Top 10: Greatest Women of Marvel Comics

When it comes to strong heroines, Marvel has some of the most diverse leading ladies in the superhero genre. These women have graced the small screen, big screen and, of course, the pages of countless comic books. While they don't always get as much love as their male counterparts (or even their rivals at DC Comics), there's no denying that Marvel's superheroines are fierce and fabulous.

Having previously counted down the Top 10 Greatest Women of the X-Men and the Top 10 Greatest Women of DC Comics, this entry focuses on the women from Marvel proper. To encourage fairness and a little more objectivity, this list has been compiled using the votes from The Women of Marvel Poll.

10. Firestar

REAL NAME: Angelica Jones

FIRST APPEARANCE: Uncanny X-Men Vol. 1 #193 (1985)

SPECIAL ABILITIES: Microwave Radiation Manipulation, Flight

When she was thirteen years old, Angelica Jones was recruited and trained by the former villain Emma Frost to become an assassin for the Hellfire Club. Upon learning of her mentor's true intentions, Angelica emancipated herself and transformed herself into the heroine known as Firestar. After a lengthy tenure with a group of teen heroes called the New Warriors, Firestar became a member of the Avengers and later served as a mentor for the next generation of superheroes.

Originally created for the seminal Spider-Man & His Amazing Friends cartoon as a replacement for the Human Torch, Firestar's popularity guaranteed her transition into the comic book canon. Though she's most well-known for her appearances in the aforementioned series, her stints with the New Warriors, Avengers, Marvel Divas and, most recently, the X-Men have cemented her place in the Marvel Universe as a beloved icon.

09. Elektra

REAL NAME: Elektra Natchios

FIRST APPEARANCE: Daredevil Vol. 1 #168 (1981)

SPECIAL ABILITIES: Master Martial Artist

When Elektra Natchios was still in college, her father was gunned down by terrorists. The embittered Elektra then trained to become a martial artist in order to avenge her father's death. After completing her training in China, she returned to America where she was employed by New York City's Kingpin as his chief assassin. Though she would later meet her end at the hands of the villain known as Bullseye, Elektra was resurrected and dedicated her life to repenting for her past sins.

As one of the deadliest women in the Marvel Universe, Elektra is as beautiful as she is dangerous. She has been a key player in both Daredevil and Wolverine's comics, as well as headlining several of her own mini-series and ongoing series. If her illustrious comic book career weren't enough, Elektra has also been adapted into numerous video games and even appeared in two live-action films portrayed by Jennifer Garner.

08. Scarlet Witch

REAL NAME: Wanda Maximoff

FIRST APPEARANCE: X-Men Vol. 1 #4 (1964)

SPECIAL ABILITIES: Probability Manipulation

Raised as a gypsy, Wanda Maximoff and her brother Pietro became indebted to the mutant terrorist Magneto after he saved them from a lynch mob. Taking on the codename Scarlet Witch, Wanda used her unique gifts to further Magneto's agenda. However, she gave up her life of crime and instead became one of the longest running members of the Avengers.

With just over five decades of comic book appearances under her crimson-hued belt, there's no denying that Scarlet Witch is an icon. Equally reviled and loved for her cooky history, this probability-altering mutant has been a member of the Avengers for longer than most of her contemporaries. She's powerful, beautiful and a little bit batty. Still, fans can't get enough. Thanks to appearances in X-Men: Evolution, Avengers: United They Stand and her upcoming appearance in Avengers: Age of Ultron, she's become one of the most recognizable heroines in Marvel's stable.

07. Wasp

REAL NAME: Janet van Dyne

FIRST APPEARANCE: Tales to Astonish Vol. 1 #44 (1963)

SPECIAL ABILITIES: Size Manipulation, Flight, Bio-Electric Energy Blasts

Once a flighty socialite, Janet van Dyne was transformed into the winsome Wasp thanks to her then-boyfriend Hank Pym's experiments. She was a founding member of the Avengers and went on to become one of the longest running leaders for the team. Over the years Janet would endure her fair share of drama in her personal life, but her zest for life and resourcefulness have made her an incredible superhero.

