Girl power? The Kansas City Star looks at the increasing number of female heroes in comics, television and movies:

"In the past, women were often created as counterpoints, love interests or foes for stronger, leading male characters, says Maggie Thompson, editor of The Comics Buyer’s Guide, the longest-running publication about comic books."

Here's Marvel's Joe Quesada: "I don’t think this new movement of leading female heroines will phase out. The characters have to reflect the world we live in, not just here at Marvel, but everywhere."

The article also contains a chronology of "boundary breakers," highlighting the first appearances of Wonder Woman, Catwoman, Sailor Moon, Buffy and others.