10 Greatest Female-Led Comics of All Time

Sep 23, 2026 - 07:10

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10 Greatest Female-Led Comics of All Time

Published Sep 22, 2026, 11:48 PM EDT

Casandra Ronning is a staff writer for Screen Rant's anime section. Since mid-2024, she has dedicated herself to expanding her knowledge and experience in the entertainment industry. She is most proud of conducting an exclusive interview with popular voice actor Stephanie Nadolny.

Among the best female-led comics are the ones that do more than simply offer a satisfying or intriguing character arc. They’re often experimental or develop stories from perspectives that were historically overlooked. Some of the best female-led comics take familiar characters and breathe new life into them, while others create thrilling new stories and worlds from the ground up.

No matter what publishing company these stories come from, they all have something unique and thrilling to offer readers. With their bold storytelling and unforgettable central heroines, these comics arguably stand among some of the best comics available today, making them absolute must-reads that comic fans won’t regret picking up.

Ms. Marvel: No Normal

Written by G. Willow Wilson and illustrated by Adrian Alphona, Ms. Marvel: No Normal centers around 16-year-old Kamala Khan, a Pakistani-American girl who idolizes heroes like Carol Danvers (Captain Marvel). When she’s unexpectedly exposed to the Terrigen Mist, her latent Inhuman abilities activate, granting her the power to alter her body through shape-shifting or growing her limbs.

Initially, she tries to emulate Captain Marvel, going as far as pretending to be her, all while distancing herself from her own cultural identity. However, in time, she learns what it means to be a hero on her own terms and embraces her individuality and values. All in all, her story is wonderfully written, gorgeously drawn, and an incredibly relatable coming-of-age superhero comic that proves courage and heroism can emerge from any background.

Alias

Created by Brian Michael Bendis and artist Michael Gaydos, the 28-issue comic, Alias, first published in 2001, follows Jessica Jones, a former superhero who turned away from heroism following a severely traumatic incident. She takes up work as a private investigator in New York, taking on cases that constantly pull her back into the orbit of heroes and heroism, despite her wanting nothing to do with her past.

Unlike most superhero stories by Marvel, Alias doesn’t start with early struggles that ultimately lead to a life of heroism. Instead, it drops readers right into Jessica’s world after she chooses to leave that life behind, presenting its protagonist as unapologetically messy, flawed, and incredibly cynical and abrasive. Yet, her moral code and determination never waver, making her one of the greatest female leads, especially for her time.

Pretty Deadly

Published by Image Comics by Kelly Sue DeConnick and Emma Ríos, Pretty Deadly is a dark Western fantasy that follows Deathface Ginny, the daughter of Death and a ruthless reaper who hunts down those who commit acts of cruelty and systemic injustice. When people who have suffered call out her name, Ginny is bound by supernatural law to come and carry out vengeance.

Despite its harsh premise, Pretty Deadly is breathtakingly lyrical and haunting in the most beautiful way imaginable. While on an indefinite hiatus, the series currently consists of 15 issues, taking place from the late 1800s to the 1930s, delivering a shifting time and setting that adds to its surreal, dreamlike atmosphere.

Paper Girls

Paper Girls follows Erin, Mac, KJ, and Tiffany, four 12-year-old newspaper carriers in suburban Ohio. However, when their Halloween-night paper route suddenly becomes the beginning of a time-traveling adventure after finding a mysterious piece of technology, the girls find themselves in the middle of a secret time war that spans across multiple eras.

The comic is written by Brian K. Vaughan and illustrated by Cliff Chiang and consists of six volumes. What stands out most about the series is how well-written the characters are, with each having a distinctive personality, backstory, strengths, and weaknesses, which directly influence the emotional core of the story. Paired with the creators’ willingness to explore paradoxes and futures that are less than ideal, Paper Girls is a worthwhile sci-fi and coming-of-age story.

Birds of Prey

Gail Simone’s Birds of Prey centers on the all-woman trio, Oracle, Black Canary, and Huntress as they take on increasingly dangerous missions across the DC Universe, and later Lady Blackhawk. With Barbara Gordon directing the team from behind the scenes, Dinah Lance and Helena Bertinelli handle the fieldwork, effectively creating a team that complements one another, despite their differing personalities and preferred methods of operating.

Birds of Prey is one of Gail Simone’s defining achievements, as she is the one who popularized the team and gave them a stronger and unique identity. It completely rejects outdated tropes and stands as proof that an all female-team is fully capable of carrying action-packed stories without relying on male counterparts.

Batwoman: Elegy

Batwoman jumping and punching a criminal in a panel from Elegy

Batwoman: Elegy follows Kate Kane, Bruce Wayne’s cousin, as Gotham’s newest protector in the aftermath of Batman’s disappearance. She’s a former military officer who was forced out of West Point after she refused to hide the fact that she’s a lesbian, dropping her into a life that feels directionless until she takes up vigilantism.

