Trapped In Trouble

Comic books gave us iconic heroes and villains, but let’s not forget the endless parade of damsels in distress. They often existed just to get tied up and wait for the hero to swoop in. Over time, though, many evolved beyond that role. Still, for a while, they were the ones always in danger. So, here are 20 of the most memorable offenders—and how they’ve changed (or haven’t).

1. Lois Lane (Superman Comics)

In the 1930s and 1940s, Lois Lane was always in danger, constantly needing Superman to swoop in and save her. As the quintessential damsel, she was frequently kidnapped by villains. But as time went on, Lois stepped up her game, converting into a fearless, bold reporter. But did she break free from the old trope? Well, not completely.

2. Damsel (The Tick)

The character of Damsel from "The Tick" takes the damsel trope to a whole new level. She’s the ultimate "damsel in distress," always in need of rescue—even from The Tick himself! This satire, originating in the late '80s, flips the trope completely, serving up a mix of humor and sharp critique.

3. Wendy (DC Comics)

Wendy has a knack for landing herself in sticky situations where she’s more damsel than daring. Despite her ties to the mystical world, she still ends up needing a heroic rescue, usually from a male counterpart. Not every hero gets the "damsel in distress" treatment, but Wendy's track record firmly plants her in that trope.

4. Vicki Vale (Batman)

Chasing the truth is risky business, and Vicki Vale learned that the hard way. No matter how determined she was, trouble always seemed to find her first—often in the form of a kidnapping or a life-threatening situation. She spent much of her early appearances as Gotham’s favorite hostage, with Batman constantly rushing to her aid.

5. Mary Jane Watson (Spider-Man)

Mary Jane Watson’s role in the 1960s was marked by a constant sense of danger. She often found herself in the grasp of villains, with Peter Parker rushing to her rescue. Over time, Mary Jane grew into a more independent, strong-willed character. But in those early days, she was definitely the classic damsel in distress.

6. Moira MacTaggert (Marvel Comics)

As an ally of the X-Men, Moira plays a key role in mutant research, yet time and again, she's been imperiled or sidelined in ways that undermine her capability. She’s been abducted by the Acolytes, manipulated by the Shadow King, and even infected with the Legacy Virus, leaving her in constant need of rescue.

7. Jean Grey (X-Men)

As the only female member of the original X-Men team, Jean Grey didn’t exactly get the best treatment—at least, not at first. Instead of showcasing her full potential, writers often sidelined her powers, and time after time, her early appearances leaned into the damsel-in-distress trope. Even a powerful mutant like Jean still needed to be saved.

8. Betty Brant (Spider-Man)

Betty Brant, Peter Parker's first love, also found herself trapped in many “Spider-Man” stories. Her damsel role was a fixture in the early issues of “Amazing Spider-Man,” where she was consistently in harm’s way. As time passed, her character grew, but she was once the ultimate rescue mission.

9. Sue Storm (Fantastic Four)

Being able to turn invisible should make avoiding danger easier, but Sue Storm still spent plenty of time needing to be rescued. In the early “Fantastic Four” comics, her force fields were impressive, yet her role often boiled down to being the team’s emotional anchor. While the others charged into battle, she frequently ended up tied.

10. Talia al Ghul (Batman)

Talia al Ghul possessed power, intelligence, and deadly combat skills, yet some stories still cast her as a damsel in distress. Instead of always using her cunning to escape, she occasionally found herself in need of rescue. Later appearances reinforced her strength, though those early moments of vulnerability never fully faded from her legacy.

11. Zatanna Zatara (DC Comics)

As the daughter of the famous magician Giovanni Zatara, Zatanna was portrayed as a skilled sorceress, but she often fell victim to villains who captured or outsmarted her. Her vulnerability was frequently highlighted in these stories, with her powers sometimes being portrayed as limited or ineffective.

12. Maid Marian (Robin Hood Comics)

Maid Marian, a central figure in Robin Hood's tales, needed rescue from the legendary outlaw. In the early “Robin Hood” comics, her role mirrored those classic medieval tales: passive, vulnerable, and dependent. But who could blame her when Robin Hood was always the hero?

13. Raven (Teen Titans)

This character’s struggle with her father, Trigon, left her vulnerable in "Teen Titans" comics. Though she was powerful, her inner turmoil made her a frequent target for manipulation or capture. While she eventually grew into a more independent character, those early days of distress didn’t fully fade from her story.

14. Felicity Smoak (DC Comics)

As a successful businesswoman and computer expert, Felicity had the potential to be a strong, independent character. Yet, time and again, she found herself in situations where she needed rescuing—whether from cyber-criminals, supervillains, or personal threats tied to her stepson, Ronnie Raymond.

15. Madelyne Pryor (Marvel Comics)

Madelyne Pryor, first introduced in "X-Men #168" (1983), is initially portrayed as a strong character but frequently falls into the damsel-in-distress role. Despite her powers, she often relies on others for rescue, especially before her dramatic transformation into the Goblin Queen.

16. April O'Neil (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles)

April O’Neil frequently gets kidnapped or trapped by Shredder, the Foot Clan, or other villains. Despite being a skilled journalist, she relies on the Turtles for rescue. This way, she reinforces the trope of a heroine who uncovers danger but repeatedly needs saving instead of being consistently self-reliant.

17. Kitty Pryde (Marvel Comics)

Kitty Pryde can walk through walls, but that hasn’t kept her out of trouble. She’s been captured by the Hellfire Club, stalked by the Brood, and thrown into peril plenty of times. Even with her sharp wit and combat skills, she’s had her fair share of dramatic rescues, proving even X-Men get stuck sometimes.

18. Sabrina Spellman (Archie Comics)

Sabrina Spellman can be seen kidnapped, cursed, or magically overpowered—requiring intervention from her aunts, love interests, or her talking cat, Salem. Plus, in many of her classic stories, Sabrina's magic tends to backfire, landing her in situations where she’s powerless or stuck until someone else saves the day.

19. Elasti-Girl (DC Comics)

Elasti-Girl, aka Rita Farr, is proof that superpowers can’t keep you from being a walking, talking damsel in distress. She is one of the strongest members of the Doom Patrol but has spent a ridiculous amount of time getting brainwashed or straight-up knocked out. Even in modern iterations, she still struggles with self-doubt and control over her powers.

20. Misty Knight (Marvel Comics)

Misty Knight definitely had her fair share of damsel-in-distress moments, especially in her early appearances. Villains would capture her, trapping her in tight spots—whether as a hostage or in some other dangerous situation. These moments showed a vulnerability that contrasted with her usual tough, confident persona.