Edit filter log

'{{Copyedit|date=September 2009}} {{Otheruses4|the superhero}} {{Superherobox| <!--This box is part of Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics. See that article for details--> image= WonderWomanV5.jpg <!-- Please do not change without discussion on the talk page first --> |converted=y |caption=Promotional art for ''Wonder Woman'' vol. 3, #5 (2006) by [[Terry Dodson]] |character_name=Wonder Woman |real_name= Joanne Marshall of Scotland, UK [[Themyscira]] |publisher=[[DC Comics]] |debut=''[[All Star Comics]]'' #8 (December 1941) |creators=[[William Moulton Marston]] |species = |alliances = [[Justice League]]<br/>[[Amazons (comics)|Amazons]] of [[Themyscira]] |aliases = [[Diana Prince]] |powers=<br> *[[Superhuman strength]], speed, reflexes, stamina, and durability *[[Flight]] *Superior [[Hand to hand combat|hand-to-hand]] and weapons combat skills *Animal [[List of comic book superpowers#Empathy|empathy]] *[[Regeneration (biology)|Regeneration]] *Resistance to magic *Ability to discern truth *Access to [[#Weapons|magical weaponry]]. }} '''Wonder Woman''' is a [[DC Comics]] [[superhero]] created by [[William Moulton Marston]]. First appearing in ''[[All Star Comics]]'' #8 (December 1941), she is one of three characters to have been continuously published by DC Comics since the company's 1944 inception (except for a brief hiatus in 1986).<ref>Hendrix, Grady. "Out for Justice". ''The New York Sun'' December 11, 2007</ref> Wonder Woman is a member of an all-female tribe of [[Amazons (comics)|Amazons]] (based on the [[Amazons]] of [[Greek mythology]]) who was created by Marston as a "distinctly feminist role model whose mission was to bring the Amazon ideals of love, peace, and sexual equality to 'a world torn by the hatred of men.'"<ref name="schoollibraryjournal.com">http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6417196.html</ref> Her powers include super strength, super speed, stamina, and flight. She is highly proficient in hand-to-hand combat and in the art of tactical warfare. She also possesses an animal-like cunning and a natural rapport with animals, which has in the past been presented as an actual ability to communicate with the animal kingdom. She uses her [[Lasso of Truth]] (which forces those bound by it to tell the truth), a pair of [[Wonder Woman's bracelets|indestructible bracelets]], and an [[invisible plane]]. Created during [[World War II]], the character was initially depicted fighting the [[Axis powers|Axis military forces]], as well as an assortment of [[supervillain]]s and [[supervillainess]]es. In later decades, the World War II setting was often maintained, while other writers updated the series to reflect an ongoing "present day." Wonder Woman has also regularly appeared in the team books ''[[Justice Society of America|Justice Society]]'' (from 1941) and ''[[Justice League]]'' (from 1960). Arguably the most popular and iconic female superhero in comics, Wonder Woman is also considered a feminist icon <ref name="schoollibraryjournal.com" /> and is informally grouped with [[Superman]] and [[Batman]] as one of a "Trinity" of DC characters, regarded as especially important. Diana is regarded as extremely physically attractive even by the standards of the superheroine. She was named the twentieth greatest comic book character by ''[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]]'' magazine.<ref>[http://www.empireonline.com/50greatestcomiccharacters/default.asp?c=20 ''Empire'' | The 50 Greatest Comic Book Characters<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> In addition to the comics, the character has appeared in other media—most notably the 1975-1979 [[Wonder Woman (TV series)|''Wonder Woman'' TV series]] starring [[Lynda Carter]], but also in [[animation|cartoons]] such as the ''[[Super Friends]]'' and ''[[Justice League (TV series)|Justice League]]''. Although a number of attempts have been made to adapt the character to live-action film, none have yet emerged from "[[development hell]]." An [[Wonder Woman (film)|animated film]] was released in 2009, with [[Keri Russell]] doing voice acting on the title role. ==History== [[Image:SensationComics.