No One Asked but Here's my Top Ten Favorite Women Superheroes Ever

There are some irrefutable facts about the universe.
I read a LOT of comic books. Most people who know me well, know this to be true.

Happy Women’s History Month, y’all! (Yes, I’m aware it’s the last day of the month!) I’m here still celebrating at the end of the month … in quarantine.

Anyway, ever since I got my DC Universe subscription back in 2018, I’ve been playing catch-up after a long period of not reading comics at all. What I’m discovering is the heroes I always called my “faves” in the past don’t quite line up to who I value anymore. I’ve grown up and grown out of certain vigilantes (sorry, Green Arrow!) and gotten attached to other heroes I never thought I would (Rebirth’s Bizarro???).

I’ve decided to list (in no particular order, except the Black Canary who is always number one in my heart) my top ten favorite women superheroes in DC Comics. These women have changed and shaped my life in ways I’m still discovering and I’d love to share a little bit of why with y’all, as coherently as possible, so here we go.

*All comic panels are from DC Universe.

Dinah Laurel Lance

also known as the Black Canary.

I think I was maybe 8 or 9 the first time I consumed any Black Canary content. I loved her a lot when I was kid, because she not only had a cool super power but she barely needed it, being a skilled martial artist, molded by icons like Wildcat and Lady Shiva.

That feeling really hasn’t changed. Dinah has consistently been one of my enduring faves because she is the HEART of every team she is a part of, whether that’s leading ops with the Birds of Prey or running the entire damn show with the Justice League.

Dinah’s has been getting her due in live action lately, but specifically with Jurnee Smollett-Bell’s amazing portrayal of her in DC’s Harley Quinn: Birds Of Prey. (Available now on VOD!) There’s nothing, and I tell you NOTHING, more thrilling for me, a black woman, than seeing my ultimate fave being portrayed by another black woman and NAILING THE ROLE. Dinah Lance is the quintessential underrated DC hero and I’m thankful more people are finally appreciating her in the way she deserves. It’s about damn time.

Diana of Themyscira

also known as Wonder Woman.

Diana Prince is an easy pick, right? I mean she’s the first-ever female superhero to exist and has been a part of our pop culture lexicon since World War I was first called The Great War or whatever the hell.

What I’m saying is, it’s almost like the equivalent of saying Superman is your favorite superhero, which he happens to be! And what about it? I like them tall, strong, super-powered and inspiring to the masses on a global scale.

Wonder Woman is the blueprint for the ultimate woman superhero, but what I love about her most is that she is a true warrior, through and through. She will never hesitate to end a threat if it becomes a real problem, unlike her counterparts, Batman and Superman. I have so much respect for her for that and appreciate writers who embrace that aspect of her.

Mari McCabe

also known as Vixen.

Mari Jiwe McCabe is one of the most powerful beings in the DC Universe, but ain’t nobody ready to have that motherfuckin’ conversation! It’s a shame because her power to tap into any animal’s ability is fucking DOPE. Why do you think villains keep trying to weaken her or, at worst, control her?

Mari is a hero I’ve only recently dug into and read more of her solo work even though I’ve been a fan since Justice League Unlimited. Her constant searching for where she belongs, coupled with her inherent sense to Do The Right Thing always makes her a heartwarming hero to read. As a black American who has zero clue about her African roots, I empathize with Mari’s journey and struggle to figure out where she belongs.

She’s been in live action a couple times in the Arrowverse but I don’t think they’ve ever done her justice. I really and truly would love to see Mari shine on the big screen, with a focus across the generations of Vixens that have come from Zambesi, living their lives in various parts of the world.

Barda Free

also known as Big Barda.

