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Wonder Woman (comic book)

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Wonder Woman
Cover of Wonder Woman #1 (summer 1942),
art by Harry G. Peter
Publication information
PublisherDC Comics
FormatOngoing series
GenreSuperhero
Publication date
List
  • (vol. 1):
    Summer 1942 – February 1986
    (vol. 2):
    February 1987 – April 2006
    (vol. 3):
    August 2006 – October 2011
    (vol. 4):
    November 2011 – July 2016
    (vol. 5):
    August 2016 – December 2019
    (vol. 1 resumed):
    January 2020 – June 2023
    (vol. 6):
    September 2023 – present
No. of issues
List
  • (vol. 1): 329
    (vol. 2): 228 (#1–226. plus issues numbered #0 and 1,000,000) and 8 Annuals
    (vol. 3): 60 and 1 Annual
    (vol. 4): 55 (#1–52, plus issues numbered #0 and 23.1-23.2) and 1 Annual
    (vol. 5): 83 + 4 Annuals + a DC Rebirth one-shot issue
    (vol. 1 resumed): 51 + 1 "Annual"
    (vol. 6): 16
Main character(s)
Creative team
Created byWilliam Moulton Marston
Harry G. Peter
Elizabeth Holloway Marston
Written by
List
Penciller(s)
List
Inker(s)
List

Wonder Woman is an ongoing American comic book series featuring the DC Comics superhero Wonder Woman and occasionally other superheroes as its protagonist. The character first appeared in All Star Comics #8 (cover dated December 1941), later featured in Sensation Comics (January 1941) series until having her own solo title.

The series would contain many volume revamps and many new writers during the ages. Many of the events within the DC Universe affected the stories of the titular superhero with several reboots such as Crisis on Infinite Earths and The New 52.

The series was given a relaunch in 2016, when DC Comics rebooted its entire line of titles in an event called DC Rebirth. The series received a revamp in 2021, as part of a line-wide relaunch called Infinite Frontier, with issue #770. The series relaunched in 2023 as a part of Dawn of DC.

Volume 1

[edit]

Golden Age

[edit]

Wonder Woman first appeared in All Star Comics #8 (December 1941), during the era known to comics historians as the "Golden Age of Comic Books". Following this debut, she was featured in Sensation Comics #1 (January 1942), until starting in her own series in Summer 1942.[1][2]

During 1942 to 1947, images of bound and gagged women frequently graced the covers of both Sensation Comics and Wonder Woman. An early example is a scene in Wonder Woman #3 (Feb.-March 1943) in which Wonder Woman herself ties up several women, dresses them in deer costumes and chases them through the forest. Later, she rebinds them and displays them on a platter.[3][4]

Various Wonder Woman enemies would debut in the comic series. Issue #1 introduced Wonder Woman's nemesis, Ares, as the embodiment of all abnormal emotions, evil, and essentially all that Wonder Woman was against. In issue #5, the character of Doctor Psycho, a murderous psychopath with an intense hatred of women, was debuted,[5] Issue #6 introduced the Cheetah while issue #9 introduced Giganta. Also issue #9 debuted Queen Clea, which would later help form the female supervillain team Villainy Inc. Later on, issue #49 debuted another recurring enemy, Circe.[1]

Silver Age

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Wonder Woman experienced significant changes from the late 1950s through the 1960s during the Silver Age of Comic Books. Harry G. Peter was replaced by Ross Andru and Mike Esposito in issue #98 (May 1958),[6][7] and the character was revamped as were other characters in the Silver Age. In Diana's new origin story (issue #105), it is revealed that her powers are gifts from the gods. Receiving the blessing of each deity in her crib, Diana is destined to become as "beautiful as Aphrodite, wise as Athena, stronger than Hercules, and swifter than Mercury". Further changes included the removal of all World War II references from Wonder Woman's origin, the changing of Hippolyta's hair color to blonde, Wonder Woman's new ability to glide on air currents, and the introduction of the rule that Paradise Island would be destroyed if a man ever set foot on it.[1]

In the 1960s, regular scripter Robert Kanigher adapted several gimmicks which had been used for Superman. As with Superboy, Wonder Woman's "untold" career as the teenage Wonder Girl was chronicled.[1] Foils of Wonder Woman in the Robert Kanigher run included the Angle Man.[1]

The Diana Prince era and the Bronze Age

[edit]
Wonder Woman #189 (August 1970): By this era, Wonder Woman had more in common with Emma Peel than superheroes. Cover art by Mike Sekowsky and Dick Giordano.