Batwoman: Elegy is a visually stunning and thrilling read from start to finish.

The comic is created by Greg Rucka and J.H. Williams III, who together gave Kate a compelling, strong identity that exists completely independent of Batman. Her military background and conviction stem from life experiences that make her feel more authentic, while her flaws and missteps only make her more relatable. Batwoman: Elegy is a visually stunning and thrilling read from start to finish.

Lazarus

Written by Greg Rucka and illustrated by Michael Lark, Lazarus takes place in a dystopian future where powerful Families have replaced conventional governments, controlling land, wealth, technology, resources, and more. With society divided into rigid classes with Families at the top, Serfs as the skilled working class, and Waste as the impoverished majority of humanity, life is far from perfect.

The story follows Forever Carlyle, a genetically engineered protector of the high-ranking Carlyle Family known as Eve, as she carries out military campaigns and takes on rival dynasties. When questions about her origins begin to undermine her unquestioning loyalty, she must find her own purpose, leading to a high-stakes rebellion against the family that created her, delivering a thrilling and thought-provoking reading experience that fans won't want to miss.

Monstress

Monstress was created by Marjorie Liu and Sana Takeda, centering around Maika Halfwolf, a young Arcanic survivor in a war-torn world. With a missing arm and haunted by memories of her past, Maika finds that a powerful ancient creature lives within her, driving her to search for answers while being hunted by antagonistic factions who want to control her.

Monstress earned seven Eisner Awards, including Marjorie Liu's Eisner Award for Best Writer in 2018, making history as she was the first woman to ever win it. Given the comic’s rich worldbuilding, well-rounded protagonist, and strong supporting cast, it's no wonder that the series earned massive critical acclaim. Paired with its heavily detailed artwork, Monstress is undeniably a masterpiece that can’t be overlooked.

Wonder Woman: Dead Earth

Written and illustrated by Daniel Warren Johnson, Wonder Woman: Dead Earth follows Diana after she awakens centuries later only to find that Earth has been devastated by nuclear war. With the world now a barren wasteland populated by mutated creatures and scattered human survivors, Wonder Woman is left to defend the remnants of humanity, all while trying to piece together her own fragmented memories.

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Wonder Woman is an Amazonian princess who left her hidden island homeland to help humanity during a great conflict. What is the name of the island paradise where the Amazons live?

AAtlantis BThemyscira CAsgard DOlympus

✓ Correct! Themyscira, also known as Paradise Island, is the hidden homeland of the Amazons — a race of immortal warrior women blessed by the Greek gods. Shielded from the outside world for millennia, it is where Diana was raised and trained before venturing into the world of men.

✗ The Lasso of Truth says that’s not quite right! The answer is Themyscira. Atlantis is the underwater kingdom of Aquaman, Asgard is Thor’s realm in Norse mythology, and Olympus is the home of the Greek gods. Themyscira is the hidden paradise where the Amazons have lived for thousands of years.

In DC Comics’ classic origin, Wonder Woman was formed from clay by her mother and given life by the Greek gods. Who is Wonder Woman’s mother, the Queen of the Amazons?

AHera BAthena CHippolyta DArtemis

✓ Correct! Queen Hippolyta is Wonder Woman’s mother and the ruler of the Amazons. In the classic origin, she sculpted baby Diana from clay and the gods breathed life into her. Hippolyta is a fierce warrior and wise leader who has guided the Amazons for centuries.

✗ The Lasso of Truth says that’s not quite right! The answer is Hippolyta. Hera is the queen of the Olympian gods, Athena is the goddess of wisdom, and Artemis is a fellow Amazon warrior (and sometimes rival to Diana). Hippolyta is Diana’s mother and the beloved Queen of the Amazons.

Wonder Woman wields a magical golden weapon that forces anyone bound by it to tell the truth. This iconic weapon is one of the most recognizable in all of comics. What is it called?

AThe Golden Bolas BThe Lasso of Truth CThe Chain of Honesty DThe Rope of Hestia

✓ Correct! The Lasso of Truth (also known as the Golden Perfect) was forged by the god Hephaestus from the Golden Girdle of Gaea. Anyone bound by it is compelled to speak only the truth. It is virtually indestructible and can also restore lost memories and dispel illusions.

✗ The Lasso of Truth says that’s not quite right! The answer is the Lasso of Truth. While the lasso is sometimes connected to Hestia in certain continuities, its official and iconic name is the Lasso of Truth — Wonder Woman’s most signature weapon and a symbol of her commitment to honesty and justice.

Wonder Woman’s most iconic arch-nemesis is a powerful figure from Greek mythology who represents war and conflict. In many storylines, this villain is the god of war himself. Who is Wonder Woman’s greatest enemy?

ACirce BCheetah CAres DHades

✓ Correct! Ares, the Greek god of war, is Wonder Woman’s most mythologically significant foe. As a champion of peace, Diana stands in direct opposition to everything Ares represents. Their conflict is the eternal struggle between peace and war, compassion and destruction.

