Marvel's Flagship Female

[StormLegend]

Who do you think has the biggest chance of being Marvel's first female icon?

I personally think it's Storm because of her distinct and enjoyable qualities (appearance, powers, personality, backstory) and because she's usually present in Marvel media such as promo photos, video games, crossovers, etc.

She's also the only Marvel female to have had any ties with Wonder Woman. First, she was put up against Wonder Woman in 1997 and won by popular vote. Second, during the crossover where they were combining DC and Marvel heroes to make new heroes, she and Wonder Woman were merged to form "Amazon."

She's the best role model for girls as well, imo. She's leading, intelligent, strong, independent, feminine, emotional, and beautiful in a very graceful yet un-****ty kind of way.

 

[PhotoJones]

In terms of general popularity, I'd say Storm.

 

[Roughneck]

IN terms of the only one who has a solo title I'd say Ms Marvel.


And the only reason Wonder Woman is DCs Main Female is because if they ever stop publishing an ongoing Wonder Woman title they will lose the rights back to ther original creator.......

Okay that's not the only reason

 

[Steve Rogers]

None of them. I'm not saying I hate all female superheroes, but it seems though that there is some sexism with our heroes. I think the average (male) reader finds it harder to embrace a solo female superhero and take her seriously. Many of us want them to be side kicks to strong men or want them to be damsels in distress.

 

[KangConquers]

Invisible Woman, followed closely by Storm.

 

[PhotoJones]

Yeah, due to the craptastic FF movies with the craptastic Alba, Sue might edge out Storm for the top position.

 

[KangConquers]

Yeah, due to the craptastic FF movies with the craptastic Alba, Sue might edge out Storm for the top position.

I was thinking more due to her having a more prevalent role in the overall marvel universe, being a member of a more respected/ less feared/ hated team...also the fact that she was the first female superhero of the marvel age...

but yours works too I suppose.

 

[Spade]

Is there even one to begin with?

Anyways, I'd have to say Storm is the closest to that. Jean Grey has been marred by revival after revival to the point that people just see her as a one-trick character, and the Invisible Woman is associated with the stereotypical homely wife (even if they shouldn't). That really only leaves Storm...unless you really like Squirrel Girl that much.

 

[PhotoJones]

I was thinking more due to her having a more prevalent role in the overall marvel universe, being a member of a more respected/ less feared/ hated team...also the fact that she was the first female superhero of the marvel age...

but yours works too I suppose.

I was thinking in terms of overall, general popularity among readers and non-readers alike. In the MU, I'd say Sue is definitely the flagship lady.

 

[Dread]

In terms of mainstream popularity, Storm. Which is interesting because before the movies, she was best known for the 90's cartoon on Fox, where she had the worst lines of any cartoon character, anywhere. "Artic winds, aid my hand!" and all that.

I hate to say it, but Elektra seems to have some fame, despite a box office bomb. She has her own stamp, after all. Not even Storm has that.

Ms. Marvel, however, is the only one right now who has an ongoing or has sustained an ongoing for lengths of time. She also started out as a solo heroine before joining a team, something Storm can't say. She got a little push from Bendis around HOM that probably helped her launch her latest ongoing, which seems to be losing readers at a steady clip every month (still). Despite that, I feel Marvel has had progressive characters in many ways, but lacks a solo heroine in their elite, and that is a shame. Out of the choices listed, Ms. Marvel could fill that role.

So, heart would say Ms. Marvel. Head says Storm.

 

[deemar325]

I'd say Storm and Sue are a tie when it comes to general popularity and awareness, but for me She-Hulk is the premier female superhero at Marvel.

 

[iloveclones]

Storm. But best ongoing female Marvel comic is (was) She-Hulk.


EDIT: Didn't see you said that above there. Thought I was having me an original thought. Guess I'll have to wait 'til next year.

 

[KangConquers]

does anyone else find Miss Marvel as bland as I do? I mean, aside from her boobs?

 

[Dread]

I like She-Hulk, but her problem is the mainstream audiences will always see her as connected to the Hulk, like a Supergirl, a Wonder Girl, or even a Spider-Girl (or Woman) or Bat-Girl, or whatever. Those type of heroines almost never manage to make flagship heroine status.

What might be interesting to see is a male sidekick branch off a female heroine and see how far he gets in pub.

 

[deemar325]

In terms of mainstream popularity, Storm. Which is interesting because before the movies, she was best known for the 90's cartoon on Fox, where she had the worst lines of any cartoon character, anywhere. "Artic winds, aid my hand!" and all that.

I hate to say it, but Elektra seems to have some fame, despite a box office bomb. She has her own stamp, after all. Not even Storm has that.

