A Stargirl is Born

Courtney Elizabeth Whitmore, created by writer Geoff Johns and artist Lee Moder, made her first appearance in DCU Heroes Secret Files #1 (February 1999). The character’s name and personality were inspired by Johns’ real life sister who died in the explosion of TWA Flight 800 in 1996. After her mother marries former superhero sidekick Pat Dugan, Courtney is forced to move from her home in California to Blue Valley, Nebraska. While rummaging through her stepfather’s belongings, Courtney stumbles upon the original Star-Spangled Kid’s gear. Resentful of Dugan for marrying her mother and forcing her to move, Courtney initially dons the costume to annoy him. Taking up the mantle of Star-Spangled Kid, often shortening it to just Star. 

With the Star-Spangled Kid’s Cosmic Converter Belt, Courtney gains enhanced strength, speed, agility, stamina, and the ability to project ‘shooting stars.’ In order to protect and assist Courtney in her new heroics, Dugan designs and builds the robotic suit S.T.R.I.P.E. The pair eventually become known as the team Stars and Stripes. While in Blue Valley, their most frequent enemy is the immortal Dragon King’s villainous daughter Shiv. After some time as Stars and Stripes, Courtney joins the Justice Society of America. During this time, Jack Knight retires as Starman and gifts Courtney his comic staff to continue his legacy. The Cosmic Staff grants her flight and energy manipulation.

Courtney officially adopts the superheroine identity of Stargirl in JSA: All Stars #4 (October 2003). The character appears in most issues of JSA and becomes a frequent and relied upon member of the team. During a later mission, Courtney confronts her predecessor’s killer, Solomon Grundy, with the aid of Jakeem Thunder. While the young heroes manage to defeat Grundy, the altercation causes the villain to develop an obsession with Courtney. In later issues, Courtney enters into a relationship with Captain Marvel’s alter-ego Billy Batson who, unbeknownst to others, is the same age as her. This relationship draws criticism from Thunder and Jay Garrick, and rather than disclose his younger identity Captain Marvel chooses to stop seeing Courtney and leave the JSA.

Stargirl has made numerous appearances on animated series and video games as well as in live-action series such as Smallville, Legends of Tomorrow, and Supergirl. Brec Bassinger (School of Rock) portrayed the superheroine in the Stargirl series on The CW from 2020 to 2022.