Femforce
Encyclopedia
Femforce is a comic book
published by AC Comics
that began publication in 1985
, detailing the adventures of the titular team: the "Federal Emergency Missions Force" or "Femforce", some of them original creations, while others originated in the 1940s and 50s, lapsing into public domain by the time Femforce was published. The team are, as their name implies, all female superhero
es, and are the first and the longest running all-women 'super-team'. The series has passed 150 issues, a significant milestone for an independent comic book company. Artists on the book have included Bill Black, Stephanie Sanderson and Mark Heike.
, She Cat
, the Blue Bulleteer
and the original Rio Rita in the 1940s during World War II
, in which they fought as aides to the allied forces. After the war, Rio Rita retired. The rest of the Femforce continued to operate as an offshoot of the U.S. government, most of them kept young by their super-powers. In 1960, Blue Bulleteer was assaulted by thugs and nearly killed but was luckily taken in by Azagoth, a being from another dimension. When she returned from Azagoth's home dimension as the sorceress Nightveil she brought a new ally, the reality-altering Synn, with her.
Later members in the 1980s were weapons mistress Colt and the environmentalist Tara. The group also met up with the granddaughter of their old member Rio Rita, who was using the same codename as her grandmother though she never officially joined the team. When a villain, Black Commando, forced Ms. Victory to overdose on V-45, the serum that gave her powers, it altered her mind and she became a renegade named 'Rad'. and was replaced on the team by her now-adult daughter Jennifer, who became a second Ms. Victory. Once her mother returned and took over as leader of the team again, Jennifer's life gradually grew worse before she herself became a second Rad. In the 1990s, new members included the alien warrior Stardust, the ghost Firebeam, electric-powered Rayda, and briefly, the heroines Dragonfly and Thunderfox.
The Femforce's military liaison was initially a man named General Gordon, an old school and somewhat sexist soldier who occasionally clashed with his female allies. Gordon was later replaced by General Roberta Strock who was considerably friendlier to the Femforce's cause. Other allies have included the Sentinels of Justice
and the so-called "Vault of Heroes", a group of costumed crimefighters placed in suspended animation in the 1940s by the mystic, Dr. Weird (the Vault was AC Comics' method of reviving a number of public domain superheroes from now-defunct publishing companies of the Golden Age of Comic Books
).
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
published by AC Comics
AC Comics
AC Comics is a comic book publishing company started by Bill Black.AC Comics specializes in reprints of Golden Age comics from now-defunct companies whose properties lapsed into public domain and were not reprinted elsewhere...
that began publication in 1985
1985 in comics
-Year overall:* More independent publishers enter the marketplace: Aircel Comics, Arrow Comics, Blackthorne Publishing, Dragon Lady Press, NOW Comics, Sirius Comics, Strawberry Jam Comics, and Wonder Comics all publish their first titles...
, detailing the adventures of the titular team: the "Federal Emergency Missions Force" or "Femforce", some of them original creations, while others originated in the 1940s and 50s, lapsing into public domain by the time Femforce was published. The team are, as their name implies, all female superhero
Superhero
A superhero is a type of stock character, possessing "extraordinary or superhuman powers", dedicated to protecting the public. Since the debut of the prototypical superhero Superman in 1938, stories of superheroes — ranging from brief episodic adventures to continuing years-long sagas —...
es, and are the first and the longest running all-women 'super-team'. The series has passed 150 issues, a significant milestone for an independent comic book company. Artists on the book have included Bill Black, Stephanie Sanderson and Mark Heike.
Fictional history
The team was formed by Miss VictoryMiss Victory
Miss Victory is an American comic book superheroine who first appeared in Captain Fearless #1 , published by Helnit, a publisher that soon afterward evolved into Holyoke Publishing. Ceasing to be published after 1946, she was revived and updated in 1984 as a central character in the Femforce...
, She Cat
She Cat
For the unrelated DC Comics character, see She-Cat.She Cat is a fictional character that appears in the Femforce comic book series by AC Comics.-Fictional Character Biography:...
