and mastery of his powers ultimately make him the superior hero.
That said, the broader issue is how the two characters will be portrayed in the expanding DCU.
#MillyAlcock says her version of Supergirl is “objectively” stronger than #DavidCorenswet’s Superman, but in a one-on-one fight, he’d just “let [her] win.” pic.twitter.com/Yai8oPrFiv
— Variety (@Variety) June 22, 2026
“I’m gonna win but it’s because he’s gonna let me win,” Alcock said. “Because he is… But I’m stronger. Objectively stronger.”
Superman wounded in the snow in the trailer for James Gunn’s Superman – YouTube, DC
Alcock appeared to frame the comment as a joke. She also suggested that Superman would allow Supergirl to win in any potential fight, but that she would still emerge victorious. The argument that Supergirl is “objectively stronger” than Superman, however, quickly spread online.
It comes at a time when many fans are questioning how filmmakers choose to portray legacy characters.
The Legacy Character Debate
From Star Wars to Indiana Jones to Mad Max, some critics have noticed a pattern in modern Hollywood. They argue that established heroes are sometimes diminished or sidelined in order to elevate new characters. While many of these films have been well received by critics, audience reactions have often been more divided.
Recent female-led projects like Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga and Ballerina, set in the world of John Wick, inevitably drew comparisons between their new protagonists and the male characters who came before them. Both films struggled at the box office, and some observers have noted that Supergirl faces many of the same challenges.
Anya Taylor-Joy as Furiosa in Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024), Warner Bros. Pictures
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Whether Alcock intended the comment as a joke is open to debate. However, it arrives at a time of heightened sensitivity among audiences. Rather than focusing attention on the story Supergirl has to tell, it shifts the conversation toward the broader cultural debates surrounding the film.
Why The Comment Matters
In another era, Alcock’s claim that Supergirl is “objectively stronger” than Superman might have sparked nothing more than a fun fan debate. Today, however, moviegoers are becoming increasingly selective about how they spend their time and money, and studios are often focused on building trust with audiences.
The timing may be especially significant given that DC Studios is still attempting to establish its new shared universe under James Gunn and Peter Safran. With only a handful of projects released so far, every major character introduction is being closely scrutinized by fans looking for signs of the franchise’s long-term direction.
As the DCU continues to establish itself, comments like this may test how much confidence fans have in the franchise’s future—and in Supergirl specifically.
Do you think Supergirl is stronger than Superman? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