In 1968, under the guidance of scripter Denny O'Neil and editor/plotter/artist Mike Sekowsky,[8] Wonder Woman surrendered her powers to remain in "Man's World" rather than accompany her fellow Amazons to another dimension where they could "restore their magic" (part of her motivation was to assist Steve Trevor, who was facing criminal charges).[9]

Now a mod boutique owner, the powerless Diana Prince acquired a Chinese mentor named I Ching. Under I Ching's guidance, Diana learned martial arts and weapons skills, and engaged in adventures that encompassed a variety of genres, from espionage to mythology. During this time she fought villains such as the Catwoman, Doctor Cyber, the hippie gang Them!, and the campy witch Morgana.[9]

This new era of the comic book was influenced by the British television series The Avengers, with Wonder Woman in the role of Emma Peel.[10] With Diana Prince running a boutique, fighting crime, and acting in concert with private detective allies Tim Trench and Jonny Double, the character resembled the Golden Age Black Canary. Soon after the launch of the "new" Wonder Woman, the editors severed all connections to her old life, most notably by killing Steve Trevor.[11]

During the 25 bi-monthly issues of the "new" Wonder Woman, the writing team changed four times. Consequently, the stories display abrupt shifts in setting, theme, and tone. The revised series attracted writers not normally associated with comic books, most notably science fiction author Samuel R. Delany, who wrote Wonder Woman #202–203 (October and December 1972).[9]

The I Ching era had an influence on the 1974 Wonder Woman TV movie featuring Cathy Lee Crosby, in which Wonder Woman was portrayed as a non-superpowered globe-trotting super-spy who wore an amalgam of the Wonder Woman and Diana Prince costumes. The first two issues of Allan Heinberg's run (Wonder Woman (vol. 3) #1–2) include direct references to I Ching, and feature Diana wearing an outfit similar to that which she wore during the I Ching era.[9]

Wonder Woman's powers and traditional costume were restored in issue #204 (January–February 1973).[12] Gloria Steinem, who grew up reading Wonder Woman comics, was a key player in the restoration. Steinem, offended that the most famous female superheroine had been depowered, placed Wonder Woman (in costume) on the cover of the first issue of Ms. (1972) – Warner Communications, DC Comics' owner, was an investor – which also contained an appreciative essay about the character.[13]

The return of the "original" Wonder Woman was executed by Robert Kanigher, who returned as the title's writer-editor. For the first year, he relied upon rewritten and redrawn stories from the Golden Age.[9][14]

Following the popularity of the Wonder Woman TV series (initially set during World War II), the comic book was also transposed to this era.[15] The change was made possible by the multiverse concept, which maintained that the 1970s Wonder Woman and the original 1940s version existed in two separate yet parallel Earths. A few months after the TV series changed its setting to the 1970s, the comic book returned to the contemporary timeline. Soon after, when the series was written by Jack C. Harris, Steve (Howard) Trevor was killed off yet again.[9]

Writer Gerry Conway brought Steve Trevor back to life again in issue #271 (September 1980).[16] Following Diana's renunciation of her role as Wonder Woman, a version of Steve Trevor from an undisclosed portion of the Multiverse accidentally made the transition to Earth-One. With Diana's memory erased by the Mists of Nepenthe, the new Steve again crash-landed and arrived at Paradise Island. After reclaiming the title of Wonder Woman, Diana returned to Military Intelligence, working with Trevor and re-joined by supporting characters Etta Candy and General Darnell.[9]

In the preview in DC Comics Presents #41 (January 1982), writer Roy Thomas and penciler Gene Colan provided Wonder Woman with a stylized "WW" emblem on her bodice, replacing the traditional eagle.[17] The "WW" emblem, unlike the eagle, could be protected as a trademark and therefore had greater merchandising potential. Wonder Woman #288 (February 1982) premiered the new costume and an altered cover banner incorporating the "WW" emblem.[18] The new emblem was the creation of Milton Glaser, who also designed the "bullet" logo adopted by DC in 1977, and the cover banner was originally made by studio letterer Todd Klein, which lasted for a year and a half before being replaced by a version from Glaser's studio.[19][20] Dann Thomas co-wrote Wonder Woman #300 (Feb. 1983)[21][22] and, as Roy Thomas noted in 1999 "became the first woman ever to receive scripting credit on the world's foremost super-heroine."[23]

After the departure of Thomas in 1983, Dan Mishkin took over the writing. Mishkin and Colan reintroduced the character Circe to the rogues gallery of Wonder Woman's adversaries.[24] Don Heck replaced Colan as artist as of issue #306 (Aug. 1983) but sales of the title continued to decline.[25] Shortly after Mishkin's departure in 1985 – including a three-issue run by Mindy Newell and a never-published revamp by Steve Gerber -[26] the series ended with issue #329 (Feb. 1986). Written by Gerry Conway, the final issue depicted Wonder Woman's marriage to Steve Trevor.[9]

Huntress series

[edit]

Despite the name title, Wonder Woman was not the only character featured in volume 1 of the series. Beginning with issue #271 (September 1980), the character Huntress (Helena Wayne), appeared as backup features in issues of Wonder Woman in her own solo series.[27]

Volume 2

[edit]
Wonder Woman (vol. 2) #1 (February 1987),
art by George Pérez

Following Crisis on Infinite Earths, Wonder Woman was rebooted in 1987, by writer Greg Potter, who previously created the Jemm, Son of Saturn series for DC, was hired to rework the character. He spent several months working with editor Janice Race[28] on new concepts, before being joined by writer/artist George Pérez.[29] Inspired by John Byrne and Frank Miller's work on refashioning Superman and Batman, Pérez came in as the plotter and penciler of Wonder Woman.[30] Potter dropped out of writing the series after issue #2,[31][32] and Pérez became the sole plotter. Initially, Len Wein replaced Potter but Pérez took on the scripting as of issue #18. Mindy Newell would return to the title as scripter with issue #36 (November 1989).[33] Pérez produced 62 issues of the rebooted title. His relaunch of the character was a critical and sales success.[34]

