Women run the world in Marvel's new Avengers

By Henry Hanks, CNN

Updated 2128 GMT (0528 HKT) February 6, 2015

Princess Diana of Themyscira, better known as DC's Wonder Woman, made her first appearance in 1941.
Photos: Most awesome female superheroes
Princess Diana of Themyscira, better known as DC's Wonder Woman, made her first appearance in 1941.
Hide Caption
1 of 31
DC's Batgirl, a.k.a. Barbara Gordon, made her first appearance in 1967 and got a new look in 2014.
Photos: Most awesome female superheroes
DC's Batgirl, a.k.a. Barbara Gordon, made her first appearance in 1967 and got a new look in 2014.
Hide Caption
2 of 31
She's been more of an antihero than a villain in recent years, and Selina Kyle (a.k.a. Catwoman) made headlines by coming out as bisexual in February.
Photos: Most awesome female superheroes
She's been more of an antihero than a villain in recent years, and Selina Kyle (a.k.a. Catwoman) made headlines by coming out as bisexual in February.
Hide Caption
3 of 31
Marvel Comics announced it will replace all Avengers teams with a new one, composed entirely of women like She-Hulk, Medusa and Dazzler. "The A-Force" comic book hits stores in May.
Photos: Most awesome female superheroes
Marvel Comics announced it will replace all Avengers teams with a new one, composed entirely of women like She-Hulk, Medusa and Dazzler. "The A-Force" comic book hits stores in May.
Hide Caption
4 of 31
Spider-Woman, a.k.a. Jessica Drew, was introduced in 1977. Marvel Comics announced a makeover for 2015.
Photos: Most awesome female superheroes
Spider-Woman, a.k.a. Jessica Drew, was introduced in 1977. Marvel Comics announced a makeover for 2015.
Hide Caption
5 of 31
Here's the original Spider-Woman costume.
Photos: Most awesome female superheroes
Here's the original Spider-Woman costume.
Hide Caption
6 of 31
It's a new day for the god of thunder: Thor will now be a woman, Marvel announced July 15. "This is not She-Thor," writer Jason Aaron said in a news release. "This is not Lady Thor. This is not Thorita. This is THOR. This is the THOR of the Marvel Universe. But it's unlike any Thor we've ever seen before."
Photos: Most awesome female superheroes
It's a new day for the god of thunder: Thor will now be a woman, Marvel announced July 15. "This is not She-Thor," writer Jason Aaron said in a news release. "This is not Lady Thor. This is not Thorita. This is THOR. This is the THOR of the Marvel Universe. But it's unlike any Thor we've ever seen before."
Hide Caption
7 of 31
Before Thor, Marvel introduced a<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/06/showbiz/ms-marvel-muslim-superhero/"> Muslim-American teen</a> superhero: Kamala Khan, a New Jersey teenager who transforms into Ms. Marvel.
Photos: Most awesome female superheroes
Before Thor, Marvel introduced a Muslim-American teen superhero: Kamala Khan, a New Jersey teenager who transforms into Ms. Marvel.
Hide Caption
8 of 31
Mindy McCready, known as Marvel's Hit-Girl, made her first appearance in 2008.
Photos: Most awesome female superheroes
Mindy McCready, known as Marvel's Hit-Girl, made her first appearance in 2008.
Hide Caption
9 of 31
Dark Horse comics' Buffy the Vampire Slayer made her first appearance in 1998.
Photos: Most awesome female superheroes
Dark Horse comics' Buffy the Vampire Slayer made her first appearance in 1998.
Hide Caption
10 of 31
May Parker, Marvel's Spider-Girl, made her first appearance in 1998.
Photos: Most awesome female superheroes
May Parker, Marvel's Spider-Girl, made her first appearance in 1998.
Hide Caption
11 of 31
Marvel's Elizabeth Braddock, also known as the X-Man Psylocke, made her first appearance in 1989.
Photos: Most awesome female superheroes
Marvel's Elizabeth Braddock, also known as the X-Man Psylocke, made her first appearance in 1989.
Hide Caption
12 of 31
DC's Helena Bertinelli, Huntress, made her first appearance in 1989.
Photos: Most awesome female superheroes
DC's Helena Bertinelli, Huntress, made her first appearance in 1989.
Hide Caption
13 of 31
Amy Winston, DC's Amethyst, made her first appearance in 1983.
Photos: Most awesome female superheroes
Amy Winston, DC's Amethyst, made her first appearance in 1983.
Hide Caption
14 of 31
Jean Grey-Summers, Phoenix. First appearance in 1981. Marvel Universe.
Photos: Most awesome female superheroes
Jean Grey-Summers, Phoenix. First appearance in 1981. Marvel Universe.
Hide Caption
15 of 31
The X-Men's Rogue, whose name was later revealed to be Anna Marie, made her first appearance in 1981.
Photos: Most awesome female superheroes
The X-Men's Rogue, whose name was later revealed to be Anna Marie, made her first appearance in 1981.
Hide Caption
16 of 31
Marvel's Elektra Natchios made her first appearance in 1981.
Photos: Most awesome female superheroes
