Black Superheroines You NEED to Know!

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The background of black characters in comic books, encompassing those of African-American descent and other ethnicities, is richly varied and captivating. This narrative began with Black Panther, introduced in 1966, although he wasn’t the first black superhero ever created. However, he was the inaugural black superhero in mainstream American comic books, a milestone that significantly influenced the development of modern American superhero comics. Afterward, the appearance of black characters, particularly black female superheroes, has grown commonplace in mainstream American superhero comics, almost becoming a staple in contemporary comic book stories.

15. Martha Washington

Original Character Name: Martha Washington

Publishing Company: Dark Horse Comics

Creators: Frank Miller and Dave Gibbons

First Appearance: Issue #1 of “Give Me Liberty” (1990)

We kick off our ranking of top black female superheroines by featuring Martha Washington. Born on March 11, 1995, and passing away on the same date in 2095, Martha spent her formative years in the Cabrini Green housing project in Chicago, commonly known as “The Green.” Alongside her mother and two brothers, she endured extreme poverty due to the economic policies implemented by President Erwin Rexall during her childhood.

She’s a typical pupil, yet possesses a knack for computer programming and hacking. Her teacher, Donald, nurtures her potential despite being unconventional, often smuggling prohibited items because of his non-traditional lifestyle. One fateful night, Martha discovers Donald’s lifeless body in his classroom, murdered by the Iceman – a menacing henchman for a local gang known as Pope.

In the twilight of his life, Donald, a passionate cinephile like myself, managed to deliver a swift, wrist-striking blow to the notorious Iceman. This unexpected act disarmed him, allowing me to seize his dockworker’s hook and pin it to his shoulder. The Iceman pursued me relentlessly through the school corridors, but in the end, he succumbed to the loss of blood before he could take my life. Alas, I was then admitted to a mental hospital.

In this research center, it’s uncovered that clandestine experiments are being performed on children, aiming to genetically alter their minds and essentially turn them into human supercomputers. The children have wires attached to their brains, covering their heads. Martha finds one of them reminiscent of the Raggedy Ann doll she used to play with as a child.

Due to financial constraints, this establishment has been shut down, leaving Martha without a home. Subsequently, she became a member of the PAX Peace Force, where her courageous tale unfolds. In the Second American Civil War, she participated in numerous battles. Tragically, during this same conflict, Martha’s mother and brother perished when Chicago was obliterated by a nuclear explosion.

14. Skyrocket

Character Name: Celia Forrestal

Publishing Company: DC Comics

Creators: Kurt Busiek and Tom Grummett

First Appearance: Issues 61 of the JLA series (Year 2002)

As an ardent admirer, let me share a story about Lt. Celia Forrestal, a remarkable figure in the U.S. Navy who soared through the skies as a gifted naval aviator. Despite her exceptional skills, her career as an instructor faced a stagnation, a hurdle imposed by the societal norms of her time regarding gender and race.

In the face of this challenge, Celia didn’t back down. Instead, she contemplated leaving the service but sought opportunities elsewhere. She paid a visit to her esteemed parents, Mr. and Mrs. Forrestal, who were renowned scientists, and the owners of Argo Technologies. Her parents had developed an innovative device – a personal harness capable of absorbing, converting, and redirecting energy. This encounter would prove pivotal in Celia’s journey.

The Forrestals designed the Argo Harness with a focus on promoting peace, yet it possessed immense capability as a devastating weapon. Unfortunately, this innovative device attracted the interest of a ruthless terrorist group known as Scorpio, who are always in pursuit of sophisticated technology that can be swiftly weaponized. Scorpio is an affluent organization with a penchant for advanced technologies.

The thieves tried to make off with the Argo dishes, but an unexpected explosion took the lives of the Forrestals in the course of their heist. Amazingly, Celia, their daughter, lived due to wearing the Argo safety harness. Later, she utilized this harness to catch some Scorpio agitators who had played a role in her parents’ demise. Inspired by Green Lantern Hal Jordan, who shared her aviation history, Celia chose to carry on her fight against crime as the superheroine Skyrocket.

In her hometown of St. Louis, Celia held a job at a fast-food establishment during the day, using the earnings to cover the expenses related to maintaining and fixing Argo dishware. It was while she was employed there that Josiah Power discovered and approached her for recruitment.

