Andraste

When I see 'kickass', I think 'kicking arse and taking names'. (To give that part of anatomy its proper British/Australian spelling *g*.) So this is a list of female characters who are awesome and who might also literally kick you.

1) Leela

Whenever someone complains about Amy Pond's short skirts, I think of Leela's leathers and roll my eyes. As with Amy, the potentially exploitative nature of Leela's outfits did not stop her being a great character. While she wasn't the first action girl in Doctor Who - we can't forget Sara Kingdom or Jo Grant's spy skillz - her warrior upbringing and willingness to kill provided an interesting philosophical contrast with the Doctor. Her childlike sense of wonder gave her more depth than many companions got to have, and it was always interesting to watch her learn about the universe. Honourable mention: to Ace, for killing Daleks and Cybermen.

2) Ororo Munroe

I'll always be grateful to Chris Claremont's obsession with powerful female characters. Not only did it give us a vastly upgraded Jean Grey and the introduction of Mystique, it provided us with Storm. My favourite X-woman channels both the strength and wildness of a hurricane and the serenity at its centre.

3) Irina Derevko

There are a lot of arse-kicking women in Alias, and most of them are related to Irina Derevko. A Russian agent turned freelance who has grown from action girl to action woman and spymaster. Irina Derevko is indeed The Man.

4) Helena Bertinelli

The DC universe is not short on women who kick arse, but I love Helena because she can be a great anti-heroine, and there are never enough of those. Huntress walks the line between superheroine and costumed vigilante, and you do not want to get on the wrong side of that crossbow.

5) Olivia Dunham

Superpowered FBI agent and leading lady of Fringe, she also looks great in a fedora. Don't make her shoot you.


(Prompt from fannish5.)