Those who were familiar with Nintendo Power Magazine (at least back in 1992) may know of an old 12-part comic series called Super Mario Adventures.
Somewhat of a spin on Super Mario World for the Super Nintendo, it has Mario and Luigi on another journey to save Princess Peach Toadstool from King Bowser. Must had been a Tuesday.
Of course, seeing this as a kid, I was surprised how Peach was such a total badass during the first half of the series, before Super Mario RPG and even Smash Bros. She chased after Bowser when his ultimatum for her hand in marriage ends with turning some of the Toads to stone. When she was trapped in a tower ran by the Kooplings, instead of waiting for the plumbers to find and rescue her, she escaped on her own. When it turned out Mario was captured in the same tower trying to save her, and Luigi went to save him (in her outfit), she went back to rescue them both with the help of Yoshi, one of the Toads, and some... shady salesman (all while wearing Luigi's clothes as you can see).
The second half had her brainwashed but eventually rescued by Mario, but she was definitely no damsel in distress for most of the comic.
shonuff44
