Skip to content

Wonder Woman

Wonder Woman, The Origin Story: The Inspirations and Multiple Retcons Behind the Amazon’s Creation

  • by

She’s the most recognizable female superhero in the history of comic books, and even beyond that. Wonder Woman was not the first one, but she certainly is the first to find success. Her story began a long time ago…

At the end of the 1930s, the kids read comic books in masse, especially Superman and Batman! But as it is always the case, some people thought that these stories full of heroes fighting criminals would transform a generation of children into hardened criminals themself, probably resorting to violence before anything else. Not everybody feared the worst. In fact, psychologist William Moulton Marston thought that comics were wonderful and made it known. This led him to get recruited by Maxwell Charles Gaines–then publisher of All-American Publications, aka DC–into the Editorial Advisory Board of the company.

As a consulting psychologist, Marston was in a position of influence and convinced Gaines to try a female superhero to discredit a good part of the arguments used against the violent men of comics. It turns out that Marston was a hardened feminist with a particular lifestyle (living with 2 wives, and 4 comics-reading children) and was in search of a way to disseminate his views.

Using the pen name Charles Moulton, he started to develop the story of “Suprema, The Wonder Woman”–editor Sheldon Mayer quickly got rid of the Suprema name. Inspired by the way the women’s suffrage movement used the myth of the Amazons to develop the narrative behind the changes they wanted, his beliefs in the superiority of women, his work in lie detection and in the spectrum of emotions, his interest in bondage, and a lot of elements taken directly from his life (and the ones of the women in his life), William Moulton Marston was determined to build a feminist tale.

Read More »Wonder Woman, The Origin Story: The Inspirations and Multiple Retcons Behind the Amazon’s Creation

Nubia Reading Order (Wonder Woman)

Introduced in 1973 in Wonder Woman #204, Nubia was created by writer Robert Kanigher and artist Don Heck. She is an Amazon, and DC Comics’ first Black woman superhero.

At first, Nubia was Wonder Woman‘s long-lost fraternal twin–she was raised by Mars the god of war as his weapon of destruction against the Amazons. Mars’ plan failed and Nubia only made a few appearances after that, then disappeared for 20 years!

When reintroduced during the Post-Crisis/Modern Age era of the DC Universe in Wonder Woman (vol. 2) Annual #8 in 1999, she was renamed Nu’Bia and was charged to guard “Doom’s Doorway” a very long time ago. So long in fact that the Themyscirian Amazons assumed she had perished. It was a short comeback.

But now in the Infinite Frontier era, after appearing in Future State: Immortal Wonder Woman, Nubia is fully back. Reintroduced as an Amazonian champion tasked with guarding Doom’s Doorway, Nubia shortly became Queen of Amazons and started sharing the title of Wonder Woman with Diana.

Read More »Nubia Reading Order (Wonder Woman)

Wonder Woman: Trial Of The Amazons Reading Order

  • by

Wonder Woman: Trial Of The Amazons Reading Order

This year, DC Comics planned multiple short events like War For Earth-3 and now Wonder Woman: Trial Of The Amazons. Introduced as the first Wonder Woman crossover of its kind, it was developed by the teams behind Wonder Woman, Nubia & the Amazons, and Wonder Girl—written by Stephanie Williams, Vita Ayala, Joëlle Jones, Michael Conrad, and Becky Cloonan, with art by Skylar Patridge, Laura Braga, Elena Casagrande, Joëlle Jones.

Here is the official synopsis: After the events of Nubia & the Amazons, the dangers of Doom’s Doorway have found their way to Man’s World and garnered the attention of not one, but all three Amazonian tribes. The Bana-Mighdall consider it to be a weakness in the current regime and have decided to return to the shores of Themyscira to stake their claim over the island. Little do they know, the Esquecida are not far behind, but instead looking for help to combat the evil unleashed. Tempers rise and swords are brandished as the women argue about the best course of action. Now Queen Nubia must show them all the way to peace by calling for one of the most famous Amazon traditions … the Contest. Who among them is worthy of leading them into the future? Find out as the bravest, wisest, and fiercest warriors compete to be the champion of all the Amazons!

What to Read before Wonder Woman: Trial Of The Amazons?

First, the story takes place after the events of Nubia & the Amazons, you’ll need to read:

Don’t know who is Wonder Girl? (she’s pretty new) Take a look at her first series:

  • Wonder Girl: Homecoming
    Collects Wonder Girl #1-7, Future State: Wonder Woman #1-2, and a selection from Infinite Frontier #0.

What’s up with Wonder Woman lately? See her last adventures in:

Read More »Wonder Woman: Trial Of The Amazons Reading Order

Wonder Woman Reading Order

Princess Diana of Themyscira is Wonder Woman, the most famous female superhero in the Patriarch’s World, and a feminist icon. Sometimes known under her civilian identity as Diana Prince, she’s an Amazon from the island nation of Themyscira and a founding member of the Justice League.

