Wonder Woman

WONDER WOMAN was easily the read of the week. Gail Simone has been doing a great job since she took over the writing duties. I haven't been very excited about the relaunch of the title, especially since it was without Greg Rucka. Rucka's run was a brilliant handling of the character and I judge all the other handlings of the character against it.

Wonder Woman is considered one of the "Big Three" of DC Comics along with Superman and batman, but too often doesn't get the respect she's due. The character is the top hand-to-hand fighter in DC comics who has handed Batman his cape and cowl repeatedly. Yet still fan clamor for Batman badassery.

Maybe she's more difficult to relate to. She likens more to the heroes of Greek Mythology than the spandex crowd. She's had to face challenges of the 'gods' as well as mortal threats. Often these challenges come in finding favor with her patrons. She acts as the champion for her godly patrons, but at the same time is subject to their whims.

Wonder Woman was created by William Moulton Marston, the same person who invented the lie detector. Marston also had theories about feminism involving bondage, which hopefully I'll find a link to which explains things much better than I could. So, Wonder Woman carries a Lasso of Truth which works as a lie detector. Does that mean that there are elements of bondage to the character? Yes, but not like one would think. The character has to deal with ritual bondage. As mentioned above she has to maintain favor with her patrons, sometimes even having to ask there permission before acting. This is her faith, she honors it and celebrates it, welcoming the trials set before her.

There's been talk that maybe the character would be better accepted if she took a darker turn. She is an Amazon, so why isn't she a bit more vicious? The character exudes grace. Something I've noticed in my years in martial arts. The tougher the fighter, the less they feel a need to prove it. The character is a great warrior, and she knows it. As such there is no need at act as though she needs to prove it.

I've discussed 'good feminism' versus 'bad feminism'. The conversation came up while watching BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER. 'Good feminism' means that strengths of women are displayed and accepted without needing to make men look bad. I think the best catchphrase for 'bad feminism' I've ever heard is "The best man for any job is a woman". Buffy like Wonder Woman is a very strong and capable character. Though both are often surrounded by men they are not damsels in distress, but at the same time they don't make the men in their lives feel inferior simply due to a Y chromosome.

So there you have it. A strong woman in comics who doesn't have to prove it to anyone and carries herself always with grace. And if that's not enough for you g out and buy the comic, the talking albino gorillas are pure awesome.