# Miss America (Marvel Comics)

Miss America (also spelt as Ms. America) is the name of several superheroines appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The first incarnation of Miss America, Madeline Joyce, first appeared in Marvel Mystery Comics #49 (September 1943). The second incarnation, Erika Kelley, debuted in Avengers: The Initiative Annual #1 (December 2007). The third incarnation, America Chavez, made her first appearance in Vengeance #1 (September 2011).

## Development
### Concept and creation

Comic book publishers tried to explore new types of stories, characters, and audiences, since superheroes began to fade out of fashion in the post-World War II era. Comic companies started introducing more female superheroes in an attempt to appeal to young female readers. American comic book publisher Timely Comics released Marvel Mystery Comics #49 (September 1943) featuring a new superheroine known as Miss America. According to American author Jess Nevins and his Encyclopedia of Golden Age Superheroes, Miss America "fights ordinary criminals, Axis agents, Baron Shinto the Gouger, the murderous teen the Cherub, King Cobra, and the human electric eel the Shocker."

### Publication history
#### Miss America

Madeline Joyce received the Miss America Comics #1 (May 1944) one-shot, her first solo comic book. According to some sources, illustrator Ken Bald served as the cover and interior artist, although Vincent Fago, interim editor of Timely Comics for the drafted writer Stan Lee, asserted, "I hired a friend from the animation business, Pauline Loth, and she did the art for the first Miss America book." Fago also stated, "I hired her at Timely when she left Fleischer's and came to New York. She did "Miss America" for us and created her costume."
The Miss America Comics series changed its format with its second issue to become a larger magazine-sized Miss America Magazine, though with the conventional comic book combination of glossy covers and newsprint interior. Initiating this format as vol. 1 #2 (November 1944), the publication relegated its superhero to a secondary role and began focusing on teen-romance comics stories and articles on such topics as cooking, fashion, and makeup. This second issue, which featured a photo cover of an unknown model dressed in the Miss America costume, also introduced the long-running, teen-humor comics feature Patsy Walker.
The Miss America Magazine series was renamed Miss America starting with issue #46 (April 1952). Alongside the single superhero comic, Miss America ran 126 issues in a complicated numbering that continued through vol. 7 #50 (December 1952), the 83rd issue. It then reverted to comic book format as Miss America vol. 1 #51–93 (April 1953 – November 1958).
The magazine format used photo covers of everyday teens. In 1951, starting with vol. 7 #42, the logo changed to Patsy Walker Starring in Miss America, with covers now depicting high schooler, Patsy, boyfriend Buzz Baxter, and romantic-rival Hedy Wolfe, in cartoon art by artists Al Jaffee and Morris Weiss.
Madeline Joyce received the Miss America Comics 70th Anniversary Special #1 (June 2009) one shot, her second solo comic book. According to Diamond Comic Distributors, it was the 136th bestselling comic book in June 2009.

#### Other series

Madeline Joyce appeared as Miss America in the 1941 All Winners Comics series, the 1946 Blonde Phantom series, the 1974 Giant-Size Avengers series, and the 2006 X-Statix Presents: Dead Girl series. Erika Kelley appeared as Miss America in the 2011 Fear Itself: Youth in Revolt series.

## Fictional character biography
### Madeline Joyce

The first Miss America is Madeline Joyce. Created by writer Otto Binder and artist Al Gabriele, the character first appeared in Marvel Mystery Comics #49 (September 1943).
Madeline Joyce Frank is a socially aware heiress born in Washington, D.C. who is the niece of the millionaire radio mogul James Bennet. She acquired a range of superpowers after being exposed to an electrical discharge from an unknown experimental piece of equipment. Madeline Joyce possesses the "Strength of a Thousand Men," allowing her to lift weights far heavier than a normal human would be capable of lifting. Her superhuman durability makes her resistant to different forms of damage. She has the ability to levitate herself through psionic means. By using her levitation ability in connection with carefully planned leaps, she could use her power to fly. She could attain any height at which she could still breathe (approximately 20,000 feet). Fatigue poisons accumulate much slower in Madeline Joyce's body than that of a normal human, giving her a heightened "vitality." She later became a superhero and took the mantle of Miss America. The character has also been a member of the Invaders, Liberty Legion, and All-Winners Squad at various points in her history. She married fellow Golden Age superhero Robert Frank / Whizzer. Because the two had been exposed to radiation, their first child was the radioactive mutant Nuklo. However, Madeline Joyce died of complications stemming from childbirth with her second, stillborn child due to radiation poisoning from her first offspring while at Wundagore Mountain, Transia. During this time, it was also suggested that Madeline Joyce was the mother of Pietro Maximoff / Quicksilver and Wanda Maximoff / Scarlet Witch. This was ultimately refuted when it was revealed that Max Eisenhard / Magneto and Magda Eisenhardt were their biological parents. Madeline Joyce was later retconned in 1976 as a member of the World War II super-team known as the Liberty Legion, set between the creation of the Invaders and the post-war All-Winners Squad. As a member of the team, she battled the Red Skull. Alongside the Liberty Legion and the Invaders, she fought the Nazi super-team called Super-Axis.

