Help Wanted: Who are Marvel's Obscure Superheroines?

[Lorendiac]

I want to compile a list of superheroines who meet the following criteria.

1. In the 1990s or any earlier decade, she spent some time as a costumed crimefighter. ("Some time" could mean she did the superheroine bit in just one little story before Marvel promptly forgot about her!)

2. Her career as a superheroine is supposed to be part of the "regular continuity" of the main timeline (known as 616) of the modern Marvel Universe. It has happened "within the last several years" from the standpoint of the modern generation of heroes; i.e. sometime after Reed Richards and his friends first became "the Fantastic Four." (I don't care about people who only exist in parallel universes and timelines, or were only heroes back in the Golden Age and then retired, or will only become superheroes several decades in the future, or anything like that.)

3. She hasn't played a significant role in any published story in at least the last five years (let's say, not since the end of 2002 -- though she may have gotten the occasional cameo somewhere).

4. As far as we know, she's still alive, even if she hasn't done anything to prove it lately. (I admit that with various members of the X-Men and affiliated mutant groups, it can get awfully hard to keep track of whether or not they're "temporarily dead" this week!)


I'll start the bidding with:

1. Free Spirit (Cathy Webster). In the mid-90s, she was an apprentice of Captain America's for about a year in his old title, during the last phase of Mark Gruenwald's very long run as the regular writer for Cap. Since then, she has never gotten a single line of dialogue in any published story in over a decade -- to the best of my knowledge.

(I do what I can for her -- over on Marvel.com's Fan Fiction board, I'm a regular participant in a monthly contest. Each time, I crank out another chapter in an ongoing serial narrated by Cathy. I never actually win, but at least it gives me deadlines to exert myself to meet.)

2. The Phantom Blonde (Wanda Mason). Wanda is the daughter of Louise Mason, who was "the Blonde Phantom" in the Golden Age. In the "Sensational She-Hulk" series of the late 80s/early 90s, Louise was brought back into the spotlight (after an absence of decades) as a confidante of She-Hulk's. Her grown daughter Wanda was eventually introduced and (at least briefly) attempted to follow in her mom's heroic footsteps by switching the word order around in the heroic alias to become "The Phantom Blonde." After that title was cancelled, Wanda never got another word of dialogue in anything, to the best of my knowledge.

Anyone care to add some other Obscure Superheroines of the Marvel Universe? Ladies who used to "fight the good fight" but essentially faded into limbo many years ago?

[Avenging Sun]

Deathcry. What with Secret Invasion and all, this would be a perfect time for her to make a come-back.

[Michael T]

There was a mini called Spellbound, here's a link

SPELLBOUND

Issues # 1-6, Limited Series, Marvel Comics, Jan. 1988-Apr. 1988


Louise Simonson: Writer/Plot

Terry Shoemaker: Penciler

Carl Potts: Inker/Plot

Allen Milgrom: Co-Inker (# 6)

Joe Rosen: Letterer

Christie Scheele: Colorist (# 1-4)

Max Scheele: Colorist (# 5, 6)

Bobbie Chase: Managing Editor

Bob Harras: Editor

Tom DeFalco: Editor in Chief



With the ability to travel between dimensions and harness the very essences of Law and Chaos, powerful beings known as Spellbinders hold the key to the continued existence of the universe. As each Spellbinder gains the strength to fight off The Other and save the universe, he or she slowly becomes insane with the power and becomes as dangerous as The Other itself. Whence a new Spellbinder arises to defeat the one before it, and the circle continues.

Such is the backstory and ultimate plot within Marvel Comics 1988 mini-series Spellbound. Written by Louise Simonson of Power Pack fame, Spellbound follows the story of Erica Fortune, her brother Roy, and her sister Sally. On one fateful day, Snugg and Snarl, slaves to the evil Spellbinder Zxaxz, steal their master’s mystical crown and bracelets and send them to another dimension. The objects come to the possession of Erica Fortune, who eventually realizes her destiny: to become the next Spellbinder by defeating the power-mad Zxaxz and save the universe.

There are obstacles along the way, of course. Zxaxz doesn’t take it lightly, and enters Erica’s dimension to stalk and constantly harass her. The revelation of her powers causes the media to hound Erica and her family, making them virtual prisoners in their homes. Worst of all, the more Erica uses the power of the crown and bracelets, the more power-mad she herself becomes, until she risks being as bad as Zxaxz or worse.

In the end, The Other, seeing the two Spellbinders locked in conflict, decides to seize the opportunity and enters Erica’s dimension as well. Zxaxz and Erica are forced to join together to defeat him in an epic battle. They force The Other back to his native dimension, but the only way to ensure his ultimate defeat is to follow him there, leaving Earth behind, perhaps forever. What is the final fate of Erica? Does she defeat The Other? Does Zxaxz betray her? Unfortunately, after 16 years, we’ve never found out.

