With 80 years of stories, Marvel publications bring together an entire army of powerful girls, but do you know who was their first superheroine?
As you well know, the original name of the company known today as Marvel Comics was Timaly Comics, so finding out who was its first female superhero doesn’t have a simple answer. Take a look with us at the history of their publications and come to your own conclusions.
Claire Voyant, the original Black Widow, antiheroine?
Going by the civilian name of Claire Voyant, she also carried the aliases of Black Widow, primarily, in addition to Madam Satan, Spawn of Satan, and Satan’s Courier. She first appeared in Mystic Comics #4 in August 1940 when Marvel was still Timely Comics, and was the brainchild of George Kapitan and Harry Sahle.
Created to bolster the US Army during World War II, Claire Voyant is a demon incarnate who kills her opponents to offer their souls to Satan, her master. She can fly, possesses increased strength, can spontaneously generate fire, has the gift of vampirism, and can open portals to hell.
In 2012, she was revived from suspended animation alongside other World War II heroes, The Twelve. While she is officially Marvel’s first vigilante, some critics consider her to be more of an anti-hero.
Shortly before her, Fantomah (Jungle Comics #2 of February 1940) and Woman in Red (Thrilling Comics #2 of March 1940) arrived in the comic industry, although not from Marvel, both are officially considered as the first comic book superheroines.
Betsy Ross – Heroism without powers
The character of Elizabeth “Betsy” Ross debuted in Captain America Comics #1 (March 1941) created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby. Betsy started out as a government agent and the love interest of Steve Rogers.
Following the loss of Bucky, she became Captain America’s sidekick in issue #66 (April 1948), in the guise of Golden Girl. She had no powers, just a bulletproof cape. Over time, her nephew General “Thunderbolt” Ross found fame in the Hulk titles, as did her great-niece Betty Ross.
Due to her penchant for justice since her appearance, albeit without powers or a secret identity, she is considered by many to be the first Marvel heroine.
Miss Fury, crime fighter, but from another company
Originally, she was called Black Fury, but that name was changed to Miss Fury. She first appeared on April 6, 1941, as a comic strip in the Sunday papers distributed by the Bell Syndicate. She was created by the artist Tarpé Mills (first woman to create a heroine). She had no powers beyond her athletic physique and her fighting skills.
Her decline as a character came in 1947, when she appeared in a bikini and 37 newspapers dropped the strip in response, although it ran until 1952.
Although the rights to the character do not belong to Marvel, Timely Comics reprinted his Sunday strips in comic form from 1942 to 1946.
Miss America, the original, with powers, but too late?
Madeline Joyce Frank came to comics in 1943’s Marvel Mystery Comics #49, created by writer Otto Binder and artist Al Gabriele for Timely Comics.
With her fighting ability and ability to fly, she fought crime as Miss America, but passed away in 1974’s Giant-Sized Avengers #1.
Today, his legacy is continued by América Chávez.
Susan Storm, formally, Marvel’s first female superhero
In 1961, the former publisher Timely Comics and later Atlas Comics, already released their titles under the Marvel Comics label. In August of that year, as part of the superhero renaissance, Marvel released Fantastic Four #1, kicking off the Marvel Age and introducing the First Family.
The vigilante group included the first female superhero under the Marvel Comics imprint: Susan Storm, the Invisible Woman.
Witness the debut of the first Marvel female superhero in:
Marvel-Verse – Fantastic Four
THE GREATEST COMIC IN THE WORLD!
Get excited about the origin of the most colorful and fantastic super team of all time, created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. Enjoy the opportunity to relive the story of Sue, Reed, Johnny and Ben! Includes the epic arrival of Galactus and the death of the Human Torch. This edition includes Fantastic Four #1 (1961), 48-50 (1966), and 583-587 (2011).
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