TOP 10 GIRLS OF COMIC

 

Ah – the girls of comics! There’s a reason that they’re first among my fantasy girls.

Indeed, there’s any number of reasons – I’ll resist the obvious gag of two reasons – such as literally embodying what TV Tropes jokingly labels the most common superpower (as part of the buxom beauty standard…or any number of  other tropes). Indeed, it’s so common it’s easier to simply nominate exceptions rather than the rule (or as in the actual trope entry in TV Tropes, the examples that are justified or ‘lampshaded’ in-universe, setting aside that other trope world of buxom). That’s compounded by costumes that are more in the nature of bodysuits, latex, lingerie or swimsuits – what TV Tropes jokingly labels ‘stripperiffic’.

I could debate whether such depictions are gratuitous, such as the argument that it reflects the American art style of depicting superheroes, male and female, as ‘larger than life’ or the tendency of media to default towards physical attractiveness, even for supposedly average or unattractive characters (most notably with what TV Tropes labels as Hollywood homely). For example, Spiderman is meant to be an average teenager – indeed a gawky or nerdy one, something of a loser – but just look at him. Ditto Wolverine – short and homely in comics but ends up being portrayed by Hugh Jackman.

I could debate it, but I’d prefer to count down my Top 10 Girls of Comics instead.

 

ART & COSPLAY (MEDIA & MODELS)

 

But first a note on the visual images used in this top ten. Given the copyright in such images, I only use visual images as fair use for the purposes of comment or review in each entry – a feature image to identify the character, either in general or in their most iconic version as I review it to be (or both), sourced only from published cover art as cited, often which I review to be iconic of itself or which influenced my view of their most iconic version (or both).

I also include a special section in each entry under the subtitle of art and cosplay – not for any actual art and cosplay as such but instead where I nominate my favorite artists and cosplay models depicting the character, which you can look up for yourself. If there’s enough of them, I’ll often compile a top ten on the spot. For art, I award a special ranking for any art by my two favorite artists – the two freelance digital artists Sciamano and Dandonfuga. For cosplay, I award a special ranking for any cosplay by my holy trinity of models – my favorite model Yummychiyo with her insane figure in top spot, followed by Hane Ame and Helly Valentine. I also have a ranking for appearances of the character in media if any – cinema and screen that is – as well as those select few characters who have official models portray them, noting my favorites. These may include further images as fair use for the purposes of comment and review of those media appearances or models.

As for the title feature image I’ve chosen for this page, it is one of the most iconic images – if not the most iconic image – not only for the Witchblade comic but for girls in comics in general, virtually a showcase of the girls of comics and the tropes I highlighted in my opening, by an artist that has given us so many such iconic images, Eric Basaldua, although this is perhaps his most famous. You can see his distinctive signature – Ebas – on the cover, although it appears to be dated 2003, presumably for this special cover release after the original release. And you can’t argue with that t-shirt – not that she normally wears it as part of her costume although she probably wouldn’t mind one given how little her Witchblade armor actually covers. Who doesn’t love comics, particularly the girls of comics when they’re drawn like this?

 

 

 

 

(10) SERAPHINA – DEVASTATION (Worthy Chaos 2024)

 

My wildcard tenth place entry for best of 2025 comes from Worthy Chaos Comics & Cryptids with Kickstarter cover art by Derrick Chew.

In their Redemption series, “the forbidden love between Angel Seraphina & Demon Draven unfolds as they battle to survive in a realm of monsters”.

Devastation is a Western prequel or spinoff – “travel to the 1880s with our Angel & Demon soulmates where they are forced to hunt down cryptids such as the Wendigo, Bigfoot, Mothman, Chupacabra, and many more!”

 

ART & COSPLAY (MEDIA)

 

This entry will be something of a departure from my usual rules with respect to art, cosplay, and media – except to note that my feature image is promotional Kickstarter cover art by Derrick Chew for the comic, cropped for fair use and also because the full cover is too hot to handle here!

I anticipate that there will be more art with guest cover artists when the comic is launched, although it may be too niche for cosplay or media.

 

RATING:
X-TIER (WILD TIER)

 

 

 

(9) BLACK CAT (Marvel 1979)

 

Meow!

Spiderman’s catgirl – platinum blond feline-themed femme fatale Felicia Hardy. ‘Bad luck’ powers of her namesake in superstition. Sadly, yet to appear in film but for a brief cameo for her alter ego in the Amazing Spider-Man films.

 

ART & COSPLAY

 

For her iconic feature image, I chose the variant cover from the fourth issue of Mary Jane & Black Cat. It was a close call as I regard J. Scott Campbell as the iconic cover artist for her – and Stanley ‘Artgerm’ Lau was also a close runner-up with my single favorite Black Cat art image of all time – but artist Russell Dauterman showcased her different costumes here.

Of course, her classic costume is front and center where it belongs!

 

ART – DANDONFUGA

 

Sadly no Sciamano ranking as usual for my girls of comics, but oh boy does she have a Dandonfuga ranking, as Dandonfuga has done some sizzling art of her, including one with her getting frisky with Catwoman!

As for my top ten on the spot for Black Cat art:

1 – Dandonfuga (did you not see my reference to sizzling art, particularly that one with Catwoman?)