### Erika Kelley

The second Miss America is Erika Kelley. Created by writers Dan Slott, Christos N. Gage, and artist Patrick Scherberger, the character debuted in Avengers: The Initiative Annual #1 (December 2007).
Erika Kelley was a member of the Liberteens under the codename of Miss America. Madeline Joyce served here as an inspiration. She battled Flag-Smasher when he intended to destroy the Liberty Bell. Erica Kelley subsequently left the team alongside her former teammates to found a new one called the Fantastix. She decided to abandon the mantle of Miss America and took the codename of Ms. Fantastix.

### America Chavez
## Supporting characters
### Allies

List of allies appearing in comic books with Miss America as the protagonist :
| Name / alter ego | Creator(s) | First appearance | Description |
| James Bennett | Otto Binder – Alfred Gabriele | Marvel Mystery Comics #49 (September 1943) | James Bennett is the uncle of Madeline Joyce. He is a rich radio mogul who takes cares of his niece. |
| Robert Frank / Whizzer | Al Avison | USA Comics #1 (August 1941) | Robert Frank is the husband of Madeline Joyce. He is a speedster with superhuman strength. |
| Elton Morrow / Blue Diamond | Ben Thompson | Daring Mystery Comics #7 (February 1941) | Elton Morrow is a friend of Madeline Joyce. He is an archaeologist with superhuman strength and durability. |
| Kate Bishop / Hawkeye | Allan Heinberg – Jim Cheung | Young Avengers #1 (April 2005) | Kate Bishop is a friend of America Chavez. She is a skilled archer and swordswoman. |
| David Alleyne / Prodigy | Nunzio DeFilippis – Christina Weir – Keron Grant | New Mutants vol. 2 #4 (October 2003) | David Alleyne is a friend of America Chavez. He is a genius with telepathic abilities. |

### Enemies

List of enemies appearing in comic books with Miss America as the protagonist :
| Name / alter ego | Creator(s) | First appearance | Description |
| Stefan Halpern / Pinhead Killer | Charles Nicholas | Marvel Mystery Comics #52 (December 1943) | Stefan Halpern is an antagonist of Madeline Joyce. He is a Nazi during World War II who kidnapped a scientist and his granddaughter. |
| Unknown / Flaming Hate | Charles Nicholas | Marvel Mystery Comics #53 (January 1944) | Flaming Hate is an antagonist of Madeline Joyce. He is a murderer who attacks firefighters to avenge the death of his wife. |
| Dalt Kendall / Shocker | Bill Finger – Pauline Loth | Miss America Magazine #2 (September 1944) | Dalt Kendall is an antagonist of Madeline Joyce. He is a scientist with an obsession with electric eels. He gained the power to generate electricity while experimenting with them. He used his superhuman abilities to rob banks and murder people. |
| Unknown / The Spiderman | Syd Shores | Blonde Phantom Comics #12 (December 1946) | The Spiderman is an antagonist of Madeline Joyce. He is a scientist who is obsessed with spiders. He possessed huge spiders who feed on human blood. He invented a web-shooting device to kidnap his victims. |
| Oubliette Midas / Exterminatrix | Grant Morrison – J.G. Jones | Marvel Boy vol. 2 #1 (June 2000) | Oubliette Midas is an antagonist of America Chavez. She is the leader of the supervillain organization known as the Midas Foundation. |
| Guy Thierrault / Flag-Smasher | Zeb Wells – Stefano Caselli | Civil War: Young Avengers and Runaways #1 (July 2006) | Guy Thierrault is an antagonist of Erika Kelley. He is an anti-nationalist who terrorizes the population to spread his views. |

