We’re living in the golden age of superhero content. Disney continues to pump out as much Marvel content it can for Disney+ like ‘What If…?’ and Shang-Chi. Meanwhile, Warner Bros recasts its DC superheroes every other year (check out Aquaman’s new look). If comic book movies are your thing then it’s a great time to be alive. For girl dads, it’s extra great because we’ve really just scratched the surface of female superhero representation in the Marvel Universe. There are so many great characters, like Kate Bishop in ‘Hawkeye’, that have yet to make their debut.
There are so many awesome female superheroes coming to theaters and Disney+ over the next couple of years in rumored or already announced projects. We’ll have tons of content to watch without our daughters. If you haven’t watched the Marvel movies with your kids yet, then there’s no better time than the present. This weekend I recommend you grab your favorite spot on the couch and introduce your daughters to some girls that kick ass. Here’s a how-to guide for watching all 23 Marvel movies in order from Iron-Man to End Game.
Let’s take a look at 10 of the best female superheroes that have played a pivotal role in the MCU so far and speculate wildly about what might be in store for them next.
**PHASE 1 THROUGH PHASE 3 SPOILERS BELOW**
Black Widow (Natasha Romanoff)
1st appearance in the MCU: Iron Man 2
1st appearance in the comics: Tales of Suspense #52 (1964)
Portrayed by: Scarlett Johansson
The mysterious Natasha Romanoff first appeared on screen in the MCU in Iron Man 2. At first, she was disguised as Tony Stark’s new assistant. Maybe that’s why she’s always given us trust issues. You just never know which team Nat is playing for. We learned in End Game that Nat was always going to do the right thing in the end.
With a past full of demons, Nat was looking for a place to belong. As Nick Fury’s closest ally she was key in the formation of the Avengers. No spoilers, but Black Widow’s actions in Avengers: End Game will always be remembered. Her friendship with Hawkeye and THAT scene made for such good cinema.
It was great to see Black Widow get her own movie to shed some light on Nat’s past. I doubt we’ve seen the last of Black Widow in the MCU (whether or not the role will still be played by ScarJo is up in the air.) There were several different Black Widow variants in the comics, such as Yelena Belova.
Scarlet Witch (Wanda Maximoff)
1st appearance in the MCU: Captain America: The Winter Soldier
1st appearance in the comics: The X-Men #4 (1964)
Portrayed by: Elizabeth Olsen
We first met Wanda in the epic opening of Avengers: Age of Ultron. She, alongside her brother Pietro, set out to pit the Avengers against themselves. For my money, Wanda’s character arc from AoU through WandaVision is one of the best parts of all the MCU.
WandaVision was, in my opinion, the best Disney+ original show yet. It was bold and revolutionary and exactly what we needed to take our minds off of all that was going on at that time in 2020. The emotions man. All the emotions.
I’m really excited to see what comes next for Scarlet Witch. It’s rumored she’ll play a big part in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022), which will come on the heels of Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) where we also might see her.
In the comics, Scarlet Witch is one of the most powerful characters in all of the Marvel universe. We’ve really only scratched the surface in the MCU as to what she’s capable of. We got a taste of just how badass, and dangerous, she can be in WandaVision. I’m here for more of that.
Shuri
1st appearance in the MCU: Black Panther
1st appearance in the comics: Black Panther Vol. 4 #2 (2005)
Portrayed by: Letitia Wright
Shuri, T’Challa’s sister, and Wakanda’s version of “Q” figure to play an even more pivotal role in the MCU going forward. After the tragic passing of Chadwick Boseman it’s believed that Shuri will take up the mantle of the Black Panther in the MCU. It would be appropriate since she won the right to be the Black Panther after T’Challa in the comics. We should see all of that play out in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022).
Shuri is such a fun character. The natural chemistry between Letitia and Chadwick made it easy to believe they were brother and sister. Shuri’s interactions with Agent Ross (Martin Freeman) were also really great. If she does become Black Panther it will be fun to see her hold her own with the other Avengers.
Shuri is a great role model for our daughters. It’s never too early to teach STEM and if they try hard enough in school maybe one day they can be the head engineer for a nation with incredibly advanced technology.
Gamora
1st appearance in the MCU: Guardians of the Galaxy
1st appearance in the comics: Strange Tales #180 (1975)
Portrayed by: Zoe Saldana
Gamora is a legit badass. She’s tough, independent, loyal, and immune to “pelvic sorcery”. Everything I want my daughters to be.
OK, so maybe Gamora’s relationship with her “dad” (Thanos) isn’t great. Part of raising strong independent daughters is teaching them it’s ok to stand up for what they believe in. If I ever decide to gather all of the infinity stones and use them to wipe out half of the galaxy I’m ok if my daughter tries to stop me.
**AVENGERS: END GAME SPOILERS** You have to imagine the search for Gamora will be a key part of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023). It’s also possible we hear Gamora mentioned again in Thor: Love & Thunder (2022) where it’s expected the Guardians will play a small role.
