Wonder Woman

Characteristics

Creator's Thoughts

Now she knows why she's such a popular superheroine

Charles William Moulton Marston had created Wonder Woman during World War II as he saw that the DC Universe was dominated by male characters such as Superman and Batman and then came patriotic heroes such as Captain America who were to defeat the Axis. He wanted a superheroine, to create a strong and leading female character to even the odds. He thought up a new hero who would fight injustice not with brute strength or violence, but with love. "Fine," said Elizabeth Holloway Marston, his wife. "But make her a woman." He introduced the idea of Wonder Woman to Max Gaines and he gave Marston the approval to go ahead with this idea. With Elizabeth, he believed that she was a liberated woman during the 1940s, and based Wonder Woman on her and Oliver Byrne.

It is clear why Marston modelled Wonder Woman after his wife because during those times, it was difficult for a woman to earn a prestigious degree, and Elizabeth had earned three. She was also clearly a liberating woman as Harvard Law School did not allow girls until the 1950s and was sent to Radcliffe, but she refused and asked her father for support. He replied "Absolutely not. As long as I have money to keep you in aprons, you can stay home with your mother," but she still went ahead with it and raised $100 for herself and as one of three women to come out with a degree, she earned one in 1918.

In a 1943 issue of The American Scholar, Marston wrote:

Wonder Woman's first appearance was in All Star Comics #8 and then appeared in Sensation Comics #1. Six months later, Wonder Woman's own series of comics appeared. Being the main writer, one of Marston's themes was bondage, as Wonder Woman always tied up her captured enemies with her lasso and her friends (the Amazons) were frequently portrayed wrestling. Marston had described female behaviour as submissive, though he had said in his interviews that submissing to women could be a world-saving practice, creating a matriarchy.

Pre-Crisis

Wonder Woman vol. 1 #1

Wonder Woman’s first appearance was in All Star Comics #8. She was made quite popular due to the fact that All Star Comics was a bestseller and her next appearance was in Sensation Comics #1 and later took her place in her own comic series. Though she was not the first female comic character, she took her place beside Black Widow (nothing to do with Marvel), Invisible Scarlet O'Neil and Nelvana of the Northern Lights. Marston wrote her as the perfect woman, as she had bullet proof bracelets, the Lasso of Truth and had the knowledge of Amazonian ways of fighting. She was strong - both physically and mentally, intelligent and beautiful yet also depicted as having a graceful, soft side. Her powers were taken from traits of Amazon goddesses which would become apart of her origin story soon. Her magic golden lasso was forged from Antiope’s and Hippolyta’s Golden Girdles of Gaea by Hephaestus. This lasso was unbreakable and anyone who was wrapped around in it was forced to obey the lasso holder, who usually asked her captive to tell the truth.

Steve Trevor was also a character in her origin story, where she crash landed onto Paradise Island, and he was healed by the Purple Ray and fell in love with him. Aphrodite then declared it was time for the Amazon’s to travel to Man’s World to fight the Nazis and a tournament was held to see who would fulfil the place. Her mother, Hippolyta forbade Diana to compete, but they were all required to wear masks and Diana entered. Diana was the victor and after revealing her true identity, her mother allowed her to travel to Man’s World and became Wonder Woman. Diana went to Man’s World along with Steve and became Lt. Diana Prince and stayed close with Trevor so she could heal him. He then became Wonder Woman’s well known partner and partner in crime-fighting. Diana overhears Steve’s intelligence and by that, she is always close with him, ready to heal. Eventually, she is to work with Steve as an assistant in the War Department. Steve is also suspects that Wonder Woman and Diana Prince is the same person because he usually sees her using her tiara or lasso.

Etta Candy, another character who was introduced was used in many of the main storylines and affirmed her place in the Wonder Woman universe. Etta Candy was the leader of a sorority called the Holiday Girls. The reason why Etta stood out was that she had a distinctive figure and had a famous line in which she would yell “Woo-woo."