2 – Artgerm (for his cover art of Black Cat as my single favorite image of her – and one of my favorites of his art)

3 – J. Scott Campbell (as the iconic cover artist for her)

4 – David Nakayama (for Black Cat cover art in a similar style to J. Scott Campbell)

5 – Nathan Szerdy (for his art of her as a recurring subject)

6 – Elias Chatzoudis (for his fine Black Cat art)

7 – Neoartcore (for his cute Black Cat art)

8 – Shannon Maer (for some gorgeous Black Cat cover art)

9 – Logan Cure (for some sensuous Black Cat art)

10 – REIQ (for some distinctive Black Cat art)

 

SPECIAL MENTION

1 Marvel – for their cover and other art, including in their Black Cat title

2 Russell Dauterman of course, for the iconic cover art that I used for my feature image.

3 Straban for one particularly striking image of her

AI shoutout to Naughty Neurals!

 

COSPLAY – HELLY

 

And oh boy do we have a Helly ranking for her – Helly Valentine is the standout for Black Cat cosplay. No Yummychiyo or Hane ranking, sadly.

Close runner-up is Vampy Bit Me’s cosplay of her.

 

 

 

 

MEDIA

 

She actually has appeared in an uncostumed cameo as her alter ego in the Amazing Spiderman 2 film, played aptly enough given the name by Felicity Jones – with her role as Black Cat planned for future films…but those plans fizzled with the rest of that film.

This may be cheating but I’m going with the persistent rumors of Sydney Sweeney being offered the role. By the way, that’s the Artgerm cover compared against Sydney in my media feature image.

 

RATING:
A-TIER (TOP TIER)

 

 

 

 

(8) POISON IVY (DC 1966)

 

Since her debut, Poison Ivy (originally Pamela Isley in the present incarnation of the character) has been one of Batman’s most enduring adversaries in his rogues gallery – and one of the most powerful, as one of the few with actual superpowers.

Ivy is not so much a straightforward villain, as a well-intentioned extremist – she is depicted as one of the world’s most notorious eco-terrorists and her criminal activities revolve around the protection of the natural environment, reflecting her love or obsession with plants, botany and environmentalism. Her powers also revolve botanical – or biochemical – themes, such as toxins and mind-control pheromones, typically through her touch – or kiss. The latter has led to her as a love interest or source of romantic tension for Batman.

Her powers also extend to manipulation of plants to an extremely powerful degree – manipulating their growth and abilities or modifying their traits, even animating, hybridising or mutating them. Indeed, she even embodies them – her skin tinted green with chlorophyll and plant toxins (although she can consciously control its extent when required), with some versions even having her almost more plant than human, breathing carbon dioxide or needing sunlight. She even has been identified with an elemental mystical component, part of the force identified as the Green or as the May Queen.

 

ART & COSPLAY

 

For her iconic feature image, I’ve chosen the variant cover from the first issue of her solo title by Nathan Szerdy. Ivy has sported different styles over the years but this remains her iconic style – and indeed her classic one, which has consistently featured with variations from her Silver Age introduction, albeit with green skin tone from time to time.

Shoutout to the cover artist Nathan Szerdy – who has done some of my favorite Poison Ivy art as she is one of the most prolific subjects for his art. Also shoutout to the solo title series for some fine cover art from artists such as David Nakayama, Will Jack, Josh Burns, and Dan Panosian.

 

ART (DANDONFUGA)

 

Sadly no Sciamano ranking as usual for the girls of comics but she does score a Dandonfuga ranking.

As for my top ten on the spot for Poison Ivy art:

1 – Dandonfuga (for my Dandonfuga ranking)

2 – Nathan Szerdy (for my iconic feature image and many more – one of his best recurring subjects and my favorite art of Ivy)

3 – Sun Khamunaki (for some rocking Ivy images – including a version of the Batman and Robin film Ivy that improves upon the film version)

4 – Artgerm (for Ivy cover art)

5 – David Nakayama (for some interesting variations on Ivy art)

6 – Dan Panosian (Dan does good redhead!)

7 – Will Jack (for a particularly charming Ivy cover art)

8 – Shannon Maer (for some gorgeous cover art)

9 – Neoartcore (for art in Neoartcore’s usual style)

10 – Derrick Chew (for some playful art of Ivy)

 

SPECIAL MENTION – DC COMICS (for cover and other art, including in their Poison Ivy title)

AI art shoutout also to Naughty Neurals

 

COSPLAY

 

No Yummychiyo, Hane or Helly ranking – there’s some excellent Ivy cosplay out there, but none from my favorite models of choice. I’ll nominate Claire Ana (collaborating with her usual photographer Jeff Zoet Visuals) for her Poison Ivy cosplay.

 

 

 

MEDIA

 

The less said about the Batman & Robin film the better, even if Uma Thurman’s Poison Ivy was arguably the best thing in that film – but who doesn’t love the version of Ivy (voiced by Lake Bell) in the Harley Quinn animated TV series?

Rounding out third place for media appearances (after the Harley Quinn animated series Ivy and Uma Thurman’s Ivy), I have a soft spot for the version of Ivy in yet another animated TV series, DC Super Hero Girls – where she is strangely cute as her student alter ego, even before glamming up (and strangely elfin) when going full Ivy.

 

RATING:
A-TIER (TOP TIER)

 

 

 

(7) ZATANNA (DC 1964)

 

I’m not going to lie – it’s that outfit that does it for me!