13. Philippus

Real Name: Philippus
Publisher: DC Comics
Created By: George Pérez
Debut: Wonder Woman #1 (1987)

3,000 years ago, a group of powerful goddesses – Artemis, Athena, Hestia, Demeter, and Aphrodite among them – collected the souls of women who had been killed by men throughout history. These souls were then sent to the floor of the Aegean Sea, where they gradually molded bodies from the sea clay beneath them. As the bodies rose to the surface, they transformed into living, breathing Amazons. One of these new races of women was named Philippus.

Philip found himself frequently at odds with Hippolyta’s personal guard, a group called The Circle: Alkyone, Myrto, Charis, and Philomela. To Hippolyta, their loyalty was endearing, but Philip saw their actions as madness and showed them little regard. In return, they reciprocated with hostility towards Philip. However, when Hippolyta received her daughter Diana as a divine gift, Philip openly admired the new Princess, as did most of the Amazons on the island.

It was clear that the child’s presence unsettled the Queen’s guards, and she felt compelled to keep an eye on them constantly. When Philippus sensed Alkyone might assassinate Diana while Hippolyta was asleep, she tried to intervene first but was overpowered instead. After recovering, Philippus summoned the royal guard and ordered them to imprison Hippolyta’s guards permanently. Later on, Philippus played a significant role in caring for Diana’s upbringth.

This version aims to simplify the language while maintaining the original meaning, making it more accessible to readers.

12. Crimson Avenger

Character Name: Jill Carlyle

Publishing Company: DC Comics

Creators: Geoff Johns, Scott Kolins

First Appearance: Issue 9 of Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E. (2000)

2000 saw the emergence of Jill Carlyle as the third and present-day Crimson Avenger. Similar to the original El Diablo, she functioned as a lesser Spirit of Vengeance. An African American woman with abilities in teleportation and becoming intangible, she was depicted studying law in a flashback. Unfortunately, she lost a court case where the defendant was clearly guilty. To exact justice on unidentified wrongdoers, she claimed two Colt pistols formerly owned by the original Crimson Avenger, using them to pursue her rightful retribution against criminals.

As a movie-loving enthusiast, I’d put it this way: These weapons were tainted, as if not employed for retribution, I was condemned to perpetually seek justice through hunting and eliminating those who wrongfully claimed innocent lives. A perpetual wound, bleeding eternally, marked my chest as a sign of my curse. When assigned a new task, the victim’s last moments haunted my mind, leading me to the burial site where I absorbed the memories of those I was avenging. In these tragic recollections, I found the strength and precision to use weapons that never jammed, never needed reloading, and had no trigger.

As a movie critic, I found myself utterly captivated by the indomitable figure wielding weapons that seemed to have a life of their own. These tools of destruction could pierce through any conceivable barrier, leaving even the invincible heroes such as Superman and Power Girl vulnerable. The armored Captain Atom was no exception; his fortress was shattered by these formidable firearms. It felt as if this character’s guns were on a mission of their own, relentlessly pursuing any obstacle between her and her target.

Intriguingly, her intangibility offered little protection against these weapons or mystical powers, and she appeared to be virtually immortal while the curse was in effect. A chilling moment occurred when this mysterious stranger attempted to use her own weapons to end her life, but instead found herself thrust into a new assignment. This enigmatic figure seems bound by an unseen force, making her a captivating and complex character that I eagerly await seeing more of on the silver screen.

11. Amanda Waller

Original Character Name: Amanda Blake Waller

Publisher: DC Comics

Creators: John Ostrander, Len Wein, and John Byrne

First Appearance: Debuted in the comic series Legends, issue #1 (1986)

Coming up next on our list of top black female superheroes is Amanda Blake Waller. Details about her past are somewhat mysterious. It seems she hails from Chicago, Illinois. Tragedy struck when an accident took the lives of her husband and one of her daughters. Amanda holds a doctorate in political science.

As a dedicated movie reviewer, I find myself delving into the captivating world of “The Agency,” an autonomous yet intertwined entity within Task Force X. The dynamic Harry Stein, hailing from the New York City Police Department, is appointed as its head and rechristens it as Checkmate. Under the shrewd leadership of Amanda Waller, The Suicide Squad thrives, despite her persistent disagreements with Washington D.C.’s higher-ups. The intrigue and tension in this narrative are palpable, making for a compelling cinematic experience!

