Supergirl (also known as Kara Zor-El) is a fictional superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character was created by writer Otto Binder and designed by artist Al Plastino. Supergirl first appeared in a story published in Action Comics #252 (May 1959) titled "The Supergirl from Krypton". Kara Zor-El is the biological first cousin of Kal-El (Superman).