To think that it's only recently I'd considered myself a Wonder Woman fan! In this year alone I've read more about her, seen the animated movie, bought merchandise of the Amazon princess, and watched all three seasons of the Lynda Carter TV series - DVD boxsets owned! (EBay purchases - not bad, considering I live in the UK, where they are very obscure and hard to come by). So it figures I had to get something that includes Wonder Woman's true introduction: Her original comic book issues from the 1940s. And by the great and illustrious Hera I chanced upon 'Wonder Woman: The War Years 1941-1945' in stores (in the wake of 'Batman v Superman', mind you, but it's a start).
All I can say about this archive collection is that Wonder Woman's first adventures are typically written for their time, even with William Moulton Marston's ideas of feminism (which actually aren’t, since he believed women were superior to men, not their equals). Each and every issue is cheesy, ridiculous, nonsensical, and rather short-sighted, yet fun in their own right. They're also very racist, with the most unflattering depictions of Asian people, especially the Japanese who are villainous and are repeatedly referred to in derogatory terms. Apparently Wonder Woman once fought for equality and freedom for women, but prejudice against non-white people (and Germans) was okay with her!
However, I took this with a grain of salt because the issues were written during the Second World War, when fear, distrust and xenophobia were understandable in America. As a result US insecurity would be at an all-time high. Their superhero comics contained not-so-subtle messages about how America is the best country in the world. Propaganda commentary and jabs at Hitler are also present in this archive.
Wonder Woman became one of America's positive ambassadors (that she's an Amazon from an island based on ancient Greek legends does dispel a little of that xenophobia in WWII, intentional or not) alongside Superman and Batman. She continued in her heroism even after the war stories of her male counterparts were finished. When looking at the bigger picture, to have a woman become a symbol for the United States' hopes and dreams for the future shows wonderful progress for its time.
From the very beginning, Wonder Woman carries her own stories. Sure, she's hopelessly in love with Steve Trevor, the first man she ever sees when his fighter plane crash lands on Paradise Island, but she's competent at achieving all her tasks. She's strong, witty and cunning in times of crisis. Knowing her Amazonian legacy - its origins in slavery - she comes to realise why she must never let a man dominate her (men chaining up her bracelets is one of her weaknesses). She constantly rescues Steve from danger: This reverses traditional gender roles, particularly in comics - it's the dude-in-distress being saved by the kick-butt action heroine in 'Wonder Woman'. A good example of feminist progress is in one story where Wonder Woman tells a woman that she can get a job and earn her own living; and do without her evil, abusive husband.
Still, there is a strong emphasis on Wondy's femininity. She's always being described as beautiful ("as Aphrodite!" but is also "as wise as Athena"). She likes shopping. Plus she's vain, to the point where she wouldn't damage her eyelashes, even if it'll save her life!
But in giving the benefit of the doubt, I think this is to show how traditional feminine norms and behaviour in society can be seen as a strength, not a weakness. Let Wonder Woman be pretty and confident. Let her be as good as any man, even when she's bound, chained-up and/or gassed (Marston's kinks do show here)! Her super strength, speed, agility and other powers are her own, and are due to rather than in spite of her femininity, if that makes sense.
Probably not, but femininity and womanhood are represented as good things, overall.
Though Steve Trevor is much more interested in his striking and beautiful saviour than in his nurse-turned-secretary, the mousy Diana Prince. Speaking of, aside from being arrogant and fairly reckless, Steve's a moron: He sees Diana change into Wonder Woman twice in the later issues in this collection. He finally finds out her secret, but he then believes whatever BS Diana/Wonder Woman tells him to convince him that he didn't see what he thought he saw. Why can't she just tell him who she is, anyway? It's never explained. So much for her significance as the hero of truth and honesty.
Another character of note who's claimed a permanent place in Wondy's mythos is Etta Candy, a college sorority leader who is always - and I do mean always - the butt of fat jokes. These early comic issues are still really shallow; nearly all of Etta's dialogue mentions how much she loves candy (yeah, we get it, Marston!) and her catchphrase is "Woo-Woo!”
Though on the other hand, Etta is one of Wonder Woman's closest and most trusted allies, as she and her sorority girls are counted on every time to help the Amazon in any situation and save her life (wow these girls are smart and resilient!). So Etta isn't entirely body-shamed. She's useful and a prominent female friend for Wondy outside of Paradise Island.
Incidentally, Wonder Woman has telepathic connections to her friends and owns a "mental radio", I am not joking. I did say these comics are cheesy as hell! Heck, Paradise Island - where the princess Diana has loving relationships with her Amazon sisters and her mother Hippolyta - is also home to giant animals; not just kangaroos but boxing cats!
And I'm glad to own 'Wonder Woman: The War Years', and to get a feel of her origins, despite everything. Some of these adventures are fun and humorous, though maybe with the needed perception of zeitgeist and understanding the time period in which they were published. A good look for any Wonder Woman fan.
Final Score: 3.5/5
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