She designates Bronze Tiger as the leader of the team. Her interactions with Suicide Squad members are frequently tense due to differing opinions on her tactics, particularly with Captain Boomerang. Additionally, she encounters resistance from both her superiors and teammates, along with skepticism from figures like Batman who question the legitimacy of the Suicide Squad.

Firstly, Amanda constructs the Shadow Fighters as adversaries for Eclipso. Subsequently, having completed numerous victorious operations, she secures a position within the Department of Special Ops and eventually ascends to the rank of “Metahuman” Administrator in the U.S. Government under President Lex Luthor. However, Lex Luthor’s short-lived presidency lands Amanda Waller behind bars.

After Luthor steps down, Jonathan Vincent Horne requests Amanda to lead Checkmate, an organization that has suffered significant damage following the failure of the OMAC Project. In the comic series 52, Amanda enlists Atom Smasher to assemble a new Suicide Squad to battle Black Adam and his allies. During the “One Year Later” storyline, the United Nations assigns Amanda to act as Checkmate’s White Queen.

However, Amanda finds herself in a puzzling situation since she doesn’t have the ability to directly manage the missions. Yet, she covertly employs the Suicide Squad to advance the nation’s objectives. During the Superman/Batman series, it is disclosed that Amanda obtained kryptonite to assemble a team aimed at countering Superman – the Last Line. This group includes a being similar to Doomsday, nicknamed “All-American Boy”.

10. Rocket

Original Character: Raquel Ervin

Publishing Company: DC Comics

Creators: Dwayne McDuffie and Denys Cowan

First Appearance: Issue #1 of ‘Icon’ (1993)

Raquel Ervin hails from one of Dakota’s poorest and most crime-ridden areas, specifically Paris Island. Despite being a secondary character alongside Icon, it is Raquel who truly takes center stage in the series. Her dream has always been to become a writer, much like Toni Morrison, but she lacked the drive until she crossed paths with Augustus Freeman IV, a corporate lawyer concealing an extraterrestrial identity and superhuman abilities. This encounter took place during a break-in at Freeman’s residence by Raquel and her companions.

Raquel persuaded Augustus to assume the role of the superhero Icon and accept her as his sidekick, whom she referred to as Rocket. In her secret identity, she donned a belt previously belonging to Icon, which he wore on the inertia winder of the escape pod, granting her the ability to control kinetic energy. Soon after embarking on their adventures together, Raquel discovered she was pregnant by her former boyfriend, Noble, another thief from the day she met Freeman. She gave birth to a son, Amistad Augustus Ervin, who was named “Amistad” in tribute to the renowned ship transporting slaves from Africa to America and “Augustus” in honor of Icon.

Despite her pregnancy temporarily halting her heroic endeavors, Raquel ultimately resumed her superhero role. Rocket aided Flashback Blood Syndicate member in overcoming crack cocaine addiction. The liberal rocket often disagreed with Icon, leading to multiple conflicts. She developed a friendship with Static, another teenage superhero from Dakota City. Although speculation suggested they could become something more, their relationship stayed friendly throughout the course of their stories.

9. Thunder

Character Name: Anissa Pierce

Publishing Company: DC Comics

Creators: Judd Winick and Tom Raney

First Appearance: Issue #1 of The Outsiders (2003)

Instead of pursuing a life like his in crime fighting, her father encouraged her to prioritize graduating first. True to her word, she completed her studies, then on the eve of her graduation, she chose to adopt the persona of Thunder. Soon after launching her independent career, Red Arrow approached her with an offer to join the freshly formed Outsiders team, which she gratefully accepted. However, trouble arose when her father unexpectedly showed up at the Outsiders headquarters, insisting that she step down from the team.

Initially, she declined, and when another peril emerged, her father unexpectedly chose to stand with the Outsiders in their fight. Throughout this escapade, they grew to admire each other’s skills, as neither had witnessed the other in action before. Thunder was granted continued membership among the Outsiders. It was unveiled that Thunder was in a relationship with Grace, another team member, who happened to be a woman. Later on, Thunder was dismissed from the Outsiders when Batman restructured the team and brought J’onn J’onzz into the fold. However, she re-joined the team after receiving an invitation from Grace for a mission that Batman hadn’t approved.

