Top 5: Best Girl Groups

For a very long time, the music industry was considered a man's world. From Elvis Presley to the Beatles, male musicians dominated the charts and soared to new heights of success. Then something fantastic happened -- Diana Ross, Mary Wilson, and Florence Ballard broke through the glass ceiling with the release of their smash hit "Where Did Our Love Go?" as the Supremes. This marked the birth of the modern girl group and, since then, women all over the world have been banding together in hopes of replicating (or surpassing) the success of the Supremes.

This list counts down five of the all-time greatest girl groups. Those selected for this list have had tremendous success and have made a positive impact on the music industry. These five girl groups are innovative, glamorous, and, most importantly, divinely talented.

05. TLC

Members: Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas, Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins, Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes

Years Active: 1990-2005, 2009-present 

Number of #1 Singles: 4

Number of Platinum Albums: 4

Signature Songs: "Creep," "Waterfalls," "No Scrubs," "Unpretty"

Much like the Supremes before them, TLC became visionaries in a genre dominated by men. This trio blended R&B and Hip-Hop together to create a unique sound that many groups have since attempted to replicate. The combination of T-Boz's smokey vocals, Chilli's sticky sweet voice, and Left Eye's rapid fire rapping was a winning combination that led to an estimated 65 million records sold.

Unfortunately, in-fighting nearly tore the group apart and Left Eye's tragic death in 2002 hindered TLC's future success. While they've attempted the occasional comeback, Chilli and T-Boz have largely been unable to recapture the magic of their heyday.

04. Destiny's Child

Members: Beyoncé Knowles, Kelly Rowland, Michelle Williams

Years Active: 1997-2006

Number of #1 Singles: 4

Number of Platinum Albums: 5

Signature Songs: "No, No, No," "Say My Name," "Independent Women," "Survivor"

From SWV to En Vogue, there's been no shortage of R&B girl groups. However, none has ever quite been as influential as Destiny's Child. Originally a quartet, Destiny's Child weathered numerous line-up changes before settling into their magic formula of Beyoncé Knowles, Kelly Rowland, and Michelle Williams. This incarnation broke records when their hit single "Independent Women" spent a staggering 11 weeks at number one and its proceeding album Survivor sold nearly 700,000 copies in its first week. Their instantly recognizable vocals have made them a force to be reckoned with and are still much-loved by their fans.

After the release of their fourth album, Destiny's Child announced their split. Since then, they've gone on to pursue solo careers. Unlike most other girl groups, each member of this trio have achieved solo success by carving out niches within the music industry. While reunions are regularly squashed by Bey, Kelly, and Michelle, fans were treated to a brief moment of DC3 goodness when they reunited for Beyoncé's 2013 SuperBowl Half-Time Show performance.

03. The Supremes

Members: Diana Ross, Mary Wilson, Florence Ballard (original line-up)

Years Active: 1959-1977

Number of #1 Singles: 12

Signature Songs: "Where Did Our Love Go?," "Baby Love," Stop! In The Name of Love," "Love Child"

In the 1960s, Diana Ross, Mary Wilson, and Florence Ballard reigned supreme. As Motown's most successful group, this trio maintained an image of elegance and autonomy during a period of civil upheaval. While Ross was portrayed as the group's lead singer, the Supremes had incredible harmonies and should be celebrated for achieving such tremendous success during a period of time when women were not considered viable commodities in the music industry.

Following the dismissal of original member Florence Ballard, the group was re-branded as Diana Ross & The Supremes and Ballard was replaced by Cindy Birdsong. This incarnation continued to rack up the hits right up until Ross' departure in 1970. While the group continued to produce music without Ross, they failed to replicate the success they once had. In the years that followed, Diana Ross embarked on a successful solo career as a singer and actress. Even still, her time as a Supreme remains an ever-present iconic moment in popular culture.

02. Girls Aloud

Members: Nadine Coyle, Cheryl Cole, Kimberley Walsh, Sarah Harding, Nicola Roberts

Years Active: 2002-2013

Number of #1 Singles: 4

Number of Platinum Albums: 6

Signature Songs: "The Sound of the Underground," "Love Machine," "Biology," "The Promise"

When it comes to girl groups, the UK knows how to get it right. Unlike their American counterparts, these groups eschew the lead singer format in favour of spotlighting each individual member. This is the formula that Girls Aloud was born out of. Initially put together for the 2002 reality TV program Pop Stars: The Rivals, these fierce songstresses skyrocketed to the top of the charts with their debut single "The Sound of the Underground." With the production team of Xenomania behind them, Girls Aloud released a staggering 21 top ten hits in the UK and each of their five studio albums have been certified platinum. The group is also credited for altering the landscape of pop music in the UK and many of their songs are considered examples of innovation in the genre.

