When Does the Film "Supergirl" (1984) Take Place?
"Supergirl" is a science fiction superhero film written by David Odell [adapting the Supergirl story from "Action Comics" #252 v1 (1959) by Otto Binder] that released July 19th, 1984. So when is "Supergirl" set?
It takes place on an alternate timeline of the DC Films Universe in the year:
We know this because the characters are all already aware of the public existence of Superman as Lina Lee/Kara Zor-El/Supergirl asks, "Do you know him?" and Lucy Lane replies, "Superman? Sure!" So it must be after his public debut.
1983 AD
We know this because the characters are all already aware of the public existence of Superman as Lina Lee/Kara Zor-El/Supergirl asks, "Do you know him?" and Lucy Lane replies, "Superman? Sure!" So it must be after his public debut.
More specifically, when Linda/Kara/Supergirl first attends Nigel's class, Nigel says, "You have been given the average size of a Chinese family, average age of death, average age of marriage, average age of pregnancy. Use this equation to compute the population of China in the year 2040.", strongly implying it is before 2040 AD.
Specifically, exactly halfway through the story there is a billboard advertisement clearly visible in the background for the Ford Tempo, an automobile first available in 1983 AD, reading "TEMPO ALL NEW FROM FORD".
Although a specific month is not mentioned, the work it's an adaptation of does have a clear time setting for the start of the narrative. In the comic-book "Action Comics" #305 v1 "The Girl Who Hated Supergirl!" (1963) it is revealed that the day Supergirl arrived on Earth in the original story in "Action Comics" #252 v1 (1959) was May 18th. Assuming a close adaptation, May of 1983 AD is the best month we can ascertain for this story.
It is a first film to feature Kara Zor-El/Supergirl.
It was adapted to prose in 1984 and to comics in late 1984.
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