When John Bryne revamps Superman's universe in 1986 one of the basic premises is that Superman is literally "The Last Son of Krypton." Thus, the traditional Supergirl character cannot be revived. despite popular demand for her. John Byrne creates a three-issue story arc, "The Supergirl Saga" starting in Superman No. 21. In which a Supergirl lookalike comes to Earth. She is an artificial lifeform essentially shapeless but with astounding shape-shifting abilities-as well as invisibility and telekinesis. She originally is a creation of a good Lex Luthor in an alternative "pocket universe," where the three Kryptonian criminals are using a scorched earth policy to take over the Earth there. The criminals are defeated, but in the battle, Supergirl is reduced to a protomatter state. Superman brings her to his universe's Earth. While regenerating she lives with Martha and Jonathan Kent who call her "Mae." Matrix is somehow imprinted with the memories of Lana Lang and knows Clark's identity.

While she recovers, Matrix's mind begins to get confused, until she mistakenly believes that she is actually Clark, and changes her appearance to that of Clark/Superman. When Superman confronts her, she realizes her mistake; but instead of helping to repair the damage caused by impersonating the Man of Steel, Matrix flies off into space. Eventually Supergirl returns during the Superman storyline, "Panic in The Sky." She is instrumental during the Death of Superman story and cleverly uses her shape-shifting power to "explain" how Clark Kent manages to reappear from his apparent death during Superman's monumental battle with Doomsday.

Supergirl/Matrix falls in love with this Earth's Lex Luthor, publicly becoming his protege and answer to Superman-a super-hero who actually does Luthor's bidding. During this period Supergirl develops a frightening appearance whenever she becomes angry, as she does when she eventually learns of Luthor's criminality. No longer confused she understands the responsibility that goes with putting on the S-shield, that people expect a special commitment from those who choose to wear it, as she explains to the far less responsible Superboy. Matrix also has faith in people to do the right thing, and her inherent goodness leads her finally to "become" Linda Danvers....

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