Sun Girl is the name of two fictional

superheroine A superhero or superheroine is a fictional character who typically possesses Superpower (ability), ''superpowers'' or abilities beyond those of ordinary people, is frequently costumed concealing their identity, and fits the role of the hero, t ...

s appearing in

American comic book An American comic book is a thin periodical literature originating in the United States, commonly between 24 and 64 pages, containing comics. While the form originated in 1933, American comic books first gained popularity after the 1938 publ ...

s published by

Marvel Comics Marvel Comics is a New York City–based comic book publishing, publisher, a property of the Walt Disney Company since December 31, 2009, and a subsidiary of Disney Publishing Worldwide since March 2023. Marvel was founded in 1939 by Martin G ...

Publication history

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

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

. 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 ''Captain America Comics'' is a comic book series featuring the superhero character Captain America. The series was originally published by Timely Comics from 1941 to 1950, with a brief revival by Atlas Comics (1950s), Atlas Comics in 1954. Pub ...

'' #69 (November 1948), '' Sub-Mariner Comics'' #29 (November 1948), and '' Marvel Mystery Comics'' #88-91 (October 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 (November 1948) was reprinted decades later in Marvel's '' Giant-Size Avengers'' #1 (August 1974). Sun Girl appears in flashback in the final two issues of the four-issue

miniseries In the United States, a miniseries or mini-series is a television show or series that tells a story in a predetermined, limited number of episodes. Many miniseries can also be referred to, and shown, as a television film. " Limited series" is ...

''Saga of the Original Human Torch'' (April–July 1990) A new Sun Girl debuted in '' Superior Spider-Man Team-Up'' #1 and appeared as one of the main characters in the

Marvel NOW! Marvel Now! (stylized as Marvel NOW!) is a comic book branding for the relaunch of several ongoing comic books published by Marvel Comics, that debuted in October 2012 with new #1 issues. The relaunch also included some new titles, including ''Un ...

relaunch of the ''

New Warriors The New Warriors are 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 Avengers (comics) ...

''.

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 Toro may refer to: Places *Toro, Molise, a ''comune'' in the Province of Campobasso, Italy *Toro, Nigeria, a Local Government Area of Bauchi State, Nigeria *Toro, Shizuoka, an archaeological site in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan *Toro, Zamora, a ''m ...

leaves to tend to his ailing foster mother. In ''The Human Torch'' #32 (September 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 created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby who appears in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in '' Captain America Comics'' #1, published on December 20, 1940, by Timely C ...

. After Toro returns she resumes her position as secretary and researcher. During the "Last Days" part of the ''

Secret Wars ''Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars'', commonly known as ''Secret Wars'', is a 12-issue American comic book Fictional crossover, crossover limited series published from May 1984 to April 1985 by Marvel Comics. The series was written by Jim Shooter ...

'' 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 (), also known as a carcass, is the decaying flesh of dead animals. 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 ''The Superior Spider-Man'' is the name of three separate superhero American comic book, comic book series published by Marvel Comics, following Otto Octavius as he becomes List of incarnations of Spider-Man, Spider-Man. The first volume, that r ...

( Doctor Octopus' mind in

Peter Parker Spider-Man is a superhero in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, he first appeared in the anthology comic book ''Amazing Fantasy'' #15 (August 1962) in the Silver Age of ...

'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 Chameleons or chamaeleons (Family (biology), family Chamaeleonidae) are a distinctive and highly specialized clade of Old World lizards with 200 species described as of June 2015. The members of this Family (biology), family are best known for ...

, 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 Nort ...

) 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 In its broadest sense, justice is the idea that individuals should be treated fairly. According to the ''Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy'', the most plausible candidate for a core definition comes from the ''Institutes (Justinian), Inst ...

enter the scene which makes the three attackers reevaluate their tactical position and later flee as they were now outnumbered.''New Warriors'' (vol. 5) #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 African-American characters in comics Comics about women Marvel Comics female superheroes Marvel Comics martial artists