Between 1942 and 1947, images of tied up women began to populate the covers of Sensation Comics and Wonder Woman. An example, is in Wonder Woman #3, where Wonder Woman ties up women and dresses them up as deer and chases them through the forest. She then ties them up once again and places them on a platter. The subtext has been noted, and it has been debated whether it was a release for Marston’s sexual fantasies, or an outlet for readers of the comics, who were teenagers developing their sexuality. Marston had worked as a prison psychologist and bondage and submission were two themes of his comics and they were intertwined with theories of the rehabilitation of criminals. Wonder Woman of course, being a superhero wanted to change the ways of the criminals. Even a rehabilitation centre was built on a small island near Paradise Island. A concept of Marston was the “loving submission” where kindness would allow people to surrender. Parodies have been written with this concept, as male criminals may give up only to spend time with her.

When Marston died in 1947 Robert Kanigher took over and Diana became less of a feminist character but during this time, her abilities expanded as she wore earrings that provided her with the air she needed when she was in outer space and she had an invisible plane. Extra additions included a tiara which could slice through pretty much anything and acted as a boomerang and her bracelets now had two way radios.

Silver Age

During 1954, Wonder Woman was considered a lesbian as Dr. Frederic Wertham alleged that there were lesbian subtexts in the comic series (he also said that comics contributed to juvenille delinquency) in his book Seduction of the Innocent where he claims that Wonder Woman had relationships with the Holiday Girls (Etta Candy's sorority club). The Comics Code Authority was then introduced in reaction to Wertham as sense of pre-emptive censorship. Seeing as Marston passed away and the new power of the Code, Wonder Woman lost her grip on being the strong and leading woman and instead starting falling for Steve Trevor and was interested in other comic superheroes such as MerMan and Birdman. Soon after there were major changes to Wonder Woman's origin story and this time, her powers came from certain gods and goddesses as she was "beautiful as Aphrodite, wise as Athena, strong as Hercules and swifter than Mercury." Other changes included changing Hippolyta's hair to blonde, she could glide on air currents and if Man were to ever set foot on Paradise Island, the Amazons would all be doomed.

The introduction of the Multiverse, where different versions live in different realities meant that the Silver Age Wonder Woman was situated on Earth-One and the Golden Age Wonder Woman was situated on Earth-Two.

In the 60s, Robert Kanigher used the same technique as he did with Superman, telling the story of Wonder Girl. Then there was Wonder Tot, the Amazonian Princess as an infant where she would go on adventures with a genie. In the series Impossible Tales, all three different versions of Wonder Woman were put into one story.

Bronze Age

In the 70s, the new comics were influenced by Emma Peel, who was a spy. Wonder Woman became a woman without her super abilities, and became a mod boutique owner (think Italian suits and the Kinks) and was the protege for a man called I Ching where she learned different styles of martial arts and learned how to use a variety of weapons and underwent many missions and new characters were introduced as Wonder Woman's enemies such as Morgana, Doctor Cyber and Catwoman. In this era, she killed Steve Trevor as the editors launched a "new" Wonder Woman. During this time, the writing team changed four times, and the styles changed quite frequently. Because of this, writers who didn't originally write for comics did. During 1973, Wonder Woman's original costume and original powers were restored by Gloria Steinem where she was offended by the fact that most female superheroes were being depowered and made it on a cover of Ms. Magazine. Wonder Woman's ties to Greek mythology show here, as she attempted to join the Justice League of America again after she was depowered and had to undergo twelve labours (based on Hercules' own twelve labours). Steve Trevor was then resurrected and was working alongside Wonder Woman in the UN. Because the Wonder Woman TV series was running during this time and it was set during World War II, the comic ran parallel to it and after some time, the TV series returned to a 70s setting and the comic ran along with that too. The TV series was then written by Jack C. Harris and Steve Trevor was killed off again.

During the 1980s, Steve Trevor was resurrected by Gerry Conway. After Wonder Woman gave up her title, another version of Steve Trevor was the multiverse made it to Earth-One and with Diana's memory erased, Steve Trevor crash landed on Paradise Island. Wonder Woman reclaimed her title again and worked in the military with Steve Trevor and Etta Candy. In 1982, Wonder Woman had a new symbol, the "W" on her costume. This new logo was copyrightable so it was able to sell better in merchandise and other areas of marketing. Dan Mishkin then took over after Roy Thomas and he wrote her as a confident and bold character than ever before, writing exciting and surprising plots. Even so, sales declined and the series ended with issue #329 where Steve had married Wonder Woman. After the Crisis on Infinite Earths in 1986, Wonder Woman and Steve Trevor from Earth-Two were written out of continuity (the pair got married on Mount Olympus). In the end, Anti-Monitor seemed to have killed Wonder Woman, but she really devolved into her clay form in which was how she was created. This had erased all the history of Wonder Woman and this meant that the writers could now write a whole series of Wonder Woman comics.

