Miss America (Marvel Comics)

Last updated
Miss America
Ms. America
Madeline Joyce as Miss America (2009 Variant Design).jpg
Madeline Joyce / Miss America.
Variant cover of Miss America Comics 70th Anniversary Special #1 (June 2009).
Art by Marcos Martin.
Publisher Marvel Comics
First appearance Marvel Mystery Comics #49 (November 1943)
Created by Otto Binder  (writer)
Al Gabriele (art)
Characters
List
Miss America
Series publication information
Publisher Marvel Comics
Format
List
Publication date
List
  • (vol 1)
    May 1944 (one-shot)
    (vol 2)
    September 1944 – January 1945
    (vol 3)
    February 1945 – July 1945
    (vol 4)
    September 1945 – March 1946
    (vol 5)
    April 1946 – September 1946
    (vol 6)
    October 1946 – March 1947
    (vol 7)
    April 1947 – June 1947
    (vol 8)
    July 1947 – February 1952
    (vol. 9)
    April 1952 – June 1958
    (vol 10)
    June 2009 (one-shot)
Number of issues
List
  • (vol 1): 1
    (vol 2): 6
    (vol 3): 6
    (vol 4): 6
    (vol 5): 6
    (vol 6): 6
    (vol 7): 3
    (vol 8): 45
    (vol 9): 48
    (vol 10): 1
Main character(s)
List
  • (vol 1–2)
    Madeline Joyce
    (vol 2–9)
    Patsy Walker
    (vol 10)
    Madeline Joyce
Creative team
Writer(s)
List
  • (vol 1)
    Bill Finger
    Otto Binder
    (vol 10)
    Jen Van Meter
    Allen Bellman
Penciller(s)
List
  • (vol 1)
    Ken Bald
    (vol 10)
    Andy MacDonald
    Alan Mandel
    Allen Bellman
Inker(s)
List
  • (vol 1)
    George Klein
    (vol 10)
    Andy MacDonald
    Bob Oksner
    Allen Bellman
Letterer(s)
List
  • (vol 10)
    Dave Lanphear
Colorist(s)
List
  • (vol 10)
    Nick Filardi
Editor(s)
List
  • (vol 10)
    Stephen Wacker
    Tom Brennan
    Tom Brevoort
    Vince Fago

Miss America (also spelt as Ms. America) is the name of several superheroines appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The first incarnation of Miss America, Madeline Joyce, first appeared in Marvel Mystery Comics #49 (November 1943). [1] The second incarnation, Erika Kelley, debuted as Ms. America in Avengers: The Initiative Annual #1 (January 2008). The third incarnation, America Chavez, made her first appearance in Vengeance #1 (September 2011). [2]

Contents

Since their original introductions in comics, characters using the Miss America codename have appeared in a range of Marvel-licensed media, including films, television series, video games, and merchandise.

Development

Concept and creation

Comic book publishers tried to explore new types of stories, characters, and audiences, since superheroes began to fade out of fashion in the post-World War II era. Comic companies started introducing more female superheroes in an attempt to appeal to young female readers. [3] American comic book publisher Timely Comics released Marvel Mystery Comics #49 (November 1943) featuring a new superheroine known as Miss America. [4] According to American author Jess Nevins and his Encyclopedia of Golden Age Superheroes, Miss America "fights ordinary criminals, Axis agents, Baron Shinto the Gouger, the murderous teen the Cherub, King Cobra, and the human electric eel the Shocker." [5]

Publication history

Miss America

Madeline Joyce received the Miss America Comics #1 (May 1944) one-shot, her first solo comic book. [6] According to some sources, illustrator Ken Bald served as the cover and interior artist, although Vincent Fago, interim editor of Timely Comics for the drafted writer Stan Lee, asserted, "I hired a friend from the animation business, Pauline Loth, and she did the art for the first Miss America book." [7] Fago also stated, "I hired her at Timely when she left Fleischer's and came to New York. She did "Miss America" for us and created her costume." [8] Fago, speaking in an interview with Jim Amash, recalled that Miss America Comics played a key role in Timely Comics' subscription strategy during his tenure as editor. He explained that the comic included a subscription notice offering 12 issues for $1, and within a few weeks the company received $20,000 payments in response. Fago described placing the money among the artwork bins and noted that the resulting revenue allowed everyone working for him to earn a good income. [9]

