[VonPooten]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBlueMarvel

Roma? However, she needed Merlyn to die before she stepped out of his shadow and assumed her role as Omniversal Guardian. Sue Storm is powerful, and that stint she did as Malice was an interesting reflection of how dangerous she could be potentially. Also a reflection of Byrne/Claremont's tendency to turn their favorite heroines into villains (i.e. Jean originally, then Sue, and finally Wanda). As En Sabah mentioned, Rachel was the best Phoenix and demonstrated the most control while tapping the power of the Phoenix Force. However, this aspect of the character is not consistent and gets turned on and off like a light switch. Hope, potentially? Storm's an omega-class mutant, but somehow she doesn't feel like one. "Her" (Adam Warlock's 'sister' or female counterpart), maybe? Then there are the magic users like Enchantress, Morgan Le Fay, Selene, Wanda, and Magik. The term "powerhouse" can be taken a number of ways, but I was thinking more along the lines of Wonder Woman, Power Girl, Supergirl, Maxima etc...on that score Strontian/Xenith is the only direct comparison.

But your observation about Marvel's (and DC's) gender specific coronation of 'infra-genius' status, still nags me. The best I can come up with after a night of thinking is Nightshade. Lady Nightshade was a technological genius, but being a Power Man enemy, and being a representative of 'blacksploitation' pulp of the 70's, she is a relative unknown. Karla Sofen, possibly? At least she is a doctor (albeit a PHD, of a 'soft-science'; she's a psychologist, not even a psychiatrist like Samson) and has been lauded by the likes of Zemo, Graviton and Osborn for her ability to manipulate others (FYI I really like Moonstone as a character). And as you mentioned, there's Sage. But mutants present an interesting problem when their ability is intelligence or magic. Wanda's mutant hex difficulties have been explored and explained. Strange warned her (and everyone else) that her powers, without mystic tutelage, would present a real threat to everyone. However, someone like Forge should present similar issues. His power is building wild creations. While writers have explored his problems remembering how to create what he has, I've never read a story where that ability runs amok. Potentially, he's far more than Tony Stark. Damn...see how easy it is to go back to male heroes? Yeah, more kickass women please....

Food for thought, indeed! To start it off, yes, you're completely right that Sage shouldn't be applicable due to her intelligence being her power (and 'computer-like' brain). Mockingbird is a scientist, but I don't know whether she possesses a PhD, and even so she's certainly not recognised in the same vein as Reed, Hank, Tony. Again, the Wasp and Jen Walters are very smart, but more realistically smart rather than invent a new world smart.. Ah, and Forge! If you want that storyline, Warren Ellis wrote it in Astonishing when Forge invented "Ghost Boxes," doors to other universes. It did not go well.

As for powerful power, we all know that Sue Storm is a beast IF she used her power, but like Iceman, does she ever really unleash? Rachel Grey and Morgan Le Fay are pretty much always written as above-average power, whereas Storm regularly gets downsized to "nurturing mum." Seriously, Marvel, where are the strong women at?

On a very related note, how does everyone feel about the rumoured Doctor Strange line up? Very excited for Nico Minoru and Mordo, but hopefully the Astral Strange and Brother Voodoo won't be the exact ones from the SDCC set.