The Best Women In Comic Books

Key Takeaways

• Powerful and dynamic female leads like Sheena and Jessica Cruz have reshaped the comic book genre.
• Nimona, Vixen, and other female superheroes showcase resilience, courage, and unique abilities.
• Characters like Wonder Woman, Moon Girl, and Batgirl prove that heroism transcends boundaries and generations.

Comic books have long been a source of thrilling adventures, suspenseful mysteries, and captivating romances. While traditionally seen as a male-dominated industry, the powerful and dynamic female leads who have shaped the genre are impossible to ignore.

From battle-hardened warriors and shape-shifting creatures to tenacious survivors, these characters come from all walks of life, serving as inspiring role models. Through their stories of resilience, compassion, and determination, they have enriched the world of comic books, proving that heroism knows no bounds.

10 Sheena: Queen Of The Jungle

• Publisher: Fiction House (1938-1953), Blackthorne (1988-1988), London Night Studios (1998-1999), Devil’s Due Publishing (2008-2009), Moonstone Books (2014-2014), Dynamite Entertainment (2017-Present)
• First Appearance: 1938
• Created By: Will Eisner, Jerry Iger

While Wonder Woman is often credited as the first female superhero, Sheena, Queen of the Jungle, debuted earlier in 1938. Orphaned as a child, Sheena was raised in the African jungle by Koba, a native witch doctor. Under his guidance, she became a formidable warrior, mastering combat techniques, learning to communicate with animals, and becoming fluent in several Central African languages.

Ike Turner was inspired by Sheena when creating his wife, Tina Turner’s, stage persona. They chose the name Tina because it rhymed with Sheena.

As an adult, Sheena earned the title “Queen of the Jungle.” Alongside her loyal monkey companion, Chim, she defended her home against a wide range of threats, including slavers, hunters, cultists, dinosaurs, and even vampire-apes. Sheena’s success in comics paved the way for other female superheroes such as Miss Fury, Black Cat, and Batsy Ross, cementing her legacy as a superhero pioneer.

9 Nimona

• Publisher: HarperCollins
• First Appearance: 2015
• Created By: ND Stevenson

Nimona began as a webcomic on Tumblr, telling the story of its titular character, a mischievous shapeshifter who typically takes the form of a human girl. She partners with Ballister Blackheart, a disgraced knight-turned-villain. Once a promising hero, Ballister lost his arm in a joust with his rival, Ambrosius Goldenloin, and subsequently turned to villainy.

Together, Nimona and Ballister uncover the corrupt practices of the Institution of Law Enforcement and Heroics, deciding to challenge its authority while striving to protect ordinary people.

Netflix presented
Nimona
as non-binary, mirroring author ND Stevenson. In the comic, Nimona uses she/her pronouns.

Netflix adapted Nimona into an animated film, released on June 30, 2023. While the movie deviated from the comic’s original plot, it was critically acclaimed, earning a nomination for Best Animated Feature at the 96th Academy Awards.

8 Jessica Cruz: Green Lantern

• Publisher: DC Comics
• First Appearance: 2014
• Created By: Geoff Johns, Ethan Van Sciver

Jessica Cruz is a member of the Green Lantern Corps, dedicated to protecting Earth. Her journey to becoming a Green Lantern was shaped by trauma; she witnessed the brutal murder of her friends, which attracted the Ring of Volthoom. The ring tries to use her to destroy the Earth, but Jessica resists its power, enduring torture without yielding.

With the help of Batman, she depowers the ring and eventually destroys Volthoom, earning herself a Green Lantern ring.

As a Green Lantern, Jessica can create energy-based constructs like all Lanterns, but her creations are notably larger, more intricate, and often have an organic feel. Due to Volthoom’s influence, her ring also grants her the ability to travel through time under certain conditions.

Jessica is also a skilled survivalist, proficient at using a shotgun and hand-to-hand combat. Her unique blend of abilities and resilience make her a powerful and unique member of the Green Lantern Corps.

7 Adèle Blanc-Sec

• Publisher: Casterman
• First Appearance: 1976
• Created By: Jacques Tardi

The Extraordinary Adventures of Adèle Blanc-Sec is a gaslamp fantasy series set in an alternate Paris during the early 20th century, before and after World War I. The protagonist, Adèle Blanc-Sec, is a daring novelist and investigative journalist who dives into the world of magic, technology, and the occult, unraveling its secrets and exposing dark mysteries.

The first five Adèle Blanc-Sec stories have been translated into English by Dark Horse Comics and NBM Publishing. Fantagraphics Books signed a deal with Jacques Tardi to translate and release the entire series, though it is not a top priority.

Though she doesn’t possess any superhuman abilities, Adèle relies on her sharp intellect, resourcefulness, and unflappable charm to navigate a world teeming with danger. She faces off against formidable threats such as pterodactyls, murderers, and even demons in the streets of Paris, proving time and again that her quick thinking and boldness make her a force to be reckoned with.

6 Mari Jiwe McCabe: Vixen

• Publisher: DC Comics
• First Appearance: 1981
• Created By: Gerry Conway, Bob Oksner

Mari McCabe, also known as Vixen, grew up with her family in a small village in the fictional nation of Zambesi. Her family were the guardians of the Tantu Totem, a powerful amulet created by Anansi the Spider for the ancient warior, Tantu. The totem grants its wearer the ability to harness the powers of the entire animal kingdom to protect the innocent.

