Red Tornado: First Female Superhero

Mathilda “Ma” Hunkel, a.k.a.  The Red Tornado, was one of the first female superheroes and the very first female to become a member of the famous “Justice Society of America.”

Appearing in “All-American Comics” in 1939, Ma was the mother of Scribbly, a boy cartoonist who appeared in a humorous series by Sheldon Mayer. In issue 20 of the All-American, Ma stole the spotlight from her son when, inspired by his hero-worship of the male superhero Green Lantern, she donned a pair of red longjohns, a cape, and a saucepan to become “Red Tornado.”

As Red Tornado, she successfully fought a criminal protection racket that was plaguing the neighborhood.

Unfortunately, when the male superheros first met to form the famous “Justice Society of America,” Red Tornado wasn’t invited.  She crashed the meeting anyway, entering through a window.

Ma Hunkel never participated in a Justice Society case, but her presence at the meeting was enough to earn her membership in the JSA and make her the first female JSA member.  The second female member was the more-famous Wonder Woman.

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