50 Greatest Super Heroes In Comic Book History

38. Invisible Woman

(Write-up by Nick Tylwalk, Bam Smack Pow Editor)

Though most fans would likely agree that there’s still some work to be done when it comes to the portrayal of females in super hero comics, we have made some progress since their earlier days. As evidence, I invite you to go back and re-read early issues of Fantastic Four, where Sue Storm was treated poorly at times and outright condescended to by Reed Richards at others.

Contrast that to the savvy, powerful Invisible Woman we have today and it’s impossible not to see (no pun intended) the difference. It helps that her abilities were expanded and refined, from merely disappearing from sight to projecting force fields. This is a hero who can pull her weight in battle, no mean feat when her teammates include the Human Torch and the Thing.

She’s also more than capable of keeping up with her super-smart husband, which is something not too many people can say. A devoted mother? Yep, she’s that too.

So let’s sum up here: powerful, smart and caring, it’s fair to say that Susan Richards is one of the most well-rounded characters in the Marvel Universe, something that heavyweights like Doctor Doom and Namor have noticed and admired. That she’s the lowest ranking member of the Fantastic Four on this list isn’t a reflection on her, but rather recognition that every member of the Marvel’s first family is a pretty amazing character in his or her own right — despite what Marvel currently seems to think.

Next: No. 37: The heart and soul of the X-Men