Ah – the girls of comics! There’s a reason that they’re first among my fantasy girls.

Indeed, there’s any number of reasons – I’ll resist the obvious gag of two reasons – such as literally embodying what TV Tropes jokingly labels the most common superpower (as part of the buxom beauty standard…or any number of  other tropes). Indeed, it’s so common it’s easier to simply nominate exceptions rather than the rule (or as in the actual trope entry in TV Tropes, the examples that are justified or ‘lampshaded’ in-universe, setting aside that other trope world of buxom). That’s compounded by costumes that are more in the nature of bodysuits, latex, lingerie or swimsuits – what TV Tropes jokingly labels ‘stripperiffic’.

I could debate whether such depictions are gratuitous, such as the argument that it reflects the American art style of depicting superheroes, male and female, as ‘larger than life’ or the tendency of media to default towards physical attractiveness, even for supposedly average or unattractive characters (most notably with what TV Tropes labels as Hollywood homely). For example, Spiderman is meant to be an average teenager – indeed a gawky or nerdy one, something of a loser – but just look at him. Ditto Wolverine – short and homely in comics but ends up being portrayed by Hugh Jackman.

I could debate it, but I’d prefer to count down my Top 10 Girls of Comics instead.

 

ART & COSPLAY (MEDIA & MODELS)

 

But first a note on the visual images used in this top ten. Given the copyright in such images, I only use a visual image as fair use for the purposes of comment and review in each entry – a feature image to identify the character, either in general or in their most iconic version as I review it to be (or both), sourced only from published cover art as cited, often which I review to be iconic of itself or which influenced my view of their most iconic version (or both).

I also include a special section in each entry under the subtitle of art and cosplay – not for any actual art and cosplay as such but instead where I nominate my favorite artists and cosplay models depicting the character, which you can look up for yourself. If there’s enough of them, I’ll often compile a top ten on the spot. For art, I award a special ranking for any art by my two favorite artists – the two freelance digital artists Sciamano and Dandonfuga. For cosplay, I award a special ranking for any cosplay by my holy trinity of models – my favorite model Yummychiyo with her insane figure in top spot, followed by Hane Ame and Helly Valentine. I also have a ranking for appearances of the character in media if any – cinema and screen that is – as well as those select few characters who have official models portray them, noting my favorites. These may include further images as fair use for the purposes of comment and review of those media appearances.

As for the title feature image I’ve chosen for this page, it is one of the most iconic images – if not the most iconic image – not only for the Witchblade comic but for girls in comics in general, virtually a showcase of the girls of comics and the tropes I highlighted in my opening, by an artist that has given us so many such iconic images, Eric Basaldua, although this is perhaps his most famous. You can see his distinctive signature – Ebas – on the cover, although it appears to be dated 2003, presumably for this special cover release after the original release. And you can’t argue with that t-shirt – not that she normally wears it as part of her costume although she probably wouldn’t mind one given how little her Witchblade armor actually covers. Who doesn’t love comics, particularly the girls of comics when they’re drawn like this?

 

 

 

(10) DEADLY TRIO (Coffin Comics 2024)

 

From Coffin Comics – the home of one of my leading top ten entries – comes this comic being launched on Kickstarter in November 2024 and hence my wildcard tenth place entry which I usually reserve for the best of the present or previous year.

I suppose this entry is technically cheating as it is for the titular trio rather than an individual character, but I make my own rules and break them anyway. It’s my wildcard or wild tier entry after all. And besides, I just can’t resist a team-up of Brian Pulido, Billy Tucci, Jimmy Palmiotti, and Amanda Conner – a team-up I had never imagined but apparently originates from a longstanding friendship.

From the Kickstarter blurb – “In this deep space misadventure, the evil warlord Kalissa Gore and her vast armies are unstoppable.  And yet, there is a DEADLY TRIO who dares the impossible: DORIAN, a planet-hopping mechanic; REANN-REANN, a fighter pilot with unmatched skills; and GARGA, the cult leader sister of Kalissa Gore herself! Can THE DEADLY TRIO overcome insurmountable odds (and each other) or is the universe doomed to extinction?”

I’m not sure which character is which in the Kickstarter promotional image but they would appear to follow the order in the blurb from left to right – Dorian, Reann-Reann, and Garga. I’m particularly impressed that Garga leads a galactic cult in a costume that is essentially lingerie – I can only hope her sister and the antagonist pulls off her galactic conquest in a similar outfit.

 

ART & COSPLAY (MEDIA)

 

This entry will be something of a departure from my usual rules with respect to art, cosplay, and media – except to note that my feature image is the promotional Kickstarter art for the comic, which unfortunately does not attribute the artist (but looks like that of Amanda Conner).

I anticipate that there will be more art with guest cover artists when the comic is launched, although obviously it will be too niche for cosplay or media.

 

RATING: 4 STARS****
X-TIER (WILD TIER)

 

 

 

 

(9) HARLEY QUINN (DC 1993)

 

Hot slice of crazy. Perky female minion. Pin-up girl for crazed co-dependency.

Psychiatric intern at Arkham Asylum who became infatuated with the Joker – a relationship as unhealthy as one might expect for her and Gotham City.

