Wonder Woman is one of the most famous superheroes that debuted on All-Star Comics in the year 1941. It was later on published and ranked as one of the most recognizable and iconic heroes of the DC Comics. This Amazonian hero with her alter-ego named Princess Diana (also Diana Prince), inspired and influences many women of different ages –Not just through comics, but also up to TV Shows and Films, adapted for the upcoming generations.
The Inspiration behind “Wonder Woman”
Dr. William Moulton Marston – A Psychologist and creator of Wonder Woman.
The creation of the Amazonian hero, named Wonder Woman, came from Dr. William Moulton Marston. A famous Psychologist and inventor who is known for his invention of the Systolic Blood Pressure Test that has been one of the components used in the modern Polygraph, or also known as Lie Detector Test made by John Augustus Larson. It was in the early 1940s when the comic world was dominated by men superheroes and was also when the idea of Wonder Woman came to life. The idea of having a new type of superhero –one that would conquer the enemy, not with cruelty but with love, came from Marston. Although the idea of it, becoming a woman, came from Marston’s wife –Elizabeth Holloway Marston.
It was also in the times of World War Two when Wonder Woman was created as Psychological propaganda intending to show the world what type of woman Dr. Marston thinks could rule the world. This, later on, drew the inspiration of the early feminists, given the situation where almost five million women went to the workforce to perform jobs that were previously thought as jobs exclusive only for men.
Wonder Woman comics origin
Infinite Crisis #5: Earth-Two Wonder Woman by Phil Jimenez
The origin story of Wonder Woman revolves around a hero named Princess Diana, a member of the Amazon tribe, of the Paradise Island. Princess Diana came to life when the Greek gods gave her superpowers, along with the life given to her after she was sculpted from clay by Queen Hippolyta, her mother. Her story was later on altered by DC Comics as well as the hero’s appearance to give more emphasis on her warrior heritage. While like any other heroes, her goal is to save humans from the evil of any form.
The Golden Age Origin
On the Golden Age origin, the story of Wonder Woman tells about the story of Princess Diana saving an American Pilot named Steve. After Steve told Diana the chaos and the conflict of their world, Princess Diana was determined that she could help him and his world by fighting crimes and the evil people.
The Silver Age Origin
It was during the Silver Age where the story of Wonder Woman was slightly altered. Her origin was re-crafted to matched her Greek origins, where she was blessed by the Greek deities of the beauty of Aphrodite, the wisdom of Athena, the strength of Hercules, and Hermes’ speed. Also, in the late 1960s of the Silver Age, was where Wonder Woman gave in her powers to remain in the man’s world, and use her martial arts skill with the help of I Ching to combat evils.
Comics Wardrobe Evolution
Wonder Woman’s 2006, back to classic-look after the extreme costume alteration in the ’90s.
Moreover, the character’s story wouldn’t be much more appealing without the visualization of what the character would look like. Although Dr. Marston credited Olive Byrne, and his wife, Elizabeth for the character’s appearance and costume,
It was first created and designed by Dr. Marston and Harry G. Peter, from her signature color scheme of red, blue, and gold, up to her tiara, the mighty steel bracelets, and down to her red boots. Throughout the years, Wonder Woman’s costume was altered based on the timeline or era the hero had been through. Here are some of Wonder Woman’s wardrobe evolution that the avid fans have probably witnessed:
1941-1945
January 1942- Sensation Comics #1, Wonder Woman’s first costume design
On Golden Age comics of Wonder Woman, and her first appearances in All-Star and Sensation comics, her costume was originally a red tube top with a golden emblem of the American Eagle across the chest and paired with a star-patterned blue billowy, above-the-knee skirt. Her accessories like her indestructible bracelets on both of her arms, her tiara, and her lasso of truth were the weapons she used to fight the bad guys. Although somewhere in between the year 1941 up to the year 1945, the costumes sometimes changed from skirt to star-patterned fitted shorts.