✗ The Lasso of Truth says that’s not quite right! The answer is Ares. Circe is a powerful sorceress and recurring villain, Cheetah is one of Diana’s most personal enemies, and Hades is the god of the underworld. But Ares — the god of war — is Wonder Woman’s ultimate mythological nemesis.

Gal Gadot portrayed Wonder Woman in the DC Extended Universe films starting in 2016. In her first solo film, Wonder Woman (2017), Diana travels to the world of men during which historical conflict?

AWorld War II BWorld War I CThe Cold War DThe Vietnam War

✓ Correct! The 2017 Wonder Woman film set Diana’s first adventure during World War I, a deliberate departure from her comic book origins which were tied to World War II. Director Patty Jenkins chose WWI to emphasize the senseless horror of war and Diana’s idealistic belief that humanity is worth saving.

✗ The Lasso of Truth says that’s not quite right! The answer is World War I. While Wonder Woman’s original 1941 comic debut was set during WWII, the 2017 film moved the timeline back to WWI. Diana leaves Themyscira with pilot Steve Trevor to fight in “the war to end all wars,” believing Ares is behind the conflict.

Wonder Woman wears a pair of iconic silver accessories on her wrists that can deflect bullets, energy blasts, and virtually any projectile. What are these indestructible accessories called?

AGauntlets of Atlas BThe Bracelets of Submission CSilver Shields DAmazonian Arm Guards

✓ Correct! The Bracelets of Submission are indestructible gauntlets worn by all Amazons as a reminder of their past enslavement by Hercules. Wonder Woman’s pair are particularly powerful — forged from the remnants of Zeus’s Aegis shield in some versions — and she uses them to deflect virtually any attack.

✗ The Lasso of Truth says that’s not quite right! The answer is the Bracelets of Submission. The Gauntlets of Atlas grant super strength in some storylines but are a different item. Wonder Woman’s iconic silver wrist guards — the Bracelets of Submission — are among the most recognizable accessories in comic book history.

Wonder Woman first appeared in DC Comics in 1941, created by a psychologist who was also the inventor of a real-world device. Who created Wonder Woman?

AStan Lee BBob Kane CWilliam Moulton Marston DJack Kirby

✓ Correct! William Moulton Marston, a psychologist who also invented an early form of the lie detector (polygraph), created Wonder Woman. He designed her as a feminist icon — a hero who would triumph through love and truth rather than violence. The Lasso of Truth was directly inspired by his polygraph work.

✗ The Lasso of Truth says that’s not quite right! The answer is William Moulton Marston. Stan Lee co-created Marvel heroes like Spider-Man, Bob Kane co-created Batman, and Jack Kirby co-created many Marvel and DC characters. Marston, a Harvard-trained psychologist and lie detector inventor, created Wonder Woman in 1941.

The Cheetah is one of Wonder Woman’s most enduring villains — a woman who transforms into a powerful cheetah-like being. In the DCEU film Wonder Woman 1984, which actress portrayed Barbara Minerva/Cheetah?

ARobin Wright BKristen Wiig CConnie Nielsen DLucy Davis

✓ Correct! Kristen Wiig, best known for comedy roles in Bridesmaids and Saturday Night Live, took on the dramatic role of Barbara Minerva in Wonder Woman 1984 (2020). Her character starts as a shy, overlooked archaeologist who gradually transforms into the savage Cheetah after wishing for Diana’s power.

✗ The Lasso of Truth says that’s not quite right! The answer is Kristen Wiig. Robin Wright played Antiope (Diana’s aunt and training mentor), Connie Nielsen played Queen Hippolyta, and Lucy Davis played Etta Candy (Steve Trevor’s secretary). Kristen Wiig portrayed the villainous Cheetah in Wonder Woman 1984.

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The kicker is that Diana learns that she herself might be responsible for the apocalypse, pushing her development through both guilt and responsibility at once. Its art style is jagged and gritty, adding to the overall atmosphere of the story, while the emotional core injects real weight behind every battle and major decision, making the comic a truly unique and incredibly rewarding yet haunting series to pick up.

Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow

Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow follows Ruthye Marye Knoll, a young alien girl bent on revenge after the murder of her father, as she crosses paths with Kara Zor-El (Supergirl), recruiting the superhero for her journey. Despite the title of the comic, the story is largely told through Ruthye’s eyes, presenting Kara as a hero who is more shaped by grief and uncertainty rather than standing as an idealistic hero.

Created by Tom King and Bilquis Evely, the comic is easily a modern masterpiece and widely acclaimed. The story frames Kara as a powerful, capable hero who is nothing like Superman, as she witnessed the devastation of her own world, leaving her aimless and without purpose, while Ruthye is blinded by vengeance. Together, the two pull each other out of their destructive spirals, effectively creating a story that is as touching as it is unforgettable.