Originated in the Batman: The Animated Series, but proved so popular she was imported into the comics.

 

ART & COSPLAY

 

For her iconic feature image, I’ve chosen the art by iconic cover artist J. Scott Campbell for his variant cover D from the one-shot Harley Quinn: Villain of the Year comic, as it nicely juxtaposes her moden and classic costumes – my two favorite costumes for her.

 

ART – DANDONFUGA

 

No Sciamano ranking as usual for girls of comics but she has a mighty fine Dandonfuga ranking!

As for my favorite Harley Quinn art, she’s a popular subject for artists so almost all of my favorite artists have tried their hand at her – so here’s my top ten on the spot for Harley Quinn art.

1 – Dandonfuga (for my Dandonfuga ranking

2 – J Scott Campbell (for my iconic feature image – and more! Particularly his covers for her as Villain of the Year)

3 – Nathan Szerdy (as one of the best and most recurring subjects of his art)

4 – David Nakayama (for standout Harley Quinn cover art)

5 – Artgerm (for sensational Harley Quinn cover art)

6 – Neoartcore (for Harley Quinn fan art)

7 – Kikol Draws (for one of my favorite images of Harley fan art)

8 – Derrick Chew (for playful Harley Quinn art in different styles)

9 – Shannon Maer (for gorgeous Harley Quinn cover art)

10 – Will Jack (for cute Harley Quinn cover art)

 

SPECIAL MENTION

1 – DC Comics, for their covers and art for Harley Quinn in her own title and others

2 – Sun Khamunaki, for her rare Harley Quinn art

3 – Keith Garvey, for his art in the style of the Harley in her film adaptation

4 – Lucio Parrillo, for painted art of Harley to resemble her film actress (and with her pet hyenas)

5 – Amanda Conner, for her signature style art of Harley

6 – Warren Louw, for some striking Harley art

AI shoutout to Naughty Neurals

 

COSPLAY – HELLY

 

No Yummychiyo or Hane ranking but she scores a Helly ranking with some standout Harley cosplay by Helly Valentine – and in her modern costume (or a latex adaptation of it) to boot.

 

 

MEDIA

 

Harley Quinn’s adaptation in three live-action film may have been a mixed bag – with the only good one as The Suicide Squad in 2021, as opposed to Suicide Squad in 2016 – but Australia’s Margot Robbie shone in the role throughout all three films. And although the film in which she was introduced – Suicide Squad in 2016 – was lacklustre apart from her in the role, the costume in which she was introduced proved an enduring favorite among fans and cosplayers.

 

 

And of course Harley Quinn starring in her own animated TV series, voiced to (surprising) perfection by Kaley Cuoco – my favorite version of the character in any media.

 

 

RATING: 4 STARS****
A-TIER (TOP TIER)

 

 

 

(8) BLACK CAT (MARVEL 1979)

 

Meow!

Spiderman’s catgirl – platinum blond feline-themed femme fatale Felicia Hardy. ‘Bad luck’ powers of her namesake in superstition. Sadly, yet to appear in film but for a brief cameo for her alter ego in the Amazing Spider-Man films.

 

ART & COSPLAY

 

For her iconic feature image, I chose the variant cover from the fourth issue of Mary Jane & Black Cat. It was a close call as I regard J. Scott Campbell as the iconic cover artist for her – and Stanley ‘Artgerm’ Lau was also a close runner-up with my single favorite Black Cat art image of all time – but artist Russell Dauterman showcased her different costumes here.

Of course, her classic costume is front and center where it belongs!

 

ART – DANDONFUGA

 

Sadly no Sciamano ranking as usual for my girls of comics, but oh boy does she have a Dandonfuga ranking, as Dandonfuga has done some sizzling art of her, including one with her getting frisky with Catwoman!

As for my top ten on the spot for Black Cat art:

1 – Dandonfuga (did you not see my reference to sizzling art, particularly that one with Catwoman?)

2 – Artgerm (for his cover art of Black Cat as my single favorite image of her – and one of my favorites of his art)

3 – J. Scott Campbell (as the iconic cover artist for her)

4 – David Nakayama (for Black Cat cover art in a similar style to J. Scott Campbell)

5 – Nathan Szerdy (for his art of her as a recurring subject)

6 – Elias Chatzoudis (for his fine Black Cat art)

7 – Neoartcore (for his cute Black Cat art)

8 – Shannon Maer (for some gorgeous Black Cat cover art)

9 – Logan Cure (for some sensuous Black Cat art)

10 – REIQ (for some distinctive Black Cat art)

 

SPECIAL MENTION

1 Marvel – for their cover and other art, including in their Black Cat title

2 Russell Dauterman of course, for the iconic cover art that I used for my feature image.

3 Straban for one particularly striking image of her

AI shoutout to Naughty Neurals!

 

COSPLAY – HELLY

 

And oh boy do we have a Helly ranking for her – Helly Valentine is the standout for Black Cat cosplay. No Yummychiyo or Hane ranking, sadly.

Close runner-up is Vampy Bit Me’s cosplay of her.

