Who Was The Asbestos Lady?

Today, it’s common knowledge that asbestos is a dangerous and potentially deadly material. But that wasn’t always the case. There was a time that it was not only not understood or feared – it was upheld as a virtual wonder.

We now understand that anyone exposed to the microscopic fibers of asbestos can subsequently develop severe lung diseases and mesothelioma – an aggressive form of asbestos-related cancer that is almost always fatal. Given that the symptoms of asbestos-related illnesses can take as many as 40 or 50 years to develop, several thousand people per year are still losing their lives as a result of asbestos exposure. 

It’s hard enough to fathom that this naturally-occurring mineral was once used so broadly in commercial applications, and found its way into millions of homes across the world. What is even more absurd is the irony that it was once touted as not only a consequence-free substance, but a virtually magical material – cheap, versatile, impervious to fire, and even glorified in comic form.

Asbestos Lady

Asbestos Lady, the fictional comic book character, was originally created by Marvel Comics in the 1940s, but became more prominent when re-introduced as Victoria Murdock in the 1960s. A voluptuous and gifted scientist, Asbestos Lady led a life of crime, armed with the powerful properties of asbestos. 

In the storyline, Asbestos Lady uses asbestos to develop her green flameproof costume comprising a green miniskirt/dress, purple knee-high boots, and a purple cape. Her henchmen were also fitted with asbestos-lined suits, and together they set about their criminal activities.

Asbestos upon asbestos

Asbestos Lady, clothed in asbestos and accompanied by her asbestos-clad henchmen, wielded guns that shot asbestos bullets. The real-life glorification of the material’s unique properties was being further perpetuated in comic-book form, although it’s fair to say that at the time, Marvel had no idea that the mineral would prove to be deadly – and nor, therefore, did Asbestos Lady herself.

In one edition, Murdock attempts to recruit some leading asbestos scientists into her gang, stating, “There is much I wish to learn about the criminal possibilities of asbestos.” A chillingly ironic statement given what eventually came to be. Anyway, the scientists refused to join her, so she killed them, stealing their superior asbestos formula. 

Marvel Comics’ Supervillian Asbestos Lady shot asbestos bullets and wore an asbestos uniform, but in her storyline Asbestos Lady eventually developed cancer from years of asbestos exposure. 
Image property of Marvel.fandom.com.

Fiery enemies 

After killing the scientists, their sons, Toro and the Human Torch, buddied up and became Asbestos Lady’s arch enemies. When she wasn’t robbing banks and setting fires to hold back police while herself protected by her magic asbestos suit, she was fighting it out with Toro and the Human Torch: Fire against asbestos.

In addition to her asbestos bullet-loaded guns, Murdock uses a flamethrower and an asbestos-lined net to fight her fiery enemies. 

The fall of Asbestos Lady

Eventually, Asbestos Lady is defeated by her rivals and is sent to prison, but this isn’t the end of her story.

After the dangers that asbestos poses to human health were finally publically uncovered, Marvel, having championed the properties of asbestos, faced a dilemma. Eventually, they wove it into the story, essentially acknowledging the truth of the hazardous substance and merging fact with fiction. As per the official storyline, Victoria Murdock, after a lifetime of being exposed to asbestos, developed cancer in 1990 and subsequently died of mesothelioma, aged 45. 

How did Asbestos Lady come about?

Not a great deal is known about the origins of Asbestos Lady’s character creation, although industrial hygienist, Anthony Rich, poses an interesting take on his website, Asbestorama. 

Many years before Asbestos Lady was introduced into the Marvel series, asbestos manufacturer Turner & Newall Limited released an ad featuring a Greek goddess-like character holding a shield with the word ‘Asbestos’ on it. It is thought that Marvel may have taken this concept and essentially had this ‘Asbestos Lady’ go from good to bad.

Asbestos manufacturer Turner & Newall Limited advertised their products with this advertisement using a heroic Lady Asbestos, who may have inspired Marvel Comics’ Supervillian Asbestos Lady.  

Interestingly, it is noted online that within Marvel Knights: Spider-Man #9 is the suggestion that the American government created and funded the Asbestos Lady character. Unfortunately, no other information is available to determine the reason or validity of this theory.

Were there any other Asbestos Marvel characters?

In 1963, a character called ‘Dr. Orson Karloff’ had a short stint in the Marvel series. Karloff called himself ‘Asbestos Man‘ and also challenged the Human Torch character to an ultimate showdown. Asbestos Man won the duel, thanks to his special suit made from chrysotile asbestos, among other things.

As with Asbestos Lady, the Marvel plotline eventually acknowledged the hazards of asbestos by having Karloff also develop asbestos-related cancer. As a result, he spent his final days hooked up to an oxygen tank.

Final thoughts

Given its almost supernatural resistance to fire, it’s no surprise that asbestos gave rise to being featured in mythical storytelling. Throughout history, asbestos has been described as a magical or miraculous mineral. Nevertheless, the irony of championing such a deadly material so extravagantly is one of the sad legacies that the naive use of asbestos leaves in its wake.

AsbestosClaims.Law

AsbestosClaims.law is your comprehensive resource for all things asbestos. We hope this information is helpful.

If you have any additional questions or concerns related to asbestos, check out our website and YouTube page for videos, infographics and answers to your questions about asbestos, including health and safety, asbestos testing, removing asbestos from your home and building, and legal information.

And if you believe that you were exposed to asbestos, or have been diagnosed with an asbestos illness, you could be entitled to significant compensation—money you could use to cover the costs of asbestos removal services, pay for medical treatment, and preemptively protect your physical well-being. 

All without filing a lawsuit.
If you’d like help with filing a claim, please get in touch by email at [email protected], or call or text us at (833) 4-ASBESTOS (427-2378) or (206) 455-9190. We’ll listen to your story and explain your options. And we never charge for anything unless you receive money in your pocket.