8. Silhouette

As a passionate comic book enthusiast, I’m thrilled to have discovered the captivating character known as Roubpheap Sramol. This remarkable figure hails from the esteemed Marvel Comics stable, crafted by the talented duo of Fabian Nicieza and Mark Bagley. My first encounter with him was in issue #2 of the New Warriors series back in 1990, an encounter that has left a lasting impression on me.

1966, during the Vietnam War, an American exploration team in Cambodia accidentally discovered a centuries-old secret temple belonging to the Breath of the Dragon cult. This temple was constructed over a well of raw primal energy called the Well of All Things. The inhabitants believed that by breeding a superior race with western influences, they could create offspring capable of tapping into this energy source. The soldiers were intended to be the fathers of these special children.

Among these individuals was Andrew Chord, often recognized as the founder of Silhouette. Silhouette and her sibling, Aaron, also known as Midnight Fire, are the sole offspring of Andrew Chord. This couple lived in New York and were formerly in charge of Dwayne Taylor (previously Night Thug) and his wife Miyami, who is Ty’s daughter. Born in New York, Silhouette and Midnight Fire regularly patrolled the city streets before crossing paths with Dwayne (before he assumed the role of Night Thrasher). Together, they initiated a coordinated campaign to dismantle several criminal street gangs within New York City.

In the course of those days, I found myself entangled in a relationship with Nightcrawler. Regrettably, this alliance came to an end when Silhouette was fatally wounded by police gunfire, leaving her legs immobilized. Midnight Fire laid the blame on Dwayne, taking up the mantle of both cop and cartel assassin to provoke Dwayne into a fight he couldn’t win. However, over time, the partially paralyzed Silhouette reconciled with Duane, distancing herself from her brother’s nefarious activities. Years down the line, the now crippled Silhouette engaged in combat against the Bengalis and sought aid from the New Warriors.

Following their reunion, she shared her hidden abilities, which she referred to as “shadow powers”. The Punisher assaulted her, but they eventually reached a truce. In the company of the New Warriors, she confronted the White Queen and the Hellions. Later, Silhouette became a permanent member of the New Warriors in their adventures. An issue regarding her shadow forces stripping her clothing was addressed through illicit applications of unstable molecules for her outfit. Her initial encounters were with Psioneks, followed by the New Warriors and the Fantastic Four, and she engaged in combat with Terrax.

In partnership with Night Thrasher, Silhouette delved into corruption at the Taylor Foundation and observed Accord’s attempts to withdraw. Together with the New Warriors, she was apprehended by Gideon and then had her initial encounter with the Sphinx. Reed Richards, the inventor of unstable molecules, grants his approval for her to utilize them due to his appreciation for the heroic deeds of the New Warriors.

7. Bumblebee

Name in Real Life: Karen Beecher-Duncan

Publisher: DC Comics

Co-Creators: Bob Rozakis and Irv Novick

First Appearance: Issue #45 of Teen Titans (in 1976)

Moving forward in our ranking of top black female superheroes, we’re introducing Karen Beecher-Duncan, better known as Bumblebee. In her civilian identity, Karen Beecher was the girlfriend of Mal Duncan, who went by the heroic name Herald. To gain acceptance from the Teen Titans for Herald, Karen secretly put on a suit resembling a bee and confronted the Teen Titans. She managed to escape without revealing her deception. When she later explained her actions to Mal and the Titans, they were so impressed that they offered her membership, which she graciously accepted.

Due to some events, they (she and Mal) shifted residence to the latest Titans West tower in San Francisco, having relocated there. The Titans group temporarily disbanded, which allowed Karen and Mal to tie the knot and step away from their superhero lives. Karen secured a position at S.T.A.R. Labs, where she specializes in creating non-lethal weaponry. They’ve occasionally reappeared to combat crime, offering aid to the team, particularly during the brief resurgence of Titans West and the joint Justice League/Titans event that reunited everyone associated with the team.

In my perspective as a die-hard moviegoer, I’d say: Following our last stint with Titans West (now rebranded as L.A. Titans), Mal and Karen momentarily joined forces, but this version of the team never truly solidified. Later, Bumblebee and her partner were among the champions drafted by Donna Troy to avert the impending Infinite Crisis, a catastrophe that could’ve annihilated our universe. After an epic space brawl, many of us heroes found ourselves ensnared by Adam Strange’s Zeta Beam, ready for teleportation from the cosmic rift.