I don’t know if I can truly put my love for Big Barda into words but I will try. I have a deep and profound love for larger-than-life, basically god-like, women superheroes who can absolutely handle 4-12 people at one time with NO SWEAT. Fighting, of course. 😏

Barda is impatient, impulsive, aggressive, honest to the point of rudeness and completely unapologetic. Am I describing me or her at this point? Listen, I WISH I was a seven-foot tall immortal with superhuman strength and a giant golden rod that I beat up bad people with. It would make life a lot more manageable.

Barda is goals. Her and Scott Free, aka Mister Miracle, are very reminiscent of my hubby and I’s marriage. I won’t go into that any deeper. It’s been too damn long since her creation for us to NOT have a live-action Big Barda. Ava DuVernay PLEASE get your New Gods movie on the road already. The people need to meet Big Barda.

Helena Bertinelli

also known as Huntress.

Helena is another hero I relate to deeply. She has anger issues and takes out dark vengeance (LOL) on the people that have wronged her in the past. Yes, it’s very Batman but what’s unique about her (to me, anyway) is how deeply rooted her vigilantism is to her religion.

A genuine belief and respect for God isn’t something people normally call out as a favorite attribute for their favorite vigilante/superhero but for me it’s important. My faith is private and my own, but it drives me every day and fuels my decisions. Much like Helena. So I really love and appreciate Gail Simone for writing her with this in mind.

I’m sure you’re all tired of hearing me gush about DC’s Harley Quinn: Birds of Prey but YOU’RE reading MY blog, buddy! Mary Elizabeth Winstead is an absolute fucking DELIGHT in this movie. She very nearly stole the show from Dinah, I cannot lie. Everything from the attitude to the outfit to the smirk to the awkward compliments, she NAILED Gail’s Helena. I want to see MORE of her!

Kara Zor-El

also known as Supergirl.

I struggle sometimes with Kara. Because I’m not a fan of EVERY iteration of her. I specifically like Kara when she’s NOT a petulant, whiny teenager that Bruce and Clark and Diana have to raise as their own child. I prefer my Kara to be an adult, with her own agency and sense of self, saving the day and making her own damn decisions.

Kara is more than just Superman’s cousin. She’s an alien immigrant that is old enough to remember her home world before it was destroyed. This fundamentally shapes her perspective on life and makes her core values as a hero different from Kal-El’s. There’s trauma and rage and isolation rooted deep within her that her cousin will never be able to relate to. Any time the writers carefully craft stories around that specific plot, those tend to be my favorite Supergirl stories.

I think that’s why I feel so drawn to Melissa Benoist’s live-action take on Kara. While the show itself has made some incredibly questionable decisions, SHE has always been the embodiment of my favorite things about Kara Zor-El. A true beacon of hope when there’s nothing left.

Renee Montoya

also known as The Question.

Renee Montoya is a certified badass. She is hilarious, she is tragic, she is the LOVE OF BATWOMAN’S LIFE, DON’T ARGUE WITH ME. (It’s a defining relationship for me!) Renee has been THROUGH it her entire life, her entire career. She shoulders it with a lot of exasperation and punches.

When Vic Sage passed the mantle of The Question onto her during the 52 run in 2006, I felt like I was taking on the same burden she was. She carried his burden out of guilt, rage, a sense of needing to fix something, anything, because of what happened with her partner. She comes up against barriers and obstacles every time she steps outside but she always overcomes. What the fuck is an obstacle to Renee Montoya?

As an Afro-Latina, almost nothing brought me more joy and warm feels than seeing Rosie Perez, a staple in every puertoriqueña’s life during the 90s, bring Renee Montoya to the big screen. I hope we get to see her go all the way and “suit up” as The Question eventually. It’s a meaty role that deserves a spotlight in DC’s live action roster.

Mysa Nal, Jenni Ognats, Tasmia Mallor, Nura Nal and Imra Ardeen

also known as Black/White Witch, XS, Shadow Lass/Umbra, Dream Girl and Saturn Girl.
(I grouped them together as a part of the Legion of Super-Heroes and not separated in individual runs.)

