Miss America (Marvel Comics)

Miss America
Ms. America
Madeline Joyce / Miss America.
Variant cover of Miss America Comics 70th Anniversary Special #1 (June 2009).
Art by Marcos Martin.
PublisherMarvel Comics
First appearanceMarvel Mystery Comics #49 (November 1943)
Created byOtto Binder (writer)
Al Gabriele (art)
Characters
List
Miss America
Series publication information
PublisherMarvel 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
Penciller(s)
List
  • (vol 1)
    Ken Bald
    (vol 10)
    Andy MacDonald
    Alan Mandel
    Allen Bellman
Inker(s)
List
Letterer(s)
List
  • (vol 10)
    Dave Lanphear
Colorist(s)
List
  • (vol 10)
    Nick Filardi
Editor(s)
List

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).

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.[2] American comic book publisher Timely Comics released Marvel Mystery Comics #49 (November 1943) featuring a new superheroine known as Miss America.[3] 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."[4]

Publication history

Miss America

Madeline Joyce received the Miss America Comics #1 (May 1944) one-shot, her first solo comic book.[5] 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."[6] 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."[7] 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.[8]

The Miss America Comics series changed its format with its second issue to become a larger magazine-sized Miss America Magazine,[9] though with the conventional comic book combination of glossy covers and newsprint interior. Initiating this format as vol. 1 #2 (November 1944),[10] 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.[11]

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,[12] 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.[13] Diamond Comic Distributors reported that the issue was the 136th bestselling comic book in June 2009.[14]

Other series

Madeline Joyce appeared as Miss America in several Marvel series, including All Winners Comics (1941),[15] Blonde Phantom (1946),[16] Giant-Size Avengers (1974),[17] and X-Statix Presents: Dead Girl (2006).[18] Erika Kelley appeared as Ms. America in Fear Itself: Youth in Revolt (2011).[19]

Fictional character biography

Madeline Joyce

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

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. 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 is able to fly.[20] 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. Joyce died of complications stemming from childbirth with her second, stillborn child due to radiation poisoning from her first child.[21]

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.[22] Kelley subsequently left the team alongside her former teammates to found a new one called the Fantastix.[23] 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).[24]

Chavez was originally depicted as an extraterrestrial from the Utopian Parallel, a dimension outside of time and space.[25] Her origin was later revised to establish that she was born on Earth to scientists who sought to cure her of a disease.[26] The Utopian Parallel was reinterpreted as a medical facility where experimental procedures ultimately granted her superpowers.[27]

Supporting characters

Allies

List of allies appearing in comic books with Miss America as the protagonist
Name / alter ego Creator(s) First appearance Description
James Bennett Otto Binder, Alfred Gabriele Marvel Mystery Comics #49 (November 1943) James Bennett is the uncle of Madeline Joyce.[28] He is a rich radio mogul who takes cares of his niece.[29]
Robert Frank / Whizzer Al Avison USA Comics #1 (August 1941) Robert Frank is the husband of Madeline Joyce. He is a speedster with superhuman strength.[30]
Elton Morrow / Blue Diamond Ben Thompson Daring Mystery Comics #7 (February 1941) Elton Morrow is a friend of Madeline Joyce.[31] He is an archaeologist with superhuman strength and durability.[32]
Kate Bishop / Hawkeye Allan Heinberg, Jim Cheung Young Avengers #1 (April 2005) Kate Bishop is a friend of America Chavez. She is a skilled archer and swordswoman.[33]
David Alleyne / Prodigy Nunzio DeFilippis, Christina Weir, Keron Grant New Mutants vol. 2 #4 (October 2003) David Alleyne is a friend of America Chavez.[34] He is a mutant genius with telepathic abilities that allow him to replicate the knowledge of those near him.

