It’s no secret that both Marvel and DC have a larger number of super strong male characters than female characters, but both have some surprising lady powerhouses in their stables. Some are A-listers, but others are characters often forgotten in the discussion of “What could take so-and-so in a fight?” The Hulk always dominates any Marvel-related “Who’s the strongest character?” discussion (and even ones regarding all comic book characters in history), as does the Thing, Thor, and even the Rhino. The ladies are sometimes forgotten, which is a shame because all of these ladies are fierce warriors who could pop off your head as easily as taking off the top of a dandelion.
9. Rogue:
Her eyes are up there, and her skull-crushing biceps are under that coat.
The X-Men films have relegated Rogue to be known as “that girl who can steal your powers if she touches you.” This is indeed a formidable power, but I always thought the X-Men films wasted so much potential with this character. Rogue can fly and, oh yes, she can punch through a tank. She and Colossus were the powerhouses of the X-Men for many years. If you needed someone to rip off a Sentinel’s head, and Colossus was busy, you called Rogue. She didn’t even need a “fastball special” to do it. She’d just fly up there and tear the robot’s head off its neck.
8. Valkyrie:
Do NOT make a Swiss Miss joke. She doesn’t like it.
Everyone loves Sif thanks to the Thor films. Everyone forgets that Sif was a C-list character in the original run of Journey into Mystery and Thor. Yes, Sif is an Asgardian, but so is Valkyrie. She’s also the greatest of all the valkyries who swoop into battle and deal with the underworld on a daily basis. Her physical strength is well-established, and she and Hercules were the muscle in the Defenders for many years. She also likes carrying a sword and spear, so imagine someone who can arm wrestle with Hercules throwing a spear at you. It would be through you and the house across the street before you realized you were dead.
7. Namorita:
And she doesn’t like Vulcan jokes.
The muscle behind the New Warriors is Atlantean royalty and almost as strong as her cousin, Namor the Sub-Mariner (who, as many know, can slug it out with the Hulk). Namorita is still maturing, mind you, which means she will only get stronger. The woman can already bunch a hole in a submarine and topple a battleship single-handed. How strong will she be when she’s old enough to rule Atlantis?
6. Ms. Marvel:
Do not offer to shine her uniform unless you can do without an arm for the rest of your life.
Currently everyone’s favorite female Marvel hero, and with good reason. She’s been battle-tested and come through many personal trials to become the heroine she is. While you’re busy admiring her shapely figure, she’s hitting you with a locomotive engine like she’s on a tee-ball team. Marvel seems to have made her more powerful than she was when the character first appeared, probably because she’s become so popular among fans. It was a smart move. Marvel needed their own Wonder Woman, and, while Ms. Marvel certainly isn’t as strong as her, Carol Danvers is fitting the bill.
5. Titania:
Her power bomb will put you through the street…and the subway station.
This super villainess (and wife of the Absorbing Man) is strong enough to go toe-to-toe with the Thing and She-Hulk. She’s a super strong pro-wrestler with spikes on her arms, for heaven’s sake. Ever been clotheslined? Imagine being clotheslined by someone who could get up if you dropped a bus on them from twenty stories. You’d have to pick up your head in the next county. She’s not the only super-strong pro-wrestler in Marvel’s stable either…
4. Thundra:
Go ahead, make an “I Love Lucy” joke about her hair. See how far that gets you.
A super-strong pro-wrestler from outer space who carries around a weighted chain for fun. In her first comics appearance, she openly challenged the Thing and gave him a sound beating. She routinely calls out super-strong men like Ben Grimm and the Hulk for physical contests. You’ll be lucky if she hits you with that weighted chain first, because then you’ll just be dead and not worrying about being choke slammed by someone who can choke slam the Thing and then call out the Hulk.
3. Red She-Hulk:
“I’m tired of crying in every one of my comics!”
When Betty Ross-Banner decided she’d had enough of being one of the most poorly written and predictable female Marvel characters, she became the Red She-Hulk and took out her anger and frustration on the world. Well, her origin wasn’t exactly like that, but the character’s rage, and matching strength, sure made it seem that way. Red She-Hulk fought She-Hulk, Red Hulk, Hulk, and probably Red Mera, Black Hand, and Green Lantern for all I know. She kicked Red Hulk off the Empire State Building, so don’t get on her bad side.
2. She-Hulk:
“Keep looking. It gives me more time to drop this boulder on you.”
Of course She-Hulk is stronger than Red She-Hulk. She-Hulk is strongest she-hulk there is! She was the muscle for both the Avengers and the Fantastic Four for several years. She’s also one of the most intelligent and confident women in the Marvel Universe. She’s slugged it out with the toughest men in the Marvel Universe as well and remains glamorous while doing it. Everyone wants her on their team, and rightly so.
1. Power Princess:
The size of the shield is the approximate size of the blood spatter from your head exploding when she punches you.
Remember when I mentioned earlier that Marvel needed their own version of Wonder Woman and had made Ms. Marvel that character? They needn’t bothered. Power Princess is their Wonder Woman. The super-strong, super-tough member of Squadron Supreme can match strength with Hyperion – who is Marvel’s version of Superman. She carries a shield she doesn’t need and would gladly head butt Thor. The newest incarnation of her was even stronger, creepier, and more ruthless. She wasn’t above killing anyone she deemed in need of dispatching. She’s often forgotten by Marvel fans (as is, sadly, the rest of the Squadron Supreme), even though she could trash most of the Marvel Universe.
Are there any ladies you think we’ve forgot to mention on this list? Give us a comment and let us know your thoughts.