Spellbound is an enjoyable and worthwhile story nonetheless. The story isn’t about the ultimate resolution of the battle, but about the events leading up to it in the lives of one of its primary characters. Indeed, the story is more about how others react to Erica’s gaining power, such as her relatives, co-workers, and friends, than it is about super heroes fighting demons or other such comic book conventions. In many ways, its also a story about growing up and growing older, as seen through the eyes of Sally and Roy.

Spellbound is set firmly in the Marvel Universe thanks to an enjoyable, but probably unnecessary guest appearance by the New Mutants in issue # 4. Erica, Roy, Sally, and the others have real personalities and the story doesn’t drag when focused on them—if anything, their day-to-day struggles are more fascinating than the grand universe-shaking plotline.

It looks like Spellbound was designed to leave the possibilities of sequels—at the end, as mentioned, Erica’s ultimate fate is unknown, while Roy comes into possession of the bracelets himself. As far as I can tell, there never has been such a sequel and the primary characters have never appeared in any other Marvel Comics.*

Spellbound isn’t an amazingly written story, filled with humor or pathos. But it is a good story—one worth reading and peeking into the lives of the Fortune family. Considering how many comics regurgitate the same basic plot, that may be quite the achievement.

*After writing this column, I received some very useful information from Don Campbell regarding Spellbound. It seems that the story was completed in a five-part storyline in Marvel Comics Presents # 138-142 (1993). In Campbell's words:

"The story is written by Bobbie Chase and it begins with an increasingly-insane Erica living in a crystalline palace on a planet in Zxaxz's dimension. Taken by surprise, Erica is trapped inside a crystal by Zxaxz who then goes to Earth to retrieve his order and chaos rings from Roy. After Zxaxz takes Roy, Sally, Andrew, Snugg and Snaarl to his dimension, Roy uses the rings to create a black hole that destroys both Zxaxz and his dimension. After they return to Earth, Erica breaks free and, seeing her brother and sister only as rival spellbinders, attacks them, killing Andrew, the man she loved, in the process. In the last part, Erica returns and tries to kill her siblings but they manage to weaken her with light and Roy seals her in crystal like Zxaxz did but he goes one better and surrounds the crystal with metal. The story ends with Roy using the order and chaos rings and the crown to destroy themselves with their own power, thereby "retiring" as a Spellbinder. All in all, this is not a terrific story. Its main (only?) virtue is that it provides an ending to a storyline that otherwise would probably have been left hanging forever."

[Stephen Day]

Originally Posted by Avenging Sun

Deathcry. What with Secret Invasion and all, this would be a perfect time for her to make a come-back.

She was featured as one of the members of Starlord's group in the recently completed Annihilation Conquest: Starlord limited series. Sorry to tell you, but she was killed in action.

[Dalarsco2]

Does Photon count, or was Nextave too significant?
From the X-Men I can think of Marrow, Cecilia Reyes (who may be dead, but it was never shown conclusively), Feral, Thornn, (one of whom appeared to die in Wolverine recently, but I refuse to believe that any of those "Lupines" were real, since only one was a Lupine), and Meltdown (last seen in 2001, Nextwave not withstanding).
There was a female Yellowjacket at one time. No clue what happened to her. Hope those help.

[Lorendiac]

Originally Posted by Dalarsco2

Does Photon count, or was Nextave too significant?
From the X-Men I can think of Marrow, Cecilia Reyes (who may be dead, but it was never shown conclusively), Feral, Thornn, (one of whom appeared to die in Wolverine recently, but I refuse to believe that any of those "Lupines" were real, since only one was a Lupine), and Meltdown (last seen in 2001, Nextwave not withstanding).
There was a female Yellowjacket at one time. No clue what happened to her. Hope those help.

The female Yellowjacket was Rita Demara, who was part of the "Masters of Evil" team who took over Avengers Mansion for a few issues during a story arc written by Roger Stern in the 1980s. Awhile back, I reread that story arc and started wondering what ever happened to her, and I researched her biography. It turns out that she eventually reformed, spent a long time as a regular cast member in the "Guardians of the Galaxy" title in the early 90s (but set about a thousand years in the future, I think), and then got killed off in "Avengers: The Crossing" in the mid-90s (which I don't believe I've ever read). Having died (and apparently stayed dead) over a decade ago, she doesn't qualify for this list.

You ask if "Nextave" is too significant an appearance for Photon, but I'm not sure what "Nextave" is, since I haven't read it. Maybe someone else can answer that question about the size of her role in it?

[Dalarsco2]

Nextwave was an amazing presumably in continuity though very out there piece of craziness by Warren Ellis, art by Stuart Immonen. It's pretty much the best thing ever. She led a team called Nextwave and kept bitching about how no one took her seriously even though she led The Avengers at one point. It was major in it's awesomeness, but hasn't been mentioned in anything else. Though it may have been mentioned in Ms. Marvel since Machine Man has been appearing in that book, which I don't read.

