This week saw the release of Women of Marvel #1, an annual anthology one-shot dedicated to superheroines in Marvel Comics, as well as the women behind these characters. This comes with it being Women's History Month, and the celebration of women should not end with just this one special comic.
Along with there being many women in Marvel Comics to look up to and cheer on, there are also plenty of women behind the scenes bringing them to life, including editors, artists, writers, and many more. In regard to the writers, these are five women fans should keep an eye out for at their local comic shops. While there are plenty of other women in Marvel to check out, these five currently have ongoing series hitting the shelves, so it should be easy to jump on board any of these titles.
Kelly Thompson Goes Higher, Further and Faster in Captain Marvel
For the past several years, Kelly Thompson has been dominating Marvel Comics, working on some of the publisher's biggest IPs. Thompson teamed up with Kelly Sue DeConnick, David Lopez, and VC Joe Caramagna on Captain Marvel and The Carol Corps in 2015, and come 2023, Thompson is about to wrap her own 50-issue run on Captain Marvel. Thompson's run on the character has consistently showcased how one of Carol Danver's biggest strengths is the support network she has around her.
This is a theme carried over in Thompson's other Marvel titles. One of her earliest runs, Hawkeye (by Kelly Thompson, Leonardo Romero, Jordie Bellaire, and VC's Joe Sabino) sees Kate Bishop on her own in Los Angeles. But it's her found family that helps her find her footing. Meanwhile, Black Widow (by Kelly Thompson, Elena Casagrande, Bellaire, and VC's Cory Petit) sees the lengths Natasha Romanoff's loved ones will go to help her out. It also showcases a more vulnerable side of Black Widow, and that vulnerability carries over to Thompson's other titles as well.
Peach Momoko Explores New Corners of Marvel Lore
There is no question that Peach Momoko is one of the most in-demand cover artists in the industry. She has worked with publishers like Marvel, Image, BOOM! Studios, DC, and IDW to create art for their variant covers. Momoko's watercolor work appeals to so many readers because she has a wide range of styles. Where some of her art leans into hauntingly beautiful body horror, other pieces embrace a more cute, chibi element, and that's just scratching the surface.
Through Marvel, Momoko got her chance at writing for a major company. Demon Days gives Japanese folklore and myths a Marvel twist. It's clear through her art and writing on the series that Momoko is passionate about both yōkai and superheroes. The way she executes this series feels more like an homage to both than it does a recreation of either. Long-time Marvel fans can enjoy the comic inspirations Momoko pulls from, and new readers have an easy way into the world of Marvel without needing to know anything prior. Momoko's unique take on the world of Marvel is also a reminder that anything is possible with these characters.
Rainbow Rowell Flexes With Her Marvel Return to She-Hulk
From Fangirl to Carry On, Rainbow Rowell is a critically acclaimed New York Times bestselling prose author. In fact, Fangirl was adapted into a graphic novel (by Sam Maggs and Gabi Nam). While another writer was behind Fangirl's comic adaptation, Rowell has a few comics and graphic novels penned under her name as well. On top of the independent graphic novel Pumpkin Heads (by Rainbow Rowell and Faith Erin Hicks), Rowell had the mighty task of penning the revival run of The Runways (by Rainbow Rowell, Kris Anka, Matthew Wilson, and VC's Joe Caramagna). The series went on for 38 issues and was widely praised.
It's no surprise Rowell would be trusted with another revival for a fan-favorite Marvel IP, this time taking on a new era for Jennifer Walters, AKA She-Hulk. In She-Hulk (by Rainbow Rowell, Roge Antonio, Rico Renzi, and VC's Joe Caramagna), Jen looks for a fresh start. Because of this, She-Hulk feels like a slice-of-life look into the world of heroes and a love letter to She-Hulk herself. While there are still superhero elements to She-Hulk, Rowell's writing embraces the more relatable parts of Jen on top of still delivering comic book fun.
Eve Ewing Is a Bright Light for an MCU Hero
While Carol Danvers was introduced in 1968, she wouldn't take up the Captain Marvel title until 2012 under Kelly Sue DeConnick. However, Monica Rambeau would take up the mantle before her in the '80s. Along with that, the hero would be one of the leaders of The Avengers, a member of The Ultimates, and eventually Photon. Despite all this, Monica did not receive a solo series until 2023 with Monica Rambeau: Photon (by Eve L. Ewing. Luca Maresca, Ivan Fiorelli, Michael Sta. Maria, Carlos Lopez, and VC Clayton Cowles).
Along with being a comic writer for a handful of major Marvel heroes, like Ironheart and Black Panther, Ewing is also an associate professor at the University of Chicago in the Department of Race, Diaspora, and Indigeneity. On top of that, her book of poetry 1919 was adapted into a play, and she has penned several award-winning books. In short, Ewing is unstoppable, making her the perfect person to write Photon's first solo run. Along with clearly loving the character of Photon, Ewing also tackles how Monica is an inspirational yet flawed character who has her own insecurities. Because of this, Photon becomes a relatable role model thanks to Ewing.
Stephanie Phillips Makes Her Marvel Debut With an X-Men Couple
Stephanie Phillips is a force to be reckoned with. Prior to joining the world of Marvel, Phillips wrote on DC's Harley Quinn for 27 issues, with Issue 28 kicking off a new arc with powerhouse team Sweeney Boo and Tini Howard. Where Harley Quinn showcases Phillips' fun, colorful side -- which compliments Riley Rossmo's wacky and wonderful art -- Phillips has also tackled more traditional heroes like Wonder Woman and Batman in the past. Beyond that, she has a number of creator-owned titles that highlight her range, whether that be the true-crime inspired The Butcher of Paris (by Stephanie Phillips, Dean Kotz, and Jason Wordie) or the supernatural ongoing series Grim (by Stephanie Phillips, Flaviano, Rico Renzi, and Tom Napolitano).
Now Phillips takes on the world of Marvel with two titles that debuted the same week. The first sees Phillips take on one of Marvel's wildest titles to date: Cosmic Ghost Rider. The second is a series dedicated to Rogue and Gambit, an X-Men fan-favorite power couple. While it's early in these runs, with both second issues dropping on April 5, 2023, Phillips' track record speaks for itself as she constantly pushes boundaries.