Normally the 'Top Ten' whatever lists start at number ten and work their way up, but given the name of this site, it would be pretty anti-climactic, so I’m just going to put her down first then move on to the next ten.

*1. Wonder Woman – Outside of comics its hard to argue that there has ever been a comic book character, male or female, who’s made as big an impact as Wonder Woman. Sure Batman, Superman, Spider-man and a few others are bigger names, but none have made the real difference that Diana has.

Her character and image have been a symbol for women’s rights, as inspiration to fight back against domestic violence and has even been used in support of the fight against breast cancer. There are few people, real or otherwise that can match that list of accomplishments.

Having said all that, Diana’s number one status comes with an asterisk. While this character is without a doubt the number one lady of comics, her portrayal in her own book and the JLA really doesn’t stand up. Diana is often portrayed throwing random temper tantrums, being completely subservient (especially to Superman) or in this latest version, becoming furious when, at around age 25, she learns that babies don’t actually come from storks (or shaped from clay as the case may be).

There have been some great Wonder Woman stories in the past and I’m hoping this current, well liked, version of the character will become deserving of the number one spot, but when it comes down to simply how she’s written in the comics, Wonder Woman barely makes the list, much less number one.

10. Power Girl:

A character whose history is so convoluted and complex that only the biggest of comic nerds (or anyone reading Wikipedia) could give you the details. Her origin changes routinely and would never survive in any media outside of comics, yet Karen Star has managed to not just endure, but be one of the most beloved females in comics.

In a rare move, this sexy heroine manages to break the size-zero mold and be a tall, well-built, yet a still very feminine woman. Although she’s a spinoff of Superman, she is rarely tied to him and her sense of humour and lighthearted nature make her a compelling contrast.

Yes, she is best known for a chest that takes super-strength to carry, but her sense of humour is what really sells this character.

9. Ororo Munroe

Comics are well known for having many variations of the same character, but while Ororo doesn’t break the mold in the same way as Power Girl, she out and out shatters it in her own way.

There are very few prominent characters of colour in comics and of those Storm is without a doubt the First Lady. Not only does her skin colour make her stand out, but as one of the most powerful superheroes, she commands a huge level of respect from her peers, often landing her as leader of her X-men team.

She has been the victim of comic writers fear of strong female characters many times over the years, but she always seems to bounce back and, thanks to Halle Berry, her image carries weight far beyond the comics.

8. Anna Marie

Another X-man, Rogue is often a favourite of both male and female readers for her strengths and vulnerabilities. She’s a character whose mutant gifts make her hugely powerful, yet also very vulnerable because they cut her off from the most simple of human comforts.

Rogue is hardly above reproach, fitting into several clichés as the southern belle who’s untouchable (literally in her case), has breasts the size of her head and a waist not much bigger than her wrist yet is still able to lift a car over her head, but despite all that she still manages to be compelling.

Her unique isolation on a team that’s all about interconnection (sometimes on a 90210 level…) makes her a character whose both inspiring and sympathetic.

7. Ms. Marvel

Carol Danvers has a past that can compete with even Power Girl for its uniquely comic book flare. She has had several monikers, multiple bodies and countless costumes. She’s had her powers stolen (by Rogue), been mind-controlled and even used for breeding and all while her Avengers teammates seemed not to notice or care.

Despite all that, in the last few years Ms. Marvel has really begun to come into her own. She’s played a central role in almost all of Marvel’s recent events and very much returned to her origins as a strong female character trying to find her place. While Marvel has traditionally sucked at promoting their female leads, they had been doing a good job with Ms. Marvel up until canceling her title. Hopefully it’s a temporary setback.

6. Selina Kyle

Few female characters have had the staying power, star power and all out sexual power of Catwoman. Her comic origins were modest, but fans were so enthralled by the character that they simply demanded more of her. She’s been portrayed on the small and big screens by the likes of Julie Newmar, Halle Berry, Michelle Pfeiffer and Anne Hathaway.

While she often appears on top ten ‘sexiest women in comics’ lists, she also makes my best women in comics list because of her strong personality, humble beginnings and pure determination.

Obviously, I’m not a proponent of her relationship with Bruce Wayne, but I do think both characters are important in each other’s development. It’s basically that one hot relationship you have because sparks fly, but you know from the beginning, it isn’t going anywhere.

The cat and mouse game of Catwoman and Batman has made this character an icon, I just hope someday DC realizes Selina Kyle has developed into a strong enough character to deserve to come out from behind the Batman’s cape.

5. Dinah Lance

I almost feel ashamed to have Black Canary this low on the list. She’s a character who’s overcome a lot, both in her story and in how she’s been written, to become one of the premiere women in DC’s lineup.

The original Black Canary was created as little more than eye candy for the superheroes of that age but was so popular among fans, she actually replaced the character who’s feature introduced her.

Her daughter, the current Black Canary, continued this trend when, despite years of mistreatment by the writers of Green Arrow, she surpassed her former beau to become chair of the Justice League and, in the pages of Birds of Prey, far more popular with fans.

