Captain Comet's Rehab Squad: The Return of Supergirl

• Credits: by Libbylawrence
• Published: March 10, 2000
• Link: Captain Comet's Rehab Squad: The Return of Supergirl

December, 1985: Rip Hunter (who is manipulated behind the scenes), Rick Flag, Karin Grace, and Arisia travel back to July 30, 1985, and seemingly rescue Supergirl just before she is killed by the Anti-Monitor, and bring her with them. The middle-aged Rick Flag and Karin Grace regain their youth, while the teenaged Arisia becomes a grown woman. Visiting the future for time machine parts, Karin Grace gains a battle suit and a star-band. [“Captain Comet's Rehab Squad: The Return of Supergirl, Chapter 1”]

• December, 1985: A fevered Rip Hunter pleads for Rick Flag's help saving all those who died in the Crisis. Since the team is on assignment, only Flag and Karin Grace can accompany him, but they ask for the help of the Green Lantern Corps, speaking with Ch'p. The three arrive at Hunter's time machine, where they are joined by Arisia of the GLC, a teenager, who explains the other Green Lanterns are busy. Going back in time, the four arrive at July 30, 1985, and seemingly save Supergirl just before she is killed by the Anti-Monitor, bringing her with them, but she acts strangely. An accident in the time stream causes Arisia to instantly age to adulthood, while Rip Hunter, Rick Flag, and Karin Grace become decades younger, reaching the approximate age they had when beginning their heroic careers. They reach the year 2462 and retrieve parts from another version of Hunter's time machine in the Space Museum. Karin Grace is compelled to take the star-band with her. The group arrives in the present, where Hunter claims his fever is gone. Rehab Squad members: Rick Flag, Karin Grace. Villains: Anti-Monitor (in the past), Tala (disguised as Supergirl). Guest appearances: Arisia, Rip Hunter. [“Captain Comet's Rehab Squad: The Return of Supergirl, Chapter 1: Crisis Revisited”]

Lana Lang is fired from WGBS. Karin Grace becomes Goldstar. The supposed Supergirl begins draining mystical energy from various mystics. Rehab Squad members: Captain Comet, Dolphin, Rick Flag, Goldstar (Karin Grace), Starman. Villains: Tala (disguised as Supergirl). Guest appearances: Arisia, Felix Faust, Lana Lang, Morgan Edge, Sargon the Sorcerer, Zatanna Zatara. [“Captain Comet's Rehab Squad: The Return of Supergirl, Chapter 2”]

• Morgan Edge fires Lana Lang from the anchorwoman spot at WGBS News. She receives a job offer as public relations agent for the Meta-Human Rehabilitation Agency (MHRA) but decides to fight for her old job instead. Captain Comet blames himself for Killer Moth's death or escape. Dolphin and Starman develop a romance. Arisia decides to stay with the Rehab Squad for a few days, since Hal Jordan was still busy with the JLA and the other Green Lanterns were away. Karin Grace uses her battle suit and star-band to become Goldstar. Supergirl is very secretive and avoids meeting Captain Comet at all. This Supergirl steals magical energy from Sargon the Sorcerer's Ruby of Life and Zatanna. At the MHRA, Rick Flag and Captain Comet discuss possibilities for the open public relations position and decide Lana Lang is probably unattainable. Comet then discovers Supergirl, whose eyes are the wrong color, scanning Flag's files. Supergirl drains mystical energy from Felix Faust in prison. [“Captain Comet's Rehab Squad: The Return of Supergirl, Chapter 2: Transitions”]

Superman is reunited with the supposed Supergirl, who is really Tala and wants Tannarak to take Superman's body. After the Rehab Squad battles Tala, Phantom Stranger arrives to reveal that the body Tala has is not Supergirl's body but one he created, and he takes her with him. Later, Lesla-Lar arrives under the delusion of being Supergirl of Earth-Prime. Rehab Squad members: Captain Comet, Dolphin, Golden Glider, Starman. Villains: Tala (disguised as Supergirl). Guest appearances: Lesla-Lar (as Supergirl of Earth-Prime), Phantom Stranger, Superman. [“Captain Comet's Rehab Squad: The Return of Supergirl, Chapter 3”]

• Dolphin and Starman, having been dating for weeks now, spot Superman heading for the MHRA. Superman has a tearful reunion with Supergirl but is shocked when he realizes her eye color is wrong, while Supergirl seems emotionless. After Supergirl takes Superman away to a secluded spot, he realizes she is not Supergirl. After the Rehab Squad arrives to help Superman, Supergirl reveals she is really the mystical villainess Tala wearing the body of Supergirl at the point of her death and manipulated Rip Hunter as part of a scheme to return and also bring back her love, Tannarak. The team battles Tala, and the Phantom Strange arrives, revealing that Tala is trapped in a false Supergirl body of his own creation, placing her under his power. The Phantom Stranger leaves with Tala. After Captain Comet returns to base, he meets Lesla-Lar, who is under the delusion of being the Supergirl of Earth-Prime. [“Captain Comet's Rehab Squad: The Return of Supergirl, Chapter 3: Girls of Steel”]