Unlike the other groups on this list, Girls Aloud have never had any line-up changes. This is a feat practically unheard of in the realm of girl groups. Despite this, the group called it quits in 2013 following their Ten: The Hits concert tour. While the girls have each pursued solo careers, it is Cheryl Cole that has taken off as a major force in the music industry. As a lead artist, she has four #1 singles and is set to release her fourth album later this year.

01. Spice Girls

Members: Melanie "Sporty Spice" Chisolm, Victoria "Posh Spice" Beckham, Melanie "Scary Spice" Brown, Emma "Baby Spice" Bunton, Geri "Ginger Spice" Halliwell

Years Active: 1994-2000, 2007-2008

Number of #1 Singles: 9

Number of Platinum Albums: 4 (their first album is certified 10x platinum!)

Signature Songs: "Wannabe," "Say You'll Be There," "Spice Up Your Life," "Goodbye"

During the testosterone-laden wave of boy bands in the 1990s, a girl group rose to prominence that forever altered the music industry. The Spice Girls were a five piece girl group that rose to fame with their debut single "Wannabe." Their messages of female empowerment and the importance of individuality resonated with audiences. This beloved group became a phenomenon and invaded just about every aspect of day-to-day life. Their success extended beyond their radio hits, leading to the release of branded merchandise from dolls to bubblegum. It's hard to imagine the '90s without their distinctive brand of feel-good pop music and their encouragement for their fans to stay true to who they are.

Unfortunately, the meteoric success the Spice Girls experienced was not enough to keep the group together. During the middle of their Spiceworld tour, Geri left the group. Even though the four remaining members carried on without her, they would release just one more album before disbanding in 2000. Since then, each member has explored solo careers as singers, songwriters, fashion designers, and television personalities. Even 18 years after their debut single, fans are still clamouring for a reunion.

Note: Certifications listed here are based on those of the groups' native countries. For example, Spice Girls' and Girls Aloud's certifications are based off of those received in the United Kingdom while Destiny's Child's are based off those received in the United States.

It's worth mentioning that girl groups like SPEED, Girls' Generation, Morning Musume, and Wonder Girls have experienced tremendous success in Asia and are easily worthy of being included in best of lists.

Review: Batgirl Volume 2 - Knightfall Descends

After duking it out with the aristocratic villain Grotesque, Batgirl comes up against a cabal of extremist vigilantes known as the Disgraced. She must team-up with Batwoman and a crooked cop in order to bring them down before they can wreak more havoc on unsuspecting criminals.

Batgirl: Knightfall Descends collects issues #7-13 and 0 of Gail Simone's run on Batgirl. It is chock full of action, suspense, and sassy quips.

Reading Batgirl: Knightfall Descends, it's next to impossible not to love Batgirl. Simone writes the characters incredibly well and her inner voice is relatable in its tone. Barbara is funny and charismatic, proving that Nightwing is far from being the only sasspot in the Batman Family. That's not to say that there aren't serious moments in this collection. In fact, it is quite the opposite. There is an overwhelming sense of dread that is creeping into Barbara's life and she is surrounded by darkness. Nevertheless, it's quite evident that there is nothing this spunky redhead cannot handle.

Beyond Batgirl's infectious sass, Knightfall Descends has a lot going for it. For one, it features some spectacular guest stars. In one story, Batgirl visits gal pal Black Canary and the two spent some time gabbing after beating the living snot out of one another (the superhero equivalent of girl talk). In general, the title had been very introspective up until then so it was nice to have Barbara opening up to another character. 

Fan-favourite Batwoman also makes an appearance. It's clear that Simone has the utmost respect for the character and thankfully depicts her as every bit of the badass that she is. The team-up between Batgirl and Batwoman starts off a little rocky, but leads to an interesting potential for future interactions between the two.

When it comes to the book's villains, Simone really hits it out of the park. From the very first issue, she'd been building a fantastic rogues' gallery for Batgirl but really outdoes herself with the Disgraced. They're arguably her most dangerous foes to date and it takes the combined might of Batgirl, Batwoman, and Detective McKenna to bring them down. As with the preceding Simone-created baddies, the collection's titular villain Knightfall is an incredibly complex character with a fantastic design backing her.

It's hard not to love Gail Simone's Batgirl. The comic is beyond words and it's truthfully quite difficult to sum up how great Simone's run is. She writes the definitive (and most likeable) version of Barbara Gordon and surrounds the character with one of the most compelling supporting casts at DC Comics. There are many unpredictable twists and turns, ensuring that readers will always be kept on their toes. Aside from the surprises and action, the story is packed with substance. This isn't your average superhero title, it has a heart and a soul. You do not want to miss out on having this book in your collection Bat fans!

Rating: A

Review: Avengers - The Enemy Within

When an enemy from Captain Marvel's past re-surfaces, she must deal with the ghosts of her past and take down the threat before he destroys the Earth. There's just one little problem -- there is a lesion growing inside of Captain Marvel's head and if she uses her powers it will grow so large that it will rob her of her memories.

