Why Doesn't Lady Sif Have Her Own Comic Book Series?

(Journey Into Mystery #648 variant cover by Nic Klein)

I have never quite understood why Sif doesn't currently have her own comic book series. I consider her to be another character that is both underused and underrated. The character has always been popular albeit with mostly comic book fans but after the release of the first Thor movie in 2011 Sif's popularity increased immensely from non-comic book fans. And that was due in large parts to Jaimie Alexander's performance, she also reprised her role in the sequel Thor: The Dark World and on two episodes of Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. TV series.

I don't know why Marvel didn't capitalize on the fan interest and give Sif an ongoing comic book series. Not since the Journey Into Mystery series shifted from Loki's adventures to Sif's with issue #646 (which was published in 2012) has she been able to shine in the Marvel Universe. The series unfortunately had been cancelled but in those 10 issues (#646-655) which were written by Kathryn Immonen, I found the author took a very interesting turn with Sif. Although those few issues showed Sif to be every bit the warrior that she is known to be and what motivates her, the writer did something very few writers over the years have managed to do and that is Sif letting loose and having some fun. Her personality got a chance to show through and you see more than just the warrior aspect of who she is.

When she made her first appearance in the Journey Into Mystery issue #102 (published in 1964) which was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, her only function was to be Thor's love interest. Since then the character has come a long way from that. Sif has the potential of being a top tier character from her unique backstory to her intelligence, strength of character, courageousness, loyalty and passion. She owns her achievements including that of being a Shield Maiden. With all of this, it makes me wonder why she isn't being promoted more?

I love that she appeared in a special Agent Carter S.H.I.E.L.D. 50th Anniversary #1 one shot that was published in 2015, it was good to see Sif away from Asgard. Despite being around for 52 years, Sif has yet to have her own series. I feel like if Marvel gave Sif an ongoing series it would be a chance for the character to finally step out of the shadow of being a supporting character. With her own series, it will give readers a chance to see Sif in a different light and as a way for her to have more adventures away from both Asgard and Thor.

Sif is more than worthy of having her own series and after 52 years she's more than earned it.