It's a bird, it's a plane ... ah, actually it's a bird in a red cape. Yes, it's the return of Supergirl. Leena Tailor reports.
With the abundance of superhero television programmes, movies, video games and, well, everything, showing no sign of passing, a new crop of shows are making their debut as the US TV season kicks off.
Yet in the age of girl power, it's surprising to learn that of the 37 reportedsuperhero-based shows on air or in development, only three feature a woman in the starring role. Though Arrow, The Flash, Gotham and Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. all feature strong female characters, few revolve around one.
Cue Supergirl, a new show from Arrow creator Greg Berlanti, based on the DC Comics character Kara Zor-El, cousin of Kal-El (aka Superman).
The TV2 programme joins Agent Carter and Netflix's upcoming Jessica Jones as one of the rare female-led superhero series, and executive producer Sarah Schechter says her arrival is long overdue.
"I think the question is not, 'Why now?' but 'Why haven't we done it before?'" says Schechter.
"There haven't been enough female heroes for women - and men - to look up to. I have a lot of friends with daughters and it's important for me that they have heroes, who they think they can grow up to be, and it's just as important for boys to know that girls can be superheroes too.
"It's something that's been lacking for a long time. I think this genre is just catching up to the reality of how powerful, interesting and complicated women are, so I'm happy that it's the dawn of the female superhero, but for me it's about time.
"My hope is that there'll be so many female heroes that we won't even have to talk about the fact that there are 'female heroes'. They'll just be 'heroes'."
Unlike her cousin Superman, who was sent to Earth as a baby, Kara (played by Melissa Benoist) was 12 when she escaped Krypton, meaning she still holds vivid memories of her time on the planet. Having learned to hide her powers while growing up with foster parents Fred and Sylvia Danvers (played by 1984 big-screen Supergirl Helen Slater and 90s television Superman Dean Cain) it's not until 12 years later, while working for media mogul Cat Grant (Calista Flockhart), that she is enlisted by Department of Extra-Normal Operations chief Hank Henshaw to help protect her city.
Melissa Benoist does a remarkable job as Supergirl.
What ensues is as much a life-imitating-art "coming-of-age" journey as a fight against evil.
"It's almost like I'm discovering myself along with her - learning how to be a woman and have independence," says Benoist.
"I don't think you're ever done learning about yourself, especially as women - we are complicated, multi-faceted creatures.
"We're very flawed and that's what I love about Kara. She's constantly messing up and flying by the seat of her pants. It shows that no one ever has it all figured out, no matter how many powers you have.
"And I knew that a facet of this was to be a role model for young girls, but the crew members would be bringing their daughters on to set, and until I saw them when I was in the suit, I didn't realise what that was going to feel like. It was a powerful moment."
As if to highlight the show's feminist credentials, there is a scene in the first episode that makes fun of how comic books treat female heroes: dressing them in barely there outfits.
Supergirl's first costume is a blue crop top matched with red and yellow underwear. "I'm not flying around saving people in this," Supergirl says on trying it on. "I wouldn't wear it to the beach."
The costume she eventually settles on is a practical and modest spin on the traditional costume.
When looking for an actress to drape with the cape, showrunners had only Benoist in mind. The 27-year-old is better known as a Glee's Marley Rose and was called in from holiday to audition.
"Melissa Benoist is an unbelievable find,' says Schechter. "David Rapaport cast The Flash and Arrow and Grant [Gustin] was the first person to audition for Flash and Stephen [Amell] was the first person who came in for Arrow.
"So knowing that Greg Berlanti's a little superstitious, he had Melissa come in first.
"Then we auditioned hundreds of amazing actresses, but not one came close to embodying everything we wanted Kara to be. Melissa was phenomenal to the point where we said we're not interested in doing this show without Melissa."
A scene from the TV show Supergirl.
Benoist embarked on an intense physical regime to get into Supergirl shape, taking on boxing, core work, pilates and biometric workouts.
Though the wire work required for her flying scenes has been challenging, she's enjoying doing as many stunts as she can on her own - and has Jennifer Garner's Alias stunt double to rely on for the rest.
Enhancing such action scenes, production has money to play with in the visual effects department - a crucial element if you ask Schechter. "We're going to see a lot of CGI and that's part of why we're excited to be at [network] CBS - it's big-budget and we know we have to deliver. Part of the 'Why now?' of Supergirl is we actually have the technology to really showcase Melissa flying. The CGI allows us expand the universe, especially because we're showing Krypton."
As for Superman, his presence will be felt more than seen, and asked whether any Arrow or The Flash crossover episodes are in the pipeline, producers simply tease that, "anything is possible".
They do promise appearances from other DC Comics characters, not necessarily associated with Superman, and other actors linked with the hero.
Melissa Benoist stars as Supergirl.
"With all of our shows we like to play homage to the various versions that have existed because fans love that and we love that," says Schechter. "We geek out on having Helen Slater and Dean Cain as Kara's parents.
"We're big fans and that's what puts us on the same side as the audience, so any opportunity to collapse the universes we're excited about."
What: Supergirl When and where: TV2, Sunday, 7.30pm