The Miss America Comics series changed its format with its second issue to become a larger magazine-sized Miss America Magazine, [10] though with the conventional comic book combination of glossy covers and newsprint interior. Initiating this format as vol. 1 #2 (November 1944), [11] the publication relegated its superhero to a secondary role and began focusing on teen-romance comics stories and articles on such topics as cooking, fashion, and makeup. This second issue, which featured a photo cover of an unknown model dressed in the Miss America costume, also introduced the long-running, teen-humor comics feature Patsy Walker. [12]

The Miss America Magazine series was renamed Miss America starting with issue #46 (April 1952). Alongside the single superhero comic, Miss America ran 126 issues in a complicated numbering that continued through vol. 7 #50 (December 1952), the 83rd issue. It then reverted to comic book format as Miss America vol. 1 #51–93 (April 1953 – November 1958).

The magazine format used photo covers of everyday teens. In 1951, starting with vol. 7 #42, the logo changed to Patsy Walker Starring in Miss America, [13] with covers now depicting high schooler, Patsy, boyfriend Buzz Baxter, and romantic-rival Hedy Wolfe, in cartoon art by artists Al Jaffee and Morris Weiss.

Madeline Joyce received the Miss America Comics 70th Anniversary Special #1 (June 2009) one shot, her second solo comic book. [14] Diamond Comic Distributors reported that the issue was 136th bestselling comic book in June 2009. [15]

Other series

Madeline Joyce appeared as Miss America in several Marvel series, including All Winners Comics (1941), [16] Blonde Phantom (1946), [17] Giant-Size Avengers (1974), [18] and X-Statix Presents: Dead Girl (2006). [19] Erika Kelley appeared as Ms. America in Fear Itself: Youth in Revolt (2011). [20]

Fictional character biography

Madeline Joyce

The first Miss America is Madeline Joyce. [21] Created by writer Otto Binder and artist Al Gabriele, the character first appeared in Marvel Mystery Comics #49 (November 1943). [22]

Madeline Joyce Frank is a socially aware heiress born in Washington, D.C. who is the niece of the millionaire radio mogul James Bennet. She acquired a range of superpowers after being exposed to an electrical discharge from an unknown experimental piece of equipment. Madeline Joyce possesses the "Strength of a Thousand Men," allowing her to lift weights far heavier than a normal human would be capable of lifting. Her superhuman durability makes her resistant to different forms of damage. She has the ability to levitate herself through psionic means. By using her levitation ability in connection with carefully planned leaps, she could use her power to fly. She could attain any height at which she could still breathe (approximately 20,000 feet). Fatigue poisons accumulate much slower in Madeline Joyce's body than that of a normal human, giving her a heightened "vitality." She later became a superhero and took the mantle of Miss America. The character has also been a member of the Invaders, Liberty Legion, and All-Winners Squad at various points in her history. [23] She married fellow Golden Age superhero Robert Frank / Whizzer. Because the two had been exposed to radiation, their first child was the radioactive mutant Nuklo. However, Madeline Joyce died of complications stemming from childbirth with her second, stillborn child due to radiation poisoning from her first offspring while at Wundagore Mountain, Transia. [24] During this time, it was also suggested that Madeline Joyce was the mother of Pietro Maximoff / Quicksilver and Wanda Maximoff / Scarlet Witch. [25] This was ultimately refuted when it was revealed that Max Eisenhard / Magneto and Magda Eisenhardt were their biological parents. Madeline Joyce was later retconned in 1976 as a member of the World War II super-team known as the Liberty Legion, set between the creation of the Invaders and the post-war All-Winners Squad. As a member of the team, she battled the Red Skull. Alongside the Liberty Legion and the Invaders, she fought the Nazi super-team called Super-Axis. [26]

Erika Kelley

The second Ms. America is Erika Kelley. Created by writers Dan Slott, Christos N. Gage, and artist Patrick Scherberger, the character debuted in Avengers: The Initiative Annual #1 (January 2008).

