Behind every good man, is a great woman.

The following is a list compiled of the greatest heroines to grace the pages of the Marvel Universe. Mind you, it is my opinion, but I took in mind the characters legacy, their highlights (and occasionally their lowlights) to come up with the list.

I also found it alot harder than I thought it would be. I had to leave a couple of characters on the scrap list. On with the show………..

#20 Valkyrie

The first female member of the Defenders, Valkyrie never cowered from a fight. She unfortunately met her demise in the fall of Ragnarok storyline in Thor. However, her spirit lives on in the human form of Samantha Parrington.

#19 Sharon Carter

Sharon Carter, also known as Agent 13, has the distinction of being able to do what most villains have been unable to. She killed Captain America. And yet she didn’t. Sharon has been one of the lucky supporting cast members that fans have truly supported over the years. Rarely seen as a damsel in distress, Sharon Carter can hold her own against higher powers within SHIELD and formerly as an ally to Captain America

#18 Hellcat

Former model, ex-wife to Satan, and yet one of the most beloved characters in the Marvel Universe. Patsy Walker, the Hellcat, has been a Marvel staple as both an Avenger and a Defender. In recent years, she has kept a low profile, but the Hellcat can strike at any time

#17 Daughters of the Dragon

Misty Knight and Colleen Wing, the Daughters of the Dragon. A former cop with a bionic arm, and a detective ninja. Can’t get much better than that. Misty and Colleen have been equals to Luke Cage and Iron Fist since the 80’s and their popularity keeps increasing. Plus, they made Humbug cool just by hanging out with him

#16 Emma Frost

The first of a few X-Women on the list, Emma Frost went from ice cold villainess, to ice cold hero a few years back. What made this character so interesting was the aspect that she was always in it for herself. With Cassandra Nova’s attack, her love for Scott Summers, and her leading the New Hellions, she’s lost a little of her edge. Maybe she truly is becoming a hero

#15 Medusa

Regal, beautiful, deadly. Three words to describe one of the most unique and visually appealing characters. Right hand woman to Black Bolt, King of the Inhumans, Medusa has served as an enemy and ally to many heroes, among them Spider-Man. She also served as a member of the Fantastic Four for an interim.

#14 Clea

Clea, former damsel in distress, who has now become a true threat in the Marvel Universe, deciding she could do more good ruling the Dark Dimension than at Dr. Strange’s side.  Related to some of the most evil characters in the Marvel Universe, Clea has the distinction of being the most incorruptible.

#13 Wasp

The original female Avenger, Janet Van Dyne, has evolved over the years from tiny heroine, to insectoid hero, to a literal giant of a woman.  Most fans define one of her defining moments as her abusive marriage to Hank Pym, and some fault her for driving the Scarlet Witch crazy, but the Wasp has always remained a true hero and staple of the Marvel Universe

#12 Elektra

Anti-hero, assassin, love interest, skrull??  Elektra has many facets to her, whether it be leader of the Hand, love interest to Matt Murdock, or deadly killer.  Her appearance marked a turning point in the Marvel Universe, a darker turn, albeit one in which fans embraced.  Now, she stands at the center of the Secret Invasion controversy.

#11 Black Cat

Felicia Hardy, has served as one of the longest Spider-Man allies in history. A former thief, Felicia does often have the mentality that she comes first and foremost. Most recently she served alongside the Daughters of the Dragon as a member of Heroes for Hire.

#10  Black Widow

Natasha Romanoff, the Black Widow, has been a Russian spy, an Avenger, a Champion,  an ally to Captain America, lover to the Winter Soldier, and perhaps most interestingly, she may or may not be older than she appears, having encountered both Wolverine and Captain America in 1941.  Black Widow currently serves as a member to the Mighty Avengers, a pro superhero registration team.

#9 Rogue

Perhaps the most tragic of characters, Rogue, with her ability to absorb the abilities and memories of anyone she touches, has the distinct dishonor of having villainess Mystique as a mother.  A former member of the Brotherhood, Rogue joined the X-Men, and with time, became one of their most trusted members.  Recently cured of all the thoughts of those she touched plaguing her mind, Rogue has started anew.

#8 Spider-Woman

Jessica Drew, the amazing Spider-Woman, was an icon in the 70’s and disappeared into obscurity until plucked from limbo as a member of the roster of the New Avengers.  A double/triple agent, Jessica has worked for the Avengers, Viper, and Iron Man, all within a few months.  However, after stealing the corpse of the Elektra Skrull, Spider-Woman turned to Tony Stark for help, and joined the Mighty Avengers

#7 She Hulk

A mainstay in the Marvel Universe since she first appeared, She Hulk is not only brilliant, but incredibly strong as well.  An Avenger, a member of the Fantastic Four, and now a bounty hunter, Jennifer Walters is never short on speaking up for what she believes in or attitude for that matter.  She also has the distinction of being the only hero in the Marvel Universe to think she’s an actual comic character

#6 Kitty Pryde

Kitty Pryde, or Shadowcat as she is also known is the third X-Woman to make the list.  Battling the N’Garai on Christmas eve, taking on the Brotherhood, or even battling the Dark Phoenix, all childs play for the girl who can walk through walls.

#5 Storm

The first African American superheroine, Storm, is a goddess who controls the weather.  Perhaps her defining moment was taking down Cyclops without the use of her abilities to become leader of the X-Men, but she also fought Hulk to a standstill, and was in the battle against the Dark Phoenix.  Currently she serves as wife to the Black Panther as Queen of the Wakandans.

#4  Ms. Marvel

Strong, efficient, reliable.  Carol Danvers, a.k.a. Warbird, a.k.a Binary, a.k.a, Ms. Marvel has always been a steadfast ally to the Avengers.  A bout with alcoholism could not keep Ms. Marvel down,  and she currently serves as leader as the Mighty Avengers.

#3 Scarlet Witch

A mutant with warping abilities, the Scarlet Witch has one of the most detailed family trees in the Marvel Universe.  A former villain turned hero, Scarlet Witch has fallen for an android, an actor, birthed two imaginary children, been possessed by a demon, and unfortunately snapped.  After the Avengers: Disassembled massacre, Scarlet Witch has vanished without a trace.

#2 Invisible Woman

The Invisible Woman is without a doubt the most powerful member of the Fantastic Four.  Formerly the meekest of the group, the Invisible Woman has evolved from the Invisible Girl to the Invisible Woman.  Overtaken by Malice, battling Galactus, and a husband with his next invention on the mind, Sue Storm, has had a personal crisis of late, and yet still manages to be one of the greatest heroes in the Marvel Universe.

#1 Phoenix (Jean Grey)

Jean Grey has had the most tragic of stories in the Marvel Universe.  Overtaken by the Phoenix, died, brought back to life, killed again by Magneto.  One of the original X-Men, Jean Grey is perhaps the most powerful of superheroes, definitely the most powerful of the X-Men.   A love for Scott Summers, and ultimately his wife.  Jean Grey has been a powerful ally to the Marvel Universe, and ultimately an enemy when becoming the Dark Phoenix.  Fans clamor for her return, which may be any day now….

So that’s my list.  Hope you enjoyed my first entry.  Will update as soon as I can.