Post Crisis

In 1987, Wonder Woman made it to her second volume, and writer Greg Potter and editor Janice Race were hired to discuss ideas and plots. After the second issue, Potter left and artist/writer George Perez was hired. Perez became the main writer and sometimes was helped out by Len Wein and Mindy Newell. Perez and Potter wrote Wonder Woman as a feminist-type character. To further enhance the stories of Wonder Woman, Perez researched Greek mythology which added depth and a refreshing original origin story.

Beginnings of Wonder Woman

A heroine is born and doing her usual swirl transformation

Born in Themyscira on the island of Paradise Island she was the daughter to Queen Hippolyta. Greek goddesses chose four souls to be reincarnated, but one soul got left behind, which was Diana's. Hippolyta was instructed to mold some clay into a baby girl and Diana was blessed and granted powers of the Gods. She was given beauty and a kind heart from Aphrodite, wisdom from Athena, strength and power from Demeter, hunting instincts and communication with animals from Artemis, and speed and flight from Hermes. When she was a young woman, the gods decided that there should be an emissary and Hippolyta held a contest. The woman who won would become the emissary. Hippolyta forbade Diana to compete, but she did so anyway, won easily and became the emissary to the outside world. She took a costume similar to an American (Steve Trevor's mother) who had given her life in defending Themyscira years earlier. Diana has also given up the mantle of Wonder Woman a few times to fellow Amazon Artemis, mother Hippolyta, and Donna Troy (more of that below).

Love at first site... at least for Wonder Woman

Before travelling to Man's World, she was given some items. She was given the Lasso of Truth and the Sandals of Hermes, which allowed her to travel places in a snap. Her mission was to study the people living on Man's World and defeat Ares and bring peace. Upon arriving in America, she fought against injustice and met Harvard professor Dr. Julia Kapatelis and daughter Vanessa Kapatelis as well as Steve Trevor and Etta Candy who were both Air Force officers. Living with Julia and Vanessa, she learned to speak English. Diana was given her name, Wonder Woman, when Decay, one of Ares' minions attacked her, and the fight came onto the streets. Discovering Ares' plan to create a nuclear holocaust, she convinced him not to with the Lasso of Truth, succeded and returned home.

Who killed Myndi Mayer?

She returned to Boston and worked with a woman called Myndi Mayer to show that Wonder Woman was here to protect. She spent months doing interviews around the world when she met most of the Justice Leaguers. There she met Superman and was completely infatuated with him. (Diana's mother, Hippolyta, actually joined the Justice Society Of America when, in Diana's future, Hippolyta traveled back in time as Wonder Woman). With Wonder Woman's touring, she caught the attention of Cheetah who wanted to steal the Lasso of Truth off Wonder Woman. She told Wonder Woman that she found the lost Girdle of Antiope, but once Cheetah grabbed the Lasso, her true intentions were revealed.

She returned home once again and the gods were satisfied with her work. Zeus however was more than satisfied with her work, and offered to make her a goddess if she would agree to sleep with him. Diana refused and she was given the Challenge of the Gods. She was ordered to retrieve his fondest treasure. Hippolyta was not happy, but she could do nothing about it. In the deepest pits of Paradise Island, she met Diana Trevor who was the mother of Steve Trevor. Diana Trevor revealed that she had helped the Amazons of Themyscira and died during battle. Wonder Woman discovered that she was named after her and also the origin of her costume. Hippolyta found Wonder Woman however, and they embark on the quest together. Together they find Hercules, turned into stone. They bring him back to the surface. With thousands of years of punishment on his shoulders, he begged to be forgiven with what happened to him and the Amazons. The Amazons forgave, a celebration was held and the gods were happy with Diana. She returned to Man's World to continue her mission.

Once she returned, Myndi Mayer set up another interview. The Silver Swan turned up and both battled but did not defeat her. She stayed once again with Vanessa. Wonder Woman found herself thinking about Superman more and more and asked Myndi to set up a date between the two. On their date the two battled against Darkseid and freed Olympus. Afterwards, they both decided it was best to remain friends. Wonder Woman knows of Superman's dual identity and he trusts her enough. Wonder Woman is also one of the few who call him "Kal."