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Wonder Woman's first cover, ''Sensation Comics'' #1 (January 1942)]] ===Creation=== In an October 25, 1940 interview conducted by former student Olive Byrne (under the pseudonym "Olive Richard") and published in ''[[Family Circle]]'', titled "Don't Laugh at the Comics", [[William Moulton Marston]] described what he saw as the great educational potential of comic books (a follow up article was published two years later in 1942).<ref>Richard, Olive. ''[http://www.wonderwoman-online.com/articles/fc-marston.html Our Women Are Our Future].''</ref> This article caught the attention of comics publisher [[Max Gaines]], who hired Marston as an educational consultant for National Periodicals and [[All-American Publications]], two of the companies that would merge to form the future [[DC Comics]]. At that time, Marston decided to develop a new superhero. In the early 1940s the DC line was dominated by superpowered male characters such as the [[Green Lantern]], [[Batman]], and its flagship character, [[Superman]]. According to the Fall 2001 issue of the [[Boston University]] alumni magazine, it was his wife [[Elizabeth Holloway Marston|Elizabeth]]'s idea to create a female superhero: {{Cquote|William Moulton Marston, a psychologist already famous for inventing the polygraph (forerunner to the magic lasso), struck upon an idea for a new kind of superhero, one who would triumph not with fists or firepower, but with love. "Fine," said Elizabeth. "But make her a woman."<ref name="Bostonia">Lamb, Marguerite. (Fall 2001) [http://web.archive.org/web/20071208045132/http://www.bu.edu/alumni/bostonia/2001/fall/wonderwoman/ "Who Was Wonder Woman?" ''Bostonia''.] Retrieved from the [[Internet Archive]] on December 8, 2007.</ref>}} Marston introduced the idea to [[Max Gaines]], co-founder (along with [[Jack Liebowitz]]) of [[All-American Publications]] (Marston's [[pseudonym]], Charles Moulton, combined his own and Gaines' middle names). Given the go-ahead, Marston developed ''Wonder Woman'' with Elizabeth (whom Marston believed to be a model of that era's unconventional, liberated woman).<ref name="Bostonia" /> Marston was also inspired by Olive Byrne, who lived with the couple in a [[polygamy|polygamous]]/[[polyamory|polyamorous]] relationship.<ref>Les Daniels, ''Wonder Woman: The Complete History'', (DC Comics, 2000), pp. 28-30.</ref> Both women served as exemplars for the character and greatly influenced the character's creation.<ref name="Bostonia" /> Wonder Woman debuted in ''[[All Star Comics]]'' #8 (December 1941), scripted by Marston and with art by [[H. G. Peter|Harry G. Peter]]. Marston was the creator of a systolic blood-pressure measuring apparatus, which was crucial to the development of the polygraph ([[polygraph|lie detector]]). Marston's experience with polygraphs convinced him that women were more honest and reliable than men, and could work more efficiently.<ref>Bunn, Geoffrey C. "The lie detector, ''Wonder Woman'', and liberty: the life and work of William Moulton Marston," ''History of the Human Sciences'' Vol. 10, No. 1 (1997): 91-119.</ref> "Wonder Woman is psychological propaganda for the new type of woman who should, I believe, rule the world," Marston wrote.<ref name="ReferenceA">Hendrix, Grady. "Out for Justice". ''The New York Sun'' [[December 11]], [[2007]]</ref> Although [[Gloria Steinem]] placed Wonder Woman on the first standalone cover of ''[[Ms. (magazine)|Ms.]]'' in 1972, Marston, writing in an earlier time, designed Wonder Woman to represent a particular form of female empowerment. [[Feminism]] argues that women are equal to men and should be treated as such; Marston's representative of femininity is a 6-foot-tall Amazon wielding a golden lasso that forces obedience of those encircled. In Marston's mind, women not only held the potential to be as good as men: they could be superior to men. In a 1943 issue of ''[[The American Scholar]]'', Marston wrote: {{Cquote|Not even girls want to be girls so long as our feminine archetype lacks force, strength, and power. Not wanting to be girls, they don't want to be tender, submissive, peace-loving as good women are. Women's strong qualities have become despised because of their weakness. The obvious remedy is to create a feminine character with all the strength of Superman plus all the allure of a good and beautiful woman.