Through its collision with the breach, the Zeta Ray modified Bumblebee’s biological structure and shifted the bulk of his body weight onto Hawkgirl. This transformation resulted in Bumblebee shrinking to around six inches tall and Hawkgirl growing to about 25 feet. In Teen Titans issue #34, we find that Bumblebee has recently joined the Doom Patrol, along with her spouse (now called Vox) and Beast Boy. Due to her diminutive size, she is required to take medication created by Niles Caulder, the leader of the Doom Patrol, to avoid heart complications.

In much the same way as Beast Boy, she bears a strong resemblance to her animated series counterpart, matching not only her outfit but also her hairstyle. In issue #100 of Birds of Prey, Karen was contacted by Barbara Gordon and invited to join the enlarged Birds of Prey squad. It’s unclear whether she accepted the invitation or not, but a letter from Oracle made it clear that the size of the new Birds of Prey team would not impact her current role in Doomed Patrol, ensuring its continuation for now.

6. Ladyhawk

Character Name: Rosetta and Regina Morgan

Published By: Marvel Comics

Creators: Tom DeFalco, Pat Olliffe

First Appearance: Issue 6 of Spider-Girl (1999)

Twin sisters Rosetta and Regina, offspring of crime boss Boss Moragn, opted against following their criminal father’s footsteps. Instead, they chose to apply their skills in fighting crime. Rosetta excelled in combat, while Regina had a knack for technology. In search of guidance, they approached Phil Urich, previously known as the good Green Goblin and mentor to Spider-Girl, for training. Before long, they were prepared to confront the forces of evil. To streamline their efforts, they decided to share a single identity rather than creating separate personas.

Initially, they created a costume that resembled the Hawk’s, featuring green and orange hues, prior to its acquisition of wings. They adopted the alias “Ladyhawk” and transformed into superheroes. To maintain anonymity, they established a rule where only one twin would employ the same identity at a given time, ensuring suspicions about Ladyhawk’s true identities wouldn’t arise. The Ladyhawk twins frequently teamed up with Spider-Girl, both in cooperation and conflict. They were incredibly tight-knit, with one sister patrolling while the other kept tabs on their activities through a radio headset embedded in their hood when the other was out in the field.

As time went by, Rosetta found herself employing her identity more frequently than her sibling. Later on, Rosetta, under the alias Ladyhawk, teamed up with Spider-Girl, The Buzz, Darkdevil, Raptor, and Phil Urich (adopting the Green Goblin persona). Regina also joined this group, but only when Rosetta was absent. When Loki started granting heroes a dark energy that made them hostile, he preferred the combative Ladyhawk. In the end, it was Rosetta’s wisdom that allowed her to confront their stronger sister until the enchantment was lifted.

In a cruel assault, the Hobgoblin mercilessly attacked the Ladyhawk twins, rendering them unconscious and tethering their unresponsive forms to a fence in an attempt to keep Spider-Girl and her companions at bay. Regina, gravely hurt by this attack, was left using a wheelchair for mobility. Rosetta, feeling responsible for Regina’s plight, vowed revenge against the Hobgoblin. As a Ladyhawk, she pursued justice and ultimately challenged Hobgoblin’s father, presenting him with evidence of his son’s actions that led to his gang attacking the costumed villain.

5. Nubia

Original Character Name: Nu’Bia

Publishing Company: DC Comics

Creators: Robert Kanigher and Don Heck

First Appearance: Issue 204 of Wonder Woman (1973)

Born as Diana’s (Wonder Woman) sister from clay, the dark-haired Nubia was abducted by Ares and raised under his influence to aid him in attacking the Amazons. Following a recollection of events stored in the memory archive of the Amazons, Diana encountered a female warrior in armor who proposed a one-on-one combat. Initially engaging in battle, they eventually stood still with swords drawn. The visitor’s recent arrival caused her sword to slip away, but instead of killing her immediately, she offered Diana another chance to engage again, resulting in a draw.

In response to the stranger’s introduction as “Nubia”, Diana warmly greeted her. Queen Hippolyta pondered whether this was the same Nubia who should have been her daughter’s sister. Nubia, having departed from the Amazons, returned to her concealed island in the sky. She hinted at another encounter with Diana and foretold that one of them would prove to be the true Wonder Woman. Upon her return, she expressed her aspiration to assume the role of Wonder Woman. Hippolyta acknowledged this, stating that any could challenge Diana’s claim to the title until then. However, she advised Nubia to gain divine favor, as Hera, just like herself, appreciated Nubia. Later, a man from her island proposed a fight, which she won but refused to harm, asserting, “A woman doesn’t annihilate life; she honors it!

