Initially the female superheroes were portrayed through a very sexist attitude of their creators. For instance, Sue Storm, the only female member of the Fantastic Four, insists on shopping and faints throughout fights, while Batgirl fixes her tights in the middle of a major brawl and keeps Batman and Robin waiting.

Fortunately such stereotypes underwent a change in the liberating '70s. Along with a new hard gained respect for women, female superheroes metamorphosed into characters that are more powerful and have valiant personalities that can rival their male counterparts. Today it is evident from the sales of comic books, TV serials and the barrage of movies on women superheroes, that they have reached a new zenith of popularity.

What makes a female superhero so special? Is it their blazing, 'body hugging', often skimpy outfits, that remain unstained even after a fierce scuffle? Is it the lavish locks or "I can kill you with just my looks" gaze? Whatever the reason may be, women superheroes are here to stay and dominate the hearts of fans, regardless or age, sex or race.

Here is a list of five female superheroes according to their popularity level.

5. The Bionic Woman: In 1976, when the pilot of the TV show The Bionic Woman was aired, it became an instant hit. Played by Lindsay Wagner, Jaime Sommers, suffers a crucial injury in an accident and at the insistence of her boyfriend, The Six Million Dollar Man, Jaime's life is saved by a bionic surgery. Aided with bionic legs, a bionic arm and a bionic ear, Jaime leads a double life, as a school teacher and as an undercover agent. Thus Jaime becomes the Bionic Woman, the first female cyborg.

4.Elektra: Frank Miller's popular comic book character gets her big break in Daredevil (2003), as the lead character's love interest and is killed by Bull's Eye in the latter half of the movie. However, due to mass demand, she gets her own movie in 2005. After her revival, besides having killer ninja skills, Elektra now has the ability to move like a spirit and can sense the future. Elektra may not have fared well in the box office but the Alias star, athletic, striking Jennifer Garner, clad in a fetching red bodice and armed with deadly sais, is a vision.

3. Catwoman: Although known as Batman's feline foe and popularised by Michelle Pfeiffer in Batman Returns (1992), Catwoman is reintroduced with a different approach in the self-titled movie released in 2004. In Catwoman, Patience Phillips is a meek, introvert woman, who is killed by her boss's minions. However, she gets a second shot at life, along with the speed, reflexes and senses of a cat, treading the thin line between crime and acts of benevolence. Halle Berry is 'death in black leather' and as usual perfect, but even she could not save the movie, which deserved a good script and a better director.

2. Lara Croft: She may not have super powers but from an immensely popular video/PC game to two blockbuster movies, Lara Croft: Tomb raider (2001) and Lara Croft: The Cradle of Life (2003), Lara has been enjoying the sweet taste of success for quite some time. And why not? When you have Angelina Jolie in both movies, who seems like she was born to play Lara Croft, along with great action and special effects, the films are bound to do well.

1. Wonder Woman: Needless to say, the Amazon princess still reigns every list and the superhero domain. Debuting on December 18, 1976 in the TV series, The New Original Wonder Woman, the character was immortalised by the divine Lynda Carter. Wonder Woman, aka Diana, became a world wide phenomenon overnight. She wears a golden belt that gives her superhuman strength, has bracelets that deflect bullets and carries a golden lasso which straps villains and forces them to tell nothing but the truth. Her daring outfit doesn't hurt either. Though no big or small screen project has been initialised since the TV show in late '70s, rumour has it, a new Wonder Woman is soon to take over the world.

Who might be the new Wonder Woman? You'll have to wait and watch.