Bring Back Wonder Woman

Studio 360 Blog

Bring Back Wonder Woman

Blog: 09.29.11

Thursday, September 29, 2011 - 06:00 AM

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Cover of Wonder Woman Archives Volume 1 (Courtesy of DC Comics)

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In September, DC Comics rebooted all of its main story lines, wiping the slate clean for the best-known superhero titles. Each starts over at issue #1. Fans were puzzled as Wonder Woman came back as a horror comic, fighting supernatural ickies rather than putting bad guys in the place.

It’s been a tough year for Wonder Woman. NBC’s much-anticipated pilot, written by David E. Kelley and starring Adrianne Palicki, was not picked up for broadcast. And she sat in Hollywood purgatory while B-list guys (Thor, Green Lantern) had their moment in the spotlight. With women now at 50% or more of the workforce, why is the only female superhero with any clout in semiretirement? Studio 360’s Eric Molinsky looks at the skeletons in Wonder Women’s closet.

Slideshow: Wonder Woman Through the Ages

Written by William Moulton Marston; Art by H.G. Peter. Courtesy of DC Comics.

Psychiatrist, feminist theorist, and writer William Moulton Marston (penname Charles Moulton) created Wonder Woman to be propaganda for "a new type of woman who should rule the world," but do so peacefully. However, Wonder Woman doesn't seem to have any trouble asserting her dominance, subduing a herculean man.

Written by William Moulton Marston; Art by H.G. Peter. Courtesy of DC Comics.

Getting a makeover is nothing new for Wonder Woman — she's been reimagined many times since her DC Comics debut in 1942.

Ms. Magazine, Issue #1, 1972

Activist and journalist Gloria Steinem thought Wonder Woman could be an icon for feminists. In 1972, Steinem put Wonder Woman on the first cover of her feminist magazine Ms.. Wonder Woman's lasso forms justice's scale while she stomps on a warzone.

Courtesy of JS2 Communications

Lynda Carter played Wonder Woman in the television series, which ran from 1975-1979.

Written by Roy Thomas; Art by Rich Buckler. Courtesy of DC Comics.

Wonder Woman restrained by her own lasso. Marston's themes of physical restraint and bondage continued in the 1980's DC Comics series.

Written by William Messner-Loebs; Art by Paris Cullins. Courtesy of DC Comics.

Wonder Woman traveled to outer space during the 1990's DC comics series.

Written by Brian Azzarello; Art by Cliff Chiang. Courtesy of DC Comics.

DC Comic's premiered its latest reimagination last month, as part of the "New 52" reboot.

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Eric Molinsky

Eric Molinsky knew he wanted to be a public radio producer by the tender age of 32. He had been hooked on Studio 360 while sitting in his cubicle along Sunset Boulevard, drawing storyboards for Rugrats. Finally it was time to stop annoying his fellow animators with his lunchbreak theories about the cultural zeitgest, and he moved back East to hook up with the Studio 360 crowd.

Comments [1]

Realitybytes

Too sexy / scantily clad for modern ultra right conservatives? Or may be she is a closet Lesbian?
Japanese comics (manga) have far more 'real' characters, with real emotions, including needs.

Oct. 02 2011 11:47 PM

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