 

 

MEDIA

 

She actually has appeared in an uncostumed cameo as her alter ego in the Amazing Spiderman 2 film, played aptly enough given the name by Felicity Jones – with her role as Black Cat planned for future films…but those plans fizzled with the rest of that film.

This may be cheating but I’m going with the persistent rumors of Sydney Sweeney being offered the role. By the way, that’s the Artgerm cover compared against Sydney in my media feature image.

 

RATING: 4 STARS****
A-TIER (TOP TIER)

 

 

 

 

(7) POISON IVY (DC 1966)

 

Since her debut, Poison Ivy (originally Pamela Isley in the present incarnation of the character) has been one of Batman’s most enduring adversaries in his rogues gallery – and one of the most powerful, as one of the few with actual superpowers.

Ivy is not so much a straightforward villain, as a well-intentioned extremist – she is depicted as one of the world’s most notorious eco-terrorists and her criminal activities revolve around the protection of the natural environment, reflecting her love or obsession with plants, botany and environmentalism. Her powers also revolve botanical – or biochemical – themes, such as toxins and mind-control pheromones, typically through her touch – or kiss. The latter has led to her as a love interest or source of romantic tension for Batman.

Her powers also extend to manipulation of plants to an extremely powerful degree – manipulating their growth and abilities or modifying their traits, even animating, hybridising or mutating them. Indeed, she even embodies them – her skin tinted green with chlorophyll and plant toxins (although she can consciously control its extent when required), with some versions even having her almost more plant than human, breathing carbon dioxide or needing sunlight. She even has been identified with an elemental mystical component, part of the force identified as the Green or as the May Queen.

 

ART & COSPLAY

 

For her iconic feature image, I’ve chosen the variant cover from the first issue of her solo title by Nathan Szerdy. Ivy has sported different styles over the years but this remains her iconic style – and indeed her classic one, which has consistently featured with variations from her Silver Age introduction, albeit with green skin tone from time to time.

Shoutout to the cover artist Nathan Szerdy – who has done some of my favorite Poison Ivy art as she is one of the most prolific subjects for his art. Also shoutout to the solo title series for some fine cover art from artists such as David Nakayama, Will Jack, Josh Burns, and Dan Panosian.

 

ART (DANDONFUGA)

 

Sadly no Sciamano ranking as usual for the girls of comics but she does score a Dandonfuga ranking.

As for my top ten on the spot for Poison Ivy art:

1 – Dandonfuga (for my Dandonfuga ranking)

2 – Nathan Szerdy (for my iconic feature image and many more – one of his best recurring subjects and my favorite art of Ivy)

3 – Sun Khamunaki (for some rocking Ivy images – including a version of the Batman and Robin film Ivy that improves upon the film version)

4 – Artgerm (for Ivy cover art)

5 – David Nakayama (for some interesting variations on Ivy art)

6 – Dan Panosian (Dan does good redhead!)

7 – Will Jack (for a particularly charming Ivy cover art)

8 – Shannon Maer (for some gorgeous cover art)

9 – Neoartcore (for art in Neoartcore’s usual style)

10 – Derrick Chew (for some playful art of Ivy)

 

SPECIAL MENTION – DC COMICS (for cover and other art, including in their Poison Ivy title)

AI art shoutout also to Naughty Neurals

 

COSPLAY

 

No Yummychiyo, Hane or Helly ranking – there’s some excellent Ivy cosplay out there, but none from my favorite models of choice. I’ll nominate Claire Ana (collaborating with her usual photographer Jeff Zoet Visuals) for her Poison Ivy cosplay.

 

 

MEDIA

 

The less said about the Batman & Robin film version the better, even if played by Uma Thurman, but who doesn’t love the animated version of Ivy in the Harley Quinn animated series.

 

RATING: 4 STARS****
A-TIER (TOP TIER)

 

 

 

(6) CATWOMAN (DC 1940)

 

“I am Catwoman. Hear me roar!”

Meow!

No surprises here – Batman’s feline fatale Selina Kyle is one of the original bad girls of comics. With her criminal tastes limited to upmarket cat-burglary, she oscillated between (anti-)hero and villain.

With nine lives of costume changes – and her signature whip or cat o’ nine tails – but perhaps most memorably clad in a skin-tight black catsuit.

 

ART & COSPLAY

 

Despite the plethora of superb Catwoman cover art for her own titular comics and elsewhere, there could only be one choice for my iconic feature image – Brian Bolland’s cover art for the “Catwoman: Nine Lives of a Feline Fatale” collection, showcasing in one cover her different styles over the decades in comics, albeit I don’t think it’s exhaustive, particularly if you add in her media appearances.

Just some quick notes on the cover. Firstly, my favorite style – and what I would consider to be her definitive style, the modern or classic catsuit created by Darwyn Cooke – is front and center, as it should be, although I am also partial to the different catsuit styles that appear on the left. (Clockwise from bottom left – Jim Balent’s purple catsuit from the 90s, Frank Miller’s Year One grey catsuit in the 80s, and Bruce Timm’s catsuit design for Batman: The Animated Series in the 90s).

Secondly, Brian Bolland deserves a shoutout for his art in general – originating in Britain as my favorite artist for Judge Dredd among other things, he was part of the so-called ‘British Invasion’ of American comics, where his covers were and are legendary.