, the Blue Bulleteer
Nightveil
Nightveil is a fictional character, a superheroine who appears in the Femforce comic book, published by AC Comics. An adaption of the Golden Age superhero Phantom Lady, she has also been known as Blue Bulleteer and Nightfall...
and the original Rio Rita in the 1940s during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, in which they fought as aides to the allied forces. After the war, Rio Rita retired. The rest of the Femforce continued to operate as an offshoot of the U.S. government, most of them kept young by their super-powers. In 1960, Blue Bulleteer was assaulted by thugs and nearly killed but was luckily taken in by Azagoth, a being from another dimension. When she returned from Azagoth's home dimension as the sorceress Nightveil she brought a new ally, the reality-altering Synn, with her.
Later members in the 1980s were weapons mistress Colt and the environmentalist Tara. The group also met up with the granddaughter of their old member Rio Rita, who was using the same codename as her grandmother though she never officially joined the team. When a villain, Black Commando, forced Ms. Victory to overdose on V-45, the serum that gave her powers, it altered her mind and she became a renegade named 'Rad'. and was replaced on the team by her now-adult daughter Jennifer, who became a second Ms. Victory. Once her mother returned and took over as leader of the team again, Jennifer's life gradually grew worse before she herself became a second Rad. In the 1990s, new members included the alien warrior Stardust, the ghost Firebeam, electric-powered Rayda, and briefly, the heroines Dragonfly and Thunderfox.
The Femforce's military liaison was initially a man named General Gordon, an old school and somewhat sexist soldier who occasionally clashed with his female allies. Gordon was later replaced by General Roberta Strock who was considerably friendlier to the Femforce's cause. Other allies have included the Sentinels of Justice
Sentinels of Justice
Sentinels of Justice is a fictional organization of superheroes. The comic was published by Americomics in 1983 during a very brief time that AC was able to license the Charlton Comics superheroes before the rights were purchased outright by DC Comics. The team consisted of Captain Atom, Blue...
and the so-called "Vault of Heroes", a group of costumed crimefighters placed in suspended animation in the 1940s by the mystic, Dr. Weird (the Vault was AC Comics' method of reviving a number of public domain superheroes from now-defunct publishing companies of the Golden Age of Comic Books
Golden Age of Comic Books
The Golden Age of Comic Books was a period in the history of American comic books, generally thought of as lasting from the late 1930s until the late 1940s or early 1950s...
).
Team members
The lineup of Femforce has frequently changed over the decades of the team's existence but has included the following characters.- Miss VictoryMiss VictoryMiss Victory is an American comic book superheroine who first appeared in Captain Fearless #1 , published by Helnit, a publisher that soon afterward evolved into Holyoke Publishing. Ceasing to be published after 1946, she was revived and updated in 1984 as a central character in the Femforce...
: Real Name: Joan Wayne. Powers: Superhuman strength, flight and invulnerability. Based on the original Golden Age Miss Victory. Team leader. - She CatShe CatFor the unrelated DC Comics character, see She-Cat.She Cat is a fictional character that appears in the Femforce comic book series by AC Comics.-Fictional Character Biography:...
: Real name: Jessica Hunt. Powers: Enhanced strength with advanced agility and reflexes. Based on the Harvey ComicsHarvey ComicsHarvey Comics was an American comic book publisher, founded in New York City by Alfred Harvey in 1941, after buying out the small publisher Brookwood Publications. His brothers Robert B...
version of Black CatBlack Cat (Harvey Comics)The Black Cat is a comic book adventure heroine published by Harvey Comics from 1941 to 1951. Harvey also published reprints of the character in both the mid fifties and the early sixties...
. - NightveilNightveilNightveil is a fictional character, a superheroine who appears in the Femforce comic book, published by AC Comics. An adaption of the Golden Age superhero Phantom Lady, she has also been known as Blue Bulleteer and Nightfall...
: Real Name: Laura Wright. Powers: Sorcery, flight, dimensional travel. Originally a gun-toting heroine named Blue Bulleteer. The Blue Bulleteer identity is based on the Fox Feature SyndicateFox Feature SyndicateFox Feature Syndicate was a comic book publisher from early in the period known to fans and historians as the Golden Age of Comic Books. Founded by entrepreneur Victor S...
version of Phantom LadyPhantom LadyPhantom Lady is a fictional superheroine, one of the first female superhero characters to debut in the 1940s Golden Age of Comic Books. Originally published by Quality Comics, the character was subsequently published by a series of now-defunct comic book companies, and a new version of the...
