The heroine's journey echoes through ancient legend, as each young woman combats her dark side and emerges stronger. Of course, this quest is also a staple of the most American of mythologies - comic books. From Jessica Jones and Catwoman to the new superwomen of cutting-edge webcomics, each heroine must descend into the darkest place of all, not to become a warrior-hero but a saviour.

Table of Contents Foreword: The Heroine with a Thousand Faces by Trina Robbins Introduction: Considering Superheroes and Heroines Chapter 1—Growing Hero Birth: Wonder Woman (DC Comics, 1941) Ordinary World: After the Golden Age (Novel, 2011) Adolescence: Ms. Marvel (Marvel Comics, 2014) Call to Rescue: Go Girl! (Dark Horse Comics, 2002) Refusal of the Call: ­X-Men (Film, 2000) Making the Choice: Runaways (Marvel Comics, 2003–2008) Chapter 2—Superhero Tools Superpowers: Wild Cards (Book Series, 1987–) Talisman: Witchblade (TV, 2001–2002) Self-Naming: Captain Marvel (Marvel Comics, 1977–2012) Secret Identity: Supergirl (DC Comics, 1959) Costume: Miss Fury (Timely Comics, 1941) Shadow Side: Savage ­She-Hulk (Marvel Comics, 1980) Chapter 3—Family Foils Grandmother-Mentor: Miss Harkness (Marvel Comics, 1970–1989) Evil Mentor: Birds of Prey (DC Comics, 2004–2011) Brutal Patriarchy: ­Spider-Woman (Marvel Comics, 1977) Leaving the Father: Aurora West (First Second Comics, 2014–2015) Finding the Mother: Batgirl (DC Comics, 2005–2006) Killer Mother: Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D (TV, 2013–2015) Sister Teamwork: Supergirl (TV, 2015) Evil Twin: Black Widow (Marvel Comics, 1999–2002) Chapter 4—Male Influences Friendship: White Tiger (Marvel Comics, 2007) Animus Growth: ­Spider-Gwen (Marvel Comics, 2014) The Good Boy: Dark Angel (TV, 2000–2002) Shapeshifter Romance: Batman Returns (Film, 1992) Bluebeard: Scarlet Witch (Marvel Comics, 1994) Government Persecution: Echo (Abstract Studios Comics, 2011) Shrinking Down: ­She-Hulk (Marvel Comics, 2005) Take Back the Night: Priya’s Shakti (Web Comic, 2014) Chapter 5—Descent to the Self Entering the Otherworld: Daredevil/Echo (Marvel Comics, 2004) Into the Desert: Vixen (DC Comics, 2011) Hearing the Inner Voices: Power Girl (DC Comics, 2009–2010) Casting Off Illusions: Donna Troy (DC Comics, 2005) Healing: Jessica Jones (TV, 2015) Empathy: Batwoman (DC Comics, 2013–2014) Chapter 6—Facing the Shadow Descent into Death: Pretty Deadly (Image Comics, 2013–2014) Dying to Save the World: Kitty Pryde (Marvel Comics, 2004–2008) Shadow Transformation: Dark Phoenix (Marvel Comics, 1975) Embracing the Self: Wonder Woman (DC Comics, 2011) Return to Life: Danger Girl (IDW Comics, 2014) Finishing the Battle: “Call Her Savage” (Short Story, 2010) Finding Balance: Supergirl (DC Comics, 1996) Chapter 7—Motherhood and Enlightenment Becoming Supermom: Invisible Woman (Marvel Comics, 1968–1973) Evil Child: Ms. Marvel (Marvel Comics, 1980–1981) Losing the Child: Scarlet Witch (Marvel Comics, 1986–2012) Death Crone: Claire Voyant (Timely Comics, 1940–1942) Mistress of Dark and Light: Storm and Illyana (Marvel Comics, delete1983–1984) Apotheosis: Promethea (America’s Best Comics, 2001–2005) Guiding the Next Generation: Birds of Prey (TV, 2002–2003) Conclusion Glossary Works Cited Index

“A wealth of information about a variety of super-heroines and their comic book stories”—SFCrowsnest; “Frankel discusses the journey of the superheroine in contemporary comics, movies, and television”—ProtoView; “Frankel uses myth the way it was meant to be used, to help people understand how their lives fit into a larger world. She offers great depth of analysis in understanding how the mythic characters of comics utilize the standard mythic tropes. This is a must-have.”—Matthew Wilhelm Kapell, Exploring the Next Frontier: Vietnam, NASA, Star Trek and Utopia in 1960s and 1970s American Myth and History.