Nubia made her second appearance in Supergirl issue 9 from 1973, penned by Robert Kanigher. During this storyline, Supergirl gained the title of honorary Amazon. However, it was revealed that Nubia had been poisoned by a mutated shark’s bite. In order to find the rare root needed for her cure, Hippolyta sent Supergirl on a mission. Later in Super Friends issue 25 from 1979, Wonder Woman, momentarily under the influence of the malevolent Overlord, sought to liberate the enslaved women across the African continent.

She asserted that men continue to view women as property and advocated for women to rise up against men, taking the lead herself. However, Diana was stopped by Nubia. Nubia urged her to hold back and retreat, leading to a confrontation between them. Ultimately, they defeated Overlord, parted ways, but remained friends.

4. Vixen

Original Character Name: Mari Jiwe McCabe

Publishing Company: DC Comics

Creators: Gerry Conway and Bob Oksner

First Appearance: Issue #521 of Action Comics (1981)

Coming up next on our list of top black female superheroines is Vixen. Originally from a small African village, Mari Jiwe McCabe was raised hearing tales about the “Tantu Totem” from her parents. Sadly, her mother was killed by poachers, leaving her father, Reverend Richard Jiwe, a widower. When General Maksai, his half-brother, sought to claim the Tantu Totem under Reverend Jiwe’s care, he was assassinated.

Mari escaped to the United States, adopting the name Mari McCabe and using her striking looks to build a successful modeling career in New York City.

Starting from her renowned status, she embarked on global adventures. During one such journey through Africa, she met her uncle and reclaimed the Tantu Totem, which granted her powers to transform into Vixen. During the Detroit Justice League period, Vixen was a team member. Over time, she also joined the Suicide Squad, Checkmate, and the Ultramarines. In the Suicide Squad, Mari developed feelings for the Bronze Tiger and maintained a romantic connection with him, although they eventually parted ways.

In addition, she took charge of a band of heroines in confronting Circe and her horde of nefarious supervillains during one of Circe’s clashes with Wonder Woman. Vixen made an appearance in JLA / JSA: Vice and Virtue, serving as the President Luthor’s personal guard against Doctor Bedlam’s assault. Oracle called upon Mari, asking her to join the Birds of Prey. While undercover, investigating a peculiar cult claiming superheroes among their ranks, Vixen was mentally manipulated by the cult leader. When Huntress stepped in to aid her, Vixen came close to causing harm to Huntress. Fortunately, Vixen regained control and demonstrated the determination of a mule to break free from the leader’s mental grip, teaming up with Huntress to save the other heroes.

3. Monica Rambeau

Original Character Name: Monica Rambeau
Publisher Details: Publisher – Marvel Comics
Creators: Roger Stern and John Romita Jr.
First Appearance: The Amazing Spider-Man Annual #16 (1982)

Initially, Monica Rambeau was a lieutenant in the U.S. Coast Guard based in New Orleans, and she is of African-American descent. In the course of her duty, she encountered a situation where she had to recover a weapon’s prototype, which was developed by a dictator. During this incident, she was struck with an overwhelming energy surge. As a result, she gained the ability to metamorphose into various energy forms. However, temporarily, her power manifested differently, creating a protective energy shield instead of transforming herself.

Owing to Doctor Strange’s intervention, she recovers her capacity to metamorphose into energy. The press coined her Captain Marvel, making her the second character to bear that title in the Marvel Universe. As an Avenger, she served as their leader for a while, taking over from Captain America. However, she finds it challenging to embrace her nickname, but the Avengers view her as a crucial asset to their team.

Back in issue #5 of “Avengers Unplugged” (1996), I came face-to-face with Captain Mar-Vell’s son, Legacy – or Genis-Vell as he was then known. In a surprising turn of events, I handed him the mantle of “Captain Marvel,” making him the third character to carry that title. He donned a new costume and took on the name Photon, which left me in a bit of a pickle. You see, Genis-Vell’s choice to become Photon was akin to stealing my superheroine identity for the second time. But in a twist of fate, he chose to operate under his real name, Genis-Vell, while I continued to be known by my birth name, Monica Rambeau.