}} During this period, Wonder Woman joined the [[Justice Society of America]] <ref>''All Star Comics'' #12</ref> as the first female member; albeit as the group's secretary (the custom was for characters with their own books to hold honorary membership only). ===Evolution of the character=== {{Main|Publication history of Wonder Woman}} <!--This section is meant to be short for a reason. The main article is where all the details go.--> Initially, Wonder Woman is an Amazon champion who wins the right to return [[Steve Trevor]]—a [[United States]] intelligence officer whose plane had crashed on the Amazons' isolated island homeland—to "Man's World," and fight the evil of the [[Nazism|Nazis]] and other crime. During the [[Silver Age of Comic Books|Silver Age]], Wonder Woman's origin was revamped,<ref>''Wonder Woman'' #98</ref> along with other characters during the era. The new origin story <ref>''Wonder Woman'' #105</ref>, increased the character's [[wikt:Hellenism|Hellenic]] and mythological roots, receiving the blessing of each deity in her crib, Diana is destined to become "beautiful as [[Aphrodite]], wise as [[Athena]], stronger than [[Hercules]], and swifter than [[Mercury (mythology)|Mercury]]." At the end of the 1960s, under the guidance of [[Mike Sekowsky]], Wonder Woman surrenders her powers to remain in Man's World rather than accompany her fellow Amazons to another dimension. A [[Mod (lifestyle)|mod]] boutique owner, the powerless [[Diana Prince]] acquires a Chinese mentor named [[I Ching (comics)|I Ching]]. Under I Ching's guidance, Diana learns [[martial arts]] and weapons skills, and engages in adventures that encompassed a variety of genres, from espionage to mythology. The character would later return to her superpowered roots and the [[World War II]]-era, (due to the popularity of the ''Wonder Woman'' TV series), in ''[[Justice League|Justice League of America]]'' and the eponymous title, respectively. Following the 1985 ''[[Crisis on Infinite Earths]]'' series, [[George Pérez]] and Greg Potter relaunched the character and wrote Wonder Woman as an emissary and ambassador from [[Themyscira]] to Patriarch's world, charged with the mission of bringing peace to the outside world. ==Powers and abilities== <!-- Contains contested point --> ===Pre-Crisis=== Originally, Wonder Woman owed her abilities to the goddess Aphrodite creating Amazons superior to men, with Diana being the best of their kind. The [[Golden Age of Comic Books|Golden Age]] Wonder Woman was later updated by Marston to be able to will a tremendous amount of brain energy into her muscles and limbs by Amazon training, which endowed her with extraordinary strength. (''Sensation Comics'' #46, Oct. 1945). (As such it was implied, and ultimately confirmed, that ''any'' woman who underwent Amazonian training would gain superhuman strength.<ref>''Wonder Woman'' Vol. 1, 28</ref>) This was later reconfirmed by writer [[Robert Kanigher]] in the Silver Age (''Wonder Woman'' v1 #160, Feb. 1966). The [[Wonder Woman (TV series)|TV series]] show took up this notion; "...&nbsp; we are able to develop our minds and physical skills ..." ["Fausta: The Nazi Wonder Woman" 1976]; and in the first episode of ''[[Super Friends]]'' [1973] Diana states to Aquaman "...&nbsp; the only thing that can surpass super strength is the power of the brain". In early ''Wonder Woman'' stories,<ref>''Wonder Woman'' Vol. 1, #1, #98 to 329 (1942 - 1986)</ref> Amazon training involves strengthening this ability using pure mental energy. Her powers would be removed in accordance with "Aphrodite's Law" if she allowed herself to be bound or chained by a male.<ref>[http://www.superdickery.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=559:more-crap-about-aphrodites-law&catid=34:suffering-sappho-index&Itemid=39 Panel featuring Aphrodite's Law - SuperDickery.com] Retrieved September 3, 2008.