Wow, who would have thought that an appreciation thread about Carol Ferris, a DC character, would have led to a discussion about Cyclops' relationships with Jean Grey, Madelyne Pryor, and Emma Frost...
PICTURE TIME!!!
What is that third pic from, Zeeguy91?
"In any time, there will always be a need for heroes." - the Time Trapper, Legion of Superheroes #61(1994)
"What can I say? I guess I outgrew maturity.." - Bob Chipman
This thread wouldn't really be complete without this cover in there somewhere:
It's actually interesting that people bring up Emma Frost, since for all her talk of being a liberated woman in command of her sexuality, she spends the majority of her panel time being mocked and abused by every man that crosses her path. Indeed, Carol is a much better example of what Emma purports to be, someone who knows how to use her looks to her advantage without demeaning herself and can just as easily flip the switch back into respectability and legitimacy when required.
I've always thought the Johns era Star Sapphire costume was terrible. I prefer either the Nu52 design or the classic Kane design, though I also liked her spiked 90's look too.
"In any time, there will always be a need for heroes." - the Time Trapper, Legion of Superheroes #61(1994)
"What can I say? I guess I outgrew maturity.." - Bob Chipman
That costume was bad mostly because they thought it was a good idea to have the neckline drop below her navel. Variations of it that give her an actual top, like in the GL:TAS, look quite nice in my opinion. The New 52 design is definitely an improvement, though some parts of it are still questionable. I mean, what's the deal with the kneepads? My favorite look for her was in the Justice League cartoon, though that version of the character was barely fleshed out and didn't have a backstory to speak of, so it may not have even been Carol, not the least because she spoke with a British accent.
I love Carol for all the reasons the OP mentioned. Though, there is one thing I'm curious about...Has it ever been mentioned as to why she's such a paragon for the Star Sapphires outside of her relationship with Hal?