Pérez and Potter wrote Wonder Woman as a feminist character, and Pérez's research into Greek mythology provided Wonder Woman's world with depth and verisimilitude missing from her previous incarnation.[35][36] The incorporation of Greek gods and sharply characterized villains added a richness to Wonder Woman's Amazon heritage and set her apart from other DC heroes.[9]

Wonder Woman was now a princess and emissary from Paradise Island (now called Themyscira) to Patriarch's World. She possessed stunning beauty and a loving heart, gifts from the goddess Aphrodite. From Athena, she received the gift of great wisdom; from Demeter, the power and strength of the earth; from Hestia, sisterhood with fire; and from Artemis, unity with beasts and the instincts and prowess of a hunter. Finally, Diana received the gift of speed and the power of flight from the god Hermes.[9]

The American theme of Diana's costume was explained by Pérez in the Challenge of the Gods storyline in which Diana engaged in a series of trials arranged by Zeus as punishment for refusing his advances. Diana met the spirit of Steve Trevor's mother, Diana Trevor, who was clad in armor identical to her own. Trevor revealed that during World War II she had crashed on Themyscira while on duty as a U.S. Army pilot. She blundered into an Amazon battle against Cottus, a multi-armed demon, at the portal to the underworld. Trevor was drawn into the battle, although she was armed only with her side arm. She wounded the beast before suffering a mortal blow, allowing the Amazons to reseal the portal.[37]

Impressed by this unknown woman's self-sacrifice, the Amazons entombed her with honors and clothed her in armor displaying the American flag pattern on her uniform, which they assumed were her heraldic colors.[37] Trevor's legacy was also the primary reason why Ares arranged for Steve Trevor to bomb the island, as he could not resist the irony of the heroine's son unwittingly killing her admirers.[37]

Wonder Woman did not keep her identity a secret, and initially did not consider herself a superheroine. Indeed, her character was wide-eyed and naive, innocent and without guile. Diana spoke only Themyscirian, a variation of ancient Greek, and had to learn English when she arrived in the United States. Fortunately, Diana soon met Julia Kapatelis, a scholar in Greek culture, and her daughter Vanessa Kapatelis who helped the Amazon princess adjust to the world of men. However, for all her apparent naiveté, Diana was a trained warrior, and had no compunction against using deadly force when it was called for. For example, she felled the god Deimos in battle and felt completely justified under the circumstances. Through Pérez's tenure on the book, Diana confronted war, injustice, inequality, death and conflicts involving the Olympian Gods.[9]

Wonder Woman's supporting characters were altered as well. In addition to the introduction of the Kapatelises, Steve Trevor was changed into an Air Force officer considerably older than Diana, thus sidestepping the traditional romance between the two. Instead, Trevor became involved with Etta Candy, a mature military officer possessing a plump physique. The Greek war god Ares and the witch Circe eventually became two of Diana's greatest enemies. Her rogues gallery included the Cheetah, a woman who could transform into a ferocious feline-humanoid creature; and the Silver Swan, a once-deformed radiation victim granted beauty, wings and deafening sonic powers through genetic engineering.[9]

Following Pérez, William Messner-Loebs took over as writer and Mike Deodato became the artist for the title. Messner-Loebs introduced Diana's Daxamite friend Julia in Wonder Woman vol. 2 #68 during the six-issue space arc.[38][39] Messner-Loebs's most memorable contribution to the title was the introduction of the red-headed Amazon Artemis, who took over the mantle of Wonder Woman for a short time. He also included a subplot during his run in an attempt to further humanize Diana by having her work for a fictional fast food chain called "Taco Whiz".[9]

John Byrne's run included a period in which Diana's mother Hippolyta served as Wonder Woman, having traveled back to the 1940s, while Diana ascended to Mount Olympus as the Goddess of Truth after being killed in issue #124. In addition, Wonder Woman's Amazon ally Nubia was re-introduced as Nu'Bia, scripted by a different author.[40] Byrne posited that Hippolyta had been the Golden Age Wonder Woman. Byrne restored the series' status quo in his last issue.[41]

Writer Eric Luke next joined the comic and depicted Diana as often questioning her mission in Man's World, and most primarily her reason for existing. His most memorable contributions to the title was having Diana separate herself from humanity by residing in a floating palace called the Wonder Dome, and for a godly battle between the Titan Cronus and the various religious pantheons of the world. Phil Jimenez, worked on the title beginning with issue #164 (January 2001),[42] and produced a run which has been likened to Pérez's, particularly since his art bears a resemblance to Pérez's. Jimenez's run showed Wonder Woman as a diplomat, scientist, and activist who worked to help women across the globe become more self-sufficient. Jimenez also added many visual elements found in the Wonder Woman television series. One of Jimenez's story arcs is "The Witch and the Warrior", in which Circe turns New York City's men into beasts, women against men, and lovers against lovers.[43][44][45]

