The world of comics is populated by many thousands of characters, whose stories have been explored over the industry's nine-decade history. From pre-superhero pulp protagonists to modern-day icons, the genre has so many characters that anyone can find a hero to identify with. Although male characters have historically dominated the medium, there's a wealth of female heroes and villains alike that have become iconic in their own right.

Female characters often take a backseat to A-list male heroes like Batman, Superman, Wolverine and Spider-Man, but some of the greatest heroes and villains in print are women. From hardened street cops to morally ambiguous vigilantes, this collection of the best female characters in comic book history are every bit as complex and interesting as their male counterparts. Under some of the best writers in comics, their stories prove just how fantastic they truly are.

10 Judge Anderson

First Appearance: 2000 AD Prog. 150 (John Wagner and Brian Bolland)

The world of Mega-City One is defined by the endless clash between the violent gangs of the mega-blocks and the merciless street judges who dispense justice to them. While Judge Dredd is very much the face of 2000 AD, his partner, Anderson, is as much a key part of the story as he is. While some stories explore her in her rookie days, she's spent most of her existence as a tough but comionate cop, aided by her psychic abilities.

Due to her violent environment, her hard-boiled partner and expert training, Anderson is one of the toughest women in comics, and her psychic abilities make her all the more impressive. Where some stories will cast Dredd as a staunchly by-the-book cop, Anderson often brings an added reason to their cases, using her abilities to gain a unique perspective on cases.

9 Amanda Waller

First Appearance: Legends #1 (John Ostrander, Len Wein, John Byrne and Karl Kesel)

Amanda Waller has, for decades, been a standard-bearer for good morally-ambiguous characterization in comics. As the leader of the Suicide Squad, she has personally overseen some of the most dangerous missions undertaken in the DCU, including assaults on Apokolips. While far from evil, her steadfast commitment to national security has placed her on the wrong side of many issues.

Amanda Waller may not have the super powers of Wonder Woman, nor enough appeal for her own ongoing series, but she often brings out the best in writers. In many ways, she mirrors the character flaws of Batman, with both characters' paranoia and ambition sometimes risking the safety and freedom of others. This shady operative is at her best when written as a metaphor for the clash between ambition and justice, or freedom versus security.

8 Catwoman

First Appearance: Batman #1 (Bob Kane, Bill Finger and Jerry Robinson)

Catwoman made her debut in Batman #1, where she was originally cast as a straight-up villain, using various cat-themed gimmicks and puns as she committed crimes. As the years have progressed, DC have made her a far more interesting character, transforming her into a morally-ambiguous antihero.

Catwoman is at her best when she's torn between the life of crime she knows so well and her love for Batman -- and she doesn't always choose the latter. As independent a character as there is, Selina Kyle's adventures have shown that, unlike other love interests, she is independent of Bruce, and can be a force to be reckoned with.

7 Big Barda

First Appearance: Mister Miracle #4 (Jack Kirby)

Big Barda has long been one of DC's most compelling yet underrated women, in no small part due to how many associate her archetype with Wonder Woman, leaving her in the Amazon's shadow. She has a rich history in the universe, having started out as one of Darkseid's elite Female Fury warriors. Since her escape from Apokolips, she has mostly been associated with her husband, Mister Miracle, as the two typically form a superhero partnership.

Not only is Big Barda among the toughest women in comics, but she's also one of Kirby's best-designed characters, with her costume blending elements of Thor and Superman's appearances. As a character who's as strong as Wonder Woman, as fearless as Batman and with a dose of relatability as a suburban mom, Barda is one of comics' best and most unappreciated women.

6 Vampirella

First Appearance: Vampirella #1 1969 (Forrest J. Ackerman, Trina Robbins, Frank Frazetta and Tom Sutton)

Vampires have long been a popular feature in fiction and, when it comes to comics, few characters prove that as well as Vampirella. Originally imagined as an alien from a planet of vampire-like beings, she is best-known today as the daughter of Biblical figure Lilith. Despite her thirst for blood, her story has been on of heroism and sacrifice, proving her to be one of the most entertaining characters in print.