</ref> With the inclusion of [[Wonder Girl]] and '''Wonder Tot''' in Diana's [[back-story]], writers provided new explanations of her powers; the character became capable of feats which her sister Amazons could not equal. ''Wonder Woman'' Volume One #105,<ref>''Wonder Woman'' Vol. 1, #105 (1942 - 1986)</ref> reveals that Diana was formed from clay by the Queen of the Amazons and was imbued with the attributes of the [[Greek mythology|Greek]] and [[Roman mythology|Roman]] [[god]]s by Athena - "beautiful as [[Aphrodite]], wise as [[Athena]], swifter than [[Mercury (mythology)|Mercury]], and stronger than [[Hercules]]."<ref>''Wonder Woman'' Vol. 1 #105</ref> Wonder Woman's Amazon training also gave her limited telepathy, profound scientific knowledge, <ref> ''Wonder Woman'' Vol. 1 #105</ref> and the ability to speak every language known to man and beyond. She was even fluent in [[caveman]] <ref> ''Wonder Woman'' Vol. 1 #105, #115</ref> and [[Martian]]<ref>''Wonder Woman'' Vol. 1 #115</ref>. Although Wonder Woman’s mythos was returned to its original interpretation between 1966 and 1967, new abilities were added: super breath (to blow jet streams or transform water into snow); ventriloquism; imperviousness to extremes of heat and cold; ride the air currents as if flying; mental [[telepathy]] (even to project images); microscopic vision; the ability to vibrate into another dimension, and others which are listed in the ''Encyclopedia of Comic Book Heroes,'' Volume Two (1976).<ref> Michael L. Fleisher,'' The Original Encyclopedia of Comic Book Heroes'', Volume 2, ''Wonder Woman'', (DC Comics, 2007; orig. pub. 1976)</ref> Depending on the writer, Diana's invulnerability and power varied greatly with the story needs. Throughout the late 1950s and early 1960s, Robert Kanigher, for example, portrayed Wonder Woman as being so strong that she, after standing atop her hovering plane and lassoing it with her Magic lasso, was able to effotlessly lift [[Paradise Island|Themyscira]] out of the way of an approacing tsunami using just one hand. Kanigher showed Wonder Woman as able to lift whales as a girl and blowing so hard on her [[birthday cake]] as a baby of two years old that she sent it into orbit. <ref>''Showcase Presents Wonder Woman: Volume One'', (DC Comics, 2007)</ref> Finally, while not a super power per se, Wonder Woman was able to increase her strength. In the Silver and Bronze ages of comics, she was unable to remove her bracelets without going insane. In times of great need, however, she would do just that in order to temporarily augment her power ten fold. However, with how she was a threat to friend and foe alike, she would use Amazonian [[berserker]] rage only as a weapon of last resort.<ref> [http://www.amazonarchives.com/ww160.htm ''Wonder Woman'' Vol. 1 #166], [http://www.amazonarchives.com/ww229.htm ''Wonder Woman'' Vol. 1 #229]</ref> ===Post-Crisis=== [[Image:Ww-sleep power.png|thumb|After a brief interrogation, Diana places the head of To-Choi Industries in a state of slumber.]] Wonder Woman's body is a mystical creation made from the clay surrounding Themyscira. Through divine means, her disembodied soul was nurtured in and retrieved from the [[Gods and Mortals|Cavern of Souls]].<ref>Wonder Woman Vol. 2 #1</ref> Once the soul was placed into the body it immediately came to life, and was blessed with [[metahuman]] abilities by six [[Greek mythology#Greek pantheon|Olympian deities]]. Demeter, the Goddess of agriculture and fertility, blessed Diana with strength drawn from the Earth spirit Gaea, making her one of the physically strongest heroes in the [[DC Universe]] <ref>The DC Comics Encyclopedia</ref>. She has been observed assisting in preventing large chunks of the [[Moon]] from crashing onto the Earth,<ref>Titans/JLA: The Technis Imperative</ref> supporting the weight of bridges,<ref>Wonder Woman: The Ultimate Guide to the Amazon Princess</ref>, hefting entire railroad trains<ref>Wonder Woman: The Ultimate Guide to the Amazon Princess</ref> and she has even managed to physically overpower [[Supergirl (Kara Zor-El)|Supergirl]]<ref>Superman/Batman #9</ref>. While not invulnerable, she is quite durable <ref>The DC Comics Encyclopedia</ref>, capable of shrugging off high powered