Female superheroes are the real underdogs of the superhero world. With their strength, wit and charm, these crime-fighting ladies really pack a punch to their readers and viewers. Some say they’re more essential to the fabric of the Marvel and DC universes than their male counterparts, but that’s an argument for another day (that we’d totally agree with). For now, we at the Clog have power ranked, quite literally, the best female superheroes — ever!
1. She-Hulk/Jennifer Walters
Widely passed over as the “second” “Hulk,” She-Hulk never rose to fame as much as her fellow female superheroes have. But here’s what makes her special: she’s able to retain her intelligence and personality in her normal form while she’s raging out. On top of that, she’s a lawyer who uses her strong logical skills and strong arms to defeat her enemies. We love ourselves an educated superhero.
2. Captain Marvel/Carol Danvers
Before Brie Larson made waves in the media as the new Captain Marvel, the original comic book Captain Marvel kicked major ass as an Air Force pilot turned superhuman in a series of NASA shenanigans. Part alien, part human, Captain Marvel engages in major interstellar battle, often stopping enemy alien races from invading Earth and destroying mankind. Her suit is even from the man who wore it before her, raw and unaltered in all its glory.
3. Jessica Jones/Jessica Jones
Jessica Jones is the badass, real-life superhero we hope to be in our fantasies. Exposed to radioactive chemicals in a car crash that killed her family, she gained superpowers and, under various aliases, fought villains in New York. What we love most about her is her relatability. The Netflix series based on her character, “Jessica Jones,” details her life after she retires from being a superhero, when she deals with the trials and tribulations of being an adult. We all connect with her on a spiritual level.
4. Wonder Woman/Diana Prince
Wonder Woman is undoubtedly the most iconic female superhero. A true Amazonian princess raised on pure force and a dash of magic, she lassoes her way through all the problems she faces. She’s regarded as an American hero, despite being rooted in Greek mythology, and a feminist symbol who cast off the “damsel in distress” vibe and inspired women who read about her to take back what was theirs. Right on, sister.
5. Storm/Ororo Munroe
We admit, we wish we could have Storm’s super cool superpowers. This African princess controls the weather, unleashing violent storms upon her enemies, but we also see her struggle with her sense of identity. She starts out pickpocketing people after her parents die and suffers from claustrophobia, which follow her through her journey with the X-Men. It makes her all the more human (though she is still a mutant). The coolest part about her is that she’s one of the few (if not only) female superheroes to have her own ride at Universal Studios in Florida! And no, this isn’t just a random fact we threw in, this ride really lets you feel the full force of Storm.
6. Rogue/Anna Marie
Dubbed the “southern belle” of Marvel superheroes and identified by the characteristic white streak in her hair, Rogue actually started out as a villainous mutant. Her loneliness from her inability to interact with others led to her running away from home and joining an evil band of mutants. Holding the power to absorb the power and soul of anyone she comes in skin-to-skin contact with, Rogue is one of the most versatile superheroes. She absorbs Captain Marvel’s superpowers at one point, which leads to her eventually joining the X-Men.
7. Thunder/Anissa Pierce
One of the lesser known superheroes, Thunder is part of the Black Lightning family of superheroes. She starts fighting crime the day she graduates from college, per an agreement with her father. As a Black, lesbian superhero who can make herself indestructible, Thunder is a representation of staying strong in the face of adversity. And for that, we stand.
Though a majority of female superheroes were created by male writers and artists, they never fail to empower women from all backgrounds and all parts of the world. To all the women out there, on this International Women’s Day, just remember that you’re all superheroes in your own way.