Mari’s early life was marked by tragedy. Her mother, who had told her stories of the totem, was killed by poachers, and her father was murdered by his own brother, who sought to steal the totem. After these losses, Mari moved to America, where she pursued a successful modeling career in New York City.

Eventually, she returned to Africa, reclaimed the Tantu Totem, and began using its powers to fight for justice as the superhero Vixen. Her ability to channel the strength, speed, and abilities of various animals makes her a formidable force in the fight against evil.

5 Chanath Cha

• Publisher: Marvel Comics
• First Appearance: 2015
• Created By: Charles Soule, Alex Maleev

Chanath Cha, a fierce bounty hunter introduced in the Star Wars comics, made her mark during the Galactic Civil War. After witnessing the brutal murder of her parents at the hands of Darth Vader, she swore an unyielding oath of vengeance. Determined to confront him, Chanath worked within the Empire’s ranks, hoping to climb close enough to face the Sith Lord.

Chanath Cha once fought the lightsaber-wielding Pavol with only a knife… and won.

Although she never fulfilled her goal of exacting revenge, her resolve remained unwavering. Chanath eventually founded the Orphans, a coalition of individuals from across the galaxy who had also lost their families to war and chaos. This group aligned with Crimson Dawn, the criminal syndicate led by Darth Maul, united by a shared mission: to bring down the Sith.

4 Diana Prince: Wonder Woman

• Publisher: DC Comics
• First Appearance: 1941
• Created By: William Moulton Marston, H.G. Peter

Princess Diana of Themyscira, better known as Wonder Woman, left her island paradise to become a champion for the Amazon ideals of peace, justice, and equality in the wider world. As Wonder Woman, she has not only stood tall as a founding member of the Justice League but has also lent her strength to other superhero teams like the Justice Society of America and the Justice Experience.

Wonder Woman debuted during World War II, where she mostly fought Axis forces in addition to supervillains. After the war ended, her stories evolved to emphasize Greek mythology.

A warrior with unparalleled combat skills, Wonder Woman also boasts a range of extraordinary abilities. She possesses superhuman speed, strength, and reflexes, can fly, absorb energy, and wields divine powers such as magic and lightning manipulation in various iterations of her story. Her iconic golden bracelets are durable enough to deflect bullets, while her Lasso of Truth compels honesty. In her early adventures, she also utilized a range of advanced Amazonian technology, including her famous invisible plane.

3 Laura Kinney: X-23, Wolverine, Talon

• Publisher: Marvel Comics
• First Appearance: 2004
• Created By: Craig Kyle, Christopher Yost

Laura Kinney, also known as X-23, was cloned from Wolverine’s DNA by the Weapon X program, which sought to create a more controllable mutant super-weapon. Like Wolverine, Laura’s skeleton and claws were bonded with Adamantium, making her a formidable fighter. Raised in a harsh environment, she was trained as an assassin and hired out as a mercenary to the highest bidder.

X-23 was created for the animated series, X-Men: Evolution, before debuting in the NYX comic series in 2004.

After being betrayed by the program, Laura escaped to New York, where she struggled to reconcile her identity and purpose. Her journey eventually brought her to the X-Men and Wolverine. Over time, Laura and Wolverine developed a father-daughter bond, with Wolverine becoming her mentor and guide. Laura grew into her own as a hero, learning to forge her path while honoring her origins.

2 Lunella Lafayette: Moon Girl

• Publisher: Marvel Comics
• First Appearance: 2015
• Created By: Brandon Montclare, Amy Reeder, Natacha Bustos

Lunella Lafayette is a brilliant young girl living on the Lower East Side of New York City. Though she excels in all her school subjects, her true talent lies in engineering, making her one of the smartest individuals in the Marvel Universe. Her extraordinary journey begins when she discovers the Nightstone, an ancient artifact that accidentally transports a massive, crimson Tyrannosaurus rex, Devil Dinosaur, into the modern world.

Bonding with the dinosaur, Lunella adopts the superhero moniker Moon Girl. Armed with her inventive gadgets and her loyal prehistoric partner, Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur team up to protect their city from threats big and small, proving that heroism comes in all sizes… and from all eras.

1 Barbara Gordon: Batgirl, Oracle

• Publisher: DC Comics
• First Appearance: 1966
• Created By: William Dozier, Julius Schwartz, Gardner Fox, Carmine Infantino, John Ostrander, Kim Yale

Barbara Gordon, affectionately known as Babs, is the daughter of Gotham City’s Police Commissioner, James Gordon. She joined the Bat-Family in 1967 as Batgirl, taking up the mantle from Bette Kane. Fighting alongside Batman and Robin, Barbara becomes a vital part of Gotham’s fight against crime. However, her career as Batgirl took a devastating turn when the Joker attacked her in Batman: The Killing Joke, leaving her paralyzed and in a wheelchair.

Undeterred, Barbara reinvented herself as Oracle, a brilliant hacker and data broker who supports the Bat-Family, Birds of Prey, and other superheroes. Under the instruction of Richard Dragon, Babs honed her combat skills, proving that her disability was no barrier to her abilities as a hero. With her unmatched intelligence, technical expertise, and phenomenal fighting skills, Barbara Gordon remains a force to be reckoned with.