The Woman in Red

Few characters can claim the distinction of being among the very first costumed heroines in the entire history of American comics, but The Woman in Red — debuting in Thrilling Comics in 1940 — holds exactly that honor, stepping onto the Golden Age stage at the dawn of the superhero genre itself. Born from the imagination of Ned Pines, she's a genuine piece of comics history, a trailblazer who predates most of the iconic names fans take for granted today. Her adventures have echoed across decades, resurfacing in titles like FemForce and Vampirella: The Dark Powers, where she keeps vivid company with characters like Peggy Allen and Black Venus, proof that the Golden Age never truly fades. With a publishing footprint stretching an astonishing 85 years, she's a must-know for any collector who wants to understand where superheroines truly began.