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Welcome to Comics Buyer’s Guide Presents: Dangerous Curves. Here’s the deal:
Spirit #22 (Aug 50) © 1950 Everett M. Arnold
• “Retcon” is a term with which most comics bu s are familiar. The longer a super-hero has
been around, for example, the more that character’s attributes — from origin story to
costume to powers — have morphed. A one-story character (such as “Skinny” in The Spirit,
right) stands unchanged. But a character such as Batman’s “Catwoman” has had more than
half a century to develop — and even align herself with di erent sides of the law at di erent
times. In this volume, we provide brief summaries of (in some cases) thousands of panels. So
do check out the stories themselves!
• When we’re talking “curves,” we’re talking adults, so, no matter how cute “Darling
O’Shea” is in The Spirit, she doesn’t make the cut for this book.
• When we’re talking “curves,” we’re talking eye candy, so, no matter how powerful “Hazel
P. Macbeth” is in The Spirit or Agatha Harkness is in The Fantastic Four, they don’t make the
cut, either.
• Oh, and when we’re talking “curves,” it may be time to note the power that “Good Girl
Art” possesses when it comes to comic-book sales. Our popular 100 Sexiest Women in Comics
came in for much tut-tutting, but its sales demonstrated that it was, indeed, popular. (And
we’ll note only in passing that many artists nd it easier to draw skin-tight out ts than to
gure out how fabric drapes on characters costumed in ordinary street clothing. ’Nuff said?)
• Just in case it isn’t clear, we should note that — whether the characters we show are
“good” or “bad” — they appear in entertaining tales. Seek out the ones that intrigue you —
just as we (and countless others like us) have done over the years!
By the way, Comics Buyer’s Guide is the longest-running magazine about comics in the
Western Hemisphere. Begun in 1971 by a teen in East Moline, Ill., CBG has brought comics
fans and pros news, reviews, auction updates, and commentary for four decades. Subscription
and other information appears at left. You can also check out selected back issues free on
your mobile device through the Google Newsstand, Comics+, and Graphicly apps. Finally,
the characters in this volume are our choices. Are they yours? Did we leave out your
favorite? Make your case at CBGXtra.com, via email to [email protected], or by mail to
our editorial offi ces. Ready … Aim …
— Brent Frankenhoff and Maggie Thompson
Contents
Cover
1. Jean Grey as Phoenix
2. Emma Frost, The White Queen
3. Scarlet Witch
4. Enchantress
5. Harley Quinn
6. Catwoman
7. Talia al Ghul
8. Viper, aka Madame Hydra
9. Madelyne Pryor, The Goblin Queen
10. Vampirella
11. Lilith
12. Lady Death
13. Satana
14. Star Sapphire
15. Emerald Empress
16. Killer Frost
17. Tigress/Huntress
18. Cheetah
19. Plastique
20. Elektra
21. Poison Ivy
22. Glorith
23. Sin
24. Black Widow
25. Tara Chace
26. Tigra
27. Valkyrie
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
Domino
Enchantress
Thundra
Fury
Titania
Mystique
Black Cat
Abbey Chase
36. Rogue
37. Psylocke
38. Ms. Marvel
39. Valkyrie
40. Huntress
41. Raven
42. Phantom Lady
43. Storm
44. Starfire
45. Red Sonja
46. Ghost
47. Bêlit
48. Moonstone
49. Lady Shiva
50. Madame Rouge
51. Knockout
52. Angela
53. Invisible Woman/Malice
54. Madame Masque
55. Medusa
56. Spoiler
57. Shi
58. Witchblade
59. Miss Fury
60. Dragon Lady
Li’l Abner’s Lasses
The Spirit’s Sirens
Creators of the curvaceous cuties
Copyright
1. Jean Grey as Phoenix
When she was introduced in X-Men #1 (Sep 63), Jean was the sweetly innocent (and
telepathic and telekinetic) teen known as Marvel Girl. Over the ensuing years, she became
the most powerful — and most dangerous — of X-Men. A decade and a half later, The
Phoenix Force magni ed and added to her own powers, providing such abilities as
resurrection and manipulation of time. Oh — and endangering the universe. (On the other
hand though she was still deadly, many fans remember her fondly as The Hell re Club’s
Black Queen.)
Image source: X-Men: Legacy #211 (Jul 08); © 2008 Marvel Characters, Inc.
Image source: X-Men #135 (Jul 80); © 1980 Marvel Comics Group
Image source: X-Men #132 (Apr 80); © 1980 Marvel Comics
2. Emma Frost, The White Queen
Speaking of The Hell re Club (see Jean Grey as Phoenix), its White Queen, the snarky
telepath Emma Frost, used her mental powers to gain power ruthlessly throughout her career.
Later a teacher at Professor Xavier’s school, The White Queen has been on both sides of the
law. Oh, and tough? She’s diamond-hard when she wants to be.
Image source: Wolverine: Origins #5 (Oct 06); © 2006 Marvel Characters, Inc.
Image source: X-Men #131 (Mar 80); © 1979 Marvel Comics Group
Image source: Uncanny X-Men #499 (Aug 08); © 2008 Marvel Characters, Inc.
3. Scarlet Witch
Originally thought to alter probabilities with her mutant “hex” power, Wanda Maximo ’s
abilities and potential to create havoc have waxed and waned over the years. At one point,
controlled by an entity hiding within her, she could change reality and de-power other
mutants. You’d think that would mean she can do whatever she wants. But life has been more
complex for her and her allies — to put it mildly.
Image source: Avengers vs. X-Men #0 (May 12); © 2012 Marvel Characters, Inc.
Image source: Avengers #128 (Oct 74); © 1974 Marvel Comics Group
Image source: Avengers West Coast #56 (Mar 90); © 1990 Marvel Entertainment Group, Inc.
4. Enchantress
The powerful Norse goddess Amora, aka The Enchantress, has attempted (and occasionally
succeeded) in seducing Thor through magic manipulations. With the ability to control minds
combined with her beauty (not to mention powers of energy blasts and manipulation of
time), she often calls the shots. She’s a threat, not only to The Thunder God, but also to other
gods — and mortals.
Image source: Thor #491 (Oct 95); © 1995 Marvel Characters, Inc.
Image source: Journey into Mystery #103 (Apr 64); © 1964 Marvel
Image source: Mighty Thor #14 (Jul 12); © 2012 Marvel Characters, Inc.
5. Harley Quinn
First appearing as The Joker’s girlfriend on Batman: The Animated Series, Harley Quinn was
such a memorable character that it wasn’t long before she was brought to the printed page.
Both on TV and in comics, she wreaks mayhem and havoc with (and without) her equally
twisted and manic “puddin’.” Her demented adoration, as well as loyalty to other allies
repeatedly leads her to unfettered violence.
Image source: Batman Adventures: Mad Love (1994); © 1994 DC Comics