I love the Nal sisters a lot. Mysa (White Witch/Black Witch) is this powerful sorceress that became one because unlike her sister Nura, she wasn’t born a precog. For me, Mysa represents overcoming hardship no matter fucking what and y’all know I love and appreciate that. Nura (Dream Girl) puts up with no one’s shit. While her abilities are cool, it’s her dry humor and blunt honesty with her peers, especially Brainiac 5, that made me fall in love with her.

Jenni Ognats (XS) is a gimme, if you know who her family is but she’s so much more than a speedster with iconic grandparents. Jenni is brilliant in her own right and just downright adorable. There’s just some characters you love because they just make you smile. Then you have, Tasmia Mallor (Shadow Lass/Umbra), whomst I love because she is terrifying and hot. That’s valid and you can’t tell me different. She’s just the cool, goth girlfriend we all want to be/have.

Last but not least, one of the co-founders of the Legion, none other than my girl, Imra Ardeen (Saturn Girl). She’s a leader through and through. But my favorite version of her will always be super-mom! Any writer that can balance her mothering her son (sons) with being a Legionnaire or wrestling with retirement is a winner in my book.

Koriand’r

also known as Starfire.

Princess Koriand’r of Tamaran is a certified Bad Bitch. She’s your classic warrior princess that busts heads and burns the shit out of motherfuckers. She’s my damn hero. I feel for Kori, to be honest. She’s a rage-filled product of her environment.

People often comment on Kori’s “temper” and discriminate against her and her race because of their warrior ways. It’s something that very directly parallels the shit black women in America go through every single day of our lives. It’s why I appreciated so deeply when DC/WB made the decision to cast a black woman as Starfire in DC’s Titans.

Anna Diop is one of the biggest reasons why I have remained committed to watching the dumpster fire that is DC Universe’s Titans. She brings Kory Anders to life with a vibrancy and care a lot of people may not have. She made Starfire even more of a fave of mine than I was previously. That’s talent!

Barbara Gordon

also known as Oracle, formerly/currently known as Batgirl.

I remember the moment my love for Oracle was solidified…it was when these stupid assholes in some random alley thought she was helpless because of her wheelchair and she straight whupped their asses with a pair of Escrima sticks from fellow bat-family member, Nightwing.

Babs is not helpless. Babs is never helpless. When The Joker shot her and took her legs from her, she did what most people do not have the strength to do: she found a way to keep fighting. And you know how hard that is after something traumatic happens? Really fucking hard, y’all. She came back as my favorite version of her, Oracle. I know DC has an obsession with putting her back in the Batsuit but I will always prefer her as Oracle.

We need more heroes like her. Heroes that are wheelchair users, who are brilliant and compassionate and surround themselves with excellence and know how to get shit done …without powers! I love a superhero (obviously) but heroes like Babs, that help against all odds despite not being able to fly or shoot lasers from their eyes (and AREN’T tortured, sad and needlessly violent), are necessary for people like me to look up to.

I can’t end this blog without an honorable mention to the queen and one of my first-ever all-time favorite superheroes, Ororo Munroe also known as Storm, THE baddest and bestest X-Man there ever was. I debated back and forth whether to include Marvel heroes on this list or not but the truth is, I’m more of a DC fangirl than I’ll ever be a Marvel one and that’s okay! It felt disingenuous to include some of the Marvel heroines I do love while not having read much of their stories in years. It’s not a total loss, however! I got to write about Ororo and other black heroes like her for work and it was the most fun I’ve had researching a blog in a long time.

Note: I started this blog at the beginning of February (pre-pandemic) and aimed to get it published for Women’s History Month. I’d been dragging my feet because I have some intense insecurities with publishing my work for the world to see…when it’s coming from me personally. The things I write and feel and think and create are as much a part of me as my own hair or skin or nails so letting them out into the world for public consumption is a struggle for me. It’s something I am continuing to work on. If you have questions or comments, drop a comment or you know where to find me on social media!