[Edogawa1983]

Monica showed up in Black Panther and had a role in Civil War.

[Edogawa1983]

Originally Posted by Dalarsco2

Does Photon count, or was Nextave too significant?
From the X-Men I can think of Marrow, Cecilia Reyes (who may be dead, but it was never shown conclusively), Feral, Thornn, (one of whom appeared to die in Wolverine recently, but I refuse to believe that any of those "Lupines" were real, since only one was a Lupine), and Meltdown (last seen in 2001, Nextwave not withstanding).
There was a female Yellowjacket at one time. No clue what happened to her. Hope those help.

Marrow was de-powered but she showed up in X-Factor, Cecilia Reyes is in limbo, Feral and Thorn showed up in Loeb's Wolverine, one of them died. Female Yellowjacket was killed by Iron Man.

[Dalarsco2]

He said Cameos were OK, so I thought Thornn and Feral might have worked. I forgot about Marrow being in that arc of X-Factor, and what was Photon's role in Black Panther? Her CW one was a cameo as well.

[Edogawa1983]

Originally Posted by Dalarsco2

He said Cameos were OK, so I thought Thornn and Feral might have worked. I forgot about Marrow being in that arc of X-Factor, and what was Photon's role in Black Panther? Her CW one was a cameo as well.

She was killing vampires in New Orleans, it was a pretty significant role.

[Dalarsco2]

K, I guess she's off the list.

[Jess Nukem]

She doesn't hold a candle to Dazzler.

[Stephen Day]

Originally Posted by Jess Nukem

She doesn't hold a candle to Dazzler.

Wasn't that character based on an actual singer licencing her image?

There might be some legal loopholes if they ever wanted to use her again.

[Jess Nukem]

I think that singer would appreciate that someone actually gave a flip about her after eighteen years.

[Stephen Day]

Originally Posted by Jess Nukem

I think that singer would appreciate that someone actually gave a flip about her after eighteen years.

True enough.

[Goldenboy]

Hmm, Captain UK?

Whilst she originates from a parallel universe, most of her superheroics have been on-panel in 616 continuity, and she's only been featured in 616 comics.

[Psivage]

Originally Posted by Jess Nukem

She doesn't hold a candle to Dazzler.

Who the hell? When was this released?

[-domino-]

hmmm it is a bit of a toughy, how about dagger of cloak and dagger fame? she has only had small cameos here and there for a good long while-despite cloak being a major character in house of m.

dusk from slingers?

diamond lil was briefly seen in weapon x, as with cecelia reyes, but i dont remember now how long ago that was, and they were just cameo parts?

[Stephen Day]

Originally Posted by Psivage

Who the hell? When was this released?

1991 to be precise.

It was a one-shot that was a joint venture between and a small music disributor and Marvel. They took a real life singer named Jacqueline Tavarez and created a super hero using her likeness. Her distributor thought it would be an innovative way to market her.

Ms. Taverez's singing career went nowhere and the sales of the one-shot sucked. As a result it's all largely forgotten.

I'm sadly one of the few people dumb enough to buy it.

[agentX78]

Originally Posted by Dalarsco2

Meltdown (last seen in 2001, Nextwave not withstanding).
.

she was in the X-Force Mini not that long ago (last year maybe 2 years ago)

[Layters]

Thundra
Motormouth
Dark Angel
Lyja
She Thing
Vagabond
Nosferata
Sundragon
Attumas Daughter whose name evades me.
Jocasta
Jolt
Persuasion
Marrina
Snowbird
Diamond Lil
Goblyn
Gosymer
Silver Sable
Nocturna ( I may have spelt that wrong. Bat style heroine from Sensational Spiderman)
Sketch
Technomage
Rosetta Stone
Bounty
Caledonia

[motteditor]

* Witchfire (Wytchfire? I forget if they used the "kewl" spelling) of Beta Flight. Surprised you missed her with the other Betans, Layters.
* Shamrock
* Timeslip of the New Warriors
* Firestar (arguable, depends if you consider her role in the horrible Civil War: Frontline or the equally bad Avengers Dismembered to be significant)
* Skein (aka Gypsy Moth, a reluctant hero at best)
* Silhouette (again, depends if you consider her recent appearances to be significant)
* Zvezda Denista (aka Morningstar from the Russian Bogatyri in late issues Avengers West; may not be considered a hero, though I think she was heading in that direction)
* Shadowwoman (did have a decent appearance in Ellis' Tbolts, so may be disqualified. Also I can never remember her new name).

[redjb]

that's a good list, except Marrina is dead, and I wouldn't count Jolt, who had a significant role in the Avengers/Thunderbolts series, even if that was several years ago. She is in limbo (or more specifically Counter-earth) rather then forgotten.

[Layters]

Marrina isnt dead. She was last seen in a tube belonging to the Master Of The World in Busieks run on Avengers.