Here's my attempt at the Top 10 Smartest Women in the Marvel World! I hope you enjoy what I've come up with. I tried to narrow it down to women involved in the "hard sciences," as well as those native to Earth, obviously. I think what's amazing is that there is actually a variety of ages, ethnicities, appearances, and dates of origin. Other people more better than me can take this info and read into what they like!
10
Lady Octopus
Carolyn Trainer was the protege of Doctor Octopus (and perhaps more?!) who obviously liked her credentials of being a genius-level intellect and an amoral sycophant. She helped him become a cyber-something with her technical prowess, transforming Otto into the Master Programmer, and even took on his trademark mechano-tentacles to become Doctor Octopus in her own right. (Later, she got downgraded to Lady Octopus to avoid confusion.) She was created by JM DeMatteis for Amazing Spider-Man #406 (1995).
9
Starlight
Tania Belinsky, another product of the mind of Steve Gerber, this time for the Defenders #35 (1976), broke all kinds of expectations that were products of the culture of the times. She was a heroic Soviet as well as a brilliant neurosurgeon, one of the best medical minds in the world. She later was transformed by the evil Presence to become his radioactively-powered companion, and as Starlight, I wonder if she belongs on this list anymore.
8
Nightshade
It seems to be a theme for a few people on this list, as Tilda Johnson took control over her own education and fought her way through many obstacles to become the brilliant scientist she is today. Well, that and also the heartless criminal she is today. Fun fact: She was second in command to Superia during that villain's selective-breeding scheme (that's how Captain America was briefly transformed into his opposite gender… oh, comics.) She's a Steve Englehart creation for Captain America #164 (1973), where she transformed the Falcon into a werewolf. (I just… ah, nevermind.)
7
Ruby Thursday
We don't know much about Ruby's pre-villainous career, except that she was such a brilliant scientist that she created a sophisticated organic computer more advanced than anything before. Of course, she proceeded to replace her own head with said computer, but other than that, that sounds pretty intelligent! Oh, also, she tried running for President of the U.S. once, so that might also be a strike against her, depending on what you think of politics. She shows up every now and then, often in the company of the Headmen, and really needs a stand-out story to show us all what's she's capable of. Created my Steve Gerber in Defenders #32 (1976).
6
Superia
This woman is so superior it's in her code name! And she got that way because she was intelligent enough to clamber her way through various scientific disciplines, although her first major achievement was a bomb that would ensure human sterilization and selective breeding. More recently, she's been able to gather up some remnants of H.A.M.M.E.R., which were once the remnants of S.H.I.E.L.D., to maybe make a name for herself once more. Created by Mark Gruenwald in Captain America #390 (1991).
5
Sunset Bain
Here's a woman that displays not only scientific breakthrough but also business acumen. CEO of her own company, named appropriately enough Baintronics, she's a power player in the arms race, technological advancement, and corporate marketing/leveraging. She was originally an opponent of Machine Man in issue 17 of his series in 1980 by Tom DeFalco, then became a villain by name of Madame Menace, and after a supposed death by the Punisher in 2008, she has since returned to become a premier villain of Iron Man's.
4
Kavita Rao
If Moira MacTaggart, now deceased, was necessary for the X-Men's storylines, someone's gotta fill that position. Enter: Kavita Rao, scientist extraordinaire, thanks to Joss Whedon's Astonishing X-Men in 2004. She was the driving force behind finding a "Cure" for mutantcy, or kind of, anyway, because there were some aliens involved in that whole scenario. She must have impressed someone, however, because she was among those selected to become the so-called X-Club, a group of scientists who were charged with undoing the effects of M-Day, where thousands of mutants were unwittingly "cured" by the Scarlet Witch. She's been a mainstay among the X-Men ever since.
3
Valeria Richards
As the daughter of Reed Richards, Mr. Fantastic himself, and the god-daughter of Victor von Doom, how can this girl *not* be smart? In fact, recent appearances seem to have her almost on part with her father, which isn't too shabby for a TWO YEAR-OLD! (Admittedly, the artists often depict her as seven or eight, so there's that.) Created by Chris Claremont for Fantastic Four #15 (1999) but reborn by Rafael Marin in issue 50 (2002) as an incarnation of the concept created by John Byrne in Fantastic Four #267 (1984) and later still reinvented into the genius she is today by Mark Millar in Fantastic Four #558 (2008.)
2
Suzi Endo
She was head of research for Stark Industries' Far East Division, at least when there was a Far East Division, let alone when there was a Stark Industries. There was some confusing times when she was replaced by a future version of herself, a superhero called Cybermancer, but it was on a team called Force Works, and no one really noticed. In more recent times, she again was running some division of Stark stuff and assisted Jim Rhodes/War Machine, where she helped him take control over an entire satellite. More recently still, she was granted power cosmic by a cosmically-powered High Evolutionary and made into his Herald, called the Seeker, but she got better. Created by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning for Force Works #4 (1994)
1
Monica Rappicini
Monica Rappacini's code name is the "Supreme Scientist," the head honcho for the techo-terrorists of AIM-- Advanced Idea Mechanics. Why? Because she relishes in the unbridled knowledge that only unethical science can bring. She single-handedly worked her way into wresting control of AIM from MODOK, and thrown down with Hank Pym, Ms. Marvel, and the Hulk on separate occasions. Created by Fred van Lente for Amazing Fantasy #7 (2005).
So... aside from these and the Honorable Mentions from yesterday, how did I do?
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