Avengers: The Enemy Within collects this five-part crossover between Captain Marvel and Avengers Assemble written by Kelly Sue DeConnick.

Originally debuting as Ms. Marvel in 1977, Carol Danvers was touted as Marvel's first feminist heroine. Despite enjoying two successful solo series, Marvel never dared to focus a crossover on the character. Nearly 40 years later, DeConnick bravely takes that plunge with The Enemy Within. Believe me, this crossover was worth the wait.

DeConnick has a very clear grasp on the character and makes her one of the most likeable heroines in the Marvel Universe. She is brave, loyal, headstrong, and one-hundred percent badass. Carol's interactions with the other characters in this collection are commendable. Her friendship with Spider-Woman is especially noteworthy. Every exchange between these two gal pals is a total riot, with DeConnick playing Spider-Woman's sassy wit against Captain Marvel's seriousness perfectly.

Beyond the strong character work, it is quite clear that DeConnick not only knows the history of the character that she's writing but that she also knows how to write a thrilling adventure. The Enemy Within is a beautiful culmination of what she'd been building towards from issue one of Captain Marvel. Captain Marvel is faced with the ghosts of her past and the plot created by her enemy is nothing short of epic. There's a lot of thought put into the crafting of this narrative and DeConnick is to be celebrated for this. After all, most writers come onto a comic trying to force their own spin onto a character. Instead, DeConnick embraces Carol's past and uses it to forge one hell of a thrill ride.

This is another must-read collection from Marvel's Marvel NOW! initiative. It's punchy, exciting, and character-driven. It also happens to be incredibly accessible, as it only requires the knowledge of the preceding Captain Marvel trade paperbacks written by DeConnick. Avengers: The Enemy Within is a wonderful superhero tale that is equally as classic as it is contemporary. DeConnick's writing is impeccable and the art, though inconsistent, is incredibly dynamic. For anyone looking for strong female characters who kick butt, you need look no further than this collection.

Rating: A-

Review: Batgirl Volume 1, The Darkest Reflection

After surviving a horrific attack that left her paralyzed, Barbara Gordon is finally starting to put her life back together. Following a three year period of being confined to a wheelchair, Barbara undergoes an experimental procedure that grants her the ability to walk again. With her newfound lease on life, she returns to the mantle of Batgirl and faces off against the menaces of the Mirror and Gretel.

Batgirl: The Darkest Reflection collects the first six issues of Barbara Gordon's return to heroism as Batgirl and chronicles her struggles to escape the nightmares of her past. Written by Gail Simone and pencilled by Adrian Syaf, this collection is a must-read for any Bat fan.

Having penned Birds of Prey for close to a decade, Gail Simone is no stranger to writing Barbara Gordon and her love of the character comes across in every panel. Barbara is brimming with personality and is more tangible than she's been in years. Simone portrays the character as someone who is full of flaws and contradictions, making her extremely realistic and relatable. Of course, she also makes sure to add a touch of sass to the iconic redhead to keep things from getting too serious.

What is so notable about Simone's writing on Batgirl is her dedication to the relationships Barbara that maintains. First and foremost, the father-daughter dynamic between Barbara and the Commissioner is both compelling and unique to the pair. Her budding friendship with her roommate Alysia and her seemingly strained relationship with Dick Grayson are also noteworthy for bringing out different sides of the character. It's clear that she's become quite guarded and doesn't want to be coddled, but at the same time it's evident that she needs to open up to others.

With all the controversy surrounding Barbara Gordon regaining the use of her legs, it was smart of Simone to tackle the themes of survivor's guilt and victimization in this collection. We see this in the forms of the book's villains -- Mirror and Gretel. Both are survivors of horrific accidents and who have subsequently lashed out at the world for not being granted the sweet release of death. Simone is to be applauded for not leaning on Batman villains and for creating foes for Batgirl that the character can sympathize with. Doing so gives Batgirl a rogue's gallery of her own and helps to highlight Barbara's compassion as a hero. Gretel in particular stands strong and would do well as an ongoing foe.

Of all of the books in DC Comics' New 52, Batgirl stands as one of its strongest. Beyond its sales figures and talented creative team, it is a title that has something to say and has a whole lot of heart while saying it. Simone's words are at once tragic and hilarious. She blends humour and drama together seamlessly and organically, making Batgirl one of the most interesting superhero comics around. This first collection of her run is a fantastic starting point and does a great job of breathing new life into a character who has been around since the 1960s.

Rating: A-

Top 10: Comic Book Characters Ruined by A-List Writers

Women in Refrigerators is a term coined by comic book legend Gail Simone and is used to describe a group of female characters who have been abused, depowered, and killed as a plot device to create drama. Unfortunately, it seems like no woman has been safe from this trend and the sad truth in the matter is that many of the worst perpetrators are some of the most successful creators in the comic book industry. More often than not, most of these instances occur in some of the most celebrated works in comics.

