Kitty Pryde
I've been re-reading the Whedon run of Astonishing the last few days. The more I read it, the more I think that the way he handled Kitty was him writing his strongest female character. She is caring, mentally + emotionally strong without having to be a physical powerhouse (she can hold her own in a different way then most female heroes)and while having power is the character I can relate the most. My emotional investment in her continues each time I read and I can see why she was his inspiration. I've even found the way Peter is handling the aftermath of the story extremely touching and has made him more human then he has been in years.