The Invisible Woman’s Greatest Feats in Marvel Comics

Susan Storm is an accomplished adventurer, actor, and astronaut. She is the matriarch of Marvel’s First Family: the Fantastic Four, a quartet of super heroes who protect the Earth from scientific threats. Whether those enemies are earthbound or hail from beyond the atmosphere, the Fantastic Four are up to the task. After all, they went through a truly life-changing event together. During an experimental space voyage they were blown back to the ground by intense cosmic rays, which gave them amazing abilities.

While the road to heroism hasn’t been easy, Sue Storm has weathered the changes with strength and grace. Sure, she’s stumbled — but which hero hasn’t? Below, let’s look at decades of Invisible Woman’s greatest successes and determine which are her most impressive feats.

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Becoming the Invisible Girl

Besides having a doctor for a dad, Sue didn’t have much experience with science. However, while living in New York, she met and fell in love with Reed Richards. Then, she followed him to California. Intent on exploring a planet deep in outer space, Reed set about launching the Marvel-1 into the stratosphere — with or without government funding and approval. Besotted, and most importantly, fully believing in him, Sue insisted on joining the voyage. Little did she know that it would alter her mind, body, and soul.

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Keeping the team together

The men on the team reacted pretty poorly to their new powers. Ben Grimm, devastated by his inhuman appearance, secluded himself. Johnny Storm acted out. He risked life and limb just to avoid confronting his own feelings about his transformation, and also broke lots of hearts. Reed threw himself into his studies more than ever. No longer sleeping or eating, he spent all his time in his lab. Only Sue’s intervention saved the boys. She became the emotional core and pulled them all together enough to make the famous family they are today.

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Defeating Psycho-Man

Like we said, Sue has stumbled — both publicly and privately. But perhaps the most infamous instance was her descent into darkness as “Malice.” In older comics, Reed Richards really makes a fool of himself acting as the “proper” patriarch. He clings to his superiority as the supposed man of the house. Eventually, Sue loses her patience. Plagued by insecurities — exacerbated by Reed’s constant criticism — she assists Psycho-Man in attacking the Fantastic Four. At that point, Sue unleashes a wider potential of her powers because her self-control is so fragile. Eventually, Sue turns back and almost kills Psycho-Man. But the experience prompts her to alter her name to Invisible Woman and embrace a more mature, complex role.

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Resisting the Superhuman Registration Act

Civil War is one of the most iconic Marvel Comics events. During this time, super heroes were divided in their opinions about the Superhero Registration Act, a piece of legislation which would require all empowered individuals to “out” themselves to the government and public. Sadly, Reed pledged his staunch support of registration. Meanwhile, Sue and her brother Johnny joined the resistance. Basically fugitives from the law, they championed peace and protection for mutants, mutates, and other heroes. Ultimately, they were granted amnesty and reconciled with their teammates and allies, including the Avengers.

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Trying out espionage

You have to remember that Sue Storm was originally an aspiring actress, and then she developed invisibility powers! Well, that’s just the absolute best recipe for a spy. Working alongside Black Widow, Sue Storm infiltrated an organization in Madripoor. Although the plan was to save her CIA partner Aidan Tintreach from imprisonment, her plan goes awry. Even S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Maria Hill intervened in the rescue mission. Still, Sue did her best, notably showcasing a huge burst of power when she shielded an entire airplane with her force fields.

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Putting family first

Many super heroes struggle to balance work and life. Sue Storm’s first and foremost commitment, however, is always to her family. She is both a devoted wife and a loving mother, and those qualities foster her ability to lead, guide, and love her team. Time after time, Sue chooses to return to her husband and children. This is not a simple or easy thing. Often, King Namor begs her to become his queen, or Reed’s stubborn personality estranges his biggest supporter. Or Sue’s children cause near-catastrophic events, forcing Sue to pick between harming them or all of humanity. In the end, Sue will always decide what’s best for herself and the people she loves the most. That’s truly inspiring.

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What are your favorite Invisible Woman accomplishments? Connect with other Marvel fans at side.show/geekgroup or in the Sideshow Social Network to discuss this incredible character. And as always, don’t forget to Let Your Geek Sideshow!