## Impact

* Madeline Joyce became one of the first female costumed heroes introduced in comic books in 1943. The character was the third female comic book female hero to get her own solo book in 1944, after DC Comics' Wonder Woman and Fiction House's Sheena, Queen of the Jungle.
* America Chavez has been the subject of comparisons with some characters in the comic book industry regarding her representation and abilities. In 2016, she was compared to the protagonist of a one-shot in development by writer Joe Casey (who created Chavez) and artist Dustin Nguyen for Image Comics, inspiring discussions among journalists about her influence on the new character. Several critics noted that Chavez served as an inspiration for the comic book publisher's latest protagonist, highlighting their similarities. This connection was further emphasized in subsequent years, particularly with the release of All-America Comix #1 (July 2020), where additional journalists asserted that Chavez inspired Casey and Nguyen for the creation of Image Comics' new character. Years later, in 2023, several critics noted similarities between the newly acquired superpowers of DC Comics' character Power Girl and those of Chavez.
** The representation of the character has led to notable achievements and recognition. In 2017, Chavez was featured as the titular character in her own comic book series, America (2017–2018). She made history as the first Latin-AmericanLGBT character in Marvel Comics to star in a solo comic book series as the eponymous character. In 2018, Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote to America series writer Gabby Rivera, acknowledging the significance of the character. She stated, "You have created a powerful female character in the production of America, and I know you will forever inspire many individuals by continuing to invent America Chavez's story. Indeed, it is important to remind readers to take time to honor themselves and embrace their differences as strengths." Several journalists have also identified the character as the first Latin-American LGBT superhero to star in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) media franchise.
** Chavez has generated significant public interest. She notably garnered media attention in March 2018 when American actress Gina Rodriguez expressed her enthusiasm to audition for the role of Chavez, declaring herself a fan of the character. This interest was echoed in May by Argentine-American actress Stephanie Beatriz, who also shared her desire to portray Chavez on Twitter. Chavez further captured the public's attention in October 2018 when Beatriz dressed up as Chavez for Halloween, generating significant media coverage. In September 2022, Chavez placed third in a popularity contest held by Multiversity Comics, where readers elected their "Favorite Latin American Superhero."
** The character has been referenced in other media as well. In 2022, the comic book America Chavez: Made in the USA #1 (March 3, 2021) appeared as an easter egg in a display case in the final episode of the miniseries She-Hulk: Attorney at Law.

## Other versions
### Amalgam Comics

An alternate version of Miss America appears in the Amalgam Comics universe. Madeline Joyce was combined with DC Comics' Liberty Belle. This version is known as Madeline Lawrence / American Belle. She is a member of the All-Star Winners Squadron.

## In other media
### Television

* Madeline Joyce / Miss America was loosely adapted for the Japanese television series Battle Fever J as part of a collaboration between Marvel Comics and the Japanese studio Toei. While the codename was retained, the costume and character were changed.
* Madeline Joyce / Miss America appears in the Spider-Man five-part episode "Six Forgotten Warriors", voiced by Kathy Garver. This version, along with the Black Marvel, the Destroyer, the Thunderer, and the Whizzer, obtained her powers from a flawed attempt at recreating the process that empowered Captain America during World War II, which she regulates with a special ring.
* Madeline Joyce / Miss America makes a non-speaking cameo appearance in the Ultimate Spider-Man episode "S.H.I.E.L.D. Academy". This version is a member of the Invaders.
* America Chavez / Miss America appears in the Marvel Rising series of short films and television specials, voiced by Cierra Ramirez.

### Film

* America Chavez / Miss America appears in Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors, voiced by Cierra Ramirez.
* America Chavez / Miss America appears in media set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), portrayed by Xochitl Gomez.

### Video games

* America Chavez / Miss America appears via the "Marvel's Women of Power" DLC in Pinball FX 2.
* America Chavez / Miss America appears as an unlockable playable character in Marvel Puzzle Quest.
* America Chavez / Miss America appears as a playable character in Marvel Contest of Champions.
* America Chavez / Miss America appears as an unlockable playable character in Marvel: Future Fight.
* America Chavez / Miss America appears as an unlockable playable character in Lego Marvel's Avengers.
* America Chavez / Miss America appears as an unlockable playable character in Marvel Avengers Academy, voiced by Sandra Espinoza.
* America Chavez / Miss America appears as an unlockable playable character in Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2.
* America Chavez / Miss America appears as a playable character in Marvel Strike Force.
* America Chavez / Miss America appears as an assist character in Marvel Future Revolution.
* America Chavez / Miss America appears as a playable card in Marvel Snap.

### Merchandise

* In 2018, Hasbro released several America Chavez / Miss America dolls inspired by the Marvel Rising incarnation of the character.
* In 2022, Disney released an America Chavez / Miss America doll inspired by the MCU incarnation of the character. Hasbro released an America Chavez / Miss America action figure inspired by the MCU incarnation of the character, as part of the Marvel Legends action figure line. Lego released an America Chavez / Miss America Lego minifigure inspired by the MCU incarnation of the character. Funko released an America Chavez / Miss America Funko Pop figure inspired by the MCU incarnation of the character.
* In 2023, Disney released an America Chavez / Miss America pair of ear headbands inspired by the MCU incarnation of the character.

### Miscellaneous

* Madeline Joyce / Miss America appears on the photo-cover of Miss America Magazine #2, portrayed by an unidentified model.
* America Chavez / Miss America appears in Marvel United, published by CMON Limited.
* America Chavez / Miss America appears in Marvel Rising: Ultimate Comics, voiced by Cierra Ramirez.
* The MCU incarnation of America Chavez appears as a meet and greet character at Disney California Adventure.
* Gomez reprises her role as America Chavez in the theme park restaurant Worlds of Marvel on the Disney Treasure cruise ship.