The DC Comics character Stargirl now has her own show on The CW. The series aired in 2020, and a second season is set to be released in 2021. Here are four things to know about this appealing and entertaining young female character and her team of superheroes.

1. Stargirl is actually a tribute to a real person

Stargirl, whose real name is Courtney Whitmore, was created as a tribute to the late sister of Geoff Johns, who created the character and is the executive producer of the TV series. Courtney died in the tragic TWA Flight 800 incident of 1996, and the series Stargirl carries on her name and personality.

2. The main heroes aren’t born with superpowers

The Justice Society of America (JSA), led by Stargirl, is the team of superheroes out to stop the malicious goals of the Injustice Society of America. Unlike some superheroes, none of the members of the JSA were born with supernatural abilities. They each derive their powers from items they wear or wield. This goes to show that a person doesn’t have to be born with some inherent attribute to help make the world a better place. You can become a hero regardless of your background.

However, it doesn’t hurt that these heroes also have impressive fighting skills or are particularly intelligent.

3. The members of the JSA are successors of prior heroes

Each member of the Justice Society of America is a personification of a hero from a bygone era.

Stargirl was preceded by Starman, who once wielded the Cosmic Staff. Another character, the son of the original Hourman, takes on that late hero’s name as he yields the amulet that gave Hourman his unique superpowers. The original Wildcat was a heavyweight boxer, and many years later, a young woman who also boxes finds enhanced abilities as she dons his old suit. Yet another teenager finds Doctor Mid-Nite’s goggles and bonds with the AI in the technologically-advanced specs, making her the new Doctor Mid-Nite. Unskilled as a fighter, this hero uses her intellect to help the Justice Society of America.

4. The show portrays non-traditional families

One of the interesting elements about the Stargirl TV series is that it portrays the family dynamics of people from many different backgrounds.

In the role of Stargirl, teen Courtney Whitmore is mentored by her step-father who, as it is eventually revealed, was once the sidekick to the hero that used the Cosmic Staff before her.

Yolanda Montez, the new Wildcat, is a popular girl from a traditional family but finds herself at odds with her religious parents after some decisions she makes.

Beth Chapel, who is now Doctor Mid-Nite, seems to have a healthy traditional family, but is socially awkward and doesn’t seem to have many friends.

Rick Tyler, who becomes the new Hourman, is an orphan who was raised by his uncle.

The new Stargirl series is a unique spin on old superheroes, which could be especially fun for the children of old comic book fans to enjoy with their parents. However, the varying family dynamics and backgrounds of the characters make it a story just about anybody could relate to, especially since the good guys weren’t born with superpowers and weren’t expected to be heroes from the outset.