In summary, Monica Rambeau was once the head of the Nextwave team within H.A.T.E. (Highest Anti-Terrorism Effort). During the ‘Civil War’ storyline, she joined Captain America’s Secret Avengers and registered herself. She subsequently worked alongside the Black Panther to drive away a vampire invasion in New Orleans. Since 2013, Monica Rambeau has been featured as Spectrum in the second Mighty Avengers series.

2. Misty Knight

Actual Name: Mercedes Knight

Publisher: Marvel Comics

Creator(s): Tony Isabella and Arvell Jones

First Appearance: The comic book Marvel Premiere, Issue 21, dated 1975

Raised in Harlem, New York, Misty Knight earned honors upon graduation from the local police academy before joining the NYPD. Climbing through the ranks, she achieved the position of lieutenant and worked alongside Rafe Scarfe. During a mission, a bank vault explosion left her severely injured, resulting in the amputation of her right arm. This event led to such deep despair that she decided to leave the police force to prevent being confined to an office job.

Originally from Harlem, New York, Misty Knight excelled at the local police academy and later became part of the NYPD, eventually reaching the rank of lieutenant while partnered with Rafe Scarfe. A tragic incident involving a bank vault explosion left her injured to the point of losing her right arm. The emotional toll was so severe that she chose to leave the force in order to avoid being assigned to an office position.

Following this event, Tony Stark, moved by the girl’s bravery, decides to equip her with a bionic arm, which enables her to embark on a new journey by establishing a private detective agency alongside her friend Colleen Wing – the Knightwing Restorations. Soon after starting her professional life, Misty encounters Spider-Man, the Human Torch, and Iron Fist, forming strong bonds with them. She also develops a close friendship with Storm, temporarily lives with Jean Gray for a while, and works together with the X-Men on numerous occasions.

Following another alliance with Iron Fist to rescue Colleen from Master Khan’s grasp and assisting him in reclaiming his company, Misty subsequently enters a complex relationship with the superhero. Meanwhile, Knightwing Restorations, known for solving cases of missing persons, is affectionately referred to as “The Daughters of the Dragon” due to the founders’ martial arts prowess frequently teaming up with Iron Fist. This collaboration played a significant role in his initial encounter with Luke Cage, sparking their friendship and eventually leading them to establish Heroes for Sale agency, where Misty and Colleen regularly work together.

After the supposed demise of Danny Rand (Iron Fist), Misty struggles to move on but eventually learns that it wasn’t him who perished, only to find an imposter in his place. This discovery sparks her determination to uncover the truth, enlisting the aid of Namor along the way. Together, they manage to liberate Danny from the grip of his captors, the Skrull. Later on, Misty takes up a job as a paralegal at Nelson & Murdock. She frequently joins the transient Heroes for Hire team and works with X-Force. Eventually, she is saved by Steel Fist and Wolverine after being abducted by the Hand.

In due course, the Daughters of the Dragon expose a wealthy New York businessman’s plan to launch a computer virus that would wipe out the world economy. During the ensuing confrontation, Misty’s bionic arm sustains severe damage. As a result, Tony Stark provides her with a replacement arm crafted from vibranium. Later on, Misty is present at the wedding of Luke Cage and Jessica Jones, and Danny Rand (Iron Fist) also happens to be there on that date.

1. Storm

Character Name: Ororo Munroe

Comic Book Publisher: Marvel

Creators: Len Wein and Dave Cockrum

First Appearance: Giant-Size X-Men #1 (1975)

Let’s conclude our top picks of black female superheroes by introducing Storm! Born to a Kenyan tribal princess and an African-American photojournalist father, Storm spent her early years in Harlem, New York City, USA, and Cairo, Egypt. Tragedy struck when her parents were lost during the Arab-Israeli conflict, leaving her orphaned. A distressing event further complicated her life, causing claustrophobia that pushed her to survive against all odds.

Storm is a proud member of the X-Men, a team of mutants dedicated to promoting harmony and equality between mutantkind and humans.

Beneath the tutelage of a skilled burglar, young Munroe honed her pickpocketing abilities. By sheer luck, she encountered the powerful mutant Professor X. Later, Professor X persuaded Munroe to join the X-Men and utilize her talents for a greater purpose. Storm possesses innate leadership qualities and boasts powers of her own. She has taken charge of the X-Men on occasion and is a member of teams such as the Avengers and the Fantastic Four.

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2025-05-23 06:48