The gods decided it was time for a vacation (or "cosmic migration" as they like to call it), but Diana decided to go to Greece and discover the past of her ancient people. There she met Julia Kapatelis' parents, but had a strange feeling towards one of the smaller islands near Greece. It turns out that Circe lived on one of the islands and sent her minions to capture Diana and bring her to Circe. Circe revealed that she killed Hippolyta's sister, Antiope and the prophecy of Hecate. Circe was about to use a spell that would bring Diana back to her clay form, but Hermes came just in time to save her.

Wonder Woman returned to Boston to learn that Myndi Mayer had been murdered at her home. Steve London was framed for the murder, but Wonder Woman discovered that it was Skeeter Boyd who did the deed. He died trying to escape Wonder Woman by climbing over a fence and was electrocuted. She later learnt that she overdosed on alcohol and cocaine before Boyd shot her.

The gods summoned Diana, Hippolyta and Menalippe to destroy the rest of Olympus, which was almost done by Darkseid. It was time for Olympus to completely rebuild itself. They were able to do what they wanted to, and they also voted if men and outsiders would be allowed to come onto their island. They voted yes, and Diana invited Julia and Vanessa to be the first guests there.

Wanted for Murder

Hermes shows up in Boston explaining to Diana that he feels that the journey of the gods is not as it really seems. He wanted to defend his views on it, though he was bribed back a few times. Hermes was tricked by Phobos and Eurayle into releasing Ixion. Diana used the Lasso of Truth on Phobos and Hermes killed Eurayle. However, even the both of them couldn't kill Ixion and it was done by jet fighters. Diana blamed herself for not putting herself in a strong position for Hermes. Wonder Woman then joined many other heroes in the Invasion crossover.

Killer news

Cheetah takes another shot at attacking Wonder Woman. Cheetah created a diversion so she could steal Wonder Woman's Lasso of Truth. Diana suspects that Barbara Minerva stole the Lasso of Truth. Her servant poisons Wonder Woman and tells her the story of her becoming Cheetah. The poisons have no affect on Diana, and she tracks Cheetah in Egypt in the hidden city of Banamishdall where she finds the lost colony of Amazons. She is captured by the leader, Queen Anahid and is locked up. The witch doctor carelessly poisons herself while trying to kill Wonder Woman and she escapes. Still a bit disorientated from the poison she learns that the mercenary Amazons have received orders to destroy a village. Wonder Woman joins the villager's side and is attacked by Cheetah. Queen Anahid dies because she spared Wonder Woman. The Amazons then call off their raid and tell their history of the people. They are indeed the descendants of Antiope though not immortal like her and reveal they have the other Golden Girdle of Gaea. The city is attacked by Hermes but he is convinced to pull back. One of the Amazons, Faruka decides to use this to her advantage using some kind of alien cyborg called Shim'tar. Diana fights Shim'tar alone and the Egyptian government learns of this. They order an airstrike on the hidden city and Wonder Woman, Minerva and Hermes are alone in the desert but Wonder Woman has retrieved her lasso and the Golden Girdle where she can return it to her mother.

Because they allowed strangers to come onto Themyscira from before, they invite twelve delegates, including Lois Lane. However, no one knows that Eris, Ares' daughter, is plotting a plan to wreak havoc on Themyscira. It is successful, but her plans are revealed and stopped. Afterwards, the delegates return to Man's World, and the Amazons clean up after them. Meanwhile, Julia is on a job and Vanessa at summer camp. Hermes is staying with Steve Trevor.

Wonder Woman came across Silver Swan again when she was attempting to break free from her "benefactors." Wonder Woman using her lasso on Hank Armbruster was made to tell the truth to Silver Swan and she walked away, with no one harmed.

With the delegates visiting Themyscira and it being known to the world even more now, Queen Hippolyta decided it was time to explore Man's World with her Amazons. As Hippolyta, Menalippe, Phillipus and many others stayed in Gotham City, Diana encountered Hermes again who had built a temple for himself. However, it wasn't Hermes who built the temple, but Mercury, Hermes' evil alter ego and Wonder Woman helped Hermes to battle Mercury. However, Hermes lost the battle. Things weren't going too well, so Diana decided to relax back at home. During that time, she had a dream where she was contacted by Hermonia and Pariah who told her there was about to be a crisis. The followi