History Comicbook / Vixen

Vixen is a DC Comics character created by Creator/GerryConway. The character was created c. 1978, intended to become the protagonist of a new series (and consequently the first headlining black female in the DC lineup). However, the DC Implosion cancelled many ongoing titles of the time and ended the plans for new ones. What was intended as her debut story ended up published in ''"Cancelled Comic Cavalcade''" #2 (Fall, 1978), an edition only available to DC employees. But the character was not forgotten. Her official introduction to the reading public was ''"Action Comics''" #521 (July, 1981).

Growing up in an African village, Mari Jiwe heard the legend of the “Tantu Totem” from her parents. She was the daughter of Reverend Richard Jiwe, the village priest, who was her sole caretaker, as poachers, lead by a man named Kwesi, killed her mother years ago. Reverend Jiwe himself was killed by his half-brother (Mari’s uncle) General Maksai. Makasai wanted the Tantu Totem, which had been in Reverend Jiwe’s possession.

* ComicBookFantasyCasting: In ''ComicBook/IdentityCrisis'' she was drawn to look like Geena Davis... which is odd because Davis is not black (according to Rags Morales, she was originally supposed to be based on Grace Jones).

* ButNotTooBlack:
** Some issues of the 2006 ''Justice League of America'' series drew criticism for portraying Vixen with European features and fluctuating skin tones.
** Her ''[[ComicBook/DCComicsBombshells Bombshells]]'' counterparts is drawn [[https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/dc-bombshells/images/6/63/Vixen.jpg/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/310?cb=20160913203450 with red hair and a much lighter skin tone]] than she's usually depicted with.

She was a recurring character on ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague Unlimited'' and, consequently, its comic book series. Additionally, she made appearances in ''WesternAnimation/BatmanTheBraveAndTheBold'', and has also appeared in ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeagueAction''.

The tropes on this page refer much more heavily to her comics version than the Franchise/{{DCAU}} version.

* ShesGotLegs: Vixen usually wears outfits (particularly a very form-fitting body suit) that highlights her long muscular yet shapely legs due to her being a model.

* AmazonianBeauty: Vixen usually has a muscular yet voluptuous figure for her great body.

* AbsoluteCleavage: Vixen’s costume has changed with the times, but her most famous outfit is a form-fitting yellow/orange body suit with a long cleavage.

* ClarkKenting: She is a maskless hero, although the rest of her costume [[AbsoluteCleavage may be enough of a distraction]] - or maybe she just has a public ID, since she's a supermodel in her civilian identity.

Starting in August 2015, Mari has been appearing across Creator/TheCW's Series/{{Arrowverse}}, first appearing in [[WesternAnimation/{{Vixen}} her own animated web series]], voiced there by Creator/MegalynEchikunwoke. In December 2015, it was announced that Echikunwoke would be reprising the role (in live action) on ''Series/{{Arrow}}''. Season two of ''Series/LegendsOfTomorrow'' introduces a [[LegacyCharacter previous Vixen]], Mari's grandmother Amaya Jiwe, played by [[Creator/MaisieRichardsonSellers Maisie Richardson-Sellers]].

* SemanticSuperpower: Vixen has the ability to mimic the abilities of any animal in existence. Given that she lives in the Fantasy Kitchen Sink that is the DCU, this means she can copy the abilities of mythical beings such as dragons. She can also copy the abilities of the human animal which allows her to copy the speed of Jay Garrick (one of the the Flashes), Black Lightning's electrokinesis and every power Superman possesses.

* PoisonousPerson: When channeling a cobra.

* SemanticSuper: Vixen has the ability to mimic the abilities of any animal in existence. Given that she lives in the Fantasy Kitchen Sink that is the DCU, this means she can copy the abilities of mythical beings such as dragons. She can also copy the abilities of the human animal which allows her to copy the speed of Jay Garrick (one of the the Flashes), Black Lightning's electrokinesis and every power Superman possesses.

Starting in August 2015, Mari has been appearing across Creator/TheCW's Series/{{Arrowverse}}, first appearing in [[WesternAnimation/{{Vixen}} her own animated web series]], voiced there by Creator/MegalynEchikunwoke. In December 2015, it was announced that Echikunwoke would be reprising the role (in live action) on ''Series/{{Arrow}}''. Season two of ''Series/LegendsOfTomorrow'' introduces a [[LegacyCharacter previous Vixen]], Mari's grandmother Amaya Jiwe, played by Maisie Richardson-Sellers.

Mari Jiwe [=McCabe=], while growing up in an African village, heard the legend of the “Tantu Totem” from her parents. She was the daughter of Reverend Richard Jiwe, the village priest, who was her sole caretaker, as poachers, lead by a man named Kwesi, killed her mother years ago. Reverend Jiwe himself was killed by his half-brother (Mari’s uncle) General Maksai. Makasai wanted the Tantu Totem, which had been in Reverend Jiwe’s possession.

* BadassNormal: Any of the many times she's had her Tantu Totem stolen.
* TheBeastmaster: With the ability to communicate with animals, she can override the natural predator/prey instinct found in most wild animals.

%%* PowersAsPrograms
%%* PsychicBlockDefense

* SassyBlackWoman: While she's generally a nice person, she has absolutely no qualms about speaking her mind, and is quite proficient in sarcasm. Which led to interesting verbal conflicts with Amanda Waller when they bickered at the time Vixen served in her ComicBook/SuicideSquad.

%%* SpiderSense

** Her ''[[ComicBook/DCComicsBombshells Bombshells]] counterparts is drawn [[https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/dc-bombshells/images/6/63/Vixen.jpg/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/310?cb=20160913203450 with red hair and a much lighter skin tone]] than she's usually depicted with.

* ButNotTooBlack: Some issues of the 2006 ''Justice League of America'' series drew criticism for portraying Vixen with European features and fluctuating skin tones.

* TheDiva: Hustled her way up from being a poor refugee to the heights of the fashion world. She glamourous and poised as a model, and well known for her bickering with Amanda Waller while she was on the Suicide Squad.

* TheDiva: Hustled her way up from being a poor refugee to the heights of the fashion world. She glamourous and poised as a model, and well known for her fueds with Amanda Waller while she was on the Suicide Squad.
* FemmeFatalons: Vixen's claws/nails are particularly sharp and tough, enabling her to rend through a variety of substances, such as fabric, wood, cinder block and even soft metals with ease.

%%* EightiesHair

She was a recurring character on ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague Unlimited'' and, consequently, its comic book series. Additionally, she made appearances in ''WesternAnimation/BatmanTheBraveAndTheBold''.