In this top ten list, I've counted down some of the worst instances of Women in Refrigerators where A-list writers have seen it pressing to use and abuse female characters as a way of heightening the drama of their stories. This list isn't meant to shame these writers (okay, maybe it is just a little), but it is meant to force us to re-examine the way writers treat women in fiction and to realize that something can be amazing narratively if a woman can make it through a story without being raped, tortured, or killed.

10. Talia al Ghul (DC Comics)

The Perpetrators: Greg Rucka, Grant Morrison

Originally created by Dennis O'Neil and Bob Brown, Talia al Ghul was a brilliant femme fatale whose characterization was inspired by the Bond Girls and the Fu Manchu stories. She was consistently portrayed as one of Batman's greatest love interests and was depicted as being torn between her feelings for the Dark Knight and her loyalty to her father.

In the 2003 story Death and the Maidens, Talia becomes a pawn in her sister Nyssa's schemes to destroy their father's empire. Nyssa repeatedly kills Talia and revives her using the mystical Lazarus Pits. This process drives the character crazy and turns her against not only her father, but Batman as well. This is a rare example where Rucka betrays the female sex by depicting Talia as a helpless victim in Nyssa's schemes.

Several years later, Grant Morrison got his hands on the character and single-handedly destroyed her. Once a viable love interest for Batman, Morrison revealed that Talia drugged the Dark Knight and raped him in order to conceive a child sired by him. From then on, she was consistently portrayed as a stereotypical conniving bitch and was responsible for the death of her son. Dear Grant Morrison, thanks for turning Batman's most complex love interest into a rapist and murderer.

09. Elektra (Marvel)

The Perpetrator: Frank Miller

During his seminal run on Daredevil, Frank Miller introduced the enigmatic Elektra Natchios, a love interest and antagonist for the titular hero. She's largely depicted as a cold, unfeeling assassin who ultimately meets her demise at the hands of Bullseye. She is subsequently resurrected and Miller then takes it upon himself to reveal that she was molested as a child (though this is later recanted).

While Elektra is celebrated as one of Miller's most successful female creations, he does her little justice. She's downright mean and has very little agency. On top of that, she's supposed to be one of Marvel's greatest assassins and yet she's easily made mince meat by Bullseye. Thankfully, Larry Hama and Greg Rucka would rescue the character from the pile of generic ice queens at Marvel in subsequent adventures.

08. Scarlet Witch (Marvel)

The Perpetrators: John Byrne, Brian Michael Bendis

Arguably one of Marvel's most powerful super heroines, Scarlet Witch was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby as part of the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants. Years later, she became a member of the Avengers and has been with the team ever since.

During her tenure with the West Coast branch of the Avengers, Scarlet Witch is put through hell at the hands of John Byrne. She loses her children and turns evil on more than one occasion. In the process, he also puts her in some pretty hideous outfits to emphasize the fact that she's teetering on the brink of insanity.

As if that wasn't bad enough, Brian Michael Bendis would revisit the "Wanda goes crazy" narrative for Avengers Disassembled. In this story, Wanda's powers go awry and she nearly kills the Avengers. She subsequently blames mutants for all the terrible things that have happened in her life and she alters reality to negate the mutant gene. It's also worth noting that Bendis treats She-Hulk and Wasp with just as much "respect" as Scarlet Witch. She-Hulk gets turned into a lean, mean, green murdering machine and Wasp is depicted as a loose-lipped drunk.

07. Catwoman (DC Comics)

The Perpetrators: Frank Miller, Paul Dini, Judd Winick

Second only to Wonder Woman, Catwoman is one DC Comics' most iconic heroines. Unfortunately, that hasn't saved her from the incapable hands of some writers.

In Frank Miller's Batman: Year One, he takes it upon himself to give Catwoman a new origin story. This time around she is a "dominatrix" (let's be honest, she's a hooker) who operates out of the city's dirty East End and she dons the cat costume as a way of escaping her life. He'd revisit this in The Dark Knight Returns where Selina is portrayed as a fat, aging madame at a brothel who is attacked and trussed up in a Wonder Woman outfit. Oh yeah, this guy so respects women.

While Paul Dini may have proven himself as a capable writer of female characters with his depictions of Harley Quinn and Zatanna, he fumbled while writing Catwoman in Heart of Hush. She became little more than a plot device when he had Hush surgically removed her heart as a way of driving Batman insane.

Catwoman's lack of luck with decent depictions continued in 2011 when Judd Winick was assigned to write her title. While his characterization would improve with later issues, he initially depicted Selina as a reckless and rather stupid character who blindly sleeps with Batman in his first issue. Why must writers treat Catwoman as if she's little more than a blow-up doll?

