Sure, we have a list for MST movies, but let’s go beyond that - ladies of action, (of mind or body (or even spirit) - from all media.
Here’s a list to help
Though that list is missing a few and that’s what inspired me to start this topic.
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One of those not included in that wiki list is Texas Guinan, a star of silent westerns from 1917 to 1921 - a rough and tumble hero who did what she wanted and took no guff from anyone. She’d blow smoke in a sheriff’s face and have knock down drags out with male antagonists. She’s one of my early, favorite action stars, though sadly, most of her movies are lost, and what survives isn’t in the best of shape. My two favorite features are The Gun Woman and The Stampede (directed by John Ford’s brother, Francis)
Another one missing from that wiki comes from the pages of a comic book, Jakita Wagner, the ultra-cool badass from Ellis’ superb Planetary
There’s two of mine to get us started, now it’s your turn…
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I don’t know about “best”, but I was just happy to find a couple that were not on the list, so I’m going with “interesting and not listed”. Here are two with (nearly) the same name, from different media:
The Machine Girl
From japanese gore porn director Noboru Iguchi, The Machine Girl does fit the bill, as buckets of gore are thrown around in this movie. This does have more of a comedic element than is typical of the genre. This Machine Girl is a revenge seeking orphan, who replaces her body parts with weapons as she splatters her way through the criminal underworld.
Machine Girl
This Machine Girl, from Red 5 Comics, is a galaxy-spanning title that centers on a rare “human” battle royal competitor, who finds out she is not exactly human, and goes searching for Earth.
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Interesting works.
Best, different, unique, favorite… it’s all good.
Wait, how did this fall under the Gwenpool post? I’m seeing things, I swear this was posted under TheHippy’s post
But, okay, and BTW, I’ve seen that Machine Girl movie
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She’s on the list, but another favorite is Zen from Chocolate
I’m practically the only person on Earth who watched any significant amount of Into the Badlands, but there were some great female action heroes and villains in that show.
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Very good choice, but I have to add Squirrel Girl!
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Pat Savage, cousin to Doc Savage in the 1930s pulps. His cousin by his father’s brother, Pat was an independent businesswoman who happened to have a thirst for adventure and would often horn in on dangerous missions despite male protest. She carried a six-shooter with no trigger (used the hammer to fire), took no backtalk, and only got kidnapped about once every three stories, so about on par with Doc’s male sidekicks.
Pretty progressive for 1936.
(Most of the depictions of Pat have her shirt barely covering her chest, but to be fair, they did the same with Doc.)
She even has some recent work all her own. (This book is from 2018.)
Pat has been my heroine since I was 8. One of my biggest regrets is she’s never made it to any screen, small or big.
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Off the top of my head?
Michelle Geller (BtVS)
Eliza Dushku (BtVS, Angel, The Doll House, Tru Calling, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back-yes, I know she isn’t a hero in JaSBsb… but… )
Summer Glau (Firefly, Serenity)
Jessica Alba (Dark Angel)
Katee Sackhoff (BSG, Bionic Woman, 24, The Mandalorian)
Melanie Scrofano (Wynonna Earp - although the entire cast had plenty of action throughout the series)
Scarlett Johansson (Black Widow/MCU movies)
I’m forgetting a few, but I haven’t had my coffee yet…
And, I guess I should have waited until after my coffee… y’all wanted the characters, not the actresses… oops…
Sorry
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Well, it looks like that wiki list inexplicably omitted Miss April Dancer.
And Margaret Rutherford herself has the following response to Miss Jane Marple being left off the list.
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I don’t know that I’d call Miss Marple an action hero. That’s like calling Jessica Fletcher an action hero.
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At my age, I would. 
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Whaaat?! She was the ladies national fencing champion of 1931. I love the Margaret Rutherford Marple movies. She’s badass.
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Cinnamon Carter
Barbara Bain (still with us at age 91!) won three consecutive Emmy awards for her performance as one of American TV’s first female secret agents.
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