Erika Kelley was a member of the Liberteens under the codename of Ms. America. Madeline Joyce served here as an inspiration. She battled Flag-Smasher when he intended to destroy the Liberty Bell. [27] Erica Kelley subsequently left the team alongside her former teammates to found a new one called the Fantastix. [28] She decided to abandon the mantle of Ms. America and took the codename of Ms. Fantastix.

America Chavez

The third Miss America is America Chavez. Created by writer Joe Casey and artist Nick Dragotta, the character was introduced in Vengeance #1 (September 2011). [29]

America Chavez was originally depicted as hailing from the Utopian Parallel, a dimension outside of time and space, and as a Starling of the Fuertona species, an extraterrestrial race with innate supernatural abilities. [30] Her origin was later revised to establish that she was born on Earth to scientists who sought to cure her of a disease. [31] The Utopian Parallel was reinterpreted as a medical facility where experimental procedures ultimately granted her superpowers. [32]

Supporting characters

Allies

List of allies appearing in comic books with Miss America as the protagonist
Name / alter egoCreator(s)First appearanceDescription
James Bennett Otto Binder – Alfred GabrieleMarvel Mystery Comics #49 (November 1943)James Bennett is the uncle of Madeline Joyce. [33] He is a rich radio mogul who takes cares of his niece. [34]
Robert Frank / Whizzer Al Avison USA Comics #1 (August 1941)Robert Frank is the husband of Madeline Joyce. [35] He is a speedster with superhuman strength. [36]
Elton Morrow / Blue Diamond Ben ThompsonDaring Mystery Comics #7 (February 1941)Elton Morrow is a friend of Madeline Joyce. [37] He is an archaeologist with superhuman strength and durability. [38]
Kate Bishop / Hawkeye Allan Heinberg – Jim Cheung Young Avengers #1 (April 2005)Kate Bishop is a friend of America Chavez. [39] She is a skilled archer and swordswoman. [40]
David Alleyne / Prodigy Nunzio DeFilippis – Christina Weir – Keron Grant New Mutants vol. 2 #4 (October 2003)David Alleyne is a friend of America Chavez. [41] He is a genius with telepathic abilities. [42]

Enemies

List of enemies appearing in comic books with Miss America as the protagonist
Name / alter egoCreator(s)First appearanceDescription
Stefan Halpern / Pinhead Killer Charles Nicholas Marvel Mystery Comics #52 (December 1943)Stefan Halpern is an antagonist of Madeline Joyce. [43] He is a Nazi during World War II who kidnapped a scientist and his granddaughter.
Unknown / Flaming HateMarvel Mystery Comics #53 (January 1944)Flaming Hate is an antagonist of Madeline Joyce. [44] He is a murderer who attacks firefighters to avenge the death of his wife.
Dalt Kendall / Shocker Bill Finger – Pauline LothMiss America Magazine #2 (September 1944)Dalt Kendall is an antagonist of Madeline Joyce. [45] He is a scientist with an obsession with electric eels. He gained the power to generate electricity while experimenting with them. He used his superhuman abilities to rob banks and murder people.
Unknown / The Spiderman Syd Shores Blonde Phantom Comics #12 (December 1946)The Spiderman is an antagonist of Madeline Joyce. [46] He is a scientist who is obsessed with spiders. He possessed huge spiders who feed on human blood. [47] He invented a web-shooting device to kidnap his victims.
Oubliette Midas / ExterminatrixGrant Morrison – J.G. JonesMarvel Boy vol. 2 #1 (June 2000)Oubliette Midas is an antagonist of America Chavez. [48] She is the leader of the supervillain organization known as the Midas Foundation.
Guy Thierrault / Flag-Smasher Zeb Wells – Stefano CaselliCivil War: Young Avengers and Runaways #1 (July 2006)Guy Thierrault is an antagonist of Erika Kelley. [27] He is an anti-nationalist who terrorizes the population to spread his views. [49]

Impact

Other versions

Amalgam Comics

An alternate version of Miss America appears in the Amalgam Comics universe. [65] Madeline Joyce was combined with DC Comics' Liberty Belle. [66] This version is known as Madeline Lawrence / American Belle. She is a member of the All-Star Winners Squadron. [67]

