Tony’s Superhero Saturdays: Martha Washington

Tyrone Tony Reed Jr.
May 3, 2025
3 min read

A Vision of Resilience, Resistance, and Radical Hope

As we step into May, International Black Women’s History Month may be behind us—but the spirit of honoring revolutionary Black female heroes lives on. Today’s Tony’s Superhero Saturdays spotlight belongs to one of the most underappreciated yet powerful characters in sci-fi and comics: Martha Washington.

In a world torn apart by war, politics, and environmental collapse, Martha Washington stands firm. Not because she was chosen by fate, but because she chose to fight anyway.

✊🏾 Who is Martha Washington?

Martha Washington is the protagonist of the Give Me Liberty series created by writer Frank Miller and artist Dave Gibbons (of Watchmen fame). She debuted in 1990, published by Dark Horse Comics, as a bold answer to the question: What if the future still had heroes willing to stand up for justice—especially Black women?

Set in a dystopian America fractured by civil war, poverty, and political extremism, Martha rises from the Cabrini-Green housing projects of Chicago to become a symbol of resistance, freedom, and futuristic Black womanhood.

📖 Story Overview and Key Series

Martha’s story unfolds across several acclaimed titles:

Give Me Liberty (1990) Martha escapes a broken system to join the PAX Peace Force, defending what’s left of America’s ideals.
Martha Washington Goes to War (1994) She returns to fight a new civil war—and corruption at the highest levels.
Martha Washington Saves the World (1997) Martha becomes a global figure, fighting environmental and technological threats.
Martha Washington Dies (2007) The emotional, full-circle conclusion to her journey—marking the end of her time, but not her legacy.

Each installment explores deep issues: fascism, corporate greed, race, climate change, and women’s agency.

🧠 Powers and Skills

Martha Washington has no superpowers in the traditional sense. Her real strength lies in her:

Tactical combat training
Sharp intellect and political acumen
Incredible resilience and adaptability
Moral clarity in a world of shifting allegiances

She is the soldier who became a savior. A daughter of the streets who became the hope of a nation.

🎨 Creators and Artistic Legacy

Frank Miller is best known for gritty stories like The Dark Knight Returns and Sin City, but Martha Washington stands out as one of his most socially conscious creations.

Dave Gibbons, already legendary for Watchmen, brought stunning visual depth and nuance to Martha's futuristic journey. The character’s expressions, environments, and evolution over time are beautifully rendered—turning comic book panels into meditations on struggle and survival.

🎬 Cultural Impact & Legacy

Though she hasn’t yet appeared in film or TV, Martha Washington is long overdue for a screen adaptation.

Her story is a blend of sci-fi, Afrofuturism, military drama, and radical social commentary. In many ways, she paved the way for the complex, bold heroines we see today in media—from Shuri to Monica Rambeau to Naomi.

🔥 Why Martha Washington Still Matters in 2025

In an era where DEI programs are under attack, where book bans erase marginalized voices, and where Black women continue to carry the weight of resistance, Martha’s story is more timely than ever.

She reminds us:

You don’t have to be born with powers to be powerful.
Hope is not a luxury—it’s a weapon.
Black women shape the world, even when the world tries to break them.

💥 Want More Superhero Stories?

If Martha’s story moves you, you’ll love the powerful heroes in my original book series S.O.L.A.D.: Soldiers of Light Against Darkness—where faith, power, and purpose collide in a battle between good and evil.

🛒 Explore my novels now at:👉🏾 www.tyronetonyreedjr.com/the-shop

Final Word

Martha Washington isn’t just a character—she’s a challenge to every oppressive system, a love letter to survival, and a prophecy that freedom fighters come in all shades and stories.

She’s not just sci-fi. She’s not just comic book history. She’s Black history.She’s American history. She’s heroism redefined.