After Jimenez, Walt Simonson wrote a six-issue homage to the I Ching era, in which Diana temporarily loses her powers and adopts an all-white costume (Wonder Woman (vol. 2) #189–194). Greg Rucka became writer with issue #195. His initial story arc centered upon Diana's authorship of a controversial book and included a political subtext. Rucka introduced a new recurring villain, ruthless businesswoman Veronica Cale, who uses media manipulation to try to discredit Diana. Rucka modernized the Greek and Egyptian gods, updating the toga-wearing deities to provide them with briefcases, laptop computers, designer clothing, and modern hairstyles. Rucka dethroned Zeus and Hades, who were unable to move with the times as the other gods had, replacing them with Athena and Ares as the new rulers of the gods and the Underworld. Athena selected Diana to be her personal champion.[9]

Volume 3

[edit]

In conjunction with DC's "One Year Later" crossover storyline, Wonder Woman (vol. 3) was launched with a new issue #1 (June 2006), written by Allan Heinberg with art by Terry Dodson. Her bustier features a new design, combining the traditional eagle with the 1980s "WW" design, similar to her emblem in the Kingdom Come miniseries.[9]

Donna Troy has taken up the mantle of Wonder Woman; Diana has disappeared to parts unknown, though there are reports that she has been seen in the company of an eastern mystic named I Ching. The World Court drops the charges against Diana for the killing of Maxwell Lord.[9]

When Diana returns she takes on the persona of Diana Prince, now a secret agent and member of the Department of Metahuman Affairs. She is partnered with Nemesis and the two report to Sarge Steel. Her first assignment is to retrieve her sister Donna Troy, who has been kidnapped by several of her most persistent enemies; their powers have been augmented by Circe. After this is accomplished, Diana takes back the title of Wonder Woman.[9]

In Wonder Woman Annual (vol. 3) #1 (2007), Circe gives Diana the "gift" of human transformation.[46] When she becomes Diana Prince she transforms into a non-powered mortal. She is content, knowing that she can become Wonder Woman when she wishes and be a member of the human race as Diana Prince.[9]

The relaunch was beset by scheduling problems as described by Grady Hendrix in his article, "Out for Justice" in The New York Sun. "By 2007 [Heinberg had] only delivered four issues...Ms. Picoult's five issues hemorrhaged readers...and Amazons Attack!, a miniseries commissioned to fill a hole in the book's publishing schedule caused by Mr. Heinberg's delays, was reviled by fans who decried it as an abomination."[47] Picoult's interpretation received acclaim from critics, who would have liked to have seen the novelist given more time to work. Min Jin Lee of The Times stated, "By furnishing a 21st-century emotional characterization for a 20th-century creation, Picoult reveals the novelist's dextrous hand."[48]

Gail Simone took up writing duties on the title beginning with issue #14.[49]

Issue #600 and beyond

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DC Comics Executive Editor Dan DiDio asked fans for 600 postcards to restore the Wonder Woman comic book to the original numbering, starting at #600. The publisher's office had received 712 postcards by the October 31, 2009, deadline. As a result, the numbering switched to #600 after Wonder Woman #44, in an anniversary issue. Issue #600 featured several stories featuring work from guest creators such as Geoff Johns, George Pérez, Phil Jimenez, and Amanda Conner. The issue featured guest appearances from other female superheroes such as Batwoman, Power Girl, Batgirl, Stargirl and the Question.[9]

Writer J. Michael Straczynski took over the title after Gail Simone in issue #601.[50][51][52] The art team was Don Kramer and Michael Babinski.[53]

Straczynski's run focused on an alternate timeline created by the gods where Paradise Island was destroyed, leading to many Amazons being raised in the outside world. It revolves around Wonder Woman's attempts to restore the normal timeline, despite the fact that she does not remember it properly. Wonder Woman in this alternative timeline has been raised in New York City as an orphan and is coming into her powers. She is aware of the presence of Amazons, but does not remember her childhood on Paradise Island.[54][55] Wonder Woman wore a new costume designed by DC Comics co-publisher Jim Lee.[56] Writer Phil Hester continued the storyline.[57]

The decision to redesign Wonder Woman received considerable coverage in mainstream news outlets.[58]

The Wonder Woman in this timeline started off with a limited power set, but gained her magic lasso and the power of flight during the fourth installment of the story.[59]

Volume 4

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In August 2011, Wonder Woman (vol. 3) was cancelled along with every other DC title as part of a line-wide relaunch following Flashpoint. The series was relaunched in September with a new issue #1 written by Brian Azzarello and drawn by Cliff Chiang. Wonder Woman now sports another new costume, once again designed by Jim Lee.[60] Azzarello describes the new Wonder Woman book as being darker than the past series, even going so far as to call it a "horror" book.[61]

In this new continuity, Wonder Woman's origin is significantly changed and she is no longer a clay figure brought to life by the magic of the gods. Instead, she is the natural-born daughter of Hippolyta and Zeus. The earlier origin story was revealed by Hippolyta to be a ruse thought up by the Amazons, to protect Diana from the wrath of Hera, who is known for hunting and killing several illegitimate offspring of Zeus.[62]