While like many characters in DC’s new 52, Dinah has been the victim of weird costume designs and a new status quo, she still manages to retain what made her great: A fiery personality, kick ass martial arts skills and a never-surrender attitude. (Also, in a shameless plug, she makes an appearance in our Earth Pi fan fiction universe in ‘Bruce Wayne’s First Adventure’.)

4. Stephanie Brown

It’s no secret that in comics, women are often misused and abused to build the story for their male counterparts and no character has been the victim of this more than Stephanie Brown.

Introduce as the Spoiler, a love interest for Tim Drake, she was quickly revealed to be the daughter of super (and I use that word generously) villain Cluemaster who was playing at vigilante to get back at him for his treatment of her mother. Fitting perfectly into the daughter of the villain cliché, she was actually compelling enough to become a mainstay in the Robin series, even surviving being used in a ‘teen pregnancy awareness’ campaign. When Tim resigned as Robin, Batman gave her the mantle in an effort to convince Tim to come back to protect the damsel in distress, before eventually having her killed off by Leslie Tompkins of all people in a writers terrible attempt at adding a heart wrenching twist to the War Games storyline.

When Stephanie returned from the grave and took up the mantle of Batgirl, a lot of fans weren’t happy about it, but her sense of humour, vulnerability and the books great mix of regular life meets superhero, quickly made the book one of DC’s best.

As much as I love Barbara Gordon, the cancelation of Stephanie Brown’s Batgirl book may well have been the biggest tragedy of the DCnU reboot.

3. Barbara Gordon

Few characters have been victimized to the extent that Barbara Gordon has been. While rapes and near death beatings have become a common storyline in comics, it’s typically something that the character quickly overcomes and only remembers momentarily when the storyline calls for it. Babs, on the other hand, suffered her trauma for over twenty years and still managed to actually gain in popularity.

While it’s true that Barbara was never expressly raped (though that is often debated by comic fans), it doesn’t really lesson the humiliation and damage that the Joker caused her when he shot her through the spine and took compromising nude pictures of her to show her father.

Not only did Barbara overcome her loss of mobility, her inability to continue as Batgirl and her physiological scars, she managed to become a compelling character that had fans begging for more, despite never leaving her chair.

Although I didn’t want to see her return to the Batgirl mantel (I was a proponent of having her walk again, just not as Batgirl), I have to say that Gail Simone has done a great job of making her return to the cape and tights both respectful and fun.

Truly inspiring characters are a rare community and Barbara Gordon is one of the best.

2. Emma Frost

While fiery redheads are a hard act to follow, this Ice Queen, blonde bombshell seems to make a habit of it. Starting her career off as a villain, she ended up changing sides but keeping her villainess edge. There is no kind compassionate cliché here. This is a woman who is blunt, forward and absolutely unapologetic, even when she’s stealing another woman’s husband.

There are times when this character embodies everything a feminist would argue against; walking around in lingerie and having psychic affairs with married men for instance; but when written properly, she is a strong woman at her best.

She can be ruthless, demanding and outright mean, but she still manages to keep her heart in the right place and she doesn’t apologize for being who she is, whether that means being bluntly honest, drop dead gorgeous or an incredibly powerful telepath.

While her sexy outfits and unrealistic dimensions get her on every sexy list around, her personality and demeanor make her one of the best women in comics.

1(Part 1). Zatanna Zatara

The first part of my first place tie, the mistress of magic may be a derivative of a male character and often rolled into the Bat-clan, but this magical beauty is more than capable of standing on her own.

She has a smart and witty personality that makes her a challenge for any man in her life, from the stoic an always serious Batman to the rude and obnoxious Constantine. She never seems to really be overshadowed, even when she’s put in the damsel in distress role and her powers make her always a force to be reckoned with.

In comics, pure magic users are normally reserved for niche audiences found in publications like Vertigo or Dark Horse Comics, but Zatanna manages to rise to A-list status, being a mainstay in the Justice League and commonly coming to the aid of Batman or Superman in their comics.

While I wasn’t really a fan of the writing in her pre-reboot comic, the covers were fantastic and it was a shame to see that she didn’t have her own book among the new 52. At least it appears we’ll get to see her on a fairly regular basis in the new Young Justice cartoon.

1(Part 2). Lois Lane

With the exception of Wonder Woman herself, there is probably no better known woman in comics than Lois Lane. She takes feisty to a new level and has the spirit and tenacity to put even the man of steel in his place.

Lois may have started out as nothing more than a constant damsel in distress, a role she still plays regularly, but she’s evolved into so much more. A few months back fans even began a twitter drive to give her her own comic, something that DC has unfortunately ignored.

While I hate the current Superman comic and Lois’ new status quo, there is no doubt in my mind that this lady will endure.

A couple of women that really deserve honorable mentions have to be Donna Troy and Huntress. Both of these ladies are spinoffs/former sidekicks of other characters, but they are such complex and appealing characters in their own right that fans just seem to fall in love with them. Here’s hoping both will soon find permanent homes in the DCnU.

Don’t like my list? Have a list of your own? Leave a comment or stop by the forums!