Wonder Woman

This New York Sun article about Wonder Woman brings something to light that is often overlooked, "To Marston, it was always very clear: Women weren't simply as good as men — they were better than men." I see plenty of support for that in this interview with Dr. Marston; and it seems reasonable to conclude that Wonder Woman, rather than being a mere symbol of equality, was meant to symbolize, and usher in an era of, dominant female strength.

Conversely, too much is made of Marston's polyamorous relationship and interest in bondage and submission. Those things no doubt were, along with the two women Marston shared that relationship with (especially his wife, Elizabeth Holloway Marston), important to the development of Wonder Woman. But this is nothing to be troubled by unless you're a wowser (and don't be fooled into thinking so by those who market sexual puritanism under a guise like feminism); indeed, there is substantive meaning behind many of the "sexual" images found in his stories.

When, for example, a bound Wonder Woman silently articulates Aphrodite's Law, "When an amazon girl permits a MAN to chain her bracelets of submission together she becomes as weak as other women in a man-ruled world!" the not-so-hidden meaning seems clear enough. But just in case, here is Marston in his own words (from the interview linked above): "The Amazons once surrendered to the charm of some handsome Greeks and what a mess they got themselves into. The Greeks put them in chains of the Hitler type, beat them, and made them work like horses in the fields. Aphrodite, goddess of love, finally freed these unhappy girls. But she laid down the rule that they must never surrender to a man for any reason. I know of no better advice to give modern women than this rule that Aphrodite gave the Amazon girls."

William Moulton Marston was, at least to some extent, ahead of his time, and just as the New York Sun article says, his ideas went beyond plain feminism—affirming, instead, the superior strength (in all senses of that word) of women. Those views were personified in Wonder Woman, and perhaps that is the secret to her lasting appeal.

Additional sources: "Suffering Sappho! A Look At The Creator & Creation of Wonder Woman."

Megan Gale, a fashion model who apparently does some of her work sans clothes, is the new Wonder Woman (also here), at least that is this week's casting rumor.

Megan is 5'11", generally has the right features, and doesn't look like a light breeze would get the best of her (pics: 1, 2), which, to her credit, does put her ahead of a few Wonder Woman wannabes. On the other hand, she isn't especially athletic and there are better candidates for the role who are.

Then we have all the nude photos floating around. I, of course, don't have a problem with them, but some people might and that could pose a problem for Warner Brothers—something to consider when judging the veracity of the rumor anyway.

Gina Carano, our favorite fight girl, has been having her name thrown in the mix quite a bit lately. First, Gina was a candidate to be Wonder Woman in the upcoming JLA movie (partly thanks to yours truly). And now, she is rumored to be an American Gladiator.

Gina, of course, deserves all the attention she's getting, and then some. While I'm not convinced yet that there is anything to the American Gladiators rumor, I'm fairly certain that somehow we're going to be seeing a lot more of Gina soon. She is simply too exceptional to remain in relative obscurity for very long.

American Gladiator or Wonder Woman? Methinks we win either way.


Photo by Tom Casino/EliteXC