Take 10: Femme Fatales
The Secret Cabal selects a group of lethal ladies who put the Marvel Universe on notice
Posted Sep 24, 2008 12:00 am
Updated Sep 29, 2008 10:13 am
Every week, a secret cabal of Marvel staffers gathers to discuss the best of the best when it comes to the House of Ideas.
Going back to the pulp magazines and noir films of the 1920's, there has always been a role for women who both look good and also kick ass in popular fiction. Dames who could fall on either side of the law.
From the Golden Age to the modern era, the Marvel Universe has seen its share of lethal ladies who can both seduce and destroy. This week in DAREDEVIL #111, writer Ed Brubaker and artist Clay Mann introduce the next generation of dangerous diva with Lady Bullseye. To commemorate this latest entry into the Marvel pantheon of vicious vixens, the Secret Cabal has selected 10 strong and sultry women who embody the term "femme fatale."
For each lady you get the quick rundown as well as a special spotlight comic courtesy of Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited.
As always, these picks reflect the personal choices of the Secret Cabal, not the official opinion of Marvel or Marvel.com, and can be considered subjective at best. Enjoy!
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10. DOMINO
First Appearance: X-FORCE v1 #8 (1992)
Learn More About Her…here
Why She Makes The List: "It took one bad lady to keep pace with an alpha mutant male like Cable at his macho height in the '90s, but Domino's guns were just as big and her methods could be even more brutal. Despite this lucky merc's slinky outfits and toned physique, her male protégés in X-Force knew better than to get hot for teacher, lest they end up with a frag grenade under their pillow!" – Secret Cabal member Annihilator882
Currently Appearing In: X-FORCE (upcoming)
Spotlight Comic: CABLE & DEADPOOL #29—Domino has a gun to the her former lover Cable's head—will she take the shot?
9. MOONSTONE
First Appearance: CAPTAIN AMERICA #192 (1975)
Learn More About Her…here
Why She Makes The List: "Why's Moonstone on this list? C'mon, this psycho psychiatrist is the Thunderbolts' most manipulative member—and with that crew, that's saying a lot! Heck, she even managed to wrap Hawkeye around her little finger back when he was leading the team, lo those many years ago. Oh yeah, and she could also fry you into nothing with her laser bursts." – Secret Cabal member SparkleMotion515
Currently Appearing In: THUNDERBOLTS
Spotlight Comic: AVENGERS #277—Moonstone joins the Masters of Evil in final battle with the Avengers!
8. TYPHOID MARY
First Appearance: DAREDEVIL #254 (1988)
Learn More About Her…here
Why She Makes The List: "You can talk about not wanting to get on the bad side of some girls, but Typhoid Mary's split personality takes "bad side" to a whole new level. With a good side so sweet that you worry about your blood sugar and a bad side so powerful it comes complete with deadly psionic powers, Typhoid Mary is a double act that no one wants to follow." – Secret Cabal member LiterateNitz18
Currently Appearing In: Last seen in DAREDEVIL
Spotlight Comic: DAREDEVIL v2 #46—Typhoid Mary returns to menace the Man Without Fear!
7. GAMORA
First Appearance: STRANGE TALES #180 (1975)
Learn More About Her…here
Why She Makes The List: "Gamora has earned her 'Deadliest Woman in the Galaxy' sobriquet by leaving a trail of broken bodies and lovers' hearts in her wake. The green-skinned Guardian of the Galaxy has grown up every bit daddy's little girl, given that she was raised by none other than the mad Titan, Thanos himself! After recently sharing an illicit rendezvous with Nova before trying to kill the Human Rocket, Gamora currently serves as the dissenting voice of her latest team and most likely to stab any teammate in the back—literally!" – Annihilator882
Currently Appearing In: GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY
Spotlight Comic: NOVA v4 #6—Under the Phalanx's influence, Gamora pursues Nova on a seek and destroy mission!