Enemies

List of enemies appearing in comic books with Miss America as the protagonist
Name / alter ego Creator(s) First appearance Description
Stefan Halpern / Pinhead Killer Charles Nicholas Marvel Mystery Comics #52 (December 1943) Stefan Halpern is a Nazi who battled Madeline Joyce.[35]
Unknown / Flaming Hate Marvel Mystery Comics #53 (January 1944) Flaming Hate is an antagonist of Madeline Joyce.[36] He is a murderer who attacks firefighters to avenge the death of his wife.
Dalt Kendall / Shocker Bill Finger, Pauline Loth Miss America Magazine #2 (September 1944) Dalt Kendall is an antagonist of Madeline Joyce. 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. He is a scientist who is obsessed with spiders. He possessed huge spiders who feed on human blood.[37][38] He invented a web-shooting device to kidnap his victims.
Oubliette Midas / Exterminatrix Grant Morrison – J.G. Jones Marvel Boy vol. 2 #1 (June 2000) Oubliette Midas is an antagonist of America Chavez.[39] She is the leader of the supervillain organization known as the Midas Foundation.
Guy Thierrault / Flag-Smasher Zeb Wells – Stefano Caselli Civil War: Young Avengers and Runaways #1 (July 2006) Guy Thierrault is an antagonist of Erika Kelley.[22] He is an anti-nationalist who terrorizes the population to spread his views.[40]

Impact

  • Madeline Joyce became one of the first female costumed heroes introduced in comic books in 1943.[41] The character was the third female comic book female hero to get her own solo book in 1944, after DC Comics' Wonder Woman and Fiction House's Sheena, Queen of the Jungle.[42]
  • America Chavez has been the subject of comparisons with some characters in the comic book industry regarding her representation and abilities. In 2016, she was compared to the protagonist of a one-shot in development by writer Joe Casey (who created Chavez) and artist Dustin Nguyen for Image Comics, inspiring discussions among journalists about her influence on the new character. Several critics noted that Chavez served as an inspiration for the comic book publisher's latest protagonist, highlighting their similarities.[43] Chavez has also been recognized as the first Latin-American LGBT character in Marvel Comics to star in a solo comic book series as the eponymous character.[44] In 2018, Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote to America series writer Gabby Rivera, acknowledging the significance of the character.[45] She stated, "You have created a powerful female character in the production of America, and I know you will forever inspire many individuals by continuing to invent America Chavez's story. Indeed, it is important to remind readers to take time to honor themselves and embrace their differences as strengths."[46]

Other versions

An alternate version of Miss America, with elements of DC Comics character Liberty Belle, appears in the Amalgam Comics universe. This version is known as Madeline Lawrence / American Belle. She is a member of the All-Star Winners Squadron.[47]