Thirdly, the different styles of Catwoman in this cover also prompts a shoutout for J. Scott Campbell, also legendary for his cover (and other) art – but in particular a series of eight covers for Catwoman’s anniversary, each showcasing a different individual style of Catwoman in gorgeous detail, including five of the costumes in Bolland’s cover. One of the other covers featured the post-Rebirth catsuit design by Joelle Jones (which in the 2010s postdated Bolland’s cover), while the remaining two covers featured her catsuit from the 1960s Batman TV series (which rivals the Cooke catsuit as my favorite) and her catsuit as worn by Michelle Pfeiffer from the Batman Returns film.

 

ART – DANDONFUGA

 

Surprisingly no Sciamano ranking –  I would have thought that Catwoman might have been one of the few girls of comics to draw (heh) his eye – but as usual Catwoman scores a Dandonfuga ranking, indeed with some of the most sizzling Dandonfuga art.

My top ten on the spot for Catwoman art

1 – Dandonfuga (for my Dandonfuga ranking)

2 – J. Scott Campbell (particularly for those covers of her iconic costumes)

3 – David Nakayama (who’s been knocking it out of the park lately with his Catwoman covers)

4 – Nathan Szerdy (ditto his Catwoman covers)

5 – Sun Khamunaki (with a superb art version of Michelle Pfeiffer’s Catwoman)

6 – Artgerm (for standout Catwoman covers, including the Michelle Pfeiffer version)

7 – Elias Chatzoudis (for standout Catwoman art, including the Michelle Pfeiffer version)

8 – Shannon Maer (for some gorgeous Catwoman art)

9 – Will Jack (also for some gorgeous Catwoman art)

10 – Ayyasap (yeah – for some fine Catwoman art)

 

SPECIAL MENTION

1 DC Comics (for all the Catwoman cover art and artists)

2 Brian Bolland (for that cover!)

3 Jim Balent (for his iconic 90s Catwoman art)

4 Jonatas Ferreira (for one of my favorite images of Catwoman)

5 Boo Sweeney (for a fine leggy Catwoman variant cover)

AI shoutout to Naughty Neurals!

 

COSPLAY

 

There’s some excellent Catwoman cosplay out there but none from my holy trinity or favorite models of choice – with the exception of honorable mention for Leeanna Vamp, who did a fine set of Catwoman in the Cooke catsuit.

 

MEDIA

 

Catwoman has more notable (and favorite) media adaptations for me than any of my other Top 10 Girls of Comics.

 

 

 

First, there’s the slinky suited Catwoman from the 1960s Batman TV series, played by no less than three different actresses – Julie Newmar (Seasons 1 and 2), Lee Merriweather (film), and Eartha Kitt (Season 3). Look – the latter two were good but Julie Newmar rocked that catsuit best.

 

 

Second, there’s Michelle Pfeiffer’s Catwoman in her slinky and distinctively stitched catsuit from the 1992 Batman Returns film directed by Tim Burton. As per her most famous quote from the film – Meow!

 

 

Third, there’s Anne Hathaway’s Catwoman in her slinky catsuit in the more realistic style of the Batman film trilogy directed by Christopher Nolan, although we had to wait to the third film to get her.

 

 

Fourth, there’s Zoe Kravitz zipping up in her Catwoman suit in the 2022 film The Batman directed by Matt Reeves.

 

 

Finally – fifth, Catwoman has appeared in a number of animated versions. I have a soft spot for her as drawn by Bruce Timm but my favorite animated version is in the Harley Quinn Animated TV series, voiced by Sanaa Lathan. Which come to think of it, makes Catwoman not only my top ten place entry with the most media adaptations but also the most diverse media adaptations – with three black versions of her, including those portrayed by Eartha Kitt and Zoe Kravitz.

 

 

RATING: 4 STARS****
A-TIER (TOP TIER)

 

 

 

 

(5) WITCHBLADE (Image / Top Cow 1995)

 

One of the signature ‘bad girl’ comics of the 1990’s and Image Comics’ Top Cow studio, relaunched in 2024.

The Witchblade is not a character but a thing – as per the name, a mystical (and sentient) gauntlet that ‘bonds’ with a female ‘host’ to become a magically powered ‘suit’.

With blades if you want. Or wings or whatever. But not too much suit – because comics.

It’s bonded with various female figures throughout history – pretty much every badass female figure of note was a (secret) Witchblade. Not sure why Joan of Arc didn’t use it at the stake – or Cleopatra use it instead of the asp.

For the comic, it’s worn primarily by Sara Pezzini, NYPD’s most attractive homicide detective.

 

ART & COSPLAY (MEDIA)

 

It was a close call for art by her Marc Silvestri as her creator or by Michael Turner – rest in peace – as her leading artist in her original comic in the 90s, arguably her best and most iconic artists (not to mention the Eric Basaldua art I used as feature image for this top ten) but there was only one choice to reflect her 2024 relaunch and that was the variant cover art by J. Scott Campbell for her first relaunch issue.

