Bad girls in comics are always so useful that they tend to reform and become at least semi-goodies (cf: Catwoman, Elektra). Emma Frost was introduced as an exceptionally nasty - and explicitly perverse - villainess, running a school for evil mutants in competition with Professor Xavier and high in the councils of the nefarious Hellfire Club (in homage to the famous ‘Touch of Brimstone’ episode of The Avengers). Marvel made her a qualified goodie in the X-Men spin-off Generation X, and writer Grant Morrison reinvented the character when he took over New X-Men and wasn’t allowed to use his original choice, Storm. Now an actual X-Man, Emma remained the manipulative slut fans loved to hate – and caused a minor kerfuffle when she began a ‘telepathic’ affair with Cyclops, long-term partner of Jean Grey. Despite strong competition, Emma has consistently worn the most striking lingerie (and little else) in comics – the covers for her brief solo series Emma Frost are basically porn star poses.

FIRST APPEARED IN UNCANNY X-MEN # 129
CREATED BY CHRIS CLAREMONT AND JOHN BYRNE