In other media

References

  1. ↑ Mitchell, Kurt; Thomas, Roy (2019). American Comic Book Chronicles: 1940–1944. TwoMorrows Publishing. p. 194. ISBN 978-1605490892.
  2. ↑ Cronin, Brian (June 1, 2023). "75 Years Ago, Marvel Tried a New Approach By Launching Female Superheroes". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  3. ↑ 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.
  4. ↑ Nevins, Jess (2013). Encyclopedia of Golden Age Superheroes. High Rock Press. p. 183. ISBN 978-1-61318-023-5.
  5. ↑ Seifert, Mark (July 4, 2022). "Marvel's Golden Age Miss America Comics #1 in High Grade, at Auction". Bleeding Cool. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
  6. ↑ Daniels, Les (1991). Marvel: Five Fabulous Decades of the World's Greatest Comics. Harry N. Abrams, Inc. p. 54.
  7. ↑ Amash, Jim (November 2001). "Of Fago and Fleischer". Alter Ego #11. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
  8. ↑ Cronin, Brian (May 28, 2019). "Look Back: See How Humor-Centric Marvel Was in 1944 With Gay Comics #1". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved August 22, 2025.
  9. ↑ Seifert, Mark (September 21, 2022). "A Complete Run of Marvel Mystery Comics, Up for Auction". Bleeding Cool. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  10. ↑ Seifert, Mark (April 20, 2023). "The 1945 Debut of the First Patsy Walker Series, Up for Auction". Bleeding Cool. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  11. ↑ Jung, Michael (May 30, 2020). "Marvel Gave Its Most Wholesome Character A DARK Makeover". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on June 1, 2020. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
  12. ↑ "GCD :: Covers :: Miss America Magazine". Grand Comics Database. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  13. ↑ Callahan, Timothy (June 16, 2009). "Miss America 70th Anniversary Special #1". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  14. ↑ "Comichron: June 2009 Comic Book Sales to Comics Shops". Comichron. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  15. ↑ "Throwback Thursday: 75 Years of Marvel's All Winners". Previews World. September 9, 2021. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
  16. ↑ Dodge, John (September 6, 2023). "Marvel's First Spiderman Nearly Destroyed Peter Parker's Rise to Fame". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  17. ↑ Beard, Jim (June 22, 2020). "Didja Know... The Retro Adventures of Mighty Miss America". Marvel.com. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
  18. ↑ 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 August 14, 2023.
  19. ↑ "Liberteens (Pennsylvania Initiative team)". Marvunapp.com. November 27, 2018. Retrieved August 24, 2025.
  20. ↑ Dietsch, TJ (June 14, 2017). "24 Most Patriotic Characters". Marvel.com. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
  21. ↑ Giant-Size Avengers #1 (August 1974)
  22. 1 2 Avengers: The Initiative Annual #1
  23. ↑ Fantastic Four (vol. 6) #4
  24. ↑ Eclarinal, Aeron Mer (May 13, 2020). "All Upcoming MCU Movies and TV Shows That Are Still Unconfirmed By Marvel Studios". The Direct. Retrieved August 24, 2025.
  25. ↑ O'Brien, Megan Nicole (January 11, 2021). "Young Avengers: 10 Things To Know About America Chavez". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
  26. ↑ Chanliau, Pierre (May 7, 2021). "Doctor Strange 2: Marvel Retcon Points To Possible Changes For MCU's America Chavez". The Direct. Retrieved February 9, 2025.
  27. ↑ Marston, George (June 30, 2022). "America Chavez - the Marvel history of Doctor Strange 2's powerful new teen hero". GamesRadar+. Retrieved February 9, 2025.
  28. ↑ Burdette, Chad (July 16, 2020). "10 Patriotic Superheroes Not Named Captain America". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
  29. ↑ Marvel Mystery Comics #49 (November 1943)
  30. ↑ 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 October 6, 2023.
  31. ↑ Miss America Comics 70th Anniversary Special #1 (June 2009)
  32. ↑ Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A to Z #2
  33. ↑ Serrao, Nivea (July 14, 2017). "Marvel's 'America': Get an Exclusive Look at America Chavez and Kate Bishop's Reunion". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  34. ↑ Baker-Whitelaw, Gavia (May 24, 2021). "Why you need to read Marvel's new America Chavez comic". The Daily Dot. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  35. ↑ Marvel Mystery Comics #52 (December 1943)
  36. ↑ Marvel Mystery Comics #53 (January 1944)
  37. ↑ Lapin-Bertone, Joshua (February 10, 2023). "15 of the most bizarre Spider-Men you'll find across the Spider-Verse". Popverse. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  38. ↑ Marston, George (December 15, 2022). "The weirdest versions of Spider-Man from across the Marvel Comics Spider-Verse". GamesRadar+. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
  39. ↑ Snyder, Justin (August 22, 2017). "America Chavez May Meet Her Match When She Faces Exterminatrix". Marvel.com. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  40. ↑ Donohoo, Timothy (March 28, 2021). "Falcon and Winter Soldier: Every Flag-Smasher In the Marvel Universe". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
  41. ↑ Buxton, Marc (January 30, 2014). "FANTASY DRAFT: Marvel's Hollywood-Ready Female Heroes". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved June 29, 2024.
  42. ↑ Mitchell, Kurt; Thomas, Roy (2019). American Comic Book Chronicles: 1940–1944. TwoMorrows Publishing. p. 255. ISBN 978-1605490892.
  43. ↑ Pinion, Kyle (July 18, 2016). "Image's ALL-AMERICA COMIX reunites Joe Casey and Nick Dragotta for a familiar sounding hero". Comics Beat. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
  44. ↑ Rude, Mey (February 15, 2022). "10 Things To Know About America Chavez, the MCU's 1st Lesbian Superhero". Out. Retrieved April 8, 2023.
  45. ↑ Gregory, Kevin (March 19, 2018). "The Rundown: March 19, 2018". Multiversity Comics. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
  46. ↑ Hill, Jacob (March 16, 2018). "Justice Sotomayor's Fan Letter for Marvel's America". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
  47. ↑ Donohoo, Timothy (July 11, 2020). "How Captain America and Superman Were Mashed Up in Amalgam". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved October 5, 2023.
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