Superwoman

The Antimatter Superwoman. Art by Frank Quitely.
Publication information
Publisher	DC Comics
First appearance	Justice League of America #29 (August 1964)
Created by	Gardner Fox Mike Sekowsky
In-story information
Alter ego	Diana/Lois Lane
Species	Amazon
Place of origin	Damnation Island (Anti-matter analog of Themyscira)
Team affiliations	Crime Syndicate of America, Crime Syndicate
Partnerships	Ultraman Owlman Johnny Quick Power Ring
Abilities	Superhuman strength, speed, Healing Heat Vision Flight Magical Weaponry, Lasso of submission (Earth-3 Version of the Lasso of Truth), a weaponized tiara, and a magical sword.

Superwoman is the name of several fictional characters from DC Comics. Most of them are, like Supergirl, women with powers similar to those of Superman. The name was trademarked by Detective Comics, to prevent competitors from using it. As was the practice, an ashcan copy was created with the title of Superwoman. The cover was a reproduction of More Fun Comics, with the interior being a reprint of the third issue. The first true appearance of Superwoman was in Action Comics.

The first appearance of "Superwoman" in a DC comic is a story in Action Comics #60, where Lois Lane dreams that she has gained superpowers from a blood transfusion from Superman and launches a career as Superwoman.

The theme is revisited in a 1947 Superman comic in which a pair of fraudulent magicians cast a "spell" on Lane, making her believe she has superpowers. Superman is forced to play along with the ruse for a time, using super-speed to invisibly intervene in Lane's adventures, supporting the illusion. She briefly sports a costume modeled on Superman's before the spell is "broken". A story from Action Comics has Lois actually gaining superpowers from one of Lex Luthor's inventions and launching a short-lived career as "Superwoman."

Later stories sporadically feature tales in which Lois gains superpowers and functioned as a "Superwoman" of sorts, but all of these are, like the 1951 tale, temporary. The powers always wear off by the end of the story. A typical example of this is "The Turnabout Powers" from Superman Family, where the Earth-Two Lois Lane gains powers from her husband (the Earth-Two Superman) through the unexpected effect of an exotic extraterrestrial plant Superman brings into their home. The plant's death reverses the effect. Another example is the Batman/Superman: World's Finest mini-series where Mr. Mxyzptlk briefly transforms Lois into a "Superwoman" with costume and powers.