7 Trailblazing Black Superheroines Who’ve Been Crushing It While You Weren’t Paying Attention
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As an older comic book fan, it frustrates me to see modern fans—many of whom have never actually read a comic—complain about so-called “wokeness.” Take Black Panther, for example. Some MCU fans believe he was introduced in Captain America: Civil War (2016) just to push an agenda, completely ignoring the fact that he debuted in 1966 in Marvel Comics, created by Jewish writer and artist duo Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. The issue of representation is even worse for Black female superheroes, who often don’t receive the recognition they deserve as trailblazers in comic book history.
Trailblazing Black Female Superheroes
Nubia, the Black Wonder Woman, made her debut in 1973. Misty Knight and Storm became Marvel’s first Black female superheroes in 1975. Monica Rambeau—known to most MCU fans from WandaVision and The Marvels—was actually the first female Captain Marvel in the comics back in the 1980s.
For over 50 years, Black female superheroes have been making history in comics with little recognition. It’s time to give them their due. Here are seven incredible characters you should start reading about today.
1. Livewire
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In Valiant Comics, superhumans are known as “psiots”—individuals who develop mind-based abilities after undergoing extreme external stress. These psiots are sought out, controlled, and trained by Toyo Harada, a Charles Xavier-type billionaire with a far more sinister agenda. Through his Harbinger Foundation, Harada recruits and manipulates psiots to serve his vision.
Amanda McKee, also known as Livewire, is one of the most powerful Black female superheroes in Valiant Comics. Created in 1993, she possesses the ability to interface with and control any electronic device, as well as unleash devastating energy blasts.
At one point, Livewire showcased her immense power by forcibly ripping the X-O Manowar armor from Aric and wielding it herself. Her abilities grew so formidable that Harada, fearing her potential, had her lobotomized in an attempt to make her compliant—a strategy that ultimately failed.
Check out the Livewire and the Secret Weapons trade paperback at Amazon now for only $7.99.
2. Shuri
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In Marvel Comics’ 2008 crossover event Dark Reign, King T’Challa, the Black Panther, was ambushed by agents of Doctor Doom and left comatose. In his absence, his sister Shuri—a formidable martial artist, genius scientist, and skilled sorcerer—rose to the occasion, becoming both the Queen of Wakanda and the new Black Panther.
Letitia Wright brought Shuri to life in multiple MCU films, most notably in 2018’s Black Panther. Following the tragic passing of Chadwick Boseman, Wright’s Shuri assumed the mantle of Black Panther in the 2022 sequel Wakanda Forever, a storyline partially inspired by her comic book counterpart’s ascension.
Get the 139-page hardcover, Black Panther: Shuri: Deadliest of the Species, for $26.48 at Amazon.
3. Ironheart
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In Marvel Comics, Riri Williams stands out as one of the smartest Black female superheroes in the universe. A 15-year-old MIT prodigy, she builds her own Iron Man-style armor using scrap materials she secretly collects from the university. Her genius catches the attention of Tony Stark, who decides to mentor and sponsor her as she steps into the role of the armored hero Ironheart.
In the MCU, Riri Williams is portrayed by actress Dominique Thorne.
Ironheart: Riri Williams is a 264-page trade paperback that introduces Ironheart. Get it for $10.99 at Amazon now.
4. Misty Knight (One of Marvel’s First Black Female Superheroes)
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I’ve written about Misty Knight before because she was one of the first Black female superheroes in Marvel Comics. She debuted in Marvel Premiere #21 in March 1975, just two months before Ororo Munroe—better known as Storm—made her first appearance in Giant-Size X-Men #1.
Misty Knight began as an NYPD officer until she lost her arm in an explosion. Tony Stark provided her with a cybernetic replacement, and she later became a private investigator.
Teaming up with Colleen Wing, she formed the vigilante duo Daughters of the Dragon. While many fans assume characters like Cable or the Winter Soldier were the first to rock cybernetic arms, Misty Knight actually paved the way, serving as a major aesthetic inspiration for them.
Get the 144-page paperback Daughters of the Dragon: Samurai Bullets for $25.44 at Amazon now.
5. Rocket
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Most comic book fans don’t realize that a groundbreaking publisher featuring a majority of Black superheroes emerged in 1993. Milestone Media, distributed by DC Comics, introduced the Dakotaverse, a universe centered around Black heroes. One of its most notable characters is Icon, a Superman-like alien who crash-landed in 19th-century America during the era of slavery and took on the appearance of a Black man.
In modern times, he lives as Augustus Freeman IV, a conservative Black man who reluctantly takes on the mantle of a superhero. His journey takes a turn when Raquel Ervin—a poor Black teenager—attempts to rob his home. Instead of punishing her, Freeman sees potential and mentors her as Rocket after she challenges him to use his abilities for good.
Rocket wields a belt that grants her flight and enhanced strength. While she is technically Icon’s sidekick, the Icon series is primarily told through her perspective, making her the true heart of the story.
Get the 2023 relaunch Icon & Rocket Season One, a 194-page paperback, for $12.89 at Amazon now.
6. Nubia
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To non-comic book readers and casual fans, the idea of a “Black Wonder Woman” might seem like a modern invention. However, Nubia was actually the first Black female superhero introduced in DC Comics, making her debut in Wonder Woman #203 in 1973.
Originally, Nubia was introduced as Wonder Woman’s long-lost fraternal twin sister. Over the years, her role evolved, and she is now recognized as one of Diana’s Amazonian contemporaries. She has also served as the Queen of Themyscira and even held the title of Wonder Woman during DC’s Future State event.
Get the 160-page hardcover Nubia & the Amazons at Amazon for $14.95.
7. Monica Rambeau
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Who was the first Captain Marvel? If you’ve never read a comic book, you might assume it was Carol Danvers, thanks to the MCU’s Captain Marvel and The Marvels. However, that’s not the case. Carol Danvers first appeared in Marvel Super-Heroes #13 in 1968, became Ms. Marvel in 1977, and didn’t take on the Captain Marvel mantle until 2012.
The first female Captain Marvel in Marvel Comics was actually Monica Rambeau, one of the earliest Black female superheroes in Marvel history. She debuted in The Amazing Spider-Man Annual #16 in 1982 as a New Orleans Harbor Patrol officer who gained her powers after an explosion involving an alien device.
Rambeau was not only an Avenger but also led the team in the 1980s—long before the MCU existed. Over the years, she has operated under various aliases, including Photon, Spectrum, and Pulsar.
Get the 112-page paperback Monica Rambeau: Photon for $9.60 at Amazon now.
Black Female Superheroes, Story, and Diversity
If you tell me a story isn’t worth reading just because it features Black characters, I have to ask—why is it so important for only white characters to exist? Diversity enriches storytelling, and Black female superheroes have been part of comic book history for decades. Closing your mind to these perspectives means missing out on a world of incredible stories, depth, and creativity.
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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.
