Though hopes were high for Supergirl, the movie has turned out to be a bit of a dud. Critics have been rather down on the project, and its lackluster box office performance has it on track to lose WBD somewhere between $100–120 million. Films flop all the time, and Supergirl not resonating with audiences probably wouldn’t be a huge deal if we knew that DC Studios had more exciting things coming down the pike. But Supergirl feels like it could be an early sign that Gunn’s grand plan for the DCU is falling apart before it even really gets off the ground.

Loosely based on Tom King and Bilquis Evely’s Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow comic miniseries, the new Supergirl film follows Superman’s cousin Kara (Milly Alcock) as she embarks on an interstellar bender that culminates in her dog being poisoned by crew of sex-trafficking pirates. Unlike Superman (David Corenswet), Supergirl doesn’t really have a problem with killing her enemies — especially when they’re trying to stop her from saving Krypto. But with an orphaned girl (Eve Ridley) tagging along for the adventure, Kara tries to set a good (read: no murdering) example.

Though Supergirl comes from director Craig Gillespie and writer Ana Nogueira, everything about this movie — from its focus on animals in distress to its needle drops — makes it feel a lot like some of Gunn’s previous work. Supergirl’s drunken brawls in alien bars and scenes of her schlepping around space in a junky starship look like they could have been ripped from any one of Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy features. You can hear Nogueira channeling Gunn’s spiky sense of humor as the movie introduces new faces like unhinged bounty hunter Lobo (a distracting Jason Momoa in comics-accurate garb). Momoa’s presence is a constant reminder of how the DCEU fell apart, but Lobo isn’t really what drags Supergirl down.

As refreshing as it was to see Superman gloss over Clark Kent’s oft-repeated tragic backstory, Supergirl spends much of its runtime rehashing the details of Krypton’s destruction. Flashbacks to Kara’s past are meant to help us understand the grief she’s been living with, and to see why her sense of morality is very different from her cousin’s. But rather than unpacking Kara’s emotions in any meaningful way, the movie makes light of her substance abuse while sending her on a by-the-numbers adventure that’s generally lacking when it comes to intrigue or visual spectacle.

One of Supergirl’s more glaring issues is the way it struggles to find organic ways to make its titular heroine feel distinct from Superman. Aside from her relative brutality and moody outlook, she’s just another indestructible alien who periodically needs to recharge her powers by basking in yellow sunlight. The movie tries to give itself some stakes by constantly putting Kara in situations where she’s left without her abilities. But by the second sequence in which Kara’s getting punched out by a bunch of dudes, you get the sense that DC Studios never really locked in on a plan to make this story pop.

That’s somewhat surprising given the way Gunn has previously insisted that DC Studios would “never put a half-assed script in production” simply because the project had already been announced. Half-assed is the perfect description of Supergirl’s entire vibe, and it being the studio’s second major feature doesn’t exactly bode well for the DCU’s future. Supergirl needed to demonstrate that Gunn had a solid plan to build a new universe on the backs of some of DC’s lower profile characters. Though we’ve already seen some of how that could work in HBO’s Peacemaker series, it was less clear whether the studio could pull it off on the big screen. The entire point of rebooting WBD’s superhero movies was to put DC Studios in a better position to compete with Marvel — which is on the verge of its own major reset. But whereas Marvel has a few reliable aces like the X-Men and a new Spider-Man movie up its sleeve, DC is essentially starting from scratch.

Some of Supergirl’s problems might not be so readily apparent if there had been more time before it and Superman’s theatrical debuts. The two movies coming out so close to one another emphasizes their characters’ general similarities, and makes it seem like DC might be a little too comfortable putting out iterative projects. This calls into question Gunn’s decision to prioritize a series about the Green Lanterns and a Clayface film before introducing new versions of more well-known heroes like Batman and Wonder Woman. WBD still plans to put out a sequel to Matt Reeves’ The Batman that won’t technically be part of the DCU, but the Gotham of it all may get audiences primed to see a new Bane / Deathstroke movie that the studio is reportedly prioritizing in the wake of Supergirl’s underperformance.