While she may have once been the weakest link on the Avengers, Wasp's evolution into one of the team's chairpersons has mirrored that of Storm from the X-Men. She's smart, she's sassy and she's got a wardrobe so huge that it would put Carrie Bradshaw to shame. With her appearances in cartoons like Avengers: United They Stand and Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes, she has ruled the small screen and her legacy will no doubt be felt later this year in Ant-Man.

06. Spider-Woman

REAL NAME: Jessica Drew

FIRST APPEARANCE: Marvel Spotlight Vol. 1 #32 (1977)

SPECIAL ABILITIES: Superhuman Strength, Speed, Stamina, Agility, Reflexes and Senses, Flight, Bio-Electric Energy Blasts, Resistance to Poison and Radiation, Ability to Adhere to Walls

At a young age, a sickly Jessica Drew was injected with an irradiated spider serum that cured her and subsequently gave her superhuman abilities. After the death of her mother, Jessica was captured by the terrorists known as HYDRA and was brainwashed into becoming an assassin for them. Upon regaining control of her memories, she took on the codename Spider-Woman and sought to make up for her past sins as a superhero. Though she would work professionally as both a private investigator and bounty hunter, her most famous job title would be that of an Avenger.

As one of the heroines responsible for ushering in the wave of female-led titles in the late-1970s, Spider-Woman's self-titled series became one of the longest-running comics starring a woman published by Marvel. Though she would spend years in publication limbo, she was later brought back into the fold by Brian Michael Bendis as a member of the Avengers. With a snazzy new costume and her first ongoing series in years, Spider-Woman's stock couldn't be higher.

05. Captain Marvel

REAL NAME: Carol Danvers

FIRST APPEARANCE: Marvel Super-Heroes Vol. 1 #3 (1968)

SPECIAL ABILITIES: Superhuman Strength, Speed, Stamina and Durability, Flight, Energy Absorption and Projection

While working for NASA, Carol Danvers was caught in an explosion that turned her into an alien-human hybrid. With a bevy of superpowers at her disposal, she became the costumed heroine known as Ms. Marvel. After fighting solo for several years, Carol became a key member of the Avengers and even joined the X-Men for a time. Now going by the codename Captain Marvel, Carol continues to pursue her goal of being the best superhero in the universe.

As one of Marvel's very first attempts at making a female counterpart to a well known hero à la Supergirl, Carol Danvers' popularity as Ms. Marvel exceeded that of her predecessor. Her original series posited her as Marvel's premiere feminist heroine, thus establishing her as the company's potential equivalent to DC Comics' Wonder Woman. She's been a favourite in video games and has appeared in adaptations such as The Super Hero Squad Show and Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes. She also holds the distinction of being the very first heroine to headline her own Marvel Studios film, with her movie tentatively scheduled for a 2018 release.

04. Black Cat

REAL NAME: Felicia Hardy

FIRST APPEARANCE: The Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 1 #194 (1979)

SPECIAL ABILITIES: Probability Manipulation, Expert Martial Artist, Master Thief

Following in the footsteps of her father, platinum-haired Felicia Hardy became the master thief known as Black Cat to break her father out of prison. An occasional thorn in Spider-Man's side, she found the web-slinger irresistible and maintained a flirtatious relationship with him despite her criminal pursuits. Black Cat would eventually give up her wayward ways, thus becoming Spider-Man's ally and part-time lover.

Often inaccurately cited as Marvel's answer to Catwoman, Black Cat was actually originally created as a nemesis for Spider-Woman but debuted as a Spider-Man antagonist instead. As one of Spider-Man's most famous enemies and allies, Black Cat's legacy has spanned over three decades' worth of comic appearances. Her roles in cartoons such as Spider-Man: The Animated Series and The Spectacular Spider-Man have further helped to make her a fan-favourite.