In other media

Television

Film

Video games

Merchandise

Miscellaneous

References

  1. ↑ Mitchell, Kurt; Thomas, Roy (2019). American Comic Book Chronicles: 1940–1944. TwoMorrows Publishing. p. 194. ISBN   978-1605490892.
  2. ↑
  3. ↑ Cronin, Brian (June 1, 2023). "75 Years Ago, Marvel Tried a New Approach By Launching a Line of Female Superheroes". Comic Book Resources . Retrieved 2023-10-04.
  4. ↑ Benton, Mike (1992). Superhero Comics of the Golden Age: The Illustrated History. Dallas: Taylor Publishing Company. p. 119. ISBN   0-87833-808-X . Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  5. ↑ Nevins, Jess (2013). Encyclopedia of Golden Age Superheroes. High Rock Press. p. 183. ISBN   978-1-61318-023-5.
  6. ↑
  7. ↑ Daniels, Les (1991). Marvel: Five Fabulous Decades of the World's Greatest Comics. Harry N. Abrams, Inc. p. 54.
  8. ↑ Amash, Jim (November 2001). "Of Fago and Fleischer". Alter Ego #11. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
  9. ↑ Cronin, Brian (2019-05-28). "Look Back: See How Humor-Centric Marvel Was in 1944 With Gay Comics #1". Comic Book Resources . Retrieved 2025-08-22.
  10. ↑ Seifert, Mark (September 21, 2022). "A Complete Run of Marvel Mystery Comics, Up for Auction". Bleeding Cool . Retrieved 2023-10-06.
  11. ↑ Seifert, Mark (April 20, 2023). "The 1945 Debut of the First Patsy Walker Series, Up for Auction". Bleeding Cool . Retrieved 2023-10-06.
  12. ↑ Jung, Michael (May 30, 2020). "Marvel Gave Its Most Wholesome Character A DARK Makeover". Screen Rant . Retrieved 2023-10-07.
  13. ↑ "GCD :: Covers :: Miss America Magazine". Grand Comics Database . Retrieved 2023-10-04.
  14. ↑ Callahan, Timothy (June 16, 2009). "Miss America 70th Anniversary Special #1". Comic Book Resources . Retrieved 2023-10-04.
  15. ↑
  16. ↑ "Throwback Thursday: 75 Years of Marvel's All Winners". Previews World . September 9, 2021. Retrieved 2023-10-07.
  17. ↑ Dodge, John (September 6, 2023). "Marvel's First Spiderman Nearly Destroyed Peter Parker's Rise to Fame". Comic Book Resources . Retrieved 2023-10-04.
  18. ↑ Beard, Jim (June 22, 2020). "Didja Know... The Retro Adventures of Mighty Miss America". Marvel.com . Retrieved 2023-08-14.
  19. ↑ Cronin, Brian (April 21, 2023). "How Many of the Characters in the Second Marvel 'Book of the Dead' Are Still Dead?". Comic Book Resources . Retrieved 2023-08-14.
  20. ↑ "Liberteens (Pennsylvania Initiative team)". Marvunapp.com. November 27, 2018. Retrieved 2025-08-24.
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  24. ↑ Giant-Size Avengers #1 (August 1974). Marvel Comics.
  25. ↑ White, Brett (July 4, 2014). "20 Patriots, 5 Codenames: A Salute To Marvel's Red White & Blue Heroes". Comic Book Resources . Retrieved 2023-10-07.
  26. ↑ Marvel Premiere #29–30. Marvel Comics.
  27. 1 2 Avengers: The Initiative Annual #1. Marvel Comics.
  28. ↑ Fantastic Four vol. 6 #4 (legacy #649) (January 2019). Marvel Comics.
  29. ↑ Eclarinal, Aeron Mer (2020-05-13). "All Upcoming MCU Movies and TV Shows That Are Still Unconfirmed By Marvel Studios". The Direct. Retrieved 2025-08-24.
  30. ↑ O'Brien, Megan Nicole (2021-01-11). "Young Avengers: 10 Things To Know About America Chavez". Comic Book Resources . Retrieved 2025-03-01.
  31. ↑ Chanliau, Pierre (2021-05-07). "Doctor Strange 2: Marvel Retcon Points To Possible Changes For MCU's America Chavez". The Direct. Retrieved 2025-02-09.
  32. ↑ Marston, George (2022-06-30). "America Chavez - the Marvel history of Doctor Strange 2's powerful new teen hero". Newsarama . Retrieved 2025-02-09.