06. Dazzler (Marvel)

The Perpetrator: Brian Michael Bendis

Introduced in the 1980s, Dazzler starred in a groundbreaking solo series and eventually became an integral member of the X-Men. The character would largely disappear from publication in the 1990s and dropped into the D-list. In more recent years, she's returned to prominence.

After stints in New Excalibur and X-Treme X-Men, Dazzler was scooped up by Brian Michael Bendis for his run on Uncanny X-Men. She became a S.H.I.E.L.D. liaison and was given a super chic outfit… then things got weird. Bendis had Mystique shoot Dazzler in the head and then hold her captive in order to harvest Mutant Growth Hormones from her. Now angry and bitter, Marvel's Lightengale has cut her hair and dresses like she belongs on a street corner. Hey Bendis, Dazzler isn't a character of darkness… she's not Lisbeth Salander, she's Kylie Minogue. Kay thanks.

05. Black Canary (DC Comics)

The Perpetrators: Mike Grell, Frank Miller

Let's be really honest here, Black Canary has been done wrong a lot. She's been continually victimized and hadn't been written right until Chuck Dixon's Birds of Prey. Two of the worst instances of poor characterization come from the desks of Mike Grell and Frank Miller.

During Green Arrow: The Longbow Hunters, Black Canary was relegated to a background player and was depicted as little more than Green Arrow's hapless girlfriend. While investigating a drug ring, she was kidnapped and tortured. This left her emotionally and physically scarred, without her Canary Cry and unable to have children. For a character who is supposed to be one of the greatest martial artists and detectives, it seems unfathomable how she would have even been kidnapped in the first place.

For his alternate reality title All-Star Batman & Robin, Frank Miller introduced Black Canary as a scantily clad bartender whose violent tendencies were only matched by her sexual appetite. As usual, Miller continues his streak of depicting women as violent nymphomaniacs.

04. Jean Grey (Marvel)

The Perpretrator: Grant Morrison

As one of the founding members of the X-Men, Jean Grey is one of the most recognizable female characters at Marvel. She's been consistently depicted as the team's den mother and is portrayed as one of their universe's most powerful characters.

During his run on New X-Men, Grant Morrison seemed to have a personal vendetta against Miss Jean. She went from being one of the more compassionate members of the X-Men to being rather careless and cold. She seemed unconcerned with what her husband Cyclops had been going through after being consumed by Apocalypse and instead went off to play superhero. When she discovers that Cyclops has been engaging in an affair with Emma Frost, she directs her anger towards Emma and subsequently forces her rival to live through all her most painful memories. Shortly after this, Jean hooks up with Wolverine and is then brutally murdered by an imitation of Magneto. All in all, Morrison single-handedly turned the matriarch into a vengeful shrew and then kills her off.

03. Barbara Gordon (DC Comics)

The Perpetrator: Alan Moore

The Killing Joke continues to be cited as one of the greatest Batman stories of all time, but it is also one of the most disgusting displays of disregard towards the female sex. In the pages of this graphic novel, Alan Moore takes one of DC Comics' most influential heroines and does despicable things to her.

During his one-man crusade to drive Commissioner Gordon crazy, the Joker targets his daughter Barbara and uses her in his schemes. He invades her apartment, shoots her, and molests her. He takes pictures of the degrading event and shows them to her father. In the end, Barbara is left barely holding on to her sanity and is confined to a wheelchair for the rest of her life.

Let's get this straight, the vast majority of the comic community cites this story as the best and it is a story that features the injuring and rape of a character strictly for the emotional torment of another character. This isn't okay and it should never be. It would take the combined efforts of John Ostrander, Chuck Dixon, and Gail Simone, as well as two decades worth of storytelling to wipe the smear of Alan Moore's contempt towards women off of Barbara Gordon.

02. Wonder Woman (DC Comics)

The Perpetrators: John Byrne, Frank Miller

As the most iconic superheroine of all time, Wonder Woman has captured the hearts and imaginations of millions. However, she's also been the victim to many crimes committed against her by supposedly talented writers. From her eye-roll worthy Silver Age depictions to the degrading thong costume of the '90s, Wonder Woman has never been more wronged than when John Byrne and Frank Miller got their hands on her.

During his run on Wonder Woman, John Byrne tore through the Amazing Amazon's world like a bulldozer. He removed her supporting cast and replaced it with inferior carbon copies, sacrificed Themyscira, and turned the title into a rotating guest starring book. As if that weren't enough, he killed off Wonder Woman without a fight and then messed with her continuity by having her mother take up the mantle.

For The Dark Knight Strikes Again and All-Star Batman & Robin, Frank Miller fell into the tried and true Wonder Woman as feminazi characterization. He presented her as a violent and irrational man-hating Amazon who turned into putty in Superman's manly arms. Many other writers would portray her this way, but Miller's just too easy a target here. Maybe he should start writing women like multi-dimensional characters instead of sexually aggressive hero-hookers.

