1940s Early Female Superhero Mary Marvel in Wow Comics, Archive of Four Issues

[Feminism][Comics] Archive of early female superhero Mary Marvel ("Lady Shazam"), in four issues of Wow Comics. As the female counterpart to Captain Marvel, Mary Marvel was among the earliest costumed heroines to star regularly in her own stories, presented not as a sidekick or romantic interest, but as a female hero in her own right. A key representation of a female superhero in the 1940s. Published by Fawcett Publications between 1943 and 1947, this grouping includes Wow Comics Vol. 4 No. 19 (November 1943), Vol. 7 No. 37 (July 1945), Vol. 7 No. 40 (January 1946), and Vol. 9 No. 51 (February 1947). This archive captures her peak wartime popularity and (truncated) her role as a cultural figure embodying wartime valor, girlhood empowerment, and gendered ideals of heroism during and after WWII.

Each issue features full-color cover art with dynamic action scenes spotlighting Mary Marvel in flight or in combat—facing pirates, gnomes, and allied with other Fawcett superheroes such as Commando Yank and Phantom Eagle. The visual representation of Mary Marvel across these covers emphasizes her as bold, cheerful, and competent, clad in her iconic red and gold costume with cape and lightning-bolt insignia. These issues emerged during a historical moment when women were newly visible in public roles, including in military service and industrial labor; Mary Marvel offered young readers, particularly girls, a heroic figure who embodied strength and independence without compromising femininity. The inclusion of Mary Marvel alongside male counterparts in team-based adventures further reinforced her standing as a peer among superheroes. Of special note is Issue No. 37, featuring an advertisement for war bonds on the cover, cementing Mary Marvel image as an all-American hero supporting the war effort.

Each issue shows signs of wear. Issue No. 19 with chipping, edge loss, and paper loss to the lower right corner, affecting some inner text but leaving Mary Marvel's image on cover largely intact; staples reinforced. Issue No. 37 with significant chipping and some loss to spine but holding and overall clean and intact. Issue No. 40 exhibits loss and tears, with creasing and discoloration along the lower half. Front wrapper attached with tape, lacking back wrapper. Issue No. 51 remains structurally intact with moderate edge wear and small creases. All covers retain rich color and strong visual appeal. Grades range from fair to good condition. An increasingly scarce set highlighting one of the most important female superheroes of the Golden Age, offering rich history for scholars of gender, comics, and mid-century American popular culture. (Inventory #: 21716)