5 Times Marvel’s Female Superheroes Saved the Day While the Guys Messed Up
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Some of the greatest stories originate in comic books, not their film adaptations. Many of your favorite comic book movies and shows draw their plots from iconic comic book storylines. As a result, some of the most compelling narratives ever told feature Marvel’s female superheroes.
Marvel Female Superheroes
Before you object, consider this: 86% of comic book characters are white males or white. That means most iconic comic book stories revolve around male superheroes saving the day.
But does that make them the best stories? Not necessarily.
The Doomwar series introduced the first female Black Panther. In the comics, the current Wolverine is female, sharing the codename with Logan. Jane Foster became the Mighty Thor—both in the comics and the MCU—because Thor failed to live up to his role.
There have been plenty of times when male heroes couldn’t handle the job, and Marvel’s female superheroes had to step in and save the day. Here are five standout examples.
1. Doomwar
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In the 2008 Dark Reign storyline, King T’Challa is invited to join the Illuminati, a secret group of Marvel’s most powerful and intelligent heroes who make decisions that shape the entire universe. T’Challa declines the offer but is soon ambushed by the Green Goblin (it’s a long story) and left in a coma.
With T’Challa incapacitated, his sister Shuri—an unmatched science genius, skilled sorcerer, and formidable martial artist—ascends to the Wakandan throne and takes on the mantle of Black Panther. Soon after, in 2010’s Doomwar, Doctor Doom steals all of Wakanda’s vibranium, sparking a brutal war between Wakanda and Latveria. Meanwhile, Storm, T’Challa’s wife, faces trial for treason in Wakanda.
Once T’Challa recovers, he joins Shuri in seeking help from the X-Men and the Fantastic Four. Wakanda pays a heavy price to win the war against Doom. Shuri is forced to make ruthless decisions, compromising her humanity to protect her people, while T’Challa must rely on his sister—one of Marvel’s most powerful female superheroes—rather than handling the crisis alone.
Even after T’Challa returned as Black Panther, Shuri continued to hold the mantle in her own right, proving that Wakanda’s strength doesn’t rest on one ruler alone.
Buy the 156-page paperback for $17.58 at Amazon.
2. Thor Vol. 1: The Goddess Of Thunder
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In 2014, Thor was dramatically depowered in Marvel Comics. During the Original Sin storyline, Nick Fury takes on the cosmic powers of the Watcher (it’s a long story). The event unfolds as an epic murder mystery, but its biggest twist happens on the Moon. In a shocking moment, Fury whispers something in Thor’s ear that instantly makes him “unworthy.”
As a result, Mjolnir slips from Thor’s grasp, and he finds himself unable to lift it. Meanwhile, Frost Giants launch an invasion of Earth, adding to the chaos. Odin, furious over Thor’s failure, clashes with his son over the lost hammer. With Thor struggling to reclaim his power, a surprising new hero steps in.
Jane Foster, who is battling cancer, proves worthy of Mjolnir and transforms into the new Thor—one of the most powerful superheroes in the Marvel Universe. She not only wields the hammer but also joins the Avengers, carrying the mantle of Thor for years while the original Thunder God remains unworthy.
And yes, that was his actual title—Thor starred in The Unworthy Thor comic series for several issues, solidifying his struggle and journey toward redemption.
Get the 131-page hardcover Thor Vol. 1: The Goddess Of Thunder for $10.75 at Amazon.
3. Daredevil Vol. 6: Doing Time
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In the recent Daredevil storyline Doing Time, Matt Murdock is convicted of accidentally killing a criminal. While the justice system allows him to keep his mask, he is still sentenced to prison, leaving New York City—and his home neighborhood of Hell’s Kitchen—without its protector.
With Daredevil behind bars, chaos threatens to take over the streets. Stepping up in his absence, Elektra—his former lover and occasional enemy—dons her own Daredevil suit and takes on the mantle herself. Determined to uphold his legacy, she becomes the new vigilante of Hell’s Kitchen, proving that justice doesn’t rest on one man alone.
Buy the 118-page paperback at Amazon for $15.99.
4. Laura Kinney: Wolverine
(Image courtesy FB/Marvel)
From 2014 to 2018, Wolverine was dead in the comics. Logan was encased in molten adamantium, effectively suffocating and meeting his end. While he was “dead,” his clone-daughter, Laura Kinney—also known as X-23—stepped up and took on his codename.
Laura embraced the title of Wolverine, proving herself as a worthy successor. When Logan returned in 2018, she didn’t relinquish the name, and to this day, both continue to share the mantle. As one of the most powerful female superheroes in Marvel, Laura has built her own legacy, earning a devoted fan following along the way.
Get 116-page paperback for $17.99 at Amazon right now.
5. The Dark Phoenix Saga
(Image courtesy FB/Marvel)
The Dark Phoenix Saga is a legendary 1980 X-Men storyline that has never been fully done justice in film adaptations. During a mission in outer space, Jean Grey is exposed to a cosmic entity that unlocks god-like levels of her mutant powers.
Now consumed by the Phoenix Force, Jean is no longer just a powerful telepath and telekinetic—she becomes an unstoppable force, with abilities spiraling beyond her control. As her power grows, an alien empire warns the X-Men that Jean must be eliminated to prevent catastrophe. Faced with this dire ultimatum, Professor X engages in a psychic duel with Jean, attempting to suppress the Phoenix Force by placing mental barriers in her mind. Meanwhile, Cyclops, her lover, desperately tries to anchor her humanity through love.
But it’s all in vain. Overcome by the Phoenix Force, Jean becomes a threat to the entire planet. In a final act of self-sacrifice, she destroys herself to save the X-Men—and the world.
The Phoenix Omnibus collects every issue from the era that ties into the storyline. Get the 688-page hardcover for $92.99 at Amazon now.
Keep an Open Mind
Listen, read what you like. The truth is, some of the best comic book stories embrace diversity and break away from traditional narratives. The damsel-in-distress trope isn’t disappearing anytime soon, so there’s no need to worry—or pretend otherwise.
But let’s be real—sometimes, just sometimes, the guys need the ladies to step in and save the world (or even the universe).
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Allen Francis is a full-time writer, prolific comic book investor and author of The Casual’s Guide: Why You Should Get Into Comic Book Investing. Allen holds a BA degree from Marymount Manhattan College. Before becoming a writer Allen was an academic advisor, librarian, and college adjunct for many years. Allen is an advocate of best personal financial practices including saving and investing in your own small business.