rifle fire with some pain but no injury<ref>http://www.picamatic.com/view/1228611_wwdeflection1/</ref>, and even capable of surviving a warp core explosion<ref>http://www.picamatic.com/view/1228363_gl7375cy/</ref>. She is even durable enough to survive the depths of space for a period of time before running out of breath. As noted, while her superhuman stamina affords her great resistance to blunt force trauma, her skin can be cut by weapons if they are sharp enough. Aphrodite, the Goddess of love and beauty, blessed Diana with great beauty and a loving heart. Pallas Athena, the Goddess of wisdom and war, granted Diana great wisdom, intelligence and military prowess. It is Athena’s gift that has enabled Diana to master over a dozen languages (including those of alien origin), multiple complex crafts, sciences and philosophies, as well as her amazon legacy of over 3000 years of leadership, military strategy, and armed and unarmed combat. More recently Athena bound her own eyesight to Diana's, granting her increased empathy.{{citation needed|date=March 2009}} Artemis, Goddess of the hunt, animals and the Moon, graced Diana with the Eyes of the Hunter and Unity with Beasts. The Eye of the Hunter ability gives Diana a full range of enhanced senses. Unity with Beasts grants her the ability to communicate with all forms of animal life, as well as to calm even the most ferocious of beasts<ref>Wonder Woman: The Ultimate Guide to the Amazon Princess</ref>. Hestia, Goddess of Hearth and Home, granted Diana "sisterhood with fire, that it might open men's hearts to her." This power has been shown to control the "Fires of Truth," which Diana wields through her lasso, making anyone bound by it unable to lie. This ability also grants her some resistance to both normal and supernatural fire. Hermes, the messenger God of speed, granted Diana superhuman speed, and the ability to fly. Through the an act of concentration, Diana can mystically defy the laws of gravity and propel herself through the air to achieve flight. She is capable of flying at speeds approaching half the speed of light.<ref>The DC Comics Encyclopedia</ref> She is swift enough to deflect bullets, lasers and other projectiles with her virtually impenetrable bracelets. ===Skills=== All versions show Diana, even without her powers, as a superior athlete and acrobat. She has been trained since infancy in the 3000 year old Amazon legacy of armed and unarmed combat. She is an accomplished military strategist. Some versions had her mother training her as a Wonder Girl for a future career as Wonder Woman. From the beginning, she is described as highly skilled in using her Amazon bracelets to stop bullets, and in wielding her golden lasso.<ref>Ambush Bug Year None, 4 of 6, 12/08</ref> ===Weapons=== {{See also|Lasso of Truth}} Diana has an arsenal of powerful god-forged weapons at her disposal but her signature weapons are her indestructible bracelets ([[vambraces]]) and the [[Lasso of Truth]]. Her bracelets (though technically vambraces, they have only been referred to as such by Batman) were formed from the remnants of [[Zeus]]' legendary shield, the [[Aegis]], at the request of Athena to be awarded to her champion. These forearm guards have thus far proved indestructible, and can absorb the impact of incoming attacks, such as deflecting [[automatic firearm|automatic weapon]]s or energy blasts.<ref name="dc-ency-aw">{{Citation | last = Wallace | first = Dan | author-link = | contribution = Wonder Woman's Magical Weapons | editor-last = Dougall | editor-first = Alastair | title = The DC Comics Encyclopedia | pages = 93 | publisher = [[Dorling Kindersley]] | place = New York | year = 2008 | ISBN = 0-7566-4119-5 | oclc = 213309017}}</ref>Diana can also slam the bracelets together to create a wave of concussive force capable of making Superman's ears bleed. <ref>Wonder Woman (Vol.2) #219</ref> Recently, she apparently gained the ability to channel Zeus' lightning through her bracelets as well. The exact nature of this new ability has yet to be fully explained.