Misty Knight's Finest Moments (2024)

by

Blair Marnell

“Hello hero, are you for hire?”

Nearly five decades ago, Mercedes “Misty” Knight made her debut in MARVEL TEAM-UP (1972) #1 in a cameo role before eventually making a much bigger splash in MARVEL PREMIERE (1972) #21. Unlike many prominent characters, Misty was already heroic when she was introduced as adetective, but when shelost her right arm in an explosion, Misty went on to become an even greater hero.

Thanks to her bionic arm and her natural talents as a martial artist, Misty has more than held her own in a world populated by superhumans, mutants, gods, and monsters. With her best friend, Colleen Wing, Misty co-founded the Daughters of the Dragon and reinvigorated the Heroes for Hire. Misty was also the co-leader of the Fearless Defenders and she became Sam Wilson’s most trusted partner when he was Captain America.

To this day, Misty is still a formidable force in the Marvel Universe. And to celebrate her place in Marvel history, we’re taking a look back at some of Misty Knight’s greatest stories.

DEADLY HANDS OF KUNG FU (1974) #32-33

Misty and Colleen’s first Daughters of the Dragon story upped the personal stakes when they tracked down Emil Vachon, the crime lord who murdered Colleen’s grandfather. Vachon was able to turn the tables and capture the duo; he even attempted to enslave them. Thankfully, Misty fooled Vachon’s men and Colleen was able to overcome the challenge through the sheer force of will before they faced Vachon in a final showdown.

BIZARRE ADVENTURES (1981) #25

In this story, the Daughters of the Dragon were in way over their heads when Angela Freeman entered their lives. Angela was a vampire with a large group of followers who set her sights on seducing and turning Misty into one of the undead as well. She very nearly succeeded. And if not for Misty’s unyielding will, both she and Colleen would have succumbed to the vampire’s curse.

DAUGHTERS OF THE DRAGON (2006)

It took a few decades, but Misty and Colleen finally headlined their own comic in the first-ever DAUGHTERS OF THE DRAGON (2006) miniseries. During this time in their lives, Misty and Colleen reinvented themselves as bounty hunters who hunted down criminals who hadskipped out on bail. They soon uncovered a conspiracy that led back to Celia Ricadonna, a crime lord who hid her illicit activities behind her cover as a publisher. Ricadonna was a far more formidable foe than either Misty or Colleen expected, and she even sliced off Misty’s bionic arm. But Ricadonna was sorely mistaken if she thought that would slow down the Daughters of the Dragon.

HEROES FOR HIRE (2010)

Following a split with Colleen and a breakup with her long time boyfriend, theIron Fist, Misty took the spotlight in HEROES FOR HIRE (2010). She revived and reinvented the concept by bringing together any heroes needed at a moment’s notice. Misty’s new partner, Paladin, also began to have romantic feelings towards her in this series. Unfortunately, neither of them initially realized that someone else was pulling the strings of Misty’s new impromptu team...

VILLAINS FOR HIRE (2011)

This miniseries concluded the story that began in HEROES FOR HIRE (2011), as Misty put together a team of villains and seemingly turned her back on the heroes. Misty wanted revenge on the man who played with her life, and she made some very surprising alliances to see her plan through to the end.

FEARLESS DEFENDERS (2013)

Misty didn’t stay inactive for long. She reemerged in FEARLESS DEFENDERS (2013), and spent most of the first issue on her own as she investigated a smuggling ring that was running undead warriors. To prevent a catastrophe, Misty joined forces with Valkyrie, AKA Brunnhilde, and fought by her side. Together, they went on to bring a new team of Defenders together.

CAPTAIN AMERICA: SAM WILSON (2015) #16

During ALL-NEW CAPTAIN AMERICA (2014), Misty became close with Sam Wilson. First they became partners against Hydra, but they soon became more intimately attached as well. In CAPTAIN AMERICA: SAM WILSON (2015), Misty and Sam had a more fully formed romantic relationship. But in issue #16, Misty took the spotlight and Cap’s shield for a case of her own. Someone was releasing doctored videos that discredited female villains and heroes alike... Let’s just say that Misty’s payback against the culprit was very, very satisfying.

DAUGHTERS OF THE DRAGON (2018)

Coming full circle from their first adventure together, Misty and Colleen were reunited for a new case. After their reunion, they were trapped in a holiday from Hell by Emila Vachon, the daughter of their old enemy, Emil Vachon. Misty and Colleen were held captive on a cruise ship filled with brainwashed criminals whose true identities had been suppressed. Emila wanted to savor her chance for revenge against Misty and Colleen. But playing games with her prey proved to be Emila’s downfall.

Read these mighty Misty comics withMarvel Unlimited today!