(not to be confused with the Quality ComicsQuality ComicsQuality Comics was an American comic book publishing company that operated from 1939 to 1956 and was an influential creative force in what historians and fans call the Golden Age of comic books....
/DC ComicsDC ComicsDC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
character of the same name). - Rio RitaRio RitaRio Rita may refer to:*Rio Rita , a 1927 musical*Rio Rita , a 1929 film starring Bebe Daniels and John Boles, with Wheeler and Woolsey as comedy relief...
: Real Name: Rita Farrar. A spy from Spain, she retired and was eventually succeeded by her granddaughter. She had no powers. Based on Fiction HouseFiction HouseFiction House is an American publisher of pulp magazines and comic books that existed from the 1920s to the 1950s. Its comics division was best known for its pinup-style good girl art, as epitomized by the company's most popular character, Sheena, Queen of the Jungle.-History:-Jumbo and Jack...
's Senorita Rio. - Synn: Real name: Silva Synn. Powers: Illusions, flight, matter manipulation.
- TaraTara FremontTara Fremont is a fictional character appearing in the Femforce comic book, published by AC Comics. She is an attractive young woman with long dark hair, who is usually drawn wearing either a combat uniform or a green camouflage swimsuit...
: Real name: Tara Fremont. Powers: Size changing, ability to communicate with animals. Inspired by a number of Jungle Girl characters of the 1940s and 50s. - Rayda: Real name: Dyna Morisi. Powers: Electricity manipulation, enhanced reflexes.
- StardustStardust (Femforce)Stardust is a fictional superhero who appears in the Femforce comic published by AC Comics. She debuted in Bill Black's Fun Comics #4 -Fictional character biography:...
: Real name: Dr. Mara. Powers: Flight, superhuman strength, energy bolts. - Colt: Real name: Valencia Kirk. Powers: Espionage, weapons technology. Temporarily took over as team leader after the original Miss Victory became the villianess Rad; was later replaced as team leader when Joan Wayne's daughter, Jennifer, became the new Ms. Victory.
- Firebeam: The ghost of a woman killed in a house fire, whose spirit can now control fire.
- Ms. VictoryMiss VictoryMiss Victory is an American comic book superheroine who first appeared in Captain Fearless #1 , published by Helnit, a publisher that soon afterward evolved into Holyoke Publishing. Ceasing to be published after 1946, she was revived and updated in 1984 as a central character in the Femforce...
: Real name: Jennifer (Wayne) Burke. Daughter of the original Miss Victory, Joan Wayne. Later became the anti-heroine Rad. Powers: Superhuman strength, flight and invulnerability. - DragonflyDragonfly (AC Comics)Dragonfly is a fictional comic book superheroine. Created by Rik Levins, she debuted in Americomics #4 .-Publication history:...
: Real name: Nancy Arazello. Powers: Superhuman strength, telekinesis and flight. - Thunderfox: A fictional comic book character brought to life by Nightveil's magic. Later fades from existence when her comic is cancelled. Powers: Superhuman strength and invulnerability.
Other notable characters
- GargantaGargantaGarganta is a fictional comic book character published by AC Comics appearing in several of their titles, most commonly Femforce the title in which she debuted in 1990 . Originally appearing as a one-off antagonist, she proved so popular with readers that she re-appeared two issues later and...
: Real name: Carol Heisler. Powers: Size-changing, telepathy. Originally an enemy, later made an auxiliary Femforce member. - Yankee GirlYankee GirlYankee Girl is a superhero who appears in the Femforce comics published by AC Comics. The character is based on an obscure Golden Age superheroine, who appeared in one issue of Dynamic Comics #23 , published by Harry "A" Chesler....
: Real name: Lauren Mason. Powers: Flight, superhuman strength, invulnerability. Based on the original Golden Age Yankee Girl.