Sun Girl is the name of two fictional

superheroine A superhero or superheroine is a stock character that typically possesses ''superpowers'', abilities beyond those of ordinary people, and fits the role of the hero, typically using his or her powers to help the world become a better place, ...

s appearing in American comic books published by

Marvel Comics Marvel Comics is an American comic book publisher and the flagship property of Marvel Entertainment, a divsion of The Walt Disney Company since September 1, 2009. Evolving from Timely Comics in 1939, ''Magazine Management/Atlas Comics'' in 19 ...

Publication history

The first Sun Girl was created by artist Ken Bald and an unidentified writer. She first appeared in ''Sun Girl'' #1 (Aug. 1948), published by Marvel's 1940s precursor,

Timely Comics Timely Comics is the common name for the group of corporations that was the earliest comic book arm of American publisher Martin Goodman, and the entity that would evolve by the 1960s to become Marvel Comics. "Timely Publications became the name ...

. Sun Girl starred in a namesake three-issue series cover-dated August to December 1948. The character subsequently co-starred in stories of the original Human Torch in ''The Human Torch'' #32-35 (Sept. 1948 - March 1949), '' Captain America Comics'' #69 (Nov. 1948), '' Sub-Mariner Comics'' #29 (Nov. 1948), and ''

Marvel Mystery Comics ''Marvel Mystery Comics'' (first issue titled simply ''Marvel Comics'') is an American comic book series published during the 1930s–1940s period known to fans and historians as the Golden Age of Comic Books. It was the first publication of Mar ...

'' #88-91 (Oct. 1948 - April 1949). She additionally starred in a solo story each in the first two of those ''Marvel Mystery'' issues. The Human Torch-Sun Girl story "The Ray of Madness" from ''The Human Torch'' #33 (Nov. 1948) was reprinted decades later in Marvel's '' Giant-Size Avengers'' #1 (Aug. 1974). Sun Girl appears in flashback in the final two issues of the four-issue

miniseries A miniseries or mini-series is a television series that tells a story in a predetermined, limited number of episodes. "Limited series" is another more recent US term which is sometimes used interchangeably. , the popularity of miniseries format ...

''Saga of the Original Human Torch'' (April–July 1990) A new Sun Girl debuted in ''

Superior Spider-Man Team-Up ''Superior Spider-Man Team-Up'' was an ongoing comic book series published by Marvel Comics that debuted in July 2013. The series is written by Christopher Yost with artwork by a rotating team of artists including David Lopez, Paolo Rivera, and ...

'' #1 and appeared as one of the main characters in the Marvel NOW! relaunch of the ''

New Warriors The New Warriors is a fictional superhero team appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. They traditionally consisted of teenage and young adult heroes, and were often seen to serve as a junior counterpart to The Avengers in mu ...

''.

Fictional character biography

Mary Mitchell

A personal secretary for Jim Hammond, the original Human Torch, during the post-war 1940s, Mary Mitchell falls in love with him and becomes his partner as well as his sidekick after Toro leaves to tend to his ailing foster mother. In ''The Human Torch'' #32 (Sept. 1948), Sun Girl helps the Torch clear the name of an innocent man accused of murder charges, by exposing the real culprit. Later, they convince a retired doctor to perform surgery on a little girl who accidentally swallowed a diamond hidden in a lollypop. Mary leaves to go on her own adventures after that. She carries a solar ray gun. She occasionally teams up with heroes besides the Torch, such as

Captain America Captain America is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by cartoonists Joe Simon and Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in '' Captain America Comics'' #1 ( cover dated March 1941) from T ...

. After Toro returns she resumes her position as secretary and researcher. During the "Last Days" part of the '' Secret Wars'' storyline, Sun Girl was seen living at Valhalla Villas (a retirement home for ex-heroes and ex-villains that is located in Miami). She is among the residents that were temporarily de-aged during the final incursion between Earth-616 and Earth-1610.

Selah Burke

A new Sun Girl later appears as one of the heroes temporarily possessed by the

Carrion Carrion () is the decaying flesh of dead animals, including human flesh. Overview Carrion is an important food source for large carnivores and omnivores in most ecosystems. Examples of carrion-eaters (or scavengers) include crows, vultures ...

virus after she came in contact with William Allen. Sun Girl is attacked by The Superior Spider-Man ( Doctor Octopus' mind in Peter Parker's body). The Superior Spider-Man cures Sun Girl of the Carrion virus. Her identity is later revealed to be Selah Burke, the daughter of Lightmaster at the time when the Superior Spider-Man made use of his Superior Six (consisting of a brainwashed Chameleon, Electro, Mysterion, Sandman, and

Vulture A vulture is a bird of prey that scavenges on carrion. There are 23 extant species of vulture (including Condors). Old World vultures include 16 living species native to Europe, Africa, and Asia; New World vultures are restricted to North a ...

) to combat the Wrecking Crew. After the Superior Spider-Man fails and the now free Superior Six have captured him and taken hold of a machine that could destroy New York City, Selah manages to save Superior Spider-Man and destroy the machine. They part in bad terms, with Sun Girl thinking that Superior Spider-Man is a "jerk" due to his condescending attitude and insane brainwashing scheme. Selah next appeared in issue #1 of the 2014 ''

'' relaunch, helping to save the Morlocks from an attack by the mysterious Evolutionaries. When offered the opportunity to walk away by these attackers (as they have no intention of going after normal humans), she opts to sacrifice so the mutants can run away. Haechi steps in and uses his energy absorbing powers to shield her. Speedball and

Justice Justice, in its broadest sense, is the principle that people receive that which they deserve, with the interpretation of what then constitutes "deserving" being impacted upon by numerous fields, with many differing viewpoints and perspective ...

enter the scene which makes the three attackers reevaluate their tactical position and later flee as they were now outnumbered.''New Warriors'' #2. Marvel Comics.

Powers and abilities

Mary Mitchell is a good acrobat and is an expert in both Judo and Jiu Jutsu. She also wields a Sunbeam Ray Gun which produces a bright blast of light as well as a lariat which she keeps in her emergency pouch. Selah Burke is a brilliant engineer who creates a suit with a harness that grants her flight and the ability to project light blasts. The suit is later modified by the Superior Spider-Man. She also wields pistols capable of firing concussive blasts. She developed and constructed her gear and weapons based on her father's light manipulation technology.

References

External links

Sun Girl (Mary Mitchell)
at Marvel Wiki
Sun Girl (Selah Burke)
at Marvel Wiki {{Avengers characters 1948 comics debuts Comics characters introduced in 1948 2013 comics debuts Comics characters introduced in 2013 Marvel Comics sidekicks Fictional acrobats Fictional characters who can manipulate light Fictional female engineers Fictional secretaries Golden Age superheroes Timely Comics characters Fictional African-American people Comics about women Marvel Comics female superheroes Marvel Comics martial artists