  33. ↑ Burdette, Chad (July 16, 2020). "10 Patriotic Superheroes Not Named Captain America". Comic Book Resources . Retrieved 2023-10-07.
  34. ↑ Marvel Mystery Comics #49 (November 1943). Marvel Comics.
  35. ↑ Marston, George (November 4, 2022). "Vision, Falcon, Black Widow, and 7 more Marvel characters you might not know date back to the '30s and '40s". Newsarama . Retrieved 2023-10-06.
  36. ↑ Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A to Z #13. Marvel Comics.
  37. ↑ Miss America Comics 70th Anniversary Special #1 (June 2009). Marvel Comics.
  38. ↑ Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A to Z #2. Marvel Comics.
  39. ↑ Serrao, Nivea (July 14, 2017). "Marvel's 'America': Get an Exclusive Look at America Chavez and Kate Bishop's Reunion". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved 2023-10-06.
  40. ↑ Hawkeye vol. 4 #1. Marvel Comics.
  41. ↑ Baker-Whitelaw, Gavia (May 24, 2021). "Why you need to read Marvel's new America Chavez comic". The Daily Dot . Retrieved 2023-10-06.
  42. ↑ New Mutants vol. 2 #4. Marvel Comics.
  43. ↑ Marvel Mystery Comics #52 (December 1943). Marvel Comics.
  44. ↑ Marvel Mystery Comics #53 (January 1944). Marvel Comics.
  45. ↑ Miss America Magazine #2. Marvel Comics.
  46. ↑ Marston, George (December 15, 2022). "The weirdest versions of Spider-Man from across the Marvel Comics Spider-Verse". Newsarama . Retrieved 2023-10-07.
  47. ↑ Lapin-Bertone, Joshua (February 10, 2023). "15 of the most bizarre Spider-Men you'll find across the Spider-Verse". Popverse . Retrieved 2023-10-06.
  48. ↑ Snyder, Justin (August 22, 2017). "America Chavez May Meet Her Match When She Faces Exterminatrix". Marvel.com . Retrieved 2023-10-06.
  49. ↑ Donohoo, Timothy (March 28, 2021). "Falcon and Winter Soldier: Every Flag-Smasher In the Marvel Universe". Comic Book Resources . Retrieved 2023-10-07.
  50. ↑ Buxton, Marc (January 30, 2014). "FANTASY DRAFT: Marvel's Hollywood-Ready Female Heroes". Comic Book Resources . Retrieved 2024-06-29.
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  63. ↑ Chiu-Tabet, Christopher (September 18, 2023). "Reader Poll Results: Miles Has Swung His Way Into Your Hearts". Multiversity Comics. Retrieved 2023-10-03.
  64. ↑
  65. ↑ Donohoo, Timothy (July 11, 2020). "How Captain America and Superman Were Mashed Up in Amalgam". Comic Book Resources . Retrieved 2023-10-05.
  66. ↑ American Belle at The Appendix to the Handbook of the Marvel Universe
  67. ↑ Super-Soldier: Man of War #1. Amalgam Comics.
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  70. ↑ Towner, Eric and Alex Kramer; Brett Cawley and Robert Maitia (writer) (October 3, 1997). "Chapter III: Secrets of the Six". Spider-Man . Season 5. Episode 4. Fox Kids Network.
  71. ↑ "Voice Of Madeline Joyce (Spider-Man) – Behind The Voice Actors". Behind The Voice Actors.
  72. ↑ "S.H.I.E.L.D. Academy". Ultimate Spider-Man . Season 3. Episode 14. July 7, 2015. Disney XD.
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  87. ↑ Marvel Future Revolution [@MarvelFutureRev] (May 27, 2022). "Agents! Are you ready for the next companion? America Chavez is joining the battle in the latest update for #MARVELFutureRevolution! Download now: https://mar.by/_mTUb" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
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  97. ↑ Dinh, Christine (March 27, 2019). "Marvel HQ Releases Marvel Rising Ultimate Comics". Marvel.com . Retrieved 2023-04-06.
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