Power Girl Just Unlocked a Power No Kryptonian Has Ever Had Before

Warning: Spoilers for Power Girl #17

The DC Universe is full of powerful Kryptonians, but Power Girl's latest upgrade grants her an ability that sets her apart from the rest. An ancient artifact is now in Paige Stetler's possession, and it enables her to protect herself and those close to her in a way that even Superman hasn't been able to achieve. Power Girl ha

In the preview for Power Girl #17 by Leah Williams, David Baldeón, Romulo Fajardo Jr., and Becca Carey, Omen sets up a new living space that will house herself, Paige, and fellow Superman family hero Steel. Paige's boyfriend, Axel, pays a visit and brings a housewarming present: the Mars Bell, a relic that doubles as an alert system.

Power Girl now has her own external "Spider-Sense" in the form of her Mars Bell, and this handy device gives her a much-needed line of defense against potential threats to her home - the likes of which most Kryptonians lack.

Power Girl's New 'Mars Bell' Gives Her the Ultimate Defensive Measure

Unlike Other Kryptonians, Power Girl Can Now Easily Detect Danger

Axel Gust, the current love interest of Power Girl, hails from Asgard and thus has access to ancient artifacts that contain magical properties. During their trip to Valhalla together in Power Girl #12, he shows off various divine objects from Norse mythology, such as the Mirror of Mimir and Viddar's boots. Now, he's presented her with the Mars Bell, and he describes its abilities as follows: "It alerts you when someone with murderous intentions enters your home." Essentially, with the Mars Bell activated in her residence, Power Girl can no longer be caught off guard in an ambush.

Kryptonians are generally less vulnerable to attack than other beings in DC lore due to their multitude of superpowers, including enhanced hearing. Superman often uses that particular ability to listen for people in danger so that he can protect them from perils they're facing. With that being said, super-hearing isn't guaranteed to catch everything, as there are certain threats that cannot be detected via sound. If an enemy suddenly teleported into her home, for instance, Power Girl wouldn't have time to hear them before it's too late. The Mars Bell can remedy that blind spot by alerting her instantly, giving Paige a critical advantage.

Power Girl Should Share Her Upgrade With Her Fellow Superheroes

Superman and the Justice League Can Follow Power Girl's Example

The Asgardian technology protecting Power Girl's home could be of great value to the rest of the hero community, from Superman to the Justice League as a whole. Heroes have expressed concerns about the Watchtower being a target for villains now that it's the base of operations for every hero, so a device resembling the Mars Bell would benefit the Justice League in the event of an attack and ensure the team's safety. Power Girl's upgrade is sure to be useful as she becomes the most well-guarded hero in the DC Universe, and it may set an example for others as well.

Power Girl #17 is available January 22nd, 2025 from DC Comics.