With the help of her Lasso of Truth, her indestructible bracelets, and her tiara, she fights deities, mythical monsters, and other creatures—most frequently Ares, Cheetah, Doctor Poison, Circe, Doctor Psycho, or Giganta…

Created by the American psychologist and writer William Moulton Marston (inspired by his wife, Elizabeth, and their life partner, Olive Byrne) and artist Harry G. Peter, Wonder Woman made her first appearance in All-Star Comics #8—released on October 21, 1941.

Her origin story has been rewritten multiple times, but it’s always about fighting for justice and treating others with compassion, even her enemies.

Everything usually starts when Captain Steve Trevor’s plane crashes on the island of Themyscira, then Diana won the right to bring him back to the Patriarch’s World. She is awarded a special uniform made by her mother for her new role as Wonder Woman.

She’s a princess, a warrior, and an ambassador. Beautiful as Aphrodite, wise as Athena, stronger than Hercules, swifter than Mercury … she is Wonder Woman!

Where to start with Wonder Woman?

Wonder Woman made her first appearance 80 years ago. So to help you find your path in this rich history, we made a short listing of books that can serve as a sort of entry point in the universe:

  • Wonder Woman: A Celebration of 75 Years – A collection of the iconic heroine’s best stories, from her first appearance by William Moulton Marston and H.G. Peter, to her mod ’60s redesign by Denny O’Neil and Mike Sekowsky, to her present-day adventures by Brian Azzarello and Cliff Chiang. Other legendary talents featured include George Pérez, Darwyn Cooke, Robert Kanigher, Gene Colan, Phil Jimenez, Mike Deodato, Greg Rucka, Gail Simone, and more.
  • Wonder Woman Through the Years – Another collection of the iconic heroine’s best stories to celebrate the many colorful eras of Wonder Woman through the decades, with stories ranging from formative Golden Age tales to her current adventures, including Diana taking on spies in the 1950s, Silver Swan in the 1980s, and teaming with Batman and Superman in the 1990s.
  • Wonder Woman by George Perez – The introduction Post-Crisis of a Wonder Woman for the Modern Era. Princess Diana was reshaped by George Pérez and returned to the public eye in 1986. She was met with such acclaim that Pérez’s original commitment of six months was extended, and extended, until almost five years had passed.
  • Wonder Woman: The Hiketeia – The most celebrated run on the character (with Pérez’s), I’m talking about Greg Rucka’s, started with this celebrated Graphic Novel in which Wonder Woman must go against Batman.
  • Wonder Woman: Year One – Greg Rucka came back and wrote a new origin story for the Rebirth Era.
  • Wonder Woman: Earth One – An out-of-continuity story by Grant Morrison and Yanick Paquette, another retelling of Diana’s origin. A three-book story.
  • Wonder Woman Historia: The Amazons – An Exploration of the History of the Amazons, from their inception to the creation of Earth’s greatest guardian!
  • Wonder Woman: Black and Gold – An anthology series celebrating Wonder Woman’s 80th anniversary with stories by Mariko Tamaki, Tillie Walden, Jamie McKelvie, Marguerite Sauvage, and more

Read More »Wonder Woman Reading Order

Wonder Woman by Greg Rucka Reading Order

  • by

Wonder Woman by Greg Rucka Reading Order

One of the most famous superheroes of the DC Universe, Wonder Woman was created by the American psychologist and writer William Moulton Marston and artist Harry G. Peter in 1941. Like Batman and Superman, the Princess Diana of Themyscira became a real icon. Following Crisis on Infinite Earths, Wonder Woman was rebooted in 1987 by George Péres (you can find more in our Wonder Woman Reading Order). This era—the volume 2—gave her a new notoriety. If Péres is one of the most famous artists who worked on the title, Greg Rucka is also one of them.

Rucka’s runs on the character are some of the most celebrated. He helped redefine Diana Prince/Wonder Woman, more than once. In fact, he did it twice. So, here is a little guide of his work related to the main WW series.

I was in a coma for so long, refresh my memory, who is Wonder Woman? Princess Diana of Themyscira fights for peace in Man’s World. As Wonder Woman, she’s a symbol of truth, justice and equality to people everywhere. Raised on the hidden island of Themyscira, Diana is an Amazon, and her people’s gift to humanity. As Themyscira’s emissary to Man’s World, Diana has made it her duty to lead by example, even if the differences between her birthplace and new home sometimes present hurdles for her to jump. She is a beacon of hope to all who find themselves in need. She stands as an equal among the most powerful Super Heroes, with a sense of purpose to protect the world from injustice in all forms.

Read More »Wonder Woman by Greg Rucka Reading Order