DC Comics occasionally defaults to outright magic as a superpower and its magical superheroine of choice is Zatanna Zatara. She first appeared in 1964, as the daughter of magician Giovanni Zatara from the earlier so-called Golden Age of Comics.

Zatanna is both a stage magician (or illusionist) and a real magician (of the mystical or magical branch of humanity or so-called ‘homo magi’ as opposed to ‘homo sapiens’). She is one of the most powerful users of magic in the world of DC Comics, a sorceress casting her spells through the focus of speaking backwards – so that potentially there would seem to be little limit to her magic and indeed she has used it to manipulate the fabric of space or time.

Interestingly, Zatanna is a character that has been given some real depth, by two of my favorite writers of comics – Neil Gaiman used her (albeit in a blonde version) in The Books of Magic, an exploration of DC Comics’ magical universe (which has always fascinated me), and Grant Morrison used her as one of his Seven Soldiers, a characteristically Morrisonesque revamping of more minor DC Comics characters.

 

ART & COSPLAY (MEDIA)

 

For my iconic feature image, I chose the variant cover by Ariel Diaz for Zatanna: Bring Down the House (volume 2 of 5) published by DC Comics 24 July 2024 – which showcases her classic costume (and fishnets!). She has had various costumes but this will always be definitive Zatanna for me.

 

ART – DANDONFUGA

 

She does score a Dandonfuga ranking – indeed, Dandonfuga has done a few variants of artwork for her.

As for my top 10 on the spot for Zatanna art

1 – Dandonfuga (for my Dandonfuga ranking)

2 – Ariel Diaz (for my iconic feature cover art image as well as other spectacular Zatanna cover art)

3 – Nathan Szerdy (for one of his recurring and best subjects)

4 – J Scott Campbell (for Zatanna art in his usual style, including one of my favorite cover art images of her)

5 – David Nakayama (for Zatanna art in his usual style, including cover art)

6 – Artgerm (for Zatanna art in his usual style, including cover art)

7 – Neoartcore (always reliable to find art by him of almost any subject and he shines with Zatanna)

8 – Shannon Maer (for art in his usual gorgeous style)

9 – Derrick Chew (for art in his usual style)

10 – Prywinko (for art in their cheeky style)

 

SPECIAL MENTION – DC COMICS (for their cover art under their Zatanna title)

1 – Brian Bolland (He always does good fishnet stocking art)

2 – Ed Benes (He also always does good fishnet stocking art – for Zatanna with Black Canary)

3 – Shikarii (in their usual pinup style)

AI shoutout to Naughty Neurals

 

Sadly no cosplay by my favorite models.

 

 

 

MEDIA

 

There’s her portrayal by Serinda Swan in the Smallville TV series, fishnet stockings and all

 

 

 

 

There’s also her brief cameo non-voiced appearances in the Harley Quinn animated series – hopefully she’ll have a larger (and speaking) role at some point in that series.

 

RATING:
A-TIER (TOP TIER)

 

 

 

(6) CATWOMAN (DC 1940)

 

“I am Catwoman. Hear me roar!”

Meow!

No surprises here – Batman’s feline fatale Selina Kyle is one of the original bad girls of comics. With her criminal tastes limited to upmarket cat-burglary, she oscillated between (anti-)hero and villain.

With nine lives of costume changes – and her signature whip or cat o’ nine tails – but perhaps most memorably clad in a skin-tight black catsuit.

 

ART & COSPLAY

 

Despite the plethora of superb Catwoman cover art for her own titular comics and elsewhere, there could only be one choice for my iconic feature image – Brian Bolland’s cover art for the “Catwoman: Nine Lives of a Feline Fatale” collection, showcasing in one cover her different styles over the decades in comics, albeit I don’t think it’s exhaustive, particularly if you add in her media appearances.

Just some quick notes on the cover. Firstly, my favorite style – and what I would consider to be her definitive style, the modern or classic catsuit created by Darwyn Cooke – is front and center, as it should be, although I am also partial to the different catsuit styles that appear on the left. (Clockwise from bottom left – Jim Balent’s purple catsuit from the 90s, Frank Miller’s Year One grey catsuit in the 80s, and Bruce Timm’s catsuit design for Batman: The Animated Series in the 90s).

Secondly, Brian Bolland deserves a shoutout for his art in general – originating in Britain as my favorite artist for Judge Dredd among other things, he was part of the so-called ‘British Invasion’ of American comics, where his covers were and are legendary.

Thirdly, the different styles of Catwoman in this cover also prompts a shoutout for J. Scott Campbell, also legendary for his cover (and other) art – but in particular a series of eight covers for Catwoman’s anniversary, each showcasing a different individual style of Catwoman in gorgeous detail, including five of the costumes in Bolland’s cover. One of the other covers featured the post-Rebirth catsuit design by Joelle Jones (which in the 2010s postdated Bolland’s cover), while the remaining two covers featured her catsuit from the 1960s Batman TV series (which rivals the Cooke catsuit as my favorite) and her catsuit as worn by Michelle Pfeiffer from the Batman Returns film.

 

ART – DANDONFUGA

 

Surprisingly no Sciamano ranking –  I would have thought that Catwoman might have been one of the few girls of comics to draw (heh) his eye – but as usual Catwoman scores a Dandonfuga ranking, indeed with some of the most sizzling Dandonfuga art.