 

ART

 

Sadly no Sciamano or Dandonfuga art but there’s enough art from my favorite comics artists for my top 10 on the spot Witchblade art:

 

1 – J. Scott Campbell (for my iconic feature image)

2 – Marc Silvestri (as her creator)

3 – Michael Turner (as her leading artist in her original comic in the 90s)

4 – Eric Basaldua (for my other iconic feature image – the one for my whole top ten)

5 – Stjepan Sejic (as another leading artist for her comic – also for Sara’s successor Danielle Baptiste)

6 – Nathan Szerdy (as variant cover artist for the relaunch)

7 – Elias Chatzoudis (as cover artist for the relaunch)

8 – David Nakayama (as cover artist)

9 – Frank Cho (for characteristic art)

10 – Randy Green (for some of my favorite portraiture art of Witchblade)

 

SPECIAL MENTION  – IMAGE (TOP COW)

 

All the cover art or artis

 

COSPLAY

 

Given the Witchblade costume for cosplay, it takes a certain quality to achieve it – and the only one of my favorite cosplay models to do so is Kalinka Fox, Witchblade and all.

Any one of my cosplay holy trinity could do it but sadly no cosplay from them.

 

 

MEDIA

 

There was a television adaptation for two seasons in 2001-2002 (after a pilot film in 2000), as well as a 2006 anime adaptation with a new Witchblade character in a different style. The image I’ve used here was the promotional concept art poster for a 2008 film production scheduled for release in 2009 but sadly never produced.

 

RATING: 5 STARS*****
S-TIER (GOD TIER)

 

 

(4) LADY DEATH (CHAOS – COFFIN 1991)

 

The definitive 1990’s comics ‘bad girl’. The female embodiment (in every sense of the word) of the nineties antihero in the ‘Dark Age of comics’ – typically dark action girls or avengers, anti-heroic or villainous in nature, with supernatural or occult themes, and above all, voluptuously statuesque and stripperiffic.

Written by Brian Pulido, she originated as an outright villainous figure, a supernaturally pale beautiful female personification of death, but subsequently took shape as an anti-hero or hero

Her story has repeatedly changed as she has bounced between publishers and reboots, but essentially it involved been damned to hell (or somewhere like it) through magic (hence her appearance), only to rise to reign or wage war in hell.

Sadly, such a potentially promising story has been consistently let down by her plots – mostly cat-fights with other demon girls.

It is tempting to think what other writers might have made of Lady Death and her mythic underworld setting – Neil Gaiman or Alan Moore with their mythic sensibilities, Grant Morrison or Mark Millar with their subversive humor, Mike Carey with his play on infernal power politics (particularly as Morrison, Millar and Carey wrote for Vampirella)

Hell, even Frank Miller would have offered up something interesting a la his anti-heroic underworld in Sin City – or at least been outrageously fun about it.

So alas – she might have ranked even higher, but she earns her place in my top ten as befits any girl confident enough to wage war in hell and rule it in a g-string and high-heeled thigh-high boots.

 

ART & COSPLAY

 

If there’s one thing Lady Death is known for – well one more thing than the two obvious things – it’s her covers or pinups (essentially the same thing), many of which would serve as iconic feature image but I’ve chosen this pinup art by Paola Pantalena, one of her recurring artists, as it just seems to me a visual encapsulation of the character.

 

 

ART – SCIAMANO & DANDONFUGA

 

Sadly no Sciamano ranking – his Lady Death would rock going by his Atago Race Queen art or Azur Lane art in general – but she does score a Dandonfuga ranking, albeit not as much or to the usual Dandonfuga standout standard.

When it comes to Lady Death art, the best showcase is arguably the Coffin Comics website, her present publisher. As I said, if there’s one thing Lady Death is known for, it’s her prolific art of high quality in covers or pinups that one is spoilt for choice. Essentially, if there’s an artist known for their pin-up art, they’ll have done Lady Death.

 

My Lady Death art top ten on the spot  – drawn (heh) from my favorite artists

1 – Dandonfuga (for my Dandonfuga ranking)

2 – Elias Chatzoudis (for excellent recurring cover art)

3 – Sun Khamunaki (also for excellent recurring cover art)

4 – Nathan Szerdy (for characteristic pinup style art)

5 – Keith Garvey (also for characteristic pinup style art)

6 – J. Scott Campbell (for art in distinctive style)

7 – David Nakayama (for art in distinctive style – influenced by or very similar to J. Scott Campbell)

8 – Artgerm (for his go-to Lady Death cover art)

9 – Shannon Maer (for his go-to Lady Death cover art)

10 – Mike Krome

 

SPECIAL MENTION

1 – Coffin Comics

2 – Paolo Pantalena

And all the stable of artists for Coffin Comics who have not previously been mentioned. The top artists nominated by Coffin Comics themselves in their site include Paolo Pantalena of course – the artist for my iconic feature image – but also Eric Basaldua, Dawn McTeigue, and Mike DeBalfo.

Also an AI shoutout to Naughty Neurals.

 

COSPLAY

 

As for Lady Death cosplay, that’s a different story as it takes a certain statuesque quality in lingerie to pull it off. (And presumably a lot of white body paint, as well as white contacts and wig). One such model was Tabita Lyons (or Artyfakes) – so much so that Coffin Comics used her for one of their pinup covers. Alas Octokuro is another such model but has not done it. Dutch glamor model (and Playmate) April Eve was another model who rocked Lady Death.