The 1950s
Wonder Woman: Silver Age Comics, Illustrated by Ross Andru
In the Silver Age comics, of Wonder Woman comics number 98: “The Million Dollar Penny” released in May 1958, Wonder Woman’s blue, star-patterned, and formfitting short, became shorter. The boots were replaced by a crisscrossed, red, gladiator-style sandal, conforming to her roots in Greek Mythology.
The 1960s
Wonder Woman on series #189- Illustrated by Mike Sekowsky
After losing powers, in Wonder Woman #189, Wonder Woman as Diana Prince uses her fighting skills, wearing an all-white fighting suit to combat her evil enemies.
1972
With the help of Gloria Steinem, a feminist icon, Wonder Woman was featured in the full-length issue of “Ms.” Magazine, and was back to her classic look and color scheme of red, blue, and white.
1987
Wonder Woman- Crisis on Infinite Earths #1, Illustrated by George Perez
In Crisis of Infinite Earths Series, Wonderwoman’s costume was redesigned by a writer-artist named George Perez, together with Greg Potter. Her heeled-boots became flats, Her bracelets even got bigger and bolder, and her hair was curlier than the last series.
2006
Wonder Woman’s Classic look- Justice Comics #5, Illustrated by Dough Braithwaite, and Ross Alex
Twenty years after the Crisis on Infinite Earths, and after the drastic change of costume in the ’90s, Wonder Woman was rebooted back to her old classic look.
2016
Wonder Woman Vol.5, #16- Wonder Woman’s 2017 look, Illustrated by Bilquis Evely and Romulo Fajardo Jr.
The costume was redesigned to give Wonder Woman a more of the Greek, warrior-like aura. The altered design was also used in the 2017 Film Adaptation of Wonder Woman starring the Israeli Actress and Model, Gal Gadot.
Wonder Woman: From Comics to TV Shows
Wonder Woman (1974)
Wonder Woman (1974 ) Pilot episode- Starring Cathy Lee Crosby
The 1974 pilot episode of Wonder Woman was directed by Vincent McEveety, Written by John D.F Black, and was stared by Cathy Lee Crosby. It resembles the 1960s version of Wonder Woman comics wherein she was not wearing the iconic Wonder Woman costume. When the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) did not accept the standalone episode of Wonder Woman, The Warner Brothers together with ABC developed a more fitting another version adaptation of Wonder Woman in the year 1975, featuring Lynda Carter.
Wonder Woman (1975-1979)
Lynda Carter as Wonder Woman- 1975 movie adaptation of Wonder Woman
Seeing the potential of adapting the idea of the famous comics to a TV Show
–Wonder Woman, Warner Brothers together with the ABC remodeled the 1974 version of Wonder Woman. From the 1974 version of the Wonder Woman, Stanley Ralph Ross was given the previous script to develop and was set in the WWII era where the original comic book started.
Searching for talents, they came up to Lynda Carter –the 1972 Miss World USA, to star on the three successful seasons of the 1975 version of Wonder Woman.
Wonder Woman: From Comics to Films
Wonder Woman (2017)
Wonder Woman starring Gal Gadot, wearing the hero’s iconic red and blue costume on the official movie poster of the Wonder Woman 2017 film.
The 2017 film adaptation of the Wonder Woman came from Diana’s origin, where she met a pilot named Steve who told her about the chaos in the outside world. Princess Diana was convinced that she could be a help to stop the threat, therefore leaving her home for the very first time.
Wonder Woman 2017 film adaptation was released on June 2, 2017, starring Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman/Diana Prince, and Chris Pine as Steve Trevor. It was written by Allan Heinberg, Geoff Johns, and Patty Jenkins, and directed by Patty Jenkins.
Wonder Woman 1984 (2020)
Movie Poster teaser of the upcoming film -Wonder Woman 1984
The sequel of the Wonder Woman 2017 film, where Wonder Woman faces and fights Cheetah, a villain with great strength and speed.
Conclusion
For the last seventy-nine years, Wonder Woman has been the symbol of feminism and woman in power. Throughout these years, this hero shows the attributes of peace, equality, and justice, and as she paves her way to our today’s society, Wonder Woman became the epitome of what women are – “Power. Grace. Wisdom. Wonder.”