This year has seen some great movements for the female hero: Supergirl is set to introduce TV’s first transgender superhero, Batwoman will become the first openly gay title female superhero, The Wasp was the first female hero to be featured in a Marvel film’s title, and that jaw-dropping trailer for the highly-anticipated Captain Marvel did a superhero landing this week!
To celebrate these female-empowering moments, the release of Supergirl Season Three, and DC’s Legends of Tomorrow Season Three on September 24th, we’ve put together a list of some of the most badass ‘Girls of Steel’ as we move into an exciting new era of heroes!
Supergirl
Coined the Girl of Steel, the Maiden of Might, and the Last Daughter of Krypton – Supergirl’s popularity has soared in recent years. Defender of National City, Superman’s superheroine cousin is as tough as the superhuman strength she possesses, which she uses to kick-ass and fight crime on planet earth. Supergirl can currently be seen on The CW, played by Melissa Benoist, while a feature film has also recently been announced.
Lara Croft
Making her video game debut more than 20 years ago back in 1996, the Tomb Raider protagonist is hailed for her intelligence and hunger for adventure. Created by Toby Gard to counter stereotypical female game characters, Lara Croft continues to dominate video game and cinema screens worldwide, having recently been portrayed by Alicia Vikander in this year’s movie reboot.
Wonder Woman
Diana, Princess of the Amazons, was raised as a warrior on the island paradise of Themyscira. When an American pilot crashes off her homeland, she leaves home to help him fight in WWI, as recently portrayed by Gal Gadot in the critically acclaimed 2017 film, giving women and girls worldwide a new female superhero to look up to! Production on the sequel, Wonder Woman 1984, is currently underway.
Jessica Jones
Jessica Jones is a highly-skilled PI who runs her own agency, Alias Investigations, and possesses the power of superhuman strength! Powerful as well as smart, Jessica is also a skilled detective and investigative journalist. The character leads her own Marvel series on Netflix, where she is played by Krysten Ritter.
Buffy
Chosen by fate to protect the mortal realm from supernatural forces, Buffy Summers was the ultimate 90’s & early-noughties vampire slaying heroine. Characterised by Sarah Michelle Gellar, Buffy was badass and is still a popular cultural TV icon today! A TV reboot was recently announced, which will shift the focus to a new Slayer.
Black Widow
A highly skilled spy and deadly assassin, Black Window is one of Marvel’s standout comic heroes. It’s no wonder S.H.I.E.L.D and the Avengers needed her incredible talents to help save the world (over, and over again!). Scarlett Johansson has portrayed the character in six Marvel movies to date, with Avengers 4 and a Black Widow solo movie incoming.
White Canary
Sara Lance, formerly of Team Arrow and the League of Assassins has had at least two resurrections and now heads up the Legends of Tomorrow where she is played by Caity Lotz. Critics hailed Sara Lance as the first character from either Marvel or DC to be explicitly shown as queer in either the movies on TV shows.
Aloy
Protagonist of the hugely critically acclaimed Horizon Zero Dawn, Aloy is a true action hero adored by gamers worldwide. Beginning life as an outcast, through sheer-determination and training she becomes a hunter of extraordinary prowess and ultimately the saviour of her world!
Supergirl Season 3 is out now on DVD and Blu-ray and Legends of Tomorrow Season 3 is available from September 24th on DVD and Blu-Ray.