03. Black Widow

REAL NAME: Natalia Romanova

FIRST APPEARANCE: Tales of Suspense Vol. 1 #52 (1964)

SPECIAL ABILITIES: Expert Martial Artist and Marksman

Natalia Romanova was recruited into a special project developed by the KGB when she was still a child. She was trained in deception, martial arts and was brainwashed into becoming a spy for the Russian government. Under the moniker of Black Widow, she faced off against heroes like Iron Man and Spider-Man while forging a partnership with then-villain Hawkeye. Since then Natalia has switched sides and has gone on to become one of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s top agents, as well as one of the most recognizable members of the Avengers.

Originally debuting as a villain, Black Widow successfully made the transition to hero following her tenure as Daredevil's partner in his self-titled ongoing series. She would go on to become a member of the Avengers, a team which she would lead for a short time during the 1990s, and would even headline several books of her own. Despite this, she operated on the fringes of the Marvel Universe and never quite found a following until she appeared in the movie Iron Man 2. Her subsequent roles in The Avengers and Captain America: The Winter Soldier have cemented her place on the A-list, making her Marvel's premiere filmic heroine.

02. Invisible Woman

REAL NAME: Susan Storm-Richards

FIRST APPEARANCE: Fantastic Four Vol. 1 #1 (1961)

SPECIAL ABILITIES: Invisibility, Force Field Generation

When Reed Richards and his best friend Ben Grimm planned a trip into space, his girlfriend Susan Storm and her brother Johnny tagged along with them. This mission into the stars would forever change their lives, as they would be bombarded by cosmic rays that transformed them into the superheroes known as the Fantastic Four. Originally adopting the codename Invisible Girl, Susan would use her abilities to battle despotic sorcerers, alien invaders and subterranean monsters. Since then, she's honed her abilities to become one of the most powerful heroes in the universe.

As Marvel's First Lady, Invisible Woman was the first ever female superhero created during Marvel's Silver Age. Often cited as the glue that holds the group together, this legendary heroine has braved countless missions as a member of the Fantastic Four and weathered unimaginable setbacks in her personal life. She is a survivor and a proud mama bear that will do whatever it takes to protect her family. On top of that, she has appeared in all four of the Fantastic Four's television adaptations and was featured in the big screen adaptation Fantastic Four, as well as its sequel Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. While the reception of these adaptations have varied over the years, Invisible Woman's status as an icon has not.

01. She-Hulk

REAL NAME: Jennifer Walters

FIRST APPEARANCE: Savage She-Hulk Vol. 1 #1 (1980)

SPECIAL ABILITIES: Superhuman Strength, Speed, Agility, Stamina and Durability, Enhanced Healing Factor

After being shot by enemies of her father, criminal defence lawyer Jennifer Walters received a blood transfusion from her cousin Bruce Banner in order to save her life. Unbeknownst to Jennifer, her cousin was the Hulk and his irradiated blood resulted into her transformation into the green-skinned Amazon known as She-Hulk. Unlike her famous cousin, She-Hulk embraced her newfound abilities. She would go on to become a member of the Avengers and temporarily served as the Thing's replacement on the Fantastic Four.

Much like Spider-Woman before her, She-Hulk was created by Marvel to maintain a copyright over a female version of an existing male hero. As a solo heroine, She-Hulk holds the unique distinction of having two of the longest-running female-led ongoing series at Marvel. Her lengthy memberships with the Avengers and the Fantastic Four have also helped to establish her as an icon. This fan-favourite is beloved for her humorous qualities, with her ability to break the fourth wall and apparent inability to make any of her comics last becoming recurring jokes for the Jade Giantess. While she may not be as much of a household name as some of the other women on this list, she has a devoted fanbase and a legacy that proves she deserves to be number one.