Captain Marvel (Carol Danvers)
1st appearance in the comics: Marvel Super-Heroes (1968)Portrayed by: Brie Larson
A latecomer to Phase 3, Captain Marvel made her appearance just before Avengers: End Game thanks to Nick Fury’s quick thinking and a 1990’s beeper with incredible range. It’s a good thing too because she provided some much-needed muscle in the fight against Thanos.
There’s still a lot we don’t know about Captain Marvel and what she’s been doing. What we do know is she will be featured in The Marvels (2022). We expect Captain Marvel to be reunited with Monica Rambeau, who we last saw having a nice glow up in WandaVision. Things are already heating up in Phase 4. I expect galaxy traveler Captain Marvel to play a big part in the story, but for good or ill…
Nebula
1st appearance in the MCU: Guardians of the Galaxy
1st appearance in the comics: The Avengers #257 (1985)
Portrayed by: Karen Gillan
The Jan Brady of the MCU, if Jan Brady were a deadly, sadistic, cyborg. Nebula, always overshadowed by her sister Gamora, has one of the best story arcs in the MCU. We see Nebula go from being solely focused on besting her sister and proving herself, to standing up for Gamora and defying Thanos in the end.
I read somewhere that Nebula was originally planned to die in Guardians 1, but they had a change of heart. I’m glad they did. The scenes between Nebula and Gamora in Guardians Vol. 2 were really spectacular and some of the best parts of that movie. I’ve got daughters and they fight. It’s good for them to see sisters like Nebula and Gamora so that they can learn you can never go so far in an argument that you can’t say “sorry” and still be friends. Even if your sister tries to crash a spaceship into you kamikaze-style you can still love each other.
Nebula obviously played a huge role in End Game. I expect she will have a large part of the 3rd installment of Guardians of the Galaxy and potentially Thor: Love & Thunder as well.
Okoye
1st appearance in the comics: Black Panther #1 (1998)Portrayed by: Danai Gurira
Find someone that’s as loyal to you and Okoye is to Wakanda. Okoye is a straight badass full stop. She doesn’t have superpowers per se, but she doesn’t need them. Using vibranium, Wakanda tech, and some badass fighting skills, Okoye is tasked with protecting the Black Panther.
Okoye has so many traits I want to instill in my daughters. She’s loyal with a strong personal sense of right and wrong. She’s always willing to do what is right and necessary, even if it meant throwing hands with her husband and his pet rhinoceros.
We will see Okoye in Black Panther 2: Wakanda Forever (2022). I have no idea how they will handle Chadwick Boseman’s passing, but if Black Panther dies on-screen Okoye’s reaction will be gut-wrenching. On the other hand, the dynamic between Okoye and Shuri, should she become Black Panther, will be a lot of fun.
Valkyrie
1st appearance in the comics: The Avengers #83 (1970)Portrayed by: Tessa Thompson
Find me a better introduction to a character in the MCU than Valkyrie. I’ll wait. Seeing her waltz out of her ship with essentially a 40 oz. bottle of malt liquor in her hand was spectacular. In a movie with no weak points, Valkyrie was awesome. She more than held her own in scenes with Thor, Hulk, and Loki.
We last saw Valkyrie running the show in New Asgard after the snap. She’s sure to play a big part in Thor: Love & Thunder (2022). Any scene with Valkyrie and Thor in it is awesome. The dynamic between the two of them is electric. Pun absolutely intended.
Mantis
1st appearance in the comics: The Avengers #112 (1973)Portrayed by: Pom Klementieff
You’re thinking it and I’ll say it. As far as superheroes go, Mantis seems kinda lame. However, I’ll point out that Mantis nearly prevented the snap from happening. Had Quill been a team player and just helped Iron Man get that damn gauntlet off of Thanos we’d be taking Mantis for saving the day.
We’ll see more of Mantis in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023). In the comics, Mantis had a very close relationship with a certain character that was introduced in Loki. I suspect she will have a larger role to play in the story. For now, I’m here for the Drax and Mantis scenes which are always a treat.
Wasp (Hope van Dyne)
1st appearance in the MCU: Ant Man (2015)
1st appearance in the comics: Tales to Astonish #44 (1963)
Portrayed by: Evangeline Lilly
We first met Hope, Hank Pym’s daughter, in 2015’s Ant-Man. In Ant-Man & the Wasp, we learn that Hope’s father has also made a special suit that allows her to use Pym Particles. Hope takes up the mantle of the Wasp, a nickname that her mother had used before we were lost in the quantum realm.
Random piece of trivia, but Wasp actually appeared on the cover of the very first Avengers comic book, Avengers #1 (1963) alongside Iron Man, Hulk, Thor, & Ant-Man (Pym). Also on that cover is Loki.
I wasn’t super enthusiastic about the Wasp joining the MCU at first, but I was presently surprised. I felt similarly about Ant-Man at first too. Something about bug-sized superheroes just wasn’t really my cup of tea. Hope Pym brought a lot of heart to the MCU. She loves her dad, she’s super smart and a hell of a fighter. What more could a dad ask for?
The relationship arc between Hope and her father starting in Ant-Man and culminating its sequel is really special. Now that her mother has been saved, I wonder what the future holds for her.