In the first story arc, Wonder Woman meets and protects a young woman named Zola, from Hera's wrath. Zola is pregnant with Zeus's child and Hera, seething with jealousy, intends to kill the child.[62] [63][64][65] [66][67] The major event in this story is the revelation of Diana's true parentage. Long ago, Hippolyta and Zeus battled each other. Their battle ended with the couple making love and thus Diana was conceived.[62] The first six issues of the New 52 series are collected in a hardcover titled Wonder Woman Vol. 1: Blood.[68]

The second storyline focuses on Wonder Woman's quest to rescue Zola from Hades, who had abducted her and taken her to Hell at the end of the sixth issue of the series.[69][70][71][72] The male Amazons are introduced and their origin story is revealed- the Amazons used to infrequently invade the ships coming near the island and force themselves on the sailors, and then kill them. After nine months, the birth of the female children are highly celebrated and inducted into the proper ranks of the Amazons, while the male children are rejected. In order to save the children from being killed by the Amazons, Hephaestus trades them with the Amazons in exchange for weapons.[69]

The story then centers on Apollo trying to take over as King of Olympus due to his father Zeus' absence and Wonder Woman's efforts to protect Zola from him, as it is prophesied that one of Zeus' children will be his downfall, which Apollo considers to be Zola's child.[73][74] Wonder Woman receives the power of flight by one of Hermes' feathers piercing her thigh and Zola's baby is stolen by Hermes at the end and given to Demeter. The issue's last page shows a dark and mysterious man rising from the snow, taking a helmet and disappearing.[74] Issues 7–12 are collected in a hardcover titled Wonder Woman Vol. 2: Guts, scheduled for release in January 2013.[75]

A stand-alone #0 Issue was released in September which explored Diana's childhood and her tutelage under Ares, the God of War.[76] The issue was narrated in the style of a typical Golden Age comic book and saw Diana in her childhood years. The main plot of the issue was Diana training under Ares, as he thought of her being an extraordinary girl with immense potential. The issue ultimately concluded with Diana learning and experiencing the importance of mercy, as she hesitates and refuses to kill the Minotaur - a task given to her by Ares; however, this show of mercy makes her a failure in Ares' eyes.

Artist David Finch and writer Meredith Finch became the new creative team on the Wonder Woman series with issue #36 (Jan. 2015).[77]

The series has been one of the most altered of the New 52 event. Joey Esposito and Erik Norris of IGN noted that the new creative team provided "a creative well that appears bottomless."[78] Timothy Callahan of Comic Book Resources called the title "the best of the New 52" and described the work of Brian Azzarello and Cliff Chiang as "a clean, poetic story with a strong mythological pull."[79]

Volume 5

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2016–present

As part of the DC Rebirth relaunch, writer Greg Rucka and artists Liam Sharp, Matthew Clark, and Nicola Scott produced a new Wonder Woman series for DC Comics in June 2016.[80] Issues are numbered 1-83, then with the 84th issue, the series reverted to legacy numbering with issue #750.

Wonder Woman was part of the 2021 Infinite Frontier relaunch, beginning with issue #770. Another title, "Sensational Wonder Woman" was part of the relaunch.

Volume 6

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A relaunch of the Wonder Woman series occurred in September 2023 as a part of the Dawn of DC initiative. The series will be written by Tom King, drawn by Daniel Sampere and focus on Diana as she seeks to continue her duties as Wonder Woman, even after a recent law has been passed that has banned Amazons on American soil and the creation of the Amazon Extradition Entity (AXE) task force.[81]