My top ten on the spot for Catwoman art

1 – Dandonfuga (for my Dandonfuga ranking)

2 – J. Scott Campbell (particularly for those covers of her iconic costumes)

3 – David Nakayama (who’s been knocking it out of the park lately with his Catwoman covers)

4 – Nathan Szerdy (ditto his Catwoman covers)

5 – Sun Khamunaki (with a superb art version of Michelle Pfeiffer’s Catwoman)

6 – Artgerm (for standout Catwoman covers, including the Michelle Pfeiffer version)

7 – Elias Chatzoudis (for standout Catwoman art, including the Michelle Pfeiffer version)

8 – Shannon Maer (for some gorgeous Catwoman art)

9 – Will Jack (also for some gorgeous Catwoman art)

10 – Ayyasap (yeah – for some fine Catwoman art)

 

SPECIAL MENTION

1 DC Comics (for all the Catwoman cover art and artists)

2 Brian Bolland (for that cover!)

3 Jim Balent (for his iconic 90s Catwoman art)

4 Jonatas Ferreira (for one of my favorite images of Catwoman)

5 Boo Sweeney (for a fine leggy Catwoman variant cover)

AI shoutout to Naughty Neurals!

 

COSPLAY

 

There’s some excellent Catwoman cosplay out there but none from my holy trinity or favorite models of choice – with the exception of honorable mention for Leeanna Vamp, who did a fine set of Catwoman in the Cooke catsuit.

 

MEDIA

 

Catwoman has more notable (and favorite) media adaptations for me than any of my other Top 10 Girls of Comics.

 

 

 

First, there’s the slinky suited Catwoman from the 1960s Batman TV series, played by no less than three different actresses – Julie Newmar (Seasons 1 and 2), Lee Merriweather (film), and Eartha Kitt (Season 3). Look – the latter two were good but Julie Newmar rocked that catsuit best.

 

 

Second, there’s Michelle Pfeiffer’s Catwoman in her slinky and distinctively stitched catsuit from the 1992 Batman Returns film directed by Tim Burton. As per her most famous quote from the film – Meow!

 

 

Third, there’s Anne Hathaway’s Catwoman in her slinky catsuit in the more realistic style of the Batman film trilogy directed by Christopher Nolan, although we had to wait to the third film to get her.

 

 

Fourth, there’s Zoe Kravitz zipping up in her Catwoman suit in the 2022 film The Batman directed by Matt Reeves.

 

 

 

Finally – fifth, Catwoman has appeared in a number of animated versions. I have a soft spot for her as drawn by Bruce Timm but my favorite animated version is in the Harley Quinn Animated TV series, voiced by Sanaa Lathan. Which come to think of it, makes Catwoman not only my top ten place entry with the most media adaptations but also the most diverse media adaptations – with three black versions of her, including those portrayed by Eartha Kitt and Zoe Kravitz.

 

 

RATING:
A-TIER (TOP TIER)

 

 

 

 

(5) HARLEY QUINN (DC 1993)

 

Hot slice of crazy. Perky female minion. Pin-up girl for crazed co-dependency.

Psychiatric intern at Arkham Asylum who became infatuated with the Joker – a relationship as unhealthy as one might expect for her and Gotham City.

Originated in the Batman: The Animated Series, but proved so popular she was imported into the comics.

 

ART & COSPLAY

 

For her iconic feature image, I’ve chosen the art by iconic cover artist J. Scott Campbell for his variant cover D from the one-shot Harley Quinn: Villain of the Year comic, as it nicely juxtaposes her moden and classic costumes – my two favorite costumes for her.

 

ART – DANDONFUGA

 

No Sciamano ranking as usual for girls of comics but she has a mighty fine Dandonfuga ranking!

As for my favorite Harley Quinn art, she’s a popular subject for artists so almost all of my favorite artists have tried their hand at her – so here’s my top ten on the spot for Harley Quinn art.

1 – Dandonfuga (for my Dandonfuga ranking

2 – J Scott Campbell (for my iconic feature image – and more! Particularly his covers for her as Villain of the Year)

3 – Nathan Szerdy (as one of the best and most recurring subjects of his art)

4 – David Nakayama (for standout Harley Quinn cover art)

5 – Artgerm (for sensational Harley Quinn cover art)

6 – Neoartcore (for Harley Quinn fan art)

7 – Kikol Draws (for one of my favorite images of Harley fan art)

8 – Derrick Chew (for playful Harley Quinn art in different styles)

9 – Shannon Maer (for gorgeous Harley Quinn cover art)

10 – Will Jack (for cute Harley Quinn cover art)

 

SPECIAL MENTION

1 – DC Comics, for their covers and art for Harley Quinn in her own title and others

2 – Sun Khamunaki, for her rare Harley Quinn art

3 – Keith Garvey, for his art in the style of the Harley in her film adaptation

4 – Lucio Parrillo, for painted art of Harley to resemble her film actress (and with her pet hyenas)

5 – Amanda Conner, for her signature style art of Harley

6 – Warren Louw, for some striking Harley art

7 – Logan Cure (for some sumptuous Harley art)

AI shoutout to End of Line, Naughty Neurals and Sakura.

 

COSPLAY – HELLY

 

No Yummychiyo or Hane ranking but she scores a Helly ranking with some standout Harley cosplay by Helly Valentine – and in her modern costume (or a latex adaptation of it) to boot.

