If there's a heroine capable of going toe-to-toe with Superman and, even more impressively, saving the DC Universe from superhero movies, it's undoubtedly Wonder Woman. Wonder Woman is the most important heroine in comic book history, and today we bring you everything you need to know about her : her origin, her powers, some of her most famous adventures, and even secrets that almost no one knows.
There's no doubt that Wonder Woman is the most famous superheroine of all time. Born in an era when it was unthinkable for a woman to do anything other than take care of the children and the house, she has been a success with over 80 years of history.
Therefore, this is what you should know about her.
Who is Wonder Woman
Wonder Woman is Princess Diana of Themyscira (Diana Prince). Daughter of Hippolyta, queen of the Amazons, and Zeus, the most powerful of the Olympian gods, her origin has been rewritten several times and she began made of clay, somewhat in the biblical style.
Diana volunteered to leave her paradise home on Amazon Island and deliver a message of peace, fighting for justice and equality in a man's world.
Founder of the Justice League , she is considered one of DC's most powerful superheroes, and capable of defeating some stronger characters in battle, thanks to her superior skill and intelligence.
The curious origin of the character
The character was created for DC by psychologist William Moulton Marston , who also, interestingly, invented the polygraph.
The character first appeared in All Star Comics #8 , published on October 21, 1941. It was an instant success, and therefore, its first solo comic would be Sensation Comics #1, published in January 1942, just a few months later.
That makes her the first superheroine in comic book history , including Marvel. Or at least the first mainstream superheroine.
Since then, Wonder Woman has been published by DC Comics almost without interruption.
Marston's idea was to create a different kind of hero, one whose solutions weren't based on strength and punches . His wife, Elizabeth, also a psychologist, suggested that the hero be a woman.
In an interview with The New Yorker , Marston made the character's intentions and why he created her very clear: "Wonder Woman is the psychological propaganda of the new type of woman who, in my opinion, should rule the world […] the only hope for civilization is greater freedom, development, and equality for women in all fields of human activity."
At a time when this was still unthinkable, it was a revolution.
What are Wonder Woman's powers
Before departing for the world of men, the Olympian gods granted Diana several powers . Among them, the following stand out:
- Super strength, agility, reflexes, keen senses and speed.
- Ability to fly.
- Immortality and eternal youth.
- Accelerated healing.
- Communication with animals and much more.
She is generally considered the most powerful heroine in the DC Universe . She also uses weapons and objects that enhance her powers. Among them are:
- the lasso of truth. With a good handful of magical abilities (as needed by the story writers), the main characteristic of him is that whoever is bound by him can only tell that truth.
- The Submission Bracers. Nearly indestructible and made of amazonium, are the shield capable of stopping projectiles and blows.
- The sword forged by Hephaestus and the shield of Queen Alcippe.
- Su tiara, made of the same metal that, in addition to sometimes being a throwing weapon, allows him other abilities, such as understanding all languages.
- Su stealth plane to the human eye. Initially, it was the plane that Steve Trevor crashed on Themyscira and was upgraded by the Amazons.
Yes, it's clear, if Wonder Woman flies, why a plane? However, especially in the beginning, it was one of the most significant elements of her and Wonder Woman didn't fly herself.
Who is more powerful, Wonder Woman or Superman?
This is a very common question, since Wonder Woman can usually hold her own against Superman and is one of the few, if not the only one, who can withstand a few rounds... And even give him a beating.
However, officially, Superman is more powerful than Wonder Woman , and Wonder Woman herself acknowledges this.
While Superman is generally known as the strongest man on the planet, Wonder Woman is undoubtedly the strongest woman. Furthermore, she has demonstrated on numerous occasions that strength isn't everything, but rather ingenuity. As the warrior and strategist she is, she has shown that her power is sometimes more effective than the Man of Steel's , even if it isn't as overwhelming.
Similarly, Wonder Woman does not have Superman's weaknesses , so in a fight with him, and depending on the circumstances, anything can happen.
What are some of the most important adventures of Wonder Woman
Wonder Woman has had a multitude of adventures in her long life. Both alone and in the company of The Justice League, since she has always been one of DC's most popular characters.
This was also demonstrated when he brought the DC Extended Universe out of its coma . His film was a breath of fresh air, both critically and at the box office, which they of course proceeded to squander with the Justice League films and an atrocious second Wonder Woman installment, which also suffered due to the pandemic.
However, in the comics, these are some of his biggest adventures.
- In the heroine's initial Golden Age, her adventures have an important influence of Greek mythology and innocence of those times. But, unlike other characters, like Batman, his consistency is undeniable. He continues to fight for the same ideals in the same way.
- Steve trevor, pilot crashed on his island, will always be your great love and partner.
- Ares the god of war and the character of Cheetah, embodied by various women in the comics, have always been two of her great enemies. However, does not have an iconic nemesis, as the Joker is from Batman.
- In 1968, he lost his powers for a while, but stayed in the world of men, opened a clothing store and learned martial arts. Back then he wore everything, instead of his original outfit, but mainly, he wore a white jumpsuit with a W on it. His powers returned 4 years later.
- Following Superman's death, a depressed Wonder Woman discovers, using her own lasso, that she has been deceived about her origin and travels to Olympus for answers, only to find it abandoned. It's a good story that will see her reunite with Steve Trevor.
- In time, Wonder Woman will have another renowned love affair, as it will be superman.
- En Immortal Wonder Woman, we see that, in the future, at the end of days of the DC Universe, it is she who has to face Darkseid, the great enemy of The Justice League, in his last attempt to conquer Earth. With his allies dead and a weak, older Superman, it's all up to Wonder Woman.
The truth is that Wonder Woman may have suffered a bit from not having that nemesis, that great enemy. However, some runs, like those by Gail Simone or the New 52 , ​​the 2011 relaunch of DC's heroes, are very good.
Curiosities and secrets that few know about the heroine
To finish, here are a few curiosities that only the most fans of the Amazon know about:
- Wonder Woman has never worn a skirt. Although in some comics it seems that he is wearing something similar, in reality, it is always a cheeky.
- Of course, the first Wonder Woman comics were considered obscene in the 40s. His suit showed too much flesh.
- It was also the first woman to join the Justice Society, the prelude to the subsequent Justice League.
- At first, it was going to be called Supreme, Wonder Woman.
- In addition to Diana Prince, there were other Wonder women occasional, like Donna Troy or Queen Hippolyta herself.
- Wonder Woman, like Superman, is able to lift Thor's hammer. Seriously, we haven't got the wrong universe. Thor's own comic reminds us of this, as you can see below.
The history of crossovers between DC and Marvel is curious over time, and this nod is another stone in the building that was never fully constructed as it deserved.
As you can see, Wonder Woman is undoubtedly one of DC's most important superheroes. The first female superhero in history is also the most powerful and, as far as we know, the only one left to defend us when the last days come. At least, the last days of the DC Universe.