Collected editions

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See also

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References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e Daniels, Les (2000). Wonder Woman: The Complete History. San Francisco, California: Chronicle Books. p. 63. ISBN 0811829138.
  2. ^ Johnston, Rich (July 24, 2015). "Roy Thomas Tells The War Years Of Batman, Superman And Wonder Woman". Bleeding Cool. Archived from the original on October 27, 2015.
  3. ^ Greenberger, Robert (2010). Wonder Woman: Amazon. Hero. Icon. Milan, Italy: Rizzoli Universe Promotional Books. pp. 51–52. ISBN 978-0789324160.
  4. ^ Bunn, Geoffrey C. (1997). "The lie detector, Wonder Woman and liberty: the life and work of William Moulton Marston". History of the Human Sciences. 10 (1). Thousand Oaks, California: SAGE Publications: 91–119. doi:10.1177/095269519701000105. S2CID 143152325.
  5. ^ Lepore, Jill (2014). "The Last Amazon". The New Yorker.
  6. ^ Irvine, Alex "1950s" in Dolan, p. 90: "Wonder Woman's origin story and character was given a Silver Age revamp, courtesy of writer Robert Kanigher and artist Ross Andru."
  7. ^ "Wonder Woman #98". Grand Comics Database. May 1958.
  8. ^ McAvennie, Michael "1960s" in Dolan, p. 131 "Carmine Infantino wanted to rejuvenate what had been perceived as a tired Wonder Woman, so he assigned writer Denny O'Neil and artist Mike Sekowsky to convert the Amazon Princess into a secret agent. Wonder Woman was made over into an Emma Peel type and what followed was arguably the most controversial period in the hero's history."
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s Jimenez, Phil; Wells, John (2010). The Essential Wonder Woman Encyclopedia. New York, New York: Del Rey Books. pp. 420–421. ISBN 978-0-345-50107-3. Retrieved November 26, 2011.
  10. ^ Greenberger p. 172: "The staid book suddenly looked new and vibrant, thanks to a new color scheme and mod designs from Sekowsky. He was heavily influenced by then-popular British television series The Avengers."
  11. ^ O'Neil, Dennis (w), Sekowsky, Mike (p), Giordano, Dick (i). "A Death for Diana!" Wonder Woman, no. 180 (January–February 1969).
  12. ^ McAvennie "1970s" in Dolan, p. 154 "After nearly five years of Diana Prince's non-powered super-heroics, writer-editor Robert Kanigher and artist Don Heck restored Wonder Woman's...well, wonder."
  13. ^ Greenberger p. 175: "Journalist and feminist Gloria Steinem...was tapped in 1970 to write the introduction to Wonder Woman, a hardcover collection of older stories. Steinem later went on to edit Ms. Magazine, with the first issue published in 1972, featuring the Amazon Princess on its cover. In both publications, the heroine's powerless condition during the 1970s was pilloried. A feminist backlash began to grow, demanding that Wonder Woman regain the powers and costume that put her on a par with the Man of Steel."
  14. ^ Pasko, Martin; Wein, Len; Bates, Cary; Maggin, Elliot S.; Michelinie, David (2012). Wonder Woman: The Twelve Labors. New York, New York: DC Comics. p. 232. ISBN 978-1401234942.
  15. ^ McAvennie "1970s" in Dolan, p. 172 "The comic's time and Earth shifts were actually dictated by ABC-TV's popular Wonder Woman TV series, set during World War II, and they continued in this era for the next fifteen issues."
  16. ^ Manning, Matthew K. "1980s" in Dolan, p.187 "This landmark issue also saw the return of Steve Trevor to Wonder Woman's life in the main feature by writer Gerry Conway and penciler José Delbo."
  17. ^ Sanderson, Peter (September–October 1981). "Thomas/Colan Premiere Wonder Woman's New Look". Comics Feature (12/13). New Media Publishing: 23. The hotly-debated new Wonder Woman uniform will be bestowed on the Amazon Princess in her first adventure written and drawn by her new creative team: Roy Thomas and Gene Colan...This story will appear as an insert in DC Comics Presents #41.
  18. ^ "Wonder Woman #288". Grand Comics Database. February 1982.
  19. ^ Keith Dallas, Jason Sacks, Jim Beard, Dave Dykema, Paul Brian McCoy (2013). American Comic Book Chronicles: The 1980s. TwoMorrows Publishing. pp. 47–8. ISBN 978-1605490465.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  20. ^ Klein, Todd (January 18, 2008). "Logo Study: WONDER WOMAN part 3". Klein Letters. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
  21. ^ Manning "1980s" in Dolan, p. 200: "The Amazing Amazon was joined by a host of DC's greatest heroes to celebrate her 300th issue in a seventy-two-page blockbuster...Written by Roy and Dann Thomas, and penciled by Gene Colan, Ross Andru, Jan Duursema, Dick Giordano, Keith Pollard, Keith Giffen, and Rich Buckler."
  22. ^ Mangels, Andy (December 2013). "Nightmares and Dreamscapes: The Highlights and Horrors of Wonder Woman #300". Back Issue! (69). Raleigh, North Carolina: TwoMorrows Publishing: 61–63.
  23. ^ Thomas, Roy (Summer 1999). "The Secret Origins of Infinity, Inc". Alter Ego. 3 (1). Raleigh, North Carolina: TwoMorrows Publishing: 27.
  24. ^ Manning "1980s" in Dolan, p. 202: "The sorceress Circe stepped out of the pages of Homer's Odyssey and into the modern mythology of the DC Universe in Wonder Woman #305, courtesy of Dan Mishkin's script and Gene Colan's pencils."
  25. ^ Coates, John (2014). Don Heck: A Work of Art. Raleigh, North Carolina: TwoMorrows Publishing. pp. 168–169. ISBN 978-1605490588. The circulation numbers reported in #325 show a -46% decrease over the previous 24 issues, back to #303.
  26. ^ Cronin, Brian (April 1, 2010). "Comic Book Legends Revealed #254". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on November 7, 2011. Retrieved November 6, 2011. Gerber and Frank Miller pitched DC on revamps of the "Trinity." The three titles would be called by the "line name" of METROPOLIS, with each character being defined by one word/phrase… AMAZON (written by Gerber); DARK KNIGHT (written by Miller); and Something for Superman – I believe either MAN OF STEEL or THE MAN OF STEEL, but I'm not sure about that (written by both men).
  27. ^ McAvennie, Michael; Dolan, Hannah, ed. (2010). "1970s". DC Comics Year By Year A Visual Chronicle. Dorling Kindersley. p. 187. ISBN 978-0-7566-6742-9. The daughter of Batman and Catwoman from Earth-2 found a new home away from home in the pages of Wonder Woman's monthly title...a regular gig as the back-up feature to the Amazing Amazon's lead story. Handled by writer Paul Levitz and artist Joe Staton, the Huntress faced the villainy of the swamp creature Solomon Grundy. {{cite book}}: |first2= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  28. ^ Gold, Alan "Wonder Words" letter column, Wonder Woman #329 (February 1986) "[Alan Gold will] be turning over the editorial reins to Janice Race...She has been working for several months already, as a matter of fact, with a bright new writer named Greg Potter."
  29. ^ "Newsflashes". Amazing Heroes (#82). Fantagraphics Books: 8. November 1, 1985. Pérez's Amazon: George Pérez will be co-plotting and penciling the new Wonder Woman series, scheduled to debut in June 1986 [sic]. Greg Potter will be the writer and co-plotter with Pérez
  30. ^ Pérez, George "The Wonder Of It All" text article Wonder Woman #1 (February 1987)