Marvel's Elektra Natchios made her first appearance in 1981.
Hide Caption
17 of 31
Angelica Jones, Marvel's Firestar, made her first appearance in 1981.
Photos: Most awesome female superheroes
Angelica Jones, Marvel's Firestar, made her first appearance in 1981.
Hide Caption
18 of 31
Jennifer Walters, Marvel's She-Hulk, made her first appearance in 1980.
Photos: Most awesome female superheroes
Jennifer Walters, Marvel's She-Hulk, made her first appearance in 1980.
Hide Caption
19 of 31
Princess Koriand'r of Tamaran, better known as DC's Starfire, made her first appearance in 1980.
Photos: Most awesome female superheroes
Princess Koriand'r of Tamaran, better known as DC's Starfire, made her first appearance in 1980.
Hide Caption
20 of 31
DC's Rachel Roth, a.k.a. Raven, made her first appearance in 1980.
Photos: Most awesome female superheroes
DC's Rachel Roth, a.k.a. Raven, made her first appearance in 1980.
Hide Caption
21 of 31
Felicia Hardy, the Black Cat, made her first appearance in Marvel comics in 1979.
Photos: Most awesome female superheroes
Felicia Hardy, the Black Cat, made her first appearance in Marvel comics in 1979.
Hide Caption
22 of 31
Ororo Munroe, the X-Men's Storm, made her first appearance in 1976.
Photos: Most awesome female superheroes
Ororo Munroe, the X-Men's Storm, made her first appearance in 1976.
Hide Caption
23 of 31
Dinah Lance, the Black Canary of DC Comics, made her first appearance in 1969.
Photos: Most awesome female superheroes
Dinah Lance, the Black Canary of DC Comics, made her first appearance in 1969.
Hide Caption
24 of 31
Carol Danvers, formerly Ms. Marvel but currently Captain Marvel, made her first appearance in 1967.
Photos: Most awesome female superheroes
Carol Danvers, formerly Ms. Marvel but currently Captain Marvel, made her first appearance in 1967.
Hide Caption
25 of 31
Marvel's Wanda Maximoff, the Scarlet Witch, made her first appearance in 1964.
Photos: Most awesome female superheroes
Marvel's Wanda Maximoff, the Scarlet Witch, made her first appearance in 1964.
Hide Caption
26 of 31
Marvel's Natasha Romanoff, the Black Widow, made her first appearance in 1964.
Photos: Most awesome female superheroes
Marvel's Natasha Romanoff, the Black Widow, made her first appearance in 1964.
Hide Caption
27 of 31
Janet Van Dyne, Wasp, made her first appearance in Marvel comics in 1963.
Photos: Most awesome female superheroes
Janet Van Dyne, Wasp, made her first appearance in Marvel comics in 1963.
Hide Caption
28 of 31
Sue Storm, Marvel's Invisible Woman, made her first appearance in 1961.
Photos: Most awesome female superheroes
Sue Storm, Marvel's Invisible Woman, made her first appearance in 1961.
Hide Caption
29 of 31
DC's Kara Zor-El, Supergirl, made her first appearance in 1959.
Photos: Most awesome female superheroes
DC's Kara Zor-El, Supergirl, made her first appearance in 1959.
Hide Caption
30 of 31
Shiera Sanders, Hawkgirl, made her first appearance in the DC Universe in 1940.
Photos: Most awesome female superheroes
Shiera Sanders, Hawkgirl, made her first appearance in the DC Universe in 1940.
Hide Caption
31 of 31
19 female superheroesbatgirl newcatwoman 39a force avengersspider woman new10 female superheroesfemale thor01 female superheroes18 female superheroes30 female superheroes11 female superheroes17 female superheroes26 female superheroes20 female superheroes06 female superheroes09 female superheroes12 female superheroes15 female superheroes13 female superheroes27 female superheroes25 female superheroes04 female superheroes03 female superheroes24 female superheroes02 female superheroes07 female superheroes05 female superheroes16 female superheroes08 female superheroes28 female superheroes23 female superheroes

Story highlights

  • Marvel Comics announced a new Avengers team made entirely of women
  • The new team will be called A-Force, replacing the earlier Avengers
  • Team will be comprised of Hulk, Dazzler and more

(CNN)On the heels of a year that saw advances for female action heroes in comics, TV and film, Marvel Comics is ready to take it to the next level.

The company announced that this summer will see a brand new comic book team of Avengers -- replacing all other teams and comprised entirely of women.
    It's a move reminiscent of the X-Men. Their name? The A-Force.
      "She-Hulk, Dazzler, Medusa, Nico Minoru and other fan favorites will take charge," series writer G. Willow Wilson said in a press release.
      Rival DC Comics also announced new titles Friday, which included new looks for Black Canary and Starfire.
      Read More
        Marvel made big headlines last year when the title of Thor was transferred to a female character. Both these big announcements came along with much hoopla on ABC's "The View."
          "A-Force" hits stores in May.