 

 

MEDIA

 

Harley Quinn’s adaptation in three live-action films may have been a mixed bag – with the only good one as The Suicide Squad in 2021, as opposed to Suicide Squad (without the definite article in the title) in 2016 – but Australia’s Margot Robbie shone in the role throughout all three films. And although the film in which she was introduced – Suicide Squad in 2016 – was lacklustre apart from her in the role, the costume in which she was introduced proved an enduring favorite among fans and cosplayers.

 

 

 

And of course Harley Quinn starring in her own animated TV series, voiced to (surprising) perfection by Kaley Cuoco – my favorite version of the character in any media.

 

 

RATING: 5 STARS*****
S-TIER (GOD TIER)

 

 

 

(4) LADY DEATH (CHAOS – COFFIN 1991)

 

The definitive 1990’s comics ‘bad girl’. The female embodiment (in every sense of the word) of the nineties antihero in the ‘Dark Age of comics’ – typically dark action girls or avengers, anti-heroic or villainous in nature, with supernatural or occult themes, and above all, voluptuously statuesque and stripperiffic.

Written by Brian Pulido, she originated as an outright villainous figure, a supernaturally pale beautiful female personification of death, but subsequently took shape as an anti-hero or hero

Her story has repeatedly changed as she has bounced between publishers and reboots, but essentially it involved been damned to hell (or somewhere like it) through magic (hence her appearance), only to rise to reign or wage war in hell.

Sadly, such a potentially promising story has been consistently let down by her plots – mostly cat-fights with other demon girls.

It is tempting to think what other writers might have made of Lady Death and her mythic underworld setting – thic sensibilities, Grant Morrison or Mark Millar with their subversive humor, Mike Carey with his play on infernal power politics (particularly as Morrison, Millar and Carey wrote for Vampirella)

Hell, even Frank Miller would have offered up something interesting a la his anti-heroic underworld in Sin City – or at least been outrageously fun about it.

So alas – she might have ranked even higher, but she earns her place in my top ten as befits any girl confident enough to wage war in hell and rule it in a g-string and high-heeled thigh-high boots.

 

ART & COSPLAY

 

If there’s one thing Lady Death is known for – well one more thing than the two obvious things – it’s her covers or pinups (essentially the same thing), many of which would serve as iconic feature image but I’ve chosen this pinup art by Paola Pantalena, one of her recurring artists, as it just seems to me a visual encapsulation of the character.

 

 

ART – SCIAMANO & DANDONFUGA

 

Sadly no Sciamano ranking – his Lady Death would rock going by his Atago Race Queen art or Azur Lane art in general – but she does score a Dandonfuga ranking, albeit not as much or to the usual Dandonfuga standout standard.

When it comes to Lady Death art, the best showcase is arguably the Coffin Comics website, her present publisher. As I said, if there’s one thing Lady Death is known for, it’s her prolific art of high quality in covers or pinups that one is spoilt for choice. Essentially, if there’s an artist known for their pin-up art, they’ll have done Lady Death.

 

My Lady Death art top ten on the spot  – drawn (heh) from my favorite artists

1 – Dandonfuga (for my usual top Dandonfuga ranking)

2 – Elias Chatzoudis (for excellent recurring cover art)

3 – Sun Khamunaki (also for excellent recurring cover art)

4 – Nathan Szerdy (for characteristic pinup style art)

5 – Keith Garvey (also for characteristic pinup style art)

6 – J. Scott Campbell (for art in distinctive style)

7 – David Nakayama (for art in distinctive style – influenced by or very similar to J. Scott Campbell)

8 – Artgerm (for his go-to Lady Death cover art)

9 – Shannon Maer (for his go-to Lady Death cover art)

10 – Mike Krome (Australian artist known for his Lady Death covers)

 

SPECIAL MENTION

1 – Coffin Comics

2 – Paolo Pantalena

And all the stable of artists for Coffin Comics who have not previously been mentioned. The top artists nominated by Coffin Comics themselves in their site include Paolo Pantalena of course – the artist for my iconic feature image – but also Eric Basaldua, Dawn McTeigue, and Mike DeBalfo.

Also AI shoutout to Naughty Neurals.

 

COSPLAY

 

As for Lady Death cosplay, that’s a different story as it takes a certain statuesque quality in lingerie to pull it off. (And presumably a lot of white body paint, as well as white contacts and wig). One such model was Tabita Lyons (or Artyfakes) – so much so that Coffin Comics used her for one of their pinup covers. Alas Octokuro is another such model but has not done it. Dutch glamor model (and Playmate) April Eve was another model who rocked Lady Death.

Yummychiyo could absolutely pull it off with her insane figure but like Sciamano she tends to focus on characters from video games or anime. So too could Hane or Helly, but sadly no ranking from them either.

 

MEDIA

 

Apparently there was an animated film in 2004 but it didn’t rock.

 

RATING: 5 STARS*****
S-TIER (GODDESS-TIER)

 

 

 

(3) RED SONJA (MARVEL-DYNAMITE 1973)

 

She-devil with a sword.

Archetypal barbarian babe – the scantily-clad voluptuous warrior or sword maiden that has emerged as a stock figure in fantasy art, down to her utterly impractical chainmail bikini.

She has shown off her she-devil swordplay ever since her 1973 debut in Marvel Comics’ Conan the Barbarian – earning her own title, like Xena to Conan’s Hercules.