    It was the fall of 1985...I walked into editor Janice Race's office to find out about the fate of Diana Prince. I was curious to learn who was going to draw her. Superman had [John] Byrne and [Jerry] Ordway, Batman had [Frank] Miller and [Alan] Davis (and later [David] Mazzucchelli). Wonder Woman had...No one. A writer, Greg Potter, had been selected but no established artist wanted to handle the new series. After exhaustive searches, it seemed Wonder Woman would have to be assigned to an unknown...I thought of John Byrne and Superman. What a giant coup for DC. A top talent and fan-fave on their premier character..."Janice" I heard myself say "What if I took on Wonder Woman for the first six months – just to get her out of the starting gate?"

  31. ^ Berger, Karen letter column, Wonder Woman #5 (June 1987) "Greg is also the creative director of a Connecticut-based advertising agency. Greg chose to further his career in the aforementioned area, and very reluctantly had to relinquish the scripting after helping to launch our series."
  32. ^ Nolen-Weathington, Eric (2003). Modern Masters Volume 2: George Pérez. Raleigh, North Carolina: TwoMorrows Publishing. p. 50. ISBN 1-893905-25-X. Retrieved November 16, 2011. But with the changes I [George Pérez] was making, I think Greg decided that maybe it wasn't for him and he bowed out after issue #2.
  33. ^ Mindy Newell's Wonder Woman credits at the Grand Comics Database
  34. ^ Mangels, Andy (January 1, 1989). "Triple Threat: The George Pérez Interview". Amazing Heroes (#156). Fantagraphics Books: 30. Wonder Woman's sales are some of the best the Amazing Amazon has ever experienced, and the book is a critical and popular success with its weaving of Greek mythology into a feminist and humanistic atmosphere.
  35. ^ Manning "1980s" in Dolan, p. 227 "With the help of Pérez's meticulous pencils, as well as his guidance as co-plotter, Wonder Woman was thrust further into the realm of Greek mythology than she'd ever been before."
  36. ^ Daniels, Les (1995). "The Amazon Redeemed Wonder Woman Returns to Her Roots". DC Comics: Sixty Years of the World's Favorite Comic Book Heroes. New York, New York: Bulfinch Press. p. 194. ISBN 0821220764. Creator William Moulton Marston had mixed Roman gods in with the Greek, but Pérez kept things straight even when it involved using a less familiar name like 'Ares' instead of 'Mars'. The new version also jettisoned the weird technology anachronistically present on the original Paradise Island.
  37. ^ a b c Wein, Len (w), Pérez, George (p), Patterson, Bruce (i). "Echoes of the Past" Wonder Woman, vol. 2, no. 12 (January 1988).
  38. ^ Messner-Loebs, William (w), Cullins, Paris (p), McLaughlin, Frank (i). "Breaking Bonds" Wonder Woman, vol. 2, no. 68 (November 1992).
  39. ^ Messner-Loebs, William (w), Cullins, Paris (p), Tanghal, Romeo (i). "Home Again" Wonder Woman, vol. 2, no. 71 (February 1993).
  40. ^ Manning "1990s" in Dolan, p. 280 "It seemed Wonder Woman had breathed her last in Wonder Woman #124, thanks to writer and artist John Byrne."
  41. ^ Manning "1990s" in Dolan, p. 284 "Writer/artist John Byrne was leaving Wonder Woman...But before he could move on to other projects, there was one final thing Byrne still had to do: bring Wonder Woman back from the dead."
  42. ^ Cowsill, Alan "2000s" in Dolan, p. 298 "The 'Gods of Gotham' storyline marked the start of Phil Jimenez's run on the series as artist and writer (with J. M. DeMatteis on board as co-scripter for the first arc)."
  43. ^ Jimenez, Phil (w), Jimenez, Phil (p), Lanning, Andy; Stucker, Lary; Alquiza, Marlo (i). "The Witch and the Warrior Part One" Wonder Woman, vol. 2, no. 174 (November 2001).
  44. ^ Jimenez, Phil (w), Jimenez, Phil; Badeaux, Brandon (p), Lanning, Andy; Stucker, Lary; Marzan Jr., José; Conrad, Kevin; Alquiza, Marlo (i). "The Witch and the Warrior Part Two: Girl Frenzy" Wonder Woman, vol. 2, no. 175 (December 2001).
  45. ^ Jimenez, Phil (w), Jimenez, Phil (p), Lanning, Andy (i). "The Witch and the Warrior Part Three: Hateful Hate" Wonder Woman, vol. 2, no. 176 (January 2002).
  46. ^ Heinberg, Allan (w), Dodson, Terry (p), Dodson, Rachel (i). "Who Is Wonder Woman? Part Five" Wonder Woman Annual, vol. 3, no. 1 (November 2007).