All of these B-tier projects and alternate realities give the nascent DCU a whiff of the same messiness that has plagued Sony’s universe of Spider-Man spinoffs since its inception. And when you factor in WBD’s impending merger with Paramount Skydance, it seems very possible that the DCU might not come together the way Gunn originally intended. Though it’s possible that next year’s Man of Tomorrow could steer things in a stronger direction, what feels more likely right now is DC putting out another Super-movie that feels a little too similar to what we’ve seen before. It wouldn’t be the first time that WB found itself on the ropes with a comics-related crisis, but it might be the last chance the studio has to get this stuff right.

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Buying a hunting or fishing license should feel like one of the safest things you do online. You pick the license, pay for it and get ready for your next trip outdoors. But now, a cyberattack tied to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has put personal information for more than three million license customers at risk.

The agency says the attack hit a vendor that handles the sale of hunting and fishing licenses. Texas Cyber Command detected the incident, and the state says an unauthorized actor may have obtained personal data from customer profiles. That is the part that should get your attention. Even when credit card numbers and Social Security numbers are spared, your license details, phone number and home address can still give scammers a lot to work with.

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FBI WARNS MICROSOFT USERS ABOUT PASSWORDLESS SCAM

What happened in the Texas Parks and Wildlife data breach

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department says its license system vendor was hit by a cybersecurity incident.

The agency says the investigation found that an unauthorized actor may have obtained data tied to 3,087,721 Texas hunting and fishing license customers.

TPWD did not identify the vendor in its public notice. However, it says it has strengthened access controls for customer profile data and plans to add more security features.

In other words, this involved a state license system connected to millions of people.

What information may have been exposed

TPWD says the exposed information may include:

• Driver license information
• Passport numbers, if provided
• Email addresses
• Phone numbers
• Residential addresses

That mix of data can help criminals sound convincing. A scammer who knows your name, phone number, home address and license-related details can make a fake call or email feel very personal.

The agency says Social Security numbers, dates of birth and financial information, including credit card details, were not obtained. TPWD also says there is no evidence that customers under 18 were involved or that any specific group was targeted.

Still, this breach should not be brushed off. Driver license information and passport numbers can create serious problems if they fall into the wrong hands.

Why this breach can still put you at risk

You might hear that hackers did not get credit card numbers and breathe a sigh of relief. I get that. But scammers do not always need your full financial file to cause trouble. Personal details can help them impersonate a state agency, a license vendor or even a bank. One message may claim there is a problem with your license account. Another may ask you to “verify” your identity. A fake link can also look official enough to trick someone who is moving fast.

That is where this kind of breach gets dangerous. The more a scammer knows about you, the easier it becomes to lower your guard. A fake message that includes accurate personal details can feel legitimate, especially if it shows up right after a public breach.

What Texas Parks and Wildlife says it has done

TPWD says immediate steps were taken to strengthen access controls for customer profile data. The agency also says it is working with the license system vendor to add more safeguards and enhanced monitoring.

In a statement to CyberGuy, TPWD said, “We recognize the seriousness of this issue and have identified and implemented additional security options to better protect customer information. Many of our staff are hunters and anglers and were affected by this incident. We are committed to working with the license system vendor to implement increased safeguards.”

TPWD also said license sales will continue on schedule for August and the next license year, adding that it believes “current and future customer data are not at risk.”

That means customers should be able to buy hunting and fishing licenses as planned while the state works through the fallout from the breach.

Who should take action now

If you bought a Texas hunting or fishing license, use this breach as a reason to check your accounts and tighten your identity protections.

Affected customers can confirm eligibility for one year of free credit monitoring by calling the dedicated response line at 844-959-7123.

The enrollment deadline is Sept. 14, 2026. The call center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. CT.

Do not wait for a suspicious charge or strange letter to show up. Breach cleanup works best when you act before someone tries to use your information.

How to protect yourself after the Texas Parks and Wildlife data breach

If you bought a Texas hunting or fishing license, these steps can help you reduce your risk and spot suspicious activity early.