Top 5: Longest Running Female-Led Marvel Comics

While DC Comics has been busy blazing the trail with its long-running female-led comics like Wonder Woman and Birds of Prey, its rival Marvel has struggled to save its heroines from the cancellation heap.  From titles like Black Widow to X-23, most of Marvel's women fail to make it past two years of solo publication. Even still, there have been some superheroines that have managed to defy this and have gone on to have successful comic runs.

Below are the top five longest running comic book series starring women as published by Marvel.

05. She-Hulk, Volume 2

Lasted For: 38 Issues

As the Hulk's loquacious cousin, She-Hulk is no stranger to the solo hero circuit. She's had a handful of series and has proven to be a viable commodity for Marvel. The eponymous She-Hulk was her fourth series, but is one of the longer lasting ones.

Originally written by Dan Slott, She-Hulk followed the misadventures of the green-skinned heroine as she navigated the world of law and order. Over the course of its 38 issues, the series tied in with many of Marvel's most notable storylines such as "Civil War" and "Secret Invasion." Despite bringing aboard fan-favourite Peter David to write the book, She-Hulk wrapped up its run in the spring of 2009.

04. Dazzler, Volume 1

Lasted For: 42 Issues

Spinning out of her appearance during the iconic "Dark Phoenix Saga," Dazzler depicted the life and times of Marvel's most famous singer turned hero. It followed her ascension to superstardom and the many obstacles she had to surpass along the way. The series was brilliant mix of superhero action and soap opera drama, highlighting the character's turbulent family life and her constant struggle with the responsibility of being a mutant.

Even though the series concluded after only 42 issues, Dazzler continues to be one of the most iconic comic books of the 1980s and led directly into her becoming a member of the X-Men. Sadly, the character has fallen into the D-list since then and is in dire need of a boost in popularity.

03. Spider-Woman, Volume 1

Ms. Marvel, Volume 2

Lasted For: 50 Issues

It seems fitting that Spider-Woman and Ms. Marvel would share the number three spot. In addition to their long-standing friendship, Jessica Drew and Carol Danvers debuted in solo series around the same time in the 1970s. While Carol's Ms. Marvel title was cancelled after two years of publication, Jessica's Spider-Woman ran for an astounding 50 issues. Not one to be outdone, Carol tied Jessica's record with her second Ms. Marvel series in 2006.

Spider-Woman told the solo adventures of Jessica Drew as she sought to create a life for herself in America. Early on the book focused on dark, magic-based foes, but would later become a more traditional superhero title.

Ms. Marvel spun directly out of Marvel's "House of M" event and dealt with Carol Danvers establishing herself as Earth's Mightiest Hero. In this ground-breaking series, Carol survived a superhero civil war, multiple alien invasions, having her identity stolen, and the schemes of the nefarious shapeshifter Mystique. This was truly one of Marvel's most remarkable titles and is one of my personal favourites.

02. The Sensational She-Hulk, Volume 1

Lasted For: 60 Issues

After a successful tenure with the Fantastic Four, John Byrne launched She-Hulk's second solo title in the late-'80s. Irreverent and sharply written, The Sensational She-Hulk was an astonishing series that broke all the comic book rules. For the first time ever, the character was aware of her status as a comic book superhero and frequently broke through the fourth wall to talk to the readers.

Following his departure from the title in 1993, The Sensational She-Hulk lasted only ten more issues before being cancelled. Well over twenty years later, this title continues to make waves due to its unique mix of slapstick humour and superhero action.

01. Spider-Girl, Volume 1

Lasted For: 100 Issues, Plus Two Special Issues

Marvel's longest running female-led title by a mile is the Spider-Man spin-off Spider-Girl. Written as an imagined future world for the web-slinger, this title placed Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson's daughter May Parker as the heir to the Spider-Man mantle. Lasting for a whopping 100 issues, Spider-Girl broke records and continues to be Marvel's most successful female franchise to date. Oddly enough, it also happens to be the only book on this list that exists outside of the company's mainstream universe.