01. Carol Danvers (Marvel)

The Perpetrators: James Shooter, Chris Claremont

As Ms. Marvel, Carol Danvers was Marvel's very first feminist heroine. Her title regularly subverted stereotypical portrayals of women in comic books and she became one of the most capable heroes in the Marvel Universe. Then she joined the Avengers and she was sucked into a vacuum of victimization.

In Avengers #200, it was revealed that Carol had been raped by an otherworldly being known as Immortus and gives birth to a baby boy after a gestation period of only a few days. Her teammates seem unconcerned with her health and sanity, as they gush over the pregnancy while simultaneously ignoring Carol's pleas for help. In the end, they allow her to be carted off to another dimension by her rapist and show zero regard for her well-being. By and large, this storyline continues to be one of the most disgusting instances of the mistreatment of women at Marvel and the company has long tried to act like it never happened.

Former Ms. Marvel writer Chris Claremont would attempt to rectify this event, but only ended up doing more damage. He has the then-evil mutant known as Rogue attack Carol. Rogue absorbs too much of Carol's abilities and memories, then dumps her seemingly lifeless body off the Golden Gate Bridge. Carol is subsequently saved by Spider-Woman and is then taken in by the X-Men. It is then revealed that this event has left Carol without an emotional attachment to her memories and she has lost her superpowers. Shortly after this, Carol regains her abilities and receives a major power upgrade. While it seemed like Claremont was building towards Carol joining the X-Men full-time, she would leave the team when Professor Xavier allowed Rogue to join. Even though the X-Men stood with Carol and threatened to quit the team, Professor X pulled rank. His lack of loyalty towards Carol proved to be the nail in her coffin. Unfortunately, it seems like Claremont's decision to write Carol off denied her A-list status and allowed Rogue to take her place instead.

Thankfully, most of the women on this list have been taken in by more capable writers who have the utmost respect for them. The lesson to be learned here is that women are not objects to be maimed and injured for the sake of shock value. Beyond that, it is a matter of consistency as well. More often than not, many of the women landed on this list due to a lack of concern towards established characterization.

Top 5: Batman Love Interests

Lois Lane and Mary Jane Watson. These two women are the undisputed true loves of Superman and Spider-Man. For decades, they have stood by their superhero's sides and have earned the respect of many a comic book fan in the process.

Unfortunately, it seems like fellow A-lister Batman has had a tougher time finding the love of his life. He's had many girlfriends over the years, but none have ever quite led to anything long-lasting. It seems like he's destined to be an eternal James Bond. That said, it's still not too late for him to settle down.

In this list, I examine his five greatest loves and detail their compatibility with the Dark Knight.

05. Julie Madison

Julie Madison was a socialite who managed to capture the heart of the infamous playboy Bruce Wayne.  Julie was Bruce's first love and this led to a brief engagement. However, their relationship would not last. Julie had become a film actress and was unsatisfied with the lack of stability Bruce offered her. After calling it quits, she went on to marry into royalty and became the ruler of the fictional kingdom of Moldacia.

Julie was also Bruce's love interest in Matt Wagner's Batman & The Monster Men and Batman & The Mad Monk. In these revised story lines of Batman's early adventures, Julie was depicted as a law student and the heiress to her father's company. She ends things with Bruce after discovering his double life as Batman and becomes a member of the Peace Corps.

Julie's status as Batman's first love holds a lot of weight to it, especially since the pair had quite a bit in common. They shared a similar devotion to their families, had a similar economic background, and maintained a desire for justice to be done. However, it's quite clear that Julie is better off without Bruce in her life as she's been consistently depicted as being happier and more successful after their relationship ended.

04. Silver St. Cloud

Often cited as "the one that got away," Silver St. Cloud was a businesswoman who owned an event planning firm. She met Bruce Wayne at a party and the pair hit it off right away. Silver showed a loyalty and dedication to Bruce like no other love interest had before. When he was captured by Doctor Strange, she went to Dick Grayson for help and pursued leads to find her boyfriend. These events led to Silver cleverly deducing Batman's identity, which made her one of the very first comic book love interests to do so. Silver then made the decision to end their relationship, realizing that Batman's mission was more important.

Silver is often overshadowed by lesser Batman love interests, but remains one of the most endearing. She was caring and compassionate, as well as quite clever. She also showed an understanding for Batman's mission and this truly emphasizes the notion that it's quite possible that things could turn out well for the Dark Knight and Silver St. Cloud. (Unless, of course, you're Silver St. Cloud in a Kevin Smith story…)

03. Catwoman

Selina Kyle, otherwise known as the master thief Catwoman, is Batman's most widely recognized love interest. Across all mediums, she has shamelessly flirted with the Dark Knight and, in some continuities, has even married him.