1) Sign up for credit monitoring or consider identity theft protection

If you are eligible, sign up for the free credit monitoring before September 14, 2026. Credit monitoring can alert you when new credit activity appears in your name. It will not stop every type of identity fraud, but it can give you an early warning. If you were not affected by this breach, now is still a good time to consider identity theft protection. These services can help monitor your personal information, alert you to suspicious activity and guide you if someone tries to use your identity. See my tips and best picks on Best Identity Theft Protection at Cyberguy.com

2) Freeze your credit

A credit freeze is one of the strongest moves you can make after a breach. It makes it harder for someone to open a new account in your name. You need to freeze your credit separately with Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. It is free. You can also lift the freeze when you need to apply for credit.

EMPTY ENVELOPES IN YOUR MAILBOX? DO NOT SCAN THAT CODE

3) Add a fraud alert

A fraud alert tells lenders to take extra steps before opening new credit in your name. You can place a free one-year fraud alert by contacting one of the major credit bureaus. That bureau should notify the other two. This is a good option if you want extra protection but are not ready to freeze your credit.

4) Report identity theft if something looks wrong

If you see signs that someone used your information, report it right away. That could include new accounts you did not open, strange letters about benefits, unfamiliar bills or credit checks you do not recognize. The FTC’s IdentityTheft.gov can help you create a recovery plan based on what happened.

5) Remove your personal information from people-search sites

Your name, address and phone number may already appear on data broker sites. A breach can make that exposure feel even more personal. A data removal service can help reduce how much of your personal information appears online. You can also manually request removal from major people-search sites. Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting CyberGuy.com.

6) Watch for driver’s license misuse

Because driver’s license information may have been exposed, pay close attention to anything tied to your ID. That includes notices about duplicate licenses, address changes, traffic issues, government benefits or accounts you did not request. If something feels off, contact the proper agency directly. Do not use a phone number or link from a surprise message.

7) Be careful with passport-related scams

If you provided a passport number, be extra cautious with calls or emails that claim there is a problem with your passport or travel documents. Do not give out personal information to someone who contacts you first. Go directly to the official agency website or call a verified number instead.

8) Watch for fake TPWD messages

Scammers may use this breach as bait. Be careful with any email, text or call that claims to come from Texas Parks and Wildlife, a license vendor or a credit monitoring service. Do not click links from surprise messages. Go directly to the official website or call the dedicated response line instead.

9) Use strong antivirus software

Scammers may use this breach to send fake emails, texts or links that look official. Strong antivirus software can help block malicious links, detect phishing attempts and warn you before you download something dangerous. Keep it updated on your phone, tablet and computer so it can catch newer threats. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices at CyberGuy.com.

10) Do not share verification codes

If someone calls and asks for a code sent to your phone or email, stop. That is a major red flag. Scammers use those codes to get into accounts. No legitimate support agent should pressure you to hand one over.

11) Check your financial accounts

Even though TPWD says financial information was not obtained, you should still review your bank and credit card statements. Look for small test charges, unfamiliar subscriptions or anything that seems off. Report suspicious activity right away.

12) Use strong passwords and two-factor authentication

This breach does not appear to involve passwords, but scammers may use exposed personal details to target your other accounts. Use a password manager to create strong, unique passwords. Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA) for important accounts, especially email, banking and shopping accounts.

WORLD CUP TICKET SCAMS TARGET DESPERATE FANS

Kurt’s key takeaways

This breach is a reminder that everyday government transactions can carry a lot of personal data behind the scenes. You may think of a hunting or fishing license as a routine purchase. But the information connected to that purchase can include driver’s license details, passport numbers, phone numbers and your home address. That gives imposters enough context to make a scam sound believable. The best move now is to stay ahead of it. Use the official response line, sign up for monitoring if you qualify, freeze your credit and be extra careful with any surprise message about your license or identity. The vendor may have been the target, but Texans are the ones left watching their information.

Should state agencies be required to publicly name vendors after a breach this large, or would that make future investigations harder? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.

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