Ms. Marvel, however, is the only one right now who has an ongoing or has sustained an ongoing for lengths of time. She also started out as a solo heroine before joining a team, something Storm can't say. She got a little push from Bendis around HOM that probably helped her launch her latest ongoing, which seems to be losing readers at a steady clip every month (still). Despite that, I feel Marvel has had progressive characters in many ways, but lacks a solo heroine in their elite, and that is a shame. Out of the choices listed, Ms. Marvel could fill that role.

So, heart would say Ms. Marvel. Head says Storm.

I'd have to disagree man, She-Hulk I think has more legs as a solo title than Ms.Marvel and is in my opinion more of an Icon than Ms.Marvel, she's way more integruial to the Marvel U.

 

[deemar325]

does anyone else find Miss Marvel as bland as I do? I mean, aside from her boobs?

I wouldn't say she's totally bland, she does have mad potential and honestly I think she is the closest MU got to a WonderWoman in continuity.

I just think She-Hulk is a better character overall.

 

[Spade]

I hate to say it, but Elektra seems to have some fame, despite a box office bomb. She has her own stamp, after all. Not even Storm has that.

Is the inclusion of her in stamp collections really something of merit to cite in her popularity?

 

[The_Mystery]

If Marvel really wanted to have a "iconic" female character they would first, change the creative team on the Ms. Marvel ongoing to Jeph Loeb/Ed McGuiness for at least a 12 issue run, instead of making another Hulk title (which will last as long as the other "2nd" Hulk title did). That would give her a boost in sales and standings in the comic book industry. Second, greenlight a solo Ms. Marvel movie with their brand spanking new film studio. It would be written by David Hayter (I think that's his name, the guy who wrote one of the X-Men movies), directed by Micheal Bay and starring Trish Stratus (I couldn't come up with a better actress, besides she looks the part). Lastly, finish it off with a spin-off cartoon on Spike TV. Hire Bruce Timm/Paul Dini and you've got yourself a mainstream big-time Super heroine.

Just a though

 

[Dread]

I'd have to disagree man, She-Hulk I think has more legs as a solo title than Ms.Marvel and is in my opinion more of an Icon than Ms.Marvel, she's way more integruial to the Marvel U.

She-Hulk may have gotten more solo issues than Ms. Marvel, I haven't counted. Personally I like the character, and so do fans. But in terms of a Marvel Flagship heroine, that involves some sort of mainstream popularity. People who never read a comic book in their lives know who Wonder Woman is and probably the basics of her origin and powers. She-Hulk's hurdle is that she is connected to the Hulk. Granted, in her stories she has never been "Hulk's sidekick" and had her own solo career. Another knock against her is her solo's were mostly about humor, even to this day, and as Robert Kirkman will tell you, that is the kiss of death for a mainstream audience these days in terms of comics. SHE-HULK vol. 2 may end up outlasting MS. MARVEL if the latter's sales can't become more stable, though. The last I checked it was still losing some 4-7% of the readers every month, which ain't good.

Granted, mainstreamers probably don't know who the heck Ms. Marvel is, aside for the base of Rogue's powers.

Is the inclusion of her in stamp collections really something of merit to cite in her popularity?

To the mainstream, I thought so. She pops up on a lot of promo art, too. Which is irksome because I dislike Elektra and she really isn't a heroine.

 

[StormLegend]

Is there even one to begin with?

No, unfortunately, despite Marvel having much cooler females than DC.

Anyway, as of now, Storm and Invisible Woman are a tie.

That's fine. Opinions are opinions, but can you guys really see Sue taking the role of Marvel's #1 female with that lackluster, flat costume of hers?

And I also agree that she is very much a housewife-like character. That girly personality just doesn't cut it, imo. I simply can't imagine her competing with DC's Wonder Woman or even Supergirl.

I'm not hating on her, btw, because I like her. She's just missing to many important elements, I think.

I don't think she can ever be viewed as an individual superhero until she gets her own, distinct costume/appearance, for a start.

 

[deemar325]

I dig Ms. Marvel her design is very simple and recognizeable, she does has that Iconic quality to her, I agree she needs a nice 12 issue run by a Loeb or god forbid a Bendis to amp her up.

As I said she truly is the closest thing Marvel has to a WW.

 

[sandwraith]

I'd have to go with Sue. When you think about it, Sue Richards nee Storm is one of the few Marvel characters who you've seen grow up over the years, plus her stance in Civil War shows her a firm woman with her own ideals and opinions, especially considering it was her husband whom she's been married to with 2 kids that she was fighting.

Next to her, Jean and Storm might be iconic but I think the Invisible Woman wins by seniority.

 

[deemar325]

Seniority?

Maybe

 

[SalaciousVC]

Storm

 

[Steve Rogers]

does anyone else find Miss Marvel as bland as I do? I mean, aside from her boobs?

I like the character but I don't like the current book. Miss Marvel bland? No. Her book bland? Yes.