<ref>Wonder Woman (Vol.3) #35</ref> The Lasso of Truth or Lariat of Hestia, was forged by [[Hephaestus]] from the golden girdle of Gaea. <ref>Wonder Woman: The Ultimate Guide to the Amazon Princess</ref> It is virtually indestructible,<ref>Wonder Woman: The Ultimate Guide to the Amazon Princess</ref> The only times it was broken was when truth itself was challenged such as when she confronted [[Rama Khan]] of Jarhanpur<ref>''JLA'' #62, (March 2002)</ref>, and by [[Bizarro]] in [[Matt Wagner]]'s now cannonical ''[[Batman/Superman/Wonder Woman: Trinity]]''. <ref>''Batman/Superman/Wonder Woman: Trinity''</ref> The Lasso burns with a magical aura called the Fires of Hestia, forcing anyone within the Lasso's confines to be truthful. It also at one time had the power to force anyone caught to obey any command given them. Diana wields it with great precision and accuracy, and can use it as a whip or noose. At least as early as the 1950s,<ref>''Showcase Presents Wonder Woman: Volume One'', (DC Comics, 2007)</ref> Wonder Woman's golden tiara has also doubled as a dagger and a throwing weapon, returning to her like a boomerang.<ref>Wonder Woman: The Ultimate Guide to the Amazon Princess</ref> Its sharpness and mystical nature proved enough to cut even Superman.<ref>Wonder Woman (Vol.2) #219</ref> Diana once possessed the Sandals of Hermes, or [[talaria]], which granted the wearer great speed and flight. They were passed on first to Artemis, and later to Wonder Girl. Diana also once possessed the Gauntlets of Atlas, which magnifies the physical strength and stamina of the wearer. They too were passed on. The Golden, Silver, and Bronze Age portrayals of Wonder Woman showed using an [[Invisible plane|invisible airplane]] that could be controlled by mental commands. It was variously described as being either a creation of Amazon technology, or alternately the legendary winged horse [[Pegasus]] transformed into an aircraft. Its appearance varied as well, originally having a [[propeller]] and later being drawn as a jet aircraft, resembling a fighter plane. The Post-Crisis or Modern Age Wonder Woman has continued to use the Invisible Plane in the form of a small lightweight disc of alien (Lansinar) technology that, when triggered by her thoughts, transforms into a transparent version of whatever object or vehicle that is appropriate for her needs. This disc was later shown to be a sentient life-form. Following the [[One Year Later]] continuity jump, Diana was given a new invisible plane, created by [[Wayne Enterprises|Wayne Industries]], because her original Invisible Plane was stuck on Themyscira. Diana occasionally uses additional weaponry in formal battle, such as ceremonial golden armor complete with golden wings, war-skirt and chest-plate, and a golden helmet in the shape of an Eagle's head. She also possesses a sword (also forged by Hephaestus) that is sharp enough to cut the electrons off of an atom.<ref>Wonder Woman: The Ultimate Guide to the Amazon Princess</ref> ==In other media== :''See also: [[Justice League in other media]]'' [[Image:Wonder Woman animated.jpg|thumb|Wonder Woman as she appeared in the 2009 animated film [[Wonder Woman (film)|Wonder Woman]] voiced by actress [[Keri Russell]].]] ===Video games=== Wonder Woman is a playable character in the video game Mortal Kombat Vs. DC Universe for Playstation 3 and X-Box 360. Wonder Woman is a playable character in the 1995 game Justice League Task Force for the Super Nintendo and Sega Genesis. Wonder Woman is also playable in the Game Boy Advance games based on the Justice League cartoon, Justice League: Injustice for All (2002) and Justice League Chronicles (2003). Furthermore, she is playable in 2005 game Justice League: Heroes for Playstation 2, PSP, X-Box and Nintendo DS, while she appears as a summonable "striker" character in Justice League Heroes: The Flash for the GBA. Wonder Woman will appear in the upcoming DC Universe Online in 2009. ===Books=== The character of Wonder Woman has also appeared in many books. Archive Editions released All Star Comics. The series included 10 editions which featured Wonder Woman. Other titles include 'Seduction of the Innocent", "StarForce", "Star Log" and "Strangers in Paradise" ===Foreign comic books=== Wonder Woman appears in the [[Darna]] series