Golden Girl

Origin

Prior to and during World War II, Betty Ross served as an FBI agent and later as a member of the U.S. Army’s Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps. During the war, she was a friend and later girlfriend to Steve Rogers, unaware of his secret identity as Captain America. After Jeffery Mace’s (the third Captain America) sidekick Bucky was shot and wounded, Mace revealed his civilian identity to Ross and trained her to be his new partner, Golden Girl.

Creation

Betty Ross appeared in the first issue of Captain America Comics without a superhero identity. Artist, Syd Shores, and an unknown writer wrote her first superhero adventure, “Golden Girl” which appeared in the December 1947 issue of Captain America Comics.

Mayor Story Arcs

FBI Agent (Agent X-13) (Agent R)

As an FBI agent, Betty Ross worked closely with the US military. In 1941, she worked on Operation Rebirth, and disguised as an old hag she was tasked with protecting the equipment while running the antique shop that served as a front for the laboratory where the military was working to create an army of super-soldiers. She, unfortunately was unable to stop Nazi agent, Heinz Kruger, from infiltrating the facility and assassinating Abraham Erskine, effectively putting an end to the Super-Soldier program. Fortunately, prior to the assassination, the super-soldier serum was effectively administered to Steve Rogers, who became America’s first Super-Soldier, Captain America. During the war, Betty was involved in many of Captain America and Bucky’s adventures.

Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps

Betty eventually left the FBI to join the Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps. She continued to have adventures with Captain America and Bucky.

Golden Girl

After World War II, William Nasland was killed in action by one of Adam II’s androids. Jeffery Mace succeeded him as Captain America. After Bucky was shot and retired, Mace revealed his secret identity to Betsy and asked her to be his partner. She accepted and after being trained by Mace, she became the costumed crime-fighter, Golden Girl. Together with Captain America, Golden Girl had many adventures, culminating in a battle with the Red Skull in Hell.

Retirement

In 1953, she and Jeffery Mace retired from being superheroes and were married. She was later revealed to be the aunt of Thunderbolt Ross and by extension the great-aunt of Betty Ross.

Powers and Abilities

Betty Ross has no superpowers, but is skilled at hand-to-hand combat. As Golden Girl, she wore a bullet proof cape which had previously belonged to The Spirit of ’76.

Status

Known Relatives: Jeffrey Mace (husband), Thunderbolt Ross (nephew), Betty Ross (great-niece)

Citizenship: American

Place of Birth:

Marital Status: Married

Occupation: Adventurer, Former FBI Agent, Former Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps Member

Education:

Gender: Female

Height: 5’5″

Weight: 110 lbs.

Eyes: Blue

Hair: Originally blonde but some later stories showed her with red hair

Other Media

The character appears in the 1966 Captain America cartoon where she is a government agent.