In the comic continuity, Selina began dating Bruce Wayne when she was making the rounds as a socialite in Gotham City. This relationship eventually fizzled out, but the pair rekindled their romance on multiple occasions in their costumed identities. Each time, however, the relationship would sour due to Batman's lack of commitment and Catwoman's addiction to stealing.

While many people believe Catwoman to be Batman's "true love," the two simply can't seem to work it out. Batman's devotion to his mission and Catwoman's criminal background seem to drive a wedge between the pair that neither can quite seem to dislodge. On top of that, whenever Bruce and Selina wed in a story, her death often follows. Clearly, this is one cat that shouldn't be domesticated.

02. Vicki Vale

Vicki Vale was Batman's answer to Lois Lane. She was a smart and sassy reporter who has been one of Batman's longest running love interests. Vicki was introduced in the late-1940s and was physically based off of a young Marilyn Monroe. Her stories often revolved around her quest for uncovering Batman's true identity, which inevitably made her a perpetual thorn in the Dark Knight's side.

Vicki would eventually leave Gotham City and spent a great deal of time in Europe. Upon her return, she resumes her career as a reporter and rekindles her romance with Bruce Wayne. When she is brutally attacked by the Ventriloquist, Bruce ends things in order to protect the intrepid reporter from his dangerous life.

Truth be told, there is very little keeping Vicki and Bruce from being together. She's a very capable journalist who can take care of herself and has demonstrated an independence that is compatible with Bruce's unpredictable lifestyle.

01. Talia al Ghul

As far as love stories go, the romance of the Dark Knight and the Daughter of the Demon is both epic and tragic. Batman met Talia al Ghul in the windswept deserts of her father's headquarters, where the pair shared a brief but meaningful night together. He became her "beloved" and her unwavering love for the Dark Knight gave her the strength to seek independence from her father.

In the years that followed, Talia has gone against her father's desires and even temporarily became Batman's partner in fighting crime (much to Catwoman's dismay). Though they parted ways, Talia's love for Bruce has lived on.

Unfortunately, Talia has fallen victim to some seriously bad writing and was transformed from Batman's greatest love to his most hated enemy. Grant Morrison's one man crusade to turn Talia into a psychotic bitch seems to have soured any potential for a reunion between the femme fatale and the Dark Knight. 

However, it remains evident that previous writers treated their relationship with respect and it is not hard to imagine that one day Bruce Wayne and Talia al Ghul could settle down together. After all, where else is he going to find an ass-kicking independent woman who knows how to run a business, dress like a supermodel, and give up a criminal lifestyle to put up his dinosaur-sized baggage?

Top 20: Best Wonder Woman Stories, Part 2

From ancient witches to vengeful gorgons, Wonder Woman has battled some of the most unbelievable threats over the course of her illustrious career. This Amazing Amazon has proven her worth time and again in incredible stories that rival that of her contemporaries Superman and Batman. 

Picking up from part one, here is the second half of the top 20 greatest Wonder Woman stories.

10. Wonder Woman: The Hiketeia
 Written by: Greg Rucka
Illustrated by: J.G. Jones

In this modern Greek tragedy crafted by Greg Rucka, Wonder Woman is duty-bound to protect a young woman named Danielle Wellys. When she discovers that Danielle is responsible for the murder of a group of sex slavers, Wonder Woman must do battle against Batman as he attempts to bring Danielle to justice.

The Hiketeia is a brilliant example of the complexity of Wonder Woman's character. She is bound by ancient traditions that often conflict with modern laws and rights, which puts her at odds with some of her allies. Aside from that, The Hiketeia serves as a reminder that Batman is far from invincible and the Amazing Amazon is always ready to put him in his place (under her stylish red and white boots).

09. The Fist of Flame,
Wonder Woman v1 #201-202
Written by: Dennis O’Neil, Samuel R. Delany
Illustrated by: Dick Giordano

In this mod era adventure, Wonder Woman forges an unlikely alliance with Catwoman in order to procure an ancient artifact known as the Fist of Flame. After an initial cat fight (pardon the pun), the pair band together to defeat the forces of the villainous Lu Shan.

Of all of the mod era adventures, this one stands out as one of the most unique and ambitious. It blends globe-trotting 007-style intrigue with science fiction to create a memorable read for this time period. On top of that, it provides a rare team-up between two of DC Comics' most iconic heroines. I'll admit this choice is 100% biased since the story (as all were from this era) is quite problematic by today's standards.

08. Rise of the Olympian, 
Wonder Woman v3 #26-33
Written by: Gail Simone
Illustrated by: Aaron Lopresti

When an unstoppable menace known as Genocide threatens to destroy everything Wonder Woman holds dear, the Amazing Amazon is pushed to her limits and must go further than she's ever gone to bring down her foe.