Loosely based on an earlier character, Red Sonya, in a short story by Conan’s creator Robert E. Howard – but not one of his actual Conan stories.

She acquired her legendary skill in combat from the red goddess Scathach. Hence her chainmail bikini – she relies on her uncanny fighting skill, athleticism and (perhaps) divine protection rather than armor.

I have a particular soft spot for her as an embattled fantasy figure, striving against numerous foes, symbolic of the battles of life itself . And of course for that chainmail bikini.

 

ART & COSPLAY

 

For her iconic feature image, what else could I choose but the Marc Silvestri cover art that was also selected by Dynamite Entertainment as cover for their Art of Red Sonja collection? It’s also a classic pose by her in her classic chainmail bikini. Although it was a close call as one is spoilt for choice for fantastic Red Sonja art – really you could just scroll through her Dynamite covers.

 

ART – DANDONFUGA

 

As for my favorite Red Sonja art, that chainmail bikini is irresistible to pinup artists – if an artist is known for pinup art, they’ve probably done some Red Sonja at some point. A special shoutout has to go to Lucio Parrillo for his gorgeous painted Red Sonja cover art – she’s probably his most prolific subject with the possible exception of my second place entry.

Sadly no Sciamano ranking – I’d love to see his Red Sonja given his Rebecca from One Piece with her similar bikini armor – but fortunately she gets a Dandonfuga ranking as Dandonfuga steps up as usual for the top girls of comics.

As for my Red Sonja art top ten on the spot

1 – Dandonfuga (for my mandatry top Dandonfuga ranking)

2 – Lucio Parrillo (for regular outstanding cover art)

3 – Elias Chatzoudis (for regular outstanding cover art!)

4 – Sun Khamunaki (for distinctive Red Sonja art)

5 – Nathan Szerdy (for distinctive Red Sonja art!)

6 – Shannon Maer (for gorgeous cover art)

7 – J. Scott Campbell (for some of the most distinctive Red Sonja art)

8 – David Nakayama (for Red Sonja cover art in a modern style)

9 – Dan Panosian (Dan does good redhead art!)

10 – Josh Burns (for glorious painted Red Sonja art, often coupled with Vampirella)

 

SPECIAL MENTION

1 – Dynamite Entertainment (just scroll through those covers)

2 – Marc Silvestri (for my iconic feature image)

3 – Ed Benes (for his Red Sonja art as my personal favorite of all his art)

4 – Wagner Reis (for his Red Sonja cover art as a close call for feature image)

5 – Adam Hughes (for his standout art featuring Red Sonja’s shock at seeing herself in Slayboy – and the Slayboy centerfold as well)

6 – Amanda Conner (for her distinctive art)

AI shoutout to Nho Eskape, End of Line and Naughty Neurals.

 

COSPLAY

 

As for cosplay, it’s a big chainmail bikini to fill but Octokuro and Tabitha Lyons are more than up to the task, the latter for cosplay cover art for the Red Sonja comic itself.

Sadly no Yummychiyo, Hane or Helly ranking – all of whom would rock that chainmail bikini.

 

 

 

MEDIA

 

Yes – there was a 1985 Red Sonja film with Brigitte Nielsen in the title role but it didn’t have any impact. Although at least it was actually made, as opposed to the Red Sonja film in development in the 2010s with Rose McGowan (or Amber Heard) in the title role, albeit it gave us some good concept art posters. Things looked more promising for the 2025 Red Sonja film with Matilda Lutz as Red Sonja but had the same lack of impact as the film forty years beforehand.

 

RATING: 5 STARS*****
S-TIER (GODDESS-TIER)

 

 

(2) VAMPIRELLA (WARREN – DYNAMITE 1969)

 

The original classic ‘bad girl’ of comics.

Also a precursor of that modern fantasy figure, the good vampire who hunts other vampires, although with tongue firmly in cheek in Vampirella’s case.

In her deliberately campy origin story, she is an alien vampire – part of a race that evolved on the planet Drakulon, a world in which the water was blood (just go with it, ok?).

And she came to Earth, obviously packing only her holiday swimwear and boots.

She has been immortal ever since, albeit with different publishers and ever changing origin story (as a daughter of Lilith and Drakulon as part of Hell but, you know, a good part?). She’s still a good vampire hunting evil vampires.

She’s had her pick of top writers of comics – Grant Morrison, Mark Millar, Mike Carey, Alan Moore, Warren Ellis and Kurt Busiek

She’s iconic enough to be portrayed by promotional models and even a cameo in-joke in television’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer (sadly only a toy figurine).

Not bad for a vampire girl from Drakulon.

 

ART & COSPLAY (MEDIA & MODELS)

 

For her iconic feature image, there was any number of classic cover images that suggested themselves but I went with an image featuring two recent variant Vampirella covers by Roberto Castro for Dynamite Entertainment – “homaging two legendary artists and covers for Vampi”, with the one on the right homaging her very first cover with art by Frank Frazetta for Warren Publishing in September 1969

 

ART – DANDONFUGA

 

Her swimsuit costume seems even more irresistible to artists than Red Sonja’s chainmail bikini, although it’s probably too close to call as to which of the two of them is the greater muse to artists in comics, particularly as they are now both published by Dynamite Entertainment and have even crossed over with each other, although my favorite crossover between them was actually also a crossover with Betty and Veronica in Archie.

