Table of Contents Foreword: The Heroine with a Thousand Faces by Trina Robbins 1 Introduction: Considering Superheroes and Heroines 3 Chapter 1--Growing Up Hero Birth: Wonder Woman (DC Comics, 1941) 11 Ordinary World: After the Golden Age (Novel, 2011) 16 Adolescence: Ms. Marvel (Marvel Comics, 2014) 19 Call to Rescue: Go Girl! (Dark Horse Comics, 2002) 25 Refusal of the Call: ­X-Men (Film, 2000) 30 Making the Choice: Runaways (Marvel Comics, 2003-2008) 33 Chapter 2--Superhero Tools Superpowers: Wild Cards (Book Series, 1987-) 38 Talisman: Witchblade (TV, 2001-2002) 46 Self-Naming: Captain Marvel (Marvel Comics, 1977-2012) 53 Secret Identity: Supergirl (DC Comics, 1959) 60 Costume: Miss Fury (Timely Comics, 1941) 65 Shadow Side: Savage ­She-Hulk (Marvel Comics, 1980) 73 Chapter 3--Family Foils Grandmother-Mentor: Miss Harkness (Marvel Comics, 1970-1989) 79 Evil Mentor: Birds of Prey (DC Comics, 2004-2011) 84 Brutal Patriarchy: ­Spider-Woman (Marvel Comics, 1977) 89 Leaving the Father: Aurora West (First Second Comics, 2014-2015) 96 Finding the Mother: Batgirl (DC Comics, 2005-2006) 101 Killer Mother: Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D (TV, 2013-2015) 106 Sister Teamwork: Supergirl (TV, 2015) 114 Evil Twin: Black Widow (Marvel Comics, 1999-2002) 119 Chapter 4--Male Influences Friendship: White Tiger (Marvel Comics, 2007) 124 Animus Growth: ­Spider-Gwen (Marvel Comics, 2014) 128 The Good Boy: Dark Angel (TV, 2000-2002) 131 Shapeshifter Romance: Batman Returns (Film, 1992) 136 Bluebeard: Scarlet Witch (Marvel Comics, 1994) 144 Government Persecution: Echo (Abstract Studios Comics, 2011) 150 Shrinking Down: ­She-Hulk (Marvel Comics, 2005) 154 Take Back the Night: Priya's Shakti (Web Comic, 2014) 159 Chapter 5--Descent to the Self Entering the Otherworld: Daredevil/Echo (Marvel Comics, 2004) 164 Into the Desert: Vixen (DC Comics, 2011) 168 Hearing the Inner Voices: Power Girl (DC Comics, 2009-2010) 175 Casting Off Illusions: Donna Troy (DC Comics, 2005) 178 Healing: Jessica Jones (TV, 2015) 182 Empathy: Batwoman (DC Comics, 2013-2014) 190 Chapter 6--Facing the Shadow Descent into Death: Pretty Deadly (Image Comics, 2013-2014) 195 Dying to Save the World: Kitty Pryde (Marvel Comics, 2004-2008) 199 Shadow Transformation: Dark Phoenix (Marvel Comics, 1975) 202 Embracing the Self: Wonder Woman (DC Comics, 2011) 207 Return to Life: Danger Girl (IDW Comics, 2014) 213 Finishing the Battle: "Call Her Savage" (Short Story, 2010) 217 Finding Balance: Supergirl (DC Comics, 1996) 221 Chapter 7--Motherhood and Enlightenment Becoming Supermom: Invisible Woman (Marvel Comics, 1968-1973) 225 Evil Child: Ms. Marvel (Marvel Comics, 1980-1981) 232 Losing the Child: Scarlet Witch (Marvel Comics, 1986-2012) 236 Death Crone: Claire Voyant (Timely Comics, 1940-1942) 240 Mistress of Dark and Light: Storm and Illyana (Marvel Comics, 1983-1984) 244 Apotheosis: Promethea (America's Best Comics, 2001-2005) 249 Guiding the Next Generation: Birds of Prey (TV, 2002-2003) 255 Conclusion 262 Glossary 265 Works Cited 268 Index 283.