The superhero genre is predominantly male, both in content and in audience. However, there have been a number of iconic female superheroes.
Below is my list of the top ten.
Upon reflection I realize that this list is HIGHLY SUBJECTIVE.
I am not judging this by the impact the character has had on the medium and pop culture. I am not measuring it on sales or who would beat who in a fight.
The metric I am using is the degree to which the character has earned my interest or esteem. That is why it is so highly subjective. I have encountered these characters and their arcs that have caused me to either become a fan or have at least brought me to respect who they are.
(forgive the lack of photos, but I want to be sure not to infringe on copyright)
10. Rogue
The classic mutant trope is that their power is also their curse. She is so powerful and yet she is so alone because she cannot touch anyone. She was raised wicked, but absorbing Carol Danvers personality made her good. So is her goodness only transferred or was it an opportunity to be good. These fascinating questions are at the heart of her character as her old nature always seems to want to win out.
9. Jean Grey
Few characters have been the source of fascination for so long. She was at one time the weakest of the X-Men and also the most powerful. She always seems to be a ticking time-bomb ready to go off with her Phoenix powers, but hoping her humanity keeps them in check.
8. Firestar
I have a soft spot for this character because she was in one of my favorite cartoons growing up. But in New Warriors, she portrayed the idealistic view of what a young superhero could be. And I was particularly moved when they had her face the idea that her powers were making her sick and she had to deal with problems beyond super-villains.
7. Invisible Woman
Susan Richards is every bit the mental match for her husband and she is arguably the most powerful member of the Fantastic Four. And at the same time, she has more feminine empathy than Reed, so she brings with her maternal warmth and compassion to her children and all the kids that live in the Baxter Building.
6. Liberty Belle/Jesse Quick.
Being the daughter of two legacy characters is difficult (the original Liberty Belle and Johnny Quick), and she has shifted back and forth in identities honoring either parent. What makes her so interesting is that she has an intense drive, with or without her powers, that makes her a formidable adversary. I also love the fact that her marriage to Rick Tyler seems genuinely balanced and happy: a marriage of equals.
5. Zatanna
Not only is she one of the most powerful magicians, she is one of the most skillful escape artists. I love the fact that she hides her powers in plain sight. Despite her power, she limits herself so as to not let her power overwhelm her. She is of the class of characters I enjoy who seem silly on the outside, but bear the heavy burden of responsibility on the inside.
4. Wonder Woman
She is THE iconic female superhero. Although I've never read a run of her book that did complete justice to the character, I love how she tries to live out the contradiction of her mission: peace through violence. She has to remain completely feminine while remaining a pillar of power.
3. Shadowcat
Kitty Pryde is the "Robin" of the X-Men: the younger character that youthful readers can identfy with as they read the adventures of the mutant heroes. Over the years she has grown up and proven herself over and over again. The issue where she has to fight the monster all by herself in the X-Mansion is fantastic. "Kitty Pryde and Wolverine" is one of the best X-Men stories I have ever read. And Joss Whedon's characterization of her in his run cements her as one of the best.
2. Batgirl (Barbara Gordon)
Even though there have been a number of "Batgirls," Barbara Gordon is the icon. That is why she was the one chosen for the rebooted New 52. But her character truly became great after she originally gave up the mantle. When she was paralyzed by the Joker, she had to come up with a new identity as the computer genius Oracle and the hidden member of the Justice League. In fact, her stories in Justice League and Birds of Prey show us how her brains outmatch her brawn and that being handicapped does not make you helpless.
1. Stargirl
Geoff Johns tribute to his deceased sister is my pick for the best female superhero. One of the things that makes her great is that her character keeps growing. A lot of comic book heroes remain fairly static. Stargirl, like her predecessor Starman, begins at a place of immaturity and then grows into heroism. I also love that there is an innocence to her that I find so lacking in a lot of modern comics. She is not naive, but she captures all that is best in her precocious character to bring about the best of her peers and mentors.
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
Donnay Troy
Black Canary
Mary Marvel
Layla Miller
Psylocke
Storm
Stephanie Brown
Jessica Cruz
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