Yummychiyo could absolutely pull it off with her insane figure but like Sciamano she tends to focus on characters from video games or anime. So too could Hane or Helly, but sadly no ranking from them either.

 

MEDIA

 

Apparently there was an animated film in 2004 but it didn’t rock.

 

RATING: 5 STARS*****
S-TIER (GODDESS-TIER)

 

 

 

(3) RED SONJA (MARVEL-DYNAMITE 1973)

 

She-devil with a sword.

Archetypal barbarian babe – the scantily-clad voluptuous warrior or sword maiden that has emerged as a stock figure in fantasy art, down to her utterly impractical chainmail bikini.

She has shown off her she-devil swordplay ever since her 1973 debut in Marvel Comics’ Conan the Barbarian – earning her own title, like Xena to Conan’s Hercules.

Loosely based on an earlier character, Red Sonya, in a short story by Conan’s creator Robert E. Howard – but not one of his actual Conan stories.

She acquired her legendary skill in combat from the red goddess Scathach. Hence her chainmail bikini – she relies on her uncanny fighting skill, athleticism and (perhaps) divine protection rather than armor.

I have a particular soft spot for her as an embattled fantasy figure, striving against numerous foes, symbolic of the battles of life itself . And of course for that chainmail bikini.

 

ART & COSPLAY

 

For her iconic feature image, what else could I choose but the Marc Silvestri cover art that was also selected by Dynamite Entertainment as cover for their Art of Red Sonja collection? It’s also a classic pose by her in her classic chainmail bikini. Although it was a close call as one is spoilt for choice for fantastic Red Sonja art – really you could just scroll through her Dynamite covers.

 

ART – DANDONFUGA

 

As for my favorite Red Sonja art, that chainmail bikini is irresistible to pinup artists – if an artist is known for pinup art, they’ve probably done some Red Sonja at some point. A special shoutout has to go to Lucio Parrillo for his gorgeous painted Red Sonja cover art – she’s probably his most prolific subject with the possible exception of my second place entry.

Sadly no Sciamano ranking – I’d love to see his Red Sonja given his Rebecca from One Piece with her similar bikini armor – but fortunately she gets a Dandonfuga ranking as Dandonfuga steps up as usual for the top girls of comics.

As for my Red Sonja art top ten on the spot

1 – Dandonfuga (for my Dandonfuga ranking)

2 – Lucio Parrillo (for regular outstanding cover art)

3 – Elias Chatzoudis (for regular outstanding cover art!)

4 – Sun Khamunaki (for distinctive Red Sonja art)

5 – Nathan Szerdy (for distinctive Red Sonja art!)

6 – Shannon Maer (for gorgeous cover art)

7 – J. Scott Campbell (for some of the most distinctive Red Sonja art)

8 – David Nakayama (for Red Sonja cover art in a modern style)

9 – Dan Panosian (Dan does good redhead art!)

10 – Josh Burns (for glorious painted Red Sonja art)

 

SPECIAL MENTION

1 – Dynamite Entertainment (just scroll through those covers)

2 – Marc Silvestri (for my iconic feature image)

3 – Ed Benes (for his Red Sonja art as my personal favorite of all his art)

4 – Adam Hughes (for his standout art featuring Red Sonja’s shock at seeing herself in Slayboy – and the Slayboy centerfold as well)

5 – Amanda Conner (for her distinctive art)

 

COSPLAY

 

As for cosplay, it’s a big chainmail bikini to fill but Octokuro and Tabitha Lyons are more than up to the task, the latter for cosplay cover art for the Red Sonja comic itself.

Sadly no Yummychiyo, Hane or Helly ranking – all of whom would rock that chainmail bikini.

 

 

MEDIA

 

Yes – there was a 1985 Red Sonja film with Brigitte Nielsen in the title role but it didn’t have any impact. Although at least it was actually made, as opposed to the Red Sonja film in development in the 2010s with Rose McGowan (or Amber Heard) in the title role, albeit it gave us some good concept art posters. Things look more promising for the Red Sonja film scheduled for release in 2024 with Matilda Lutz as Red Sonja.

 

RATING: 5 STARS*****
S-TIER (GODDESS-TIER)

 

 

(2) VAMPIRELLA (WARREN – DYNAMITE 1969)

 

The original classic ‘bad girl’ of comics.

Also a precursor of that modern fantasy figure, the good vampire who hunts other vampires, although with tongue firmly in cheek in Vampirella’s case.

In her deliberately campy origin story, she is an alien vampire – part of a race that evolved on the planet Drakulon, a world in which the water was blood (just go with it, ok?).

And she came to Earth, obviously packing only her holiday swimwear and boots.

She has been immortal ever since, albeit with different publishers and ever changing origin story (as a daughter of Lilith and Drakulon as part of Hell but, you know, a good part?). She’s still a good vampire hunting evil vampires.

She’s had her pick of top writers of comics – Grant Morrison, Mark Millar, Mike Carey, Alan Moore, Warren Ellis and Kurt Busiek

She’s iconic enough to be portrayed by promotional models and even a cameo in-joke in television’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer (sadly only a toy figurine).