Sadly no Sciamano ranking – I’d love to see it as I think she would rock her swimsuit and boots in his art – but fortunately she gets a Dandonfuga ranking with Dandonfuga stepping up as usual for the girls of comics.

I’m spoilt for choice even more than for Red Sonja but here’s my top ten on the spot for Vampirella art:

1 – Dandonfuga (for my mandatory top Dandonfuga ranking)

2 – Sun Khamunaki (for art of Vampirella as one of her best and most recurring subjects)

3 – Nathan Szerdy (for art of Vampirella as one of his best and most recurring subjects, particularly for use of blood, light and shading)

4 – Elias Chatzoudis (for recurring cover art of Vampirella)

5 – Lucio Parrillo (for gorgeous recurring painted cover art of Vampirella)

6 – Shannon Maer (for gorgeous recurring cover art of Vampirella)

7 – Artgerm (for some of the most classic cover art of Vampirella)

8 – J. Scott Campbell (for one of the most classic cover art images of Vampirella)

9 – Keith Garvey (for his signature pinup art)

10 – Josh Burns (for gorgeous painted cover art of Vampirella)

 

SPECIAL MENTION

1 – Dynamite Entertainment (Just scroll through their covers – featuring most of the artists I’ve listed here and more)

2 – Roberto Castro (for my feature image, homaging two classic covers for Vampirella – including her very first cover! Speaking of which…)

3 – Frank Frazetta (the classic first cover of Vampirella)

4 – Dan Panosian (he does good Red Sonja so no surprise he does good Vampirella as well)

5 – Derrick Chew (for some great Vampirella art with other characters – my favorite Vampirella art with Purgatori)

6 – Amanda Conner (for classic Vampirella cover art)

7 – Dawn McTeigue (for some exotic Vampirella art)

8 – Mike Krome (for one cover in particular – which inspired some awesome cosplay)

9 – Luis Royo (who excels in fantasy art, particularly dark fantasy art vampire or other women – so not surprisingly he has done Vampirella)

10 – Kyu Yong Eom (for some reason Luis Royo prompts to mind Kyu Yong Eom – who has also done fantasy art of Vampirella)

11 – Mimi Yoon (for similarly exotic Vampirella art to that of Dawn McTeigue)

12 – Randy Green (for one of my favorite facial portraits of Vampirella)

13 – BTG (for some of my favorite digital art of Vampirella)

Shout-out to Vampirella in AI – Naughty Neurals for their images of Vampirella, Nho Eskape for their inventive images of Vampi (as images of Vampirella are apparently hard to prompt), and End of Line for their composite digital art image of Vampirella.

 

COSPLAY – HELLY

 

As for cosplay, like Red Sonja’s chainmail bikini, it’s a big swimsuit and boots to fill. Sadly no Yummychiyo or Hane ranking – both of whom would rock the swimsuit and boots since they have sported similar swimsuit designs for other cosplay – but Vampirella certain scores a Helly ranking, with one of my favorite cosplays by Helly Valentine.

Just as they filled out Red Sonja’s chainmail bikini to perfection, so too not surprisingly do Octokuro and Tabitha Lyons fill out Vampirella’s legendary swimsuit in the same way – to which we can add Kalinka Fox for her Vampirella cosplay. Also Lada Lyumos for cosplay of that Mike Krome cover.

 

 

 

MEDIA & MODELS

 

Where is the screen Vampirella adaptation?!

Well yes, other than the 1996 film with Bond girl Talisa Soto in the lead role which…did not have much of an impact, although Talisa is cute enough.

However, Vampirella has a long history of official cover models portraying her – enough for a top ten or twenty – including her present models (Joanie Brosas, Faces by Rachie, and Rachel Hollon), but the standout model for me will always be Kitana Baker. I will accept no debate on this topic.

 

And for more Vampirella top tens…

Top 10 Girls of Vampirella
Top 10 Girls of Vampirella (Special Mention)

 

RATING: 5 STARS*****
S-TIER (GODDESS-TIER)

 

 

 

(1) WONDER WOMAN (DC 1941)

 

Could there be any doubt? The top position has to go to THE most famous, THE most iconic and THE most enduring superheroine in comics.

Visually striking – blue-eyed, raven-haired and voluptuous in her star-spangled costume, with her golden lariat of truth and her bullet-deflecting bracelets.

With a story drawn from classical mythology, the Amazon Princess Diana of Themyscira was created by American psychologist William Moulton Marston, who also invented the polygraph lie detector – hence the lariat.

Marston also had a keen interest in bondage, hence the recurring bondage theme of his comics. And also the lariat.

Anyway, along with Catwoman, she was my other earliest childhood crush.

“Wonder Woman! Wonder Woman!
All the world is waiting for you and the power you possess
In your satin tights, fighting for your rights
And the old red, white and blue!”

 

ART & COSPLAY (MEDIA & MODELS)

 

For her iconic feature image, I’ve chosen the New 52 cover art by Ed Benes, featuring her in what I consider to be her classic costume (except for the cape) – and Ed Benes does damn fine art.

 

ART – DANDONFUGA

 

Sadly no Sciamano ranking – despite Sciamano’s focus on characters from video games or anime, I still find it surprising that he has not done any art of Wonder Woman at least. However, she does score a Dandonfuga ranking with some of my favorite art of Wonder Woman, particularly in her modern costume.

