Comic book heroines who defined the era, ranked

If you had a comic shop pull list in the 80s or 90s, you know exactly which characters made the medium great. These were the heroines who got the pin-ups, the trading cards, the respect from readers who knew good writing and great art when they saw it. Some were warriors, some were thieves, some could level a city—but they all had presence, style and the kind of charisma that defined an era of comics. Here's the ranking, judged by impact, design and the stories that still hold up.

Storm (X-Men)

Ororo Munroe is royalty—literally a goddess in some arcs, and she carried herself like it. Storm commanded weather, led the X-Men, and had the regal bearing of someone who never doubted her place. The mid-80s run, when she lost her powers and still led the team on guts and a mohawk, is unforgettable. You can find those X-Men collections in omnibus form now, and they still hold up.

Catwoman (Batman)

Selina Kyle walked the line between hero and villain better than anyone. Whether it was the classic look or the sleek black suit of the 90s, Catwoman was dangerous, smart and always three steps ahead of Batman. Her 90s appearances in the Batman animated series locked in the version a generation remembers, and the later Catwoman trades are worth owning.

Jean Grey / Phoenix (X-Men)

Jean Grey was the heart of the X-Men, the telepath who held the team together—until the Phoenix Force turned her into a cosmic goddess who could rewrite reality. The Dark Phoenix Saga is one of the greatest comic arcs ever written, and Jean in the Phoenix costume is iconic. She was powerful, tragic and unforgettable, and the fact that she kept dying and coming back somehow made her more legendary. The Dark Phoenix Saga is required reading.

Wonder Woman (DC)

Diana Prince is the gold standard, the original comic book heroine, and she's been a fixture since 1941. The 80s reboot gave her the look most of us remember: the tiara, the bracelets, the lasso, the bearing of an Amazon warrior who could go toe-to-toe with Superman. Wonder Woman was strength and compassion in equal measure, and she never needed saving. The 80s run is widely considered the definitive version, collected in multiple volumes.

Black Cat (Spider-Man)

Felicia Hardy was the cat burglar who gave Spider-Man more trouble than most of his rogues gallery combined. Black Cat had style, skill and the kind of presence that made her compelling from the start. She showed up as a love interest and occasional ally, and she's been stealing scenes ever since. Her appearances in the classic Amazing Spider-Man runs are never anything less than fun. The Spider-Man collections from that era are easy to find.

Rogue (X-Men)

Anna Marie—Rogue—was the Southern belle who couldn't touch anyone without draining their life, and somehow that made her more compelling. The brown leather jacket, the white streak in the hair, the tragic romance with Gambit: Rogue was powerful, vulnerable and unforgettable. She debuted as a villain, switched sides, and became one of the most popular X-Men by the time the cartoon hit in the 90s. The Jim Lee X-Men era is her peak, collected in omnibus editions.

She-Hulk (Marvel)

Jennifer Walters got a blood transfusion from her cousin Bruce Banner and became She-Hulk—seven feet of green, super-strong and aware she was in a comic book. The late 80s run broke the fourth wall, mixed comedy with superhero action, and made She-Hulk one of Marvel's most entertaining characters. She was a lawyer, an Avenger and someone who enjoyed being a hero. The late 80s run is widely considered the best version.

Elektra (Daredevil / Marvel)

Elektra Natchios was the assassin who broke Daredevil's heart, killed a lot of people, died, came back, and kept the red sash and sai. She was dangerous, tragic and unforgettable, and immediately iconic when she appeared in the 80s. Elektra was never soft, never safe, and always compelling. The 80s Daredevil run is essential, and you can find it in collected editions that belong on any shelf.

Psylocke (X-Men)

Betsy Braddock started as a British telepath and ended up in the body of a Japanese ninja assassin—it's a long story—and the result was one of the most striking X-Men of the late 80s and 90s. Psylocke was elegant, deadly and unforgettable, with a psychic knife and martial arts skills that made her one of the team's most formidable members. Her best era is the same X-Men run that made Rogue and Gambit household names, and those Lee issues are still peak superhero comics.

Emma Frost (X-Men)

Emma Frost was the White Queen of the Hellfire Club before she became one of the X-Men's most powerful telepaths and leaders. Cold, calculating, and always dressed to make an entrance, Emma was the villain you loved to see show up. Her redemption arc in the 2000s made her a hero, but the 80s and 90s era established her as one of Marvel's most memorable characters. The X-Men collections cover her best moments.

Big Barda (DC / New Gods)

Big Barda was a warrior from Apokolips who escaped, married Mister Miracle, and became one of DC's most powerful heroes. She stood nearly seven feet tall, wore armor, carried a Mega-Rod, and could trade punches with Superman. Barda showed up throughout the 80s and 90s in Justice League and New Gods stories as the toughest hero in the room. The Kirby Fourth World collections are where she shines.

Quick answers

Who is the most iconic comic book heroine from the 80s and 90s?

Storm and Wonder Woman tie for the top, but Catwoman and Jean Grey are right there with them—it depends whether you wanted the hero or the one who kept Batman guessing.

Where can I read the best runs of these characters?

The X-Men omnibuses, the 80s Wonder Woman trades, and the 80s Daredevil collection cover most of the peak eras. All are available in reprint.

Are these characters still popular today?

Every one of them is still active in comics, shows or movies, and most have had recent series or appearances—but the 80s and 90s versions are the ones that defined them.

Which heroine had the best design?

Storm's cape and tiara, Catwoman's sleek suit, and Phoenix's costume are the most iconic, but Psylocke's Jim Lee design and Big Barda's armor are right behind.