Review: Avengers vs. X-Men

With the cosmic entity known as the Phoenix Force hurtling towards the Earth, the world's most powerful superheroes find themselves at odds. Captain America and the Avengers seek to eradicate the Phoenix, while Cyclops and the X-Men welcome its arrival. Tempers flare as these superheroes do battle against one another, but which side will win?

Avengers vs. X-Men collects Avengers vs. X-Men #0-12, written by Brian Michael Bendis, Ed Brubaker, Matt Fraction, and Jonathan Hickman, with illustrations by John Romita Jr., Oliver Coipel, and Adam Kubert. This all-star cast promises to bring one of Marvel's most epic events to date. 

Much like Marvel's Civil War, Avengers vs. X-Men pits hero against hero. This time around, Marvel's two biggest franchise duke it out for supremacy. The source of this conflict comes in the form of the Avengers' and the X-Men's differing opinions on the Phoenix Force. The premise is promising as the Phoenix Force is ambiguous enough to create a schism between the two factions. The problem, however, is in the execution. For the most part, the majority of the characters come across as unlikable due to their Kanye West-sized egos. The Avengers especially come across as pig-headed and are in fact the instigators of the war between Earth's Mighest Heroes and Marvel's Merry Mutants. It's quite clear that they have limited experience with the Phoenix Force and, to make matters worse, they have shown a history of not getting involved with so-called "mutant issues." This makes them seem like they should step aside and allow the X-Men to handle the situation.

Despite the fact that each issue is attributed to a different writer, there is a remarkable consistency between each issue and it would be difficult to discern which writer wrote each issue. That said, the issues written by Brian Michael Bendis and Jason Aaron do tend to have a surplus of jokes in them. This creates an uneven tone that contrasts with the serious nature of the subject matter. 

Additionally, the combined efforts of these writers was not enough to save them from continuity errors. For long-time X-Men fans, this event is sure to make your blood boil with a rather glaring plot flaw. The entire conflict hinges upon the Phoenix Force and the fact that the Avengers believe it to be evil due to Jean Grey's supposed inability to control it. The Dark Phoenix Saga is referenced as an example of this. However, the real Jean Grey was NOT present during the Dark Phoenix Saga. That was a replica of the character and the real Jean was elsewhere at the time. As such, she did not commit suicide trying to save the world from the Phoenix Force. That was her replica. On top of that, Jean was able to control the Phoenix flawlessly in her later appearances. Did any of you guys read Grant Morrison's New X-Men run?!

Another issue Avengers vs. X-Men faces is in its art. The first handful of issues are taken care of by John Romita Jr. While his art works fantastically in non-event comics, the epic scale of this collection isn't suited to his talents. Similarly, Adam Kubert's art is plain and lazily drawn. It's especially frustrating since his art closes the collection. In this middle of all of this is Oliver Coipel's art. Coipel is honestly one of the greatest artists currently working in the industry and it would have been wise to have him draw the entire series. His pencils are crisp and expressive, and he knows how to set a scene in a way that is creative and dynamic.

In general, Avengers vs. X-Men is an admirable event title that features some of the best writers Marvel has to offer. The overall plot is strong, Coipel's art is gorgeous, and the action is thrilling. If that weren't enough, Jim Cheung's covers are breathtakingly beautiful. That said, the conflict is fairly superficial and the Avengers come across uniformly as a bunch of jerks. Essentially, the Avengers are the popular kids at school who are bullying the outcasts. Overall, not a good look for the Avengers. Lastly, there are a lot of characters present in this event and many go underused. Bendis and company would have done well to focus on the characters who have connections between the two teams. For example, rather than do an issue from Spider-Man's perspective it would have been more interesting to explore the story from Storm, Black Panther or Scarlet Witch's perspective. As one of Marvel's more divisive events, both X-Men and Avengers fans alike will find issues with this collection. Thankfully, the pulse-pounding action and colourful art should be enough to sway your opinion.

Rating: B+

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-