6. THE ENCHANTRESS
First Appearance: JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY #103 (1964)
Learn More About Her…here
Why She Makes The List: "She may not be No. 1 on this list, but the Enchantress could make you think that she was. Combining magical power and raw sexuality in a dangerous package, Amora specializes in mind control and seduction. A longtime enemy of Thor and the Avengers, Enchantress became the Thunder God's consort in the days before Ragnarok, but her allegiance is never certain, and she should prove to be a femme fatale to watch in the near future." – LiterateNitz18
Currently Appearing In: Last seen in THOR
Spotlight Comic: AVENGERS v1 #7—With the Executioner in tow, the Enchantress joins Zemo's Masters of Evil!
5. ELEKTRA
First Appearance: DAREDEVIL #168 (1981)
Learn More About Her…here
Why She Makes The List: "Elektra knows how to break a man in more ways than one. With her stealthy ninja moves and exotic good looks, the Marvel U.'s deadliest female assassin has proved time and time again that she could kill you just as easily as she could love you. And in true femme fatale fashion, she shattered every fanboy's heart with her death back in the pages of DAREDEVIL #181." – SparkleMotion515
Currently Appearing In: Status unknown
Spotlight Comic: DAREDEVIL #174—Elektra: shoulder-to-shoulder with Daredevil against a ninja horde!
4. MYSTIQUE
First Appearance: MS. MARVEL v1 #16 (1978)
Learn More About Her…here
Why She Makes The List: "Who in their right mind would trust Mystique? The blue-skinned mutant shape-changer lies, kills, steals, lies, cheats and lies to everyone and anyone she comes across. She's survived decades of horrifically violent—and misleadingly romantic—escapades with both Wolverine and Sabretooth, stabbed the X-Men in the back and continues to confuse the hell out of everyone when it comes to who is or isn't her child (Rogue? Nightcrawler? Graydon Creed?). So evil. So blue." – Secret Cabal member Agent M
Currently Appearing In: X-MEN: MANIFEST DESTINY
Spotlight Comic: MYSTIQUE #1—The lethal shape-shifter leaps into her own solo adventures in a surprising new role!
3. THE BLACK CAT
First Appearance: AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #194 (1979)
Learn More About Her…here
Why She Makes The List: "Bad kitty indeed! With a look that makes men purr and claws that can tear out their eyes for staring, this thief will steal more than just hearts! This femme fatale has stalked both sides of the fence between hero and villain, but the real catnip for her is the adventure. Watch out when this Black Cat crosses your path, because it may be your lucky day...or you may find yourself with a stolen heart—or wallet!" – Secret Cabal member RunawayJ
Currently Appearing In: Status unknown
Spotlight Comic: SPIDER-MAN/BLACK CAT: EVIL THAT MEN DO #1—The Black Cat teams with Spider-Man to face dark secrets from her past!
2. THE BLACK WIDOW
First Appearance: TALES OF SUSPENSE #52 (1964)
Learn More About Her…here
Why She Makes The List: "There are few women more badass than Black Widow. I'm talkin' Linda Hamilton in 'Terminator 2' kinda badass. Natasha's a lover (Daredevil has the scars to prove it), a fighter (um…DD also has those scars) and one heckuva soldier (see SECRET INVASION and MIGHTY AVENGERS). Whether it's blasting baddies or slinking around, behind the scenes like the master spy she is, Black Widow's one of the most dangerous heroes—not just women—in the Marvel U." – Agent M
Currently Appearing In: MIGHTY AVENGERS
Spotlight Comic: BLACK WIDOW #1—Natasha Romanov faces a young upstart determined to replace her as the Black Widow!
1. EMMA FROST
First Appearance: X-MEN #129 (1979)
Learn More About Her…here
Why She Makes The List: "With her diamond-hard skin—and, some would say, heart—Emma Frost is easily the toughest of the femme fatales on this list…though the fact that she broke up Cyclops' marriage alone would probably guarantee her the No. 1 spot on this list. Lately she's turned from her evil roots, but thankfully she hasn't lost any of her wry, snooty, devious ways as she brings her unique brand of leadership to the X-Men." – SparkleMotion515
Currently Appearing In: ASTONISHING X-MEN, UNCANNY X-MEN
Spotlight Comic: NEW X-MEN #116—Reformed (?) bad girl Emma solidifies her place on the X-Men!
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