DC Officially Introduces Its Answer To Wolverine, Codename and Powers Explained

Published Oct 17, 2026, 7:00 PM EDT Robert Wood is a writer and editor based out of Cheshire, England. He is the author of 'The False Elephant: and 99 Other Unreasonably Short Stories' - 100 stories, each told in exactly 100 words. Rob got into comics via Bendis' Ultimate Spider-Man and the UK anthology 'The Mighty World of Marvel,' which was running Frank Miller's Daredevil, Classic Hulk and Contest of Champions II. Prior to journalism, he worked in copywriting and copyedited for Oxford University Press. He is on X as @PinchTwigs and Instagram as roobwoodjourno. DC just introduced its answer to Marvel's Wolverine, complete with vicious claws and seemingly unbreakable bones. Here's everything you need to know. During her tenure on the celebrated Supergirl Volume 8, Sophie Campbell has introduced a wealth of characters to Kara Zor-El's lore. That includes her new team Super Force, including Thundergirl, Nightflame, Lena Luthor and more. Now, that team is getting a new member, as DC officially introduces a brawler hero named after a stocky, surprisingly strong mammal with powerful claws. Meet... WOMBAT! DC Introduces Wombat, Supergirl's Wolverine Wombat makes her debut in the recent Supergirl #18, from Sophie Campbell, Tamra Bonvillain and Becca Carey. The character is introduced as a hero with a previously unseen history with Supergirl, crediting Kara with rescuing her from several difficult situations in the past. Wombat arrives due to Supergirl moving Super Force into her new Fortress of Solidarity base, with Wombat joining the team and getting her own quarters in the sprawling underground complex. The comic notes that, "she hates beds/mattresses and sleeps on the floor in a pile of blankets." Wombat finds an immediate rival in the eldritch hero Nightflame, who protests at an unknown being welcomed onto Super Force. That's likely to get a lot more awkward soon, as Supergirl loses her powers in this issue, leaving Super Force without their unifying leader. Despite that, Wombat is still likely to be an asset to the team. Wombat's Powers In DC Lore Wombat is only seen briefly in the issue, but her fight with Nightflame allows her to show off her abilities. Wombat has enhanced strength and short, clawed fingers. She's also incredibly durable. Not only does Wombat's skull break Nightflame's sword, but a missed headbutt pulverizes stone. Wombat appears to be a knowing tribute to Marvel's Wolverine, with her unbreakable skull standing in for Logan's adamantium-coated claws. While Marvel's mutant hero can cut through just about anything, Wombat can seemingly accomplish the same with her head, boasting, "My skull can break anything! Even magic swords!" The naming convention appears to be a deliberate gag, while Wombat's personality as an irascible loner who eschews creature comforts also matching the X-Men's resident ronin. What's Next for Wombat and Super Force? No sooner do Super Force 'welcome' Wombat as a member than they lose their leader. Targeted by the mercenary Reactron, Supergirl is exposed to Gold Kryptonite - a substance which permanently depowers Kryptonians by removing their ability to absorb solar radiation. Summaries for upcoming issues reveal that Kara will step down as Supergirl, with Super Force's Nightflame and Thundergirl - as well as new recruit Matrix - competing to take on the Supergirl name. Meanwhile, Kara will return to college, believing her time as a superhero is over. The rivalry to become the new Supergirl will likely affect the stability of Super Force, who are sure to be the action focus of the comic, at least for the next few months. The recent introduction of the Fortress of Solidarity gives the team an ongoing base to operate out of (and clash within), while Kara leaving and members vying for her name will prompt internecine conflict, with Wombat and Nightflame already at odds. DC's Wolverine Is Already a Great Character Wombat has only appeared in one comic so far, but she's already an incredibly fun character - one who comes complete with an unseen backstory that Supergirl can unpack at its leisure. It'll be fun to see what the character's hard head can accomplish in future adventures, and whether there are any other similarities to X-Men's Wolverine waiting to be discovered. Supergirl #18 is available now from DC Comics. Created By Roy Thomas, Len Wein, John Romita Sr. Cast Hugh Jackman First Appearance The Incredible Hulk (2023) Alias James "Logan" Howlett Alliance X-Men, Avengers, Canadian Army, OSS/CIA, Avengers Unity Squad, Alpha Flight, New Avengers, New Fantastic Four, Savage Avengers, Weapon X, X-Force Race Human-Mutant