Vampirella has been a staple of independent fantasy/horror comics since her creation though, unfortunately, some readers have reduced her to just another scantily-clad heroine. Under writer Christopher Priest, she starred in one of the best comics of the past decade, one that embraced her original sci-fi origins. With all the classic powers of a vampire and then some, Vampy continues to dispel myths about female comic book heroes.

5 Rogue

First Appearance: Avengers Annual #10 (Chris Claremont and Michael Golden)

Rogue made her debut during Chris Claremont's seminal run on X-Men. With the power to absorb the abilities and even memories of others, she is something of a chameleon for the team, able to borrow powers when needed. She has also been written as one of the most relatable and down-to-earth of the team, something that exemplifies the original purpose of Lee and Kirby's creation.

Rogue is considered by many to be the height of the fun, enthusiastic superhero archetype, despite the tragic nature of her abilities. Thanks to both modern stories and the X-Men Animated Series, she has become one of the most treasured female superheroes of the Modern Age of Comics. Despite having endured years of loneliness caused by her mutation, the heroine continues to be a stalwart protector of the vulnerable -- all while maintaining the love of readers.

4 Jean Grey

First Appearance: X-Men #1 (Stan Lee and Jack Kirby)

Jean Grey made her debut under the code name Marvel-Girl, when she was the sole female member of Charles Xavier's X-Men team. From the outset, she stood out as one of the team's best , and started to set herself apart from the rest as the Phoenix Force became more key to her story. Jean's story has long been one of self-control, as Xavier had to teach her to control her impressive telekinesis, later allowing her to become one of the team's most integral .

Jean Grey has ascended to the status of one of Marvel's handful of Omega Level Mutants, beings so powerful that they could potentially threaten the world itself, thanks to the Phoenix Force within her. Many of her modern stories highlight her role as a mentor to the younger generation of mutants, while keeping her in a key, active role.

3 Lois Lane

First Appearance: Action Comics #1 (Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster)

Lois Lane made her debut in Action Comics #1. Right off the bat, Siegel and Shuster perfectly explored who she is: a hard-hitting journalist who speaks her mind and isn't afraid to make enemies. Ever since, she's been every bit the beacon of truth and justice as Superman, chasing down leads at every turn to keep the public informed.

Although many of her earliest stories did revolve around needing to be captured, Lois bucked the trend of being just another one-dimensional plot device from the beginning. She's always been depicted as having a strong personality, a nose for news and a fearless nature, with her devotion to the truth bringing her face-to-face with gangsters and super villains. Both as a thematic match for Superman and as an independent character in her own right, Lois is one of the best-written characters in comics.

2 Storm

First Appearance: Giant-Size X-Men #1 (Len Wein and Dave Cockrum)

Storm was among the new generation of X-Men heroes introduced in Len Wein and Dave Cockrum's Giant-Size X-Men #1, where she aided in the rescue of the original team. Since then, she has become one of the most vital and powerful Mutants in Marvel, and stands out as one of the team's best leaders. Also known as Ororo Munroe, she has the ability to manipulate weather patterns, giving her the power to conjure up lightning strikes or summon thunder.

While she is best associated as a member of the X-Men, Storm has always been one of Marvel's most independently-minded heroes. Whether as an icon of representation or a champion of the oppressed in the 616, Munroe stands out as one of the greatest X-Men of all time, competing with Wolverine, Gambit and Cyclops for the top spot.

1 Wonder Woman

First Appearance: All-Star Comics #8 (William Moulton Marston and HG Peter)

As one of the first female superheroes in the comic book industry, Wonder Woman is also among the best-developed heroes in print. Originally envisioned as a mythical warrior princess sculpted from clay, the heroine ventured out from Paradise Island to "Man's World," in an attempt to vanquish evil. Many of her first stories explored her teaming up with Steve Trevor to take on Nazis, while also contrasting her personality with social norms of the 1940s.

Wonder Woman is basically the standard-bearer for well-written female characters in comics, and has always been someone unafraid of standing up to evil. While some readers know her best for her tenacity and warrior-like persona, she balances this against an underrated level of wisdom and comion, all of which make her the greatest female character in comics.