 

As for my Wonder Woman art top ten on the spot

1 – Dandonfuga (for my usual Dandonfuga ranking in top spot)

2 – Sun Khamunaki (for consistently good art)

3 – Nathan Szerdy (for Wonder Woman as one of his best recurring subjects)

4 – J. Scott Campbell (for my favorite series of Wonder Woman covers for her anniversary, with her holy trinity of vintage, classic and modern costumes)

5 – David Nakayama (for some of the best recent Wonder Woman comics covers)

6 – Stanley “Artgerm” Lau (for his signature cover art)

7 – Warren Louw (for one of my favorite images of Wonder Woman)

8 – Keith Garvey (for his signature pinup art)

9 – Elias Chatzoudis (also for his signature pinup art)

10 – Neoartcore (for art of Wonder Woman by one of my favorite – and most prolific – digital artists)

 

SPECIAL MENTION

1 – DC Comics (for their Wonder Woman comics cover art in general, including most of the artists in this top ten or these special mentions)

2 – Ed Benes (for my feature image)

3 – David Finch (who came very close to scoring my iconic feature image with his cover art)

4 – Michael Turner (with yet another contender for iconic feature image)

5 – Nicola Scott (Australian artist for whom Wonder Woman is one of her best subjects – including a collage of the different costumes)

6 – Shannon Maer (for art in his characteristic style)

7 – Will Jack (for art in his characteristic style)

8 – Greg Horn (for art in his chacteristic style)

9 – Dan Panosian (for his Wonder Woman cover art)

 

Shoutout to her as a recurring subject for AI imagery – Nho Eskape, End of Line and Naughty Neurals

 

COSPLAY

 

As for cosplay, she is sadly under-represented among my favorite cosplay models – no Yummychiyo, Hane, or Helly, all of whom would rock the most iconic girl of comics. My favorite Wonder Woman cosplay is by fitness model Denise Milani, whose statuesque proportions were shaped by the Olympians themselves for it. Kalinka Fox and Tabitha Lyons are close runners up.

 

 

 

MEDIA & MODELS

 

As for her media appearances, two come to mind foremost for Wonder Woman – Lynda Carter in the 1970s TV series and Gal Gadot in the DCEU films.

 

 

Animation honorable mention for her depiction in the Harley Quinn animated series voiced by Vanessa Marshall. Although let’s face it – Wonder Woman will look good in almost any live-action or animated appearance.

 

 

 

And here’s my top ten on the spot for models or celebrities who have donned the Wonder Woman costume:

1 – Megan Gale

Australian model who almost played her for a Justice League film to be directed by none other than…George Miller. Oh – what could have been! Well at least Miller had her show up naked in Mad Max Fury Road (as the bait in the “that’s bait” scene since immortalized in meme)

2- Miranda Kerr

Speaking of Australian models, this Aussie supermodel donned the Wonder Woman costume and waved the Australian flag for her Australia Day photo shoot with Grazia fashion magazine. Come to think of it, it’s not just the American flag that matches the star-spangled red white and blue of Wonder Woman’s costume – the Australian flag could do just as well for Wonder Woman’s costume!

3 – Rachel Bilson

I can literally tell you nothing else about TV series The OC other than that Rachel Bilson dons the Wonder Woman costume in it as a present for her boyfriend. And everyone else, not least the audience

4 – Olivia Munn

It’s Olivia Munn. ‘Nuff said – hot nerd alert. (She’s a fan of comics so naturally has worn the Wonder Woman costume)

5- Kaley Cuoco

Speaking of Harley Quinn, Kaley Cuoco donned the costume in The Big Bang Theory

6 – Sarah Michelle Gellar

Buffy does Wonder Woman! I think it was for a SNL skit.

7 – Adrianne Palicki

Another model and actress who was cast as Wonder Woman – in this case in an unaired 2011 TV pilot

8 – Kim Kardashian

9 – Kendall Jenner

I suppose I’ll open it up to celebrity Halloween costumes or cosplay – and as usual, these two made headlines.

10 – Anissa Kate

Ahem. Yes of course Wonder Woman has been a favorite subject for depiction in, ah, adult films. Indeed, I could have compiled this top ten purely from adult film stars cast in the role but I’ll go with Anissa Kate as the best (and also from the images I found compiling this top ten the one modelled most closely on Gal Gadot’s depiction in the DCEU).

 

And as for more Wonder Woman top tens…

• Top 10 Wonder Woman costumes

 

RATING: 5 STARS*****
S-TIER (GODDESS-TIER)

 

 

 

 

FANTASY GIRLS –
GIRLS OF COMICS: TOP 10 (TIER LIST)

 

S-TIER (GODDESS TIER)

(1) WONDER WOMAN

Yeah – she pretty much defined girls in comics for me.

(2) VAMPIRELLA

(3) RED SONJA

(4) LADY DEATH

(5) HARLEY QUINN

If Wonder Woman is my Old Testament of girls in comics, then Vampirella, Red Sonja, Lady Death and Harley Quinn are my New Testament.

 

A-TIER (TOP TIER)

(6) CATWOMAN

(7) ZATANNA

(8) POISON IVY

(9) BLACK CAT

 

X-TIER (WILD TIER)

(10) SERAPHINA

Finally my wildcard tenth place entry as best of 2025 is Seraphina.