CBS is slowly getting things all the characters together for its upcoming superhero drama Supergirl. Melissa Benoist has been cast as the titular character Kara Zor-El/Kara Danvers, and Mehcad Brooks was cast earlier this week as love interest Jimmy Olsen. While the rest of the main players still have yet to be cast, it’s been revealed who the first bad guy will be that Kara fights as the Girl of Steel, although even hardcore comic book fans might not know who this is.
Supergirl's first enemy in the show will be Lumberjack, an old-school DC Comics villain, according to TV Line. Having battled her Kryptonian cousin in the past, Lumberjack shows up in the pilot to get a read on Kara’s power level for an “unseen superior.” The network is looking for a “big, burly monster of a man” to play the antagonist along the lines of Rory McCann from Game of Thrones, who plays Sandor Clegane, a.k.a. The Hound. Even by comic book standards, this character is extremely obscure. Lumberjack’s only appearance was in Wonder Woman #268 published in 1980, where he was a Canadian assassin working for an organization called The Cartel. Oh, and Lumberjack isn’t a simple code name, this guy actually dresses like one of the tree choppers, as seen below.
Unless he’s a recurring henchman, it’s doubtful Lumberjack will go on to be one of the bigger adversaries in the drama, although given that he only appeared once in the comics, this gives the writers free reign to characterize him however they want. This mysterious boss, on the other hand, is worth keeping an eye on. What’s also interesting is the comment about Lumberjack having fought Superman in the past. This verifies that the Man of Steel will indeed have a presence in this world, although whether he will actually appear in-person remains to be seen.
The planned series is also set to have several members of Superman’s rogues gallery as members of the main cast. Winslow Schott, better known as Toyman, will be a computer programmer that has a crush on Kara, who he lives next door to. Hank Henshaw, who becomes the Cyborg-Superman in the comics, will be the head of the Department of Extranormal Operations who wonders if Supergirl’s arrival will pose a threat to mankind. Other main characters will include Alex Danvers, Kara’s foster sister who works for a secret government organization, and Cat Grant, founder of the media conglomerate CatCo and Kara’s boss.
Supergirl has earned a series commitment from CBS, so stay tuned for more information on its progression in the coming months.