In general Gail Simone's run on Wonder Woman was a satisfying read, but "Rise of the Olympian" managed to be an exceptional story from that era. Simone simultaneously created an incredibly terrifying villain and crafted an epic befitting of Wonder Woman's stature.

07. Gods of Gotham, 
Wonder Woman v2 #164-167
Written by: Phil Jimenez, J.M. DeMatteis
Illustrated by: Phil Jimenez

After the Greek Gods of terror, discord, and fear take possession of Gotham City's most dangerous criminals, Wonder Woman and Batman team up to stop this divine threat and rescue Harley Quinn.

By and large, Wonder Woman's supporting cast is often overlooked by the comic community. However, this four part adventure put them at the forefront and used Batman's cast to create an interesting comparison between the two "families." Beyond that, it proved that Wonder Woman's baddies are exponentially more dangerous than Batman's (just saying).

06. The Witch on the Island, 
Wonder Woman v2 #18-19 
Written and Illustrated by: George Perez

While touring Greece with her friends Julia and Vanessa Kapatelis, Wonder Woman is captured by the devious Circe and is marked for death by the witch.

As far as Wonder Woman villains go, Circe is arguably the most dangerous. In this introductory arc, her origin is detailed and she makes a rather big impact on the Amazing Amazon's life. From this point onwards, Circe would be treated as Wonder Woman's arch nemesis and would show up in nearly every succeeding major storyline.

05. The Medusa Saga, 
Wonder Woman v2 #196-213
Written by: Greg Rucka
Illustrated by: Drew Johnson

After penning a best-selling memoir, Wonder Woman comes under fire from the media for her beliefs and is targeted by the insidious Veronica Cale. To make matters worse, Circe resurrects the monstrous Medusa and pits her against the Amazing Amazon.

Often considered one of the best Wonder Woman writers, Greg Rucka outdid himself with this epic. This grouping of issues are an informal continued narrative held together by the presence of Veronica Cale, Circe, and Medusa. Rucka shows off his knowledge of the character rather well over the course of these issues and he rightly focuses on her status as an ambassador.

04. The Legend of Wonder Woman Volume 1: Origins,
Written and Illustrated by: Renae De Liz

As a mysterious darkness begins infecting Paradise Island, the young Amazon Princess Diana dedicates herself to finding its cause. This eventually leads her to America, where she takes up arms alongside the singer Etta Candy to fight the Axis during World War II.

The Legend of Wonder Woman is a colourful and whimsical retelling of Wonder Woman's origins that places an emphasis on the power of sisterhood. It is gorgeously illustrated and features some truly creative reimaginings of the Wonder Woman mythos.

03. The Witch & The Warrior,
Wonder Woman v2 #171, 174-176
Written and Illustrated by: Phil Jimenez

After Wonder Woman's arch nemesis Circe turns every male citizen of New York City into animals and unleashes an army of female villains to hunt them down, Wonder Woman enlists the aid of every known heroine on Earth to stop the wicked witch.

Aside from this being hands-down the best Wonder Woman vs. Circe story around, Phil Jimenez uses this arc to re-introduce the Perez-era character Vanessa Kapatelis to readers as well as a new Cheetah. This narrative acts as a beautiful tribute to the George Perez run and proves to be an excellent example of just how dangerous Circe can be.

02. The Princess and the Power,
Wonder Woman v2 #1-7
Written by: George Perez, Greg Potter
Illustrated by: George Perez

In this origin story, Princess Diana of Themyscira competes in a contest that earns her the right to travel to "Man's World" to battle the evil forces of the God of War. This unassuming Princess subsequently becomes the superheroine known as Wonder Woman and she brilliantly takes down Ares before he can unleash World War III upon the world.

This arc would serve as the beginning of George Perez's legendary run on Wonder Woman. It re-introduced the character for a new generation of readers and helped to revitalize the franchise. The supporting cast at this time was incredible and the stories were woven with the intricate narratives from Greek mythology. 

01. A Day in the Life, 
Wonder Woman v2 #170
Written by: Phil Jimenez, Joe Kelly
Illustrated by: Phil Jimenez

As part of a new assignment, intrepid reporter Lois Lane follows Wonder Woman around for one day in an attempt to uncover the Amazing Amazon's dirty laundry. Even though she initially sets out to write a cynical expose, Lois quickly discovers that the truth about Wonder Woman is that she's flawlessly imperfect.

Perhaps it's my own bias for Phil Jimenez speaking, but this single issue stands as the greatest Wonder Woman story ever told. In the pages of this one comic, Jimenez and co-writer Joe Kelly sum up the character so brilliantly and poignantly that it is sure to move even the most cynical of readers. Wonder Woman is more than just a superhero and this story celebrates that by showing that she is Gloria Steinem, Diana Princess of Wales, Marie Curie, and Angelina Jolie all wrapped up in a star-spangled one-piece.