Today is International Day of Women and Girls in Science, which has been celebrated on February 11th since 2015 when it was proclamed by the United Nations General Assembly. This holiday is a celebration of the contributions that women bring to the field, and is designed to help raise awareness and hopefully correct the gender equality issues in the field of science. Hopefully the continued celebrating and showcasing of women in the field will help drive new interest in young girls.
With that in mind, we wanted to talk about some of our favorite science gals and women in comic books!
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Peni Parker – Edge of Spider-Verse #5 (2014) Peni is a Japanese American high school student who on top of being incredibly intelegent, and capable of mechanical repair and building, but also possessing a psychic link with a radioactive spider named SP//dr with whom she jointly pilots a mech suit of the same name. Peni Parker was created by Gerard Way, but was also artistically created by Jake Wyatt. Originally, Peni and SP//dr’s comics were largely inspired by mecha anime, with Neon Genesis Evangelion singled out as an influence. |
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Janet Van Dyne – Tales to Astonish #44 (1963) Created by Stan Lee and Ernie Hart, utilizing art from the amazing Jack Kirby, Janet Van Dyne was introduced in the 60s and became the Waspe to avenger her father. While at first she wasn’t a lot to talk about, besides giving the Avenger’s it’s name, she went on to became on of the teams smartest members, and longest member of the Avengers, outside of Captain America. |
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Jane Foster – Journey into Mystery #84 (1962) Jane Foster, created by Stan Lee and Larry Lieber, with Jack Kirby lending his artistic vision, first appeared in Journey into Mystery #84. Originally Jane Foster was introduced as a nurse and love interest to Dr. Donald Blake, the mortal host of Thor Odinson, before eventually becoming a doctor on her own, and even at one time holding the mantle of Thor while the original bearer of Mjolnir. Unfortunately, doing so was forcing her Cancer to constantly return, and Jane Foster continued to be a hero, inspite of that. |
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Dr. Grace Balin/Orca – Batman #579 (2000) Created by Larry Hama with art from Scott McDaniel, Dr. Grace Balin was a marine biologist who was paralyzed and works for Gotham Aquarium. When they close the aquarium, for lack of funding, it pushes Grace to rush her experiment of using orca dna to regenerate spinal tisue, on herself. As a result she could shift between human and an orca hybrid, still paralyzed in human form though. Her story ends a little tragically, as when her actions to gain money to continue her research leads to a fight between her and the Batman, he is forced to give her the rest of the serum to transform her permantely into the orca hybrid to prevent her from drowning. |
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Moira MacTaggert – Uncanny X-Men #96 (1975) Moira MacTaggert, created by Chris Claremont with art from Dave Cockrum, is the worlds leading authority on genetic mutation. She has in the comic books worked with the X-Men, and even founded the Muir Island facility that regularly attempts to aid and help mutants who can’t control their powers. While she was regularly a love interest and confidant of Professor Xavier, it was later revealed that she also was a silent partner in the founding of Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters, co-created Cerebro, and helped Xavier treat and assist Jean Grey when she was recruited. |
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Who are your favorite comic book women and girls in science? Who do you think we missed, share your thoughts down below!
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