Not bad for a vampire girl from Drakulon.

 

ART & COSPLAY (MEDIA & MODELS)

 

For her iconic feature image, there was any number of classic cover images that suggested themselves but I went with an image featuring two recent variant Vampirella covers by Roberto Castro for Dynamite Entertainment – “homaging two legendary artists and covers for Vampi”, with the one on the right homaging her very first cover with art by Frank Frazetta for Warren Publishing in September 1969

 

ART – DANDONFUGA

 

Her swimsuit costume seems even more irresistible to artists than Red Sonja’s chainmail bikini, although it’s probably too close to call as to which of the two of them is the greater muse to artists in comics, particularly as they are now both published by Dynamite Entertainment and have even crossed over with each other, although my favorite crossover between them was actually also a crossover with Betty and Veronica in Archie.

Sadly no Sciamano ranking – I’d love to see it as I think she would rock her swimsuit and boots in his art – but fortunately she gets a Dandonfuga ranking with Dandonfuga stepping up as usual for the girls of comics.

I’m spoilt for choice even more than for Red Sonja but here’s my top ten on the spot for Vampirella art:

1 – Dandonfuga (for my Dandonfuga ranking)

2 – Sun Khamunaki (for art of Vampirella as one of her best and most recurring subjects)

3 – Nathan Szerdy (for art of Vampirella as one of his best and most recurring subjects, particularly for use of blood, light and shading)

4 – Elias Chatzoudis (for recurring cover art of Vampirella)

5 – Lucio Parrillo (for gorgeous recurring painted cover art of Vampirella)

6 – Shannon Maer (for gorgeous recurring cover art of Vampirella)

7 – Artgerm (for some of the most classic cover art of Vampirella)

8 – J. Scott Campbell (for one of the most classic cover art images of Vampirella)

9 – Keith Garvey (for his signature pinup art)

10 – Josh Burns (for gorgeous painted cover art of Vampirella)

 

SPECIAL MENTION

1 – Dynamite Entertainment (Just scroll through their covers – featuring most of the artists I’ve listed here and more)

2 – Roberto Castro (for my feature image, homaging two classic covers for Vampirella – including her very first cover!)

3 – Amanda Conner (for classic Vampirella cover art)

4 – Dawn McTeigue (for some exotic Vampirella art)

5 – Mike Krome (for one cover in particular)

6 – Luis Royo (who excels in fantasy art, particularly dark fantasy art vampire or other women – so not surprisingly he has done Vampirella)

7 – Mimi Yoon (for similarly exotic Vampirella art to that of Dawn McTeigue)

8 – Randy Green (for one of my favorite facial portraits of Vampirella)

9 – Naughty Neurals (shoutout for their AI images of Vampirella)

 

COSPLAY – HELLY

 

As for cosplay, like Red Sonja’s chainmail bikini, it’s a big swimsuit and boots to fill. Sadly no Yummychiyo or Hane ranking – both of whom would rock the swimsuit and boots since they have sported similar swimsuit designs for other cosplay – but Vampirella certain scores a Helly ranking, with one of my favorite cosplays by Helly Valentine.

Just as they filled out Red Sonja’s chainmail bikini to perfection, so too not surprisingly do Octokuro and Tabitha Lyons fill out Vampirella’s legendary swimsuit in the same way – to which we can add Kalinka Fox for her Vampirella cosplay. Also Lada Lyumos for cosplay of that Mike Krome cover.

 

 

MEDIA & MODELS

 

Where is the screen Vampirella adaptation?!

Well yes, other than the 1996 film with Bond girl Talisa Soto in the lead role which…did not have much of an impact.

However, Vampirella has a long history of official cover models portraying her – enough for a top ten or twenty – including her present models (Joanie Brosas, Faces by Rachie, and Rachel Hollon), but the standout model for me will always be Kitana Baker. I will accept no debate on this topic.

 

RATING: 5 STARS*****
S-TIER (GODDESS-TIER)

 

 

 

(1) WONDER WOMAN (DC 1941)

 

Could there be any doubt? The top position has to go to THE most famous, THE most iconic and THE most enduring superheroine in comics.

Visually striking – blue-eyed, raven-haired and voluptuous in her star-spangled costume, with her golden lariat of truth and her bullet-deflecting bracelets.

With a story drawn from classical mythology, the Amazon Princess Diana of Themyscira was created by American psychologist William Moulton Marston, who also invented the polygraph lie detector – hence the lariat.

Marston also had a keen interest in bondage, hence the recurring bondage theme of his comics. And also the lariat.

Anyway, along with Catwoman, she was my other earliest childhood crush.

“Wonder Woman! Wonder Woman!
All the world is waiting for you and the power you possess
In your satin tights, fighting for your rights
And the old red, white and blue!”

 

ART & COSPLAY (MEDIA & MODELS)

 

For her iconic feature image, I’ve chosen the New 52 cover art by Ed Benes, featuring her in what I consider to be her classic costume (except for the cape) – and Ed Benes does damn fine art.