  47. ^ Hendrix, Grady (December 11, 2007). "Out for Justice". The New York Sun. Retrieved May 21, 2012.
  48. ^ Lee, Min Jin (January 18, 2008). "Wonder Woman: Love and Murder by Jodi Picoult". The Times. Archived from the original on July 6, 2008. Retrieved April 29, 2012.
  49. ^ Simone, Gail (w), Dodson, Terry (p), Dodson, Rachel (i). "The Circle Part One of Four: What You Do Not Yet Know" Wonder Woman, vol. 3, no. 14 (January 2008).
  50. ^ "J. Michael Straczynski to write Superman and Wonder Woman, starting in July". DC Comics. March 8, 2010. Archived from the original on April 22, 2012. Retrieved May 23, 2012.
  51. ^ Phegley, Kiel (March 8, 2010). "Straczynski Steps Up For Superman & Wonder Woman". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on May 3, 2012. Retrieved May 23, 2012.
  52. ^ "Straczynski Talks Superman & Wonder Woman". Newsarama. March 8, 2010. Archived from the original on September 25, 2012. Retrieved May 23, 2012.
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  54. ^ Rogers, Vaneta (June 29, 2010). "JMS Talks Wonder Woman's New Look and New Direction". Newsarama. Archived from the original on February 1, 2012. Retrieved May 23, 2012.
  55. ^ George, Richard (July 7, 2010). "Wonder Woman's New Era". IGN. Archived from the original on June 15, 2011. Retrieved May 23, 2012.
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  57. ^ Ching, Albert (November 10, 2010). "JMS Leaving Superman and Wonder Woman for Earth One Sequel". Newsarama. Archived from the original on September 30, 2012. Retrieved May 23, 2012.
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  59. ^ Straczynski, J. Michael (w), Kramer, Don; Pansica, Eduardo (p), Leisten, Jay (i). "Odyssey Part Four" Wonder Woman, no. 604 (December 2010).
  60. ^ Thill, Scott (August 31, 2011). "Rebooted Justice League Offers Peek at DC Comics' 'New World Order'". Wired. Archived from the original on May 3, 2012. Retrieved May 23, 2012.
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  62. ^ a b c Azzarello, Brian (w), Chiang, Cliff (p), Chiang, Cliff (i). "Clay" Wonder Woman, vol. 4, no. 3 (January 2012).
  63. ^ Azzarello, Brian (w), Chiang, Cliff (p), Chiang, Cliff (i). "The Visitation" Wonder Woman, vol. 4, no. 1 (November 2011).
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  66. ^ Azzarello, Brian (w), Akins, Tony (p), Akins, Tony (i). "Lourdes" Wonder Woman, vol. 4, no. 5 (March 2012).
  67. ^ Azzarello, Brian (w), Akins, Tony (p), Akins, Tony; Green, Dan (i). "Thrones" Wonder Woman, vol. 4, no. 6 (April 2012).
  68. ^ Azzarello, Brian; Chiang, Cliff (2012). Wonder Woman Vol. 1: Blood. New York, New York: DC Comics. p. 160. ISBN 978-1401235635.
  69. ^ a b Azzarello, Brian (w), Chiang, Cliff (p), Chiang, Cliff (i). "Il Gangster dell'amore" Wonder Woman, vol. 4, no. 7 (May 2012).
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  77. ^ Campbell, Josie (July 1, 2014). "Meredith, David Finch Discuss Taking Wonder Woman More 'Mainstream'". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on November 18, 2014. Azzarello and Chiang hand over the keys to the Amazonian demigod's world to the just-announced husband-and-wife team of artist David Finch and writer Meredith Finch. Archive requires scrolldown
  78. ^ Esposito, Joey; Norris, Erik (December 14, 2011). "The Best of DC Comics in 2011. What are the best books coming out of the DC relaunch?". IGN. Archived from the original on October 7, 2012. Retrieved September 16, 2012. Sometimes it takes a completely fresh set of eyes to reignite the flame of creativity...By deeply rooting their new Wonder Woman series in Greek mythology, Brian Azzarello and Cliff Chiang have tapped into a creative well that appears bottomless.
  79. ^ Callahan, Timothy (November 28, 2011). "When Words Collide: The New 52 First Quarter Review". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on November 2, 2012. Retrieved September 16, 2012. What is worth reading? "Wonder Woman," definitely. It's the best of the new 52. Brian Azzarello and Cliff Chiang are telling a clean, poetic story with a strong mythological pull and a fierce warrior of a Wonder Woman.
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