 

ART – DANDONFUGA

 

Sadly no Sciamano ranking – despite Sciamano’s focus on characters from video games or anime, I still find it surprising that he has not done any art of Wonder Woman at least. However, she does score a Dandonfuga ranking with some of my favorite art of Wonder Woman, particularly in her modern costume.

 

As for my Wonder Woman art top ten on the spot

1 – Dandonfuga (for my Dandonfuga ranking)

2 – J. Scott Campbell (for my favorite series of Wonder Woman covers for her anniversary, with her holy trinity of vintage, classic and modern costumes)

3 – Sun Khamunaki (for consistently good art)

4 – Nathan Szerdy (for Wonder Woman as one of his best recurring subjects)

5 – David Nakayama (for some of the best recent Wonder Woman comics covers)

6 – Stanley “Artgerm” Lau (for his signature cover art)

7 – Warren Louw (for one of my favorite images of Wonder Woman)

8 – Keith Garvey (for his signature pinup art)

9 – Elias Chatzoudis (also for his signature pinup art)

10 – Neoartcore (for art of Wonder Woman by one of my favorite – and most prolific – digital artists)

 

SPECIAL MENTION

1 – DC Comics (for their Wonder Woman comics cover art in general, including most of the artists in this top ten or these special mentions)

2 – Ed Benes (for my feature image)

3 – David Finch (who came very close to scoring my iconic feature image with his cover art)

4 – Michael Turner (with yet another contender for iconic feature image)

5  – Naughty Neurals (yes – it’s AI but I’ll give a shoutout to Wonder Woman as one of their prolific subjects)

 

COSPLAY

 

As for cosplay, she is sadly under-represented among my favorite cosplay models – no Yummychiyo, Hane, or Helly, all of whom would rock the most iconic girl of comics. My favorite Wonder Woman cosplay is by fitness model Denise Milani, whose statuesque proportions were shaped by the Olympians themselves for it. Kalinka Fox and Tabitha Lyons are close runners up.

 

 

MEDIA & MODELS

 

As for her media appearances, two come to mind foremost for Wonder Woman – Lynda Carter in the 1970s TV series and Gal Gadot in the DCEU films.

 

 

Animation honorable mention for her depiction in the Harley Quinn animated series voiced by Vanessa Marshall.

 

 

And here’s my top ten on the spot for models or celebrities who have donned the Wonder Woman costume:

1 – Megan Gale

Australian model who almost played her for a Justice League film to be directed by none other than…George Miller. Oh – what could have been! Well at least Miller had her show up naked in Mad Max Fury Road (as the bait in the “that’s bait” scene since immortalized in meme)

2- Miranda Kerr

Speaking of Australian models, this Aussie supermodel donned the Wonder Woman costume and waved the Australian flag for her Australia Day photo shoot with Grazia fashion magazine. Come to think of it, it’s not just the American flag that matches the star-spangled red white and blue of Wonder Woman’s costume – the Australian flag could do just as well for Wonder Woman’s costume!

3 – Rachel Bilson

I can literally tell you nothing else about TV series The OC other than that Rachel Bilson dons the Wonder Woman costume in it as a present for her boyfriend. And everyone else, not least the audience

4 – Olivia Munn

It’s Olivia Munn. ‘Nuff said – hot nerd alert. (She’s a fan of comics so naturally has worn the Wonder Woman costume)

5- Kaley Cuoco

Speaking of Harley Quinn, Kaley Cuoco donned the costume in The Big Bang Theory

6 – Sarah Michelle Gellar

Buffy does Wonder Woman! I think it was for a SNL skit.

7 – Adrianne Palicki

Another model and actress who was cast as Wonder Woman – in this case in an unaired 2011 TV pilot

8 – Kim Kardashian

9 – Kendall Jenner

I suppose I’ll open it up to celebrity Halloween costumes or cosplay – and as usual, these two made headlines.

10 – Anissa Kate

Ahem. Yes of course Wonder Woman has been a favorite subject for depiction in, ah, adult films. Indeed, I could have compiled this top ten purely from adult film stars cast in the role but I’ll go with Anissa Kate as the best (and also from the images I found compiling this top ten the one modelled most closely on Gal Gadot’s depiction in the DCEU).

 

RATING: 5 STARS*****
S-TIER (GODDESS-TIER)

 

 

 

 

GIRLS OF COMICS: TOP 10 (TIER LIST)

 

S-TIER (GODDESS TIER)

 

(1) WONDER WOMAN

Yeah – she pretty much defined girls of comics for me and is the definitive girl of comics

(2) VAMPIRELLA
(3) RED SONJA
(4) LADY DEATH
(5) WITCHBLADE

If Wonder Woman is my Old Testament for girls of comics, then Vampirella, Red Sonja, Lady Death, and Witchblade are my New Testament.

 

A-TIER (TOP TIER)

 

(6) CATWOMAN
(7) POISON IVY
(8) BLACK CAT
(9) HARLEY QUINN

 

X-TIER (WILD TIER)

 

(10) DEADLY TRIO

Finally, my wildcard tenth place entry – as entry for ‘best of the year’ in 2024 – is this trio of characters to be launched by Coffin Comics on Kickstarter.