by acclaimed Filipino Comic Book Artist [[Mars Ravelo]]. ===TV series=== {{Main|Wonder Woman (TV series)}} A television series based on Wonder Woman aired for three seasons from 1975-1979. The series starred [[Lynda Carter]] as Wonder Woman. A Wonder Woman movie was produced in a made-for-TV adaptation of the comic book in 1974 (a year before Lynda Carter would popularize the role in a weekly series) and starred Cathy Lee Crosby. Although the telefilm was a ratings success, producers decided to retool the product to more closely resemble the comic book version, resulting in Crosby being let go. Her incarnation of Wonder Woman makes a one-panel cameo in the comic book Infinite Crisis #6 as part of an alternate Earth. See also, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cathy_Lee_Crosby ===Animated film=== {{Main|Wonder Woman (film)}} A [[direct-to-video]] [[List of animated feature-length films|animated film]] adaptation of Wonder Woman was released on March 3, 2009 on DVD and Blu-ray disc as part of the [[DC Universe Original Animated Movies]] series produced by [[DC Comics]] animation veteran [[Bruce Timm]] and released by [[Warner Bros.]]<ref>[http://www.worldsfinestonline.com/news.php?action=fullnews&id=298 World's Finest]</ref> The film stars [[Keri Russell]] as Wonder Woman and is directed by [[Lauren Montgomery]]. It features Russell's ''[[Waitress (film)|Waitress]]'' costar [[Nathan Fillion]] as [[Steve Trevor]], as well as [[Alfred Molina]], [[Rosario Dawson]], and [[Virginia Madsen]]. <ref>''[[TV Guide]]''; [[July 14]], [[2008]]; Page 7.</ref> The DVD sold 102,890 copies in its first week, and ranked number 5 on the DVD sales chart in America. <ref>http://www.the-numbers.com/dvd/charts/weekly/2009/20090308.php</ref>. ===Undeveloped projects=== ====Live action film==== In January 2001, producer [[Joel Silver]] approached Todd Alcott to write a ''Wonder Woman'' screenplay, with [[Silver Pictures]] backing the project.<ref>{{cite news | author=Brian Linder | url=http://filmforce.ign.com/articles/036/036742p1.html | title=''Jade Rester'' Scribe Chosen | publisher=[[IGN]] | date=[[2001-01-24]] | accessdate=2006-08-01}}</ref> Early gossip linked actresses such as [[Beyoncé Knowles]], [[Sandra Bullock]], [[Rachel Bilson]], [[Nadia Bjorlin]], and [[Catherine Zeta-Jones]] to the role of Wonder Woman.<ref>{{cite news | author=Hank Stuever | url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A29691-2001Apr17 | title=Wonder Woman's Powers | publisher=''[[The Washington Post]]'' | date=[[2001-04-18]] | accessdate=2006-08-01}}</ref> [[Leonard Goldberg]], speaking in a May 2001 interview, named Jade Rester as a strong candidate for the project.<ref>{{cite news | author=Brian Linder | url=http://filmforce.ign.com/articles/057/057655p1.html | title=Estrogen Explosion | publisher=[[IGN]] | date=[[2001-05-03]] | accessdate=2006-08-01}}</ref> Bullock claimed that she was approached for the role, while wrestler [[Chyna]] expressed interest. Turning down the part in the past, [[Lucy Lawless]] indicated that she would have been more interested if Wonder Woman was portrayed as a "flawed hero."<ref>{{cite news | author=William Keck | url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,109542,00.html | title=Wonder Girls | publisher=''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' | date=[[2001-05-14]] | accessdate=2007-10-14}}</ref> The screenplay then went through various drafts written by Alcott, Jon Cohen, Becky Johnston, and Philip Levens.<ref>{{cite news | author=Rob Worley | url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=2121 | title=''Wonder Woman'' Scribe | publisher=[[Comic Book Resources]] | date=[[2003-05-06]] | accessdate=2006-08-01}}</ref> By August 2003, Levens was replaced by screenwriter [[Laeta Kalogridis]].<ref>{{cite news | author=Rob Worley | url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=2591 | title=Wonder Woman | publisher=[[Comic Book Resources]] | date=[[2003-08-12]] | accessdate=2006-08-01}}</ref> {| class="toccolours" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 2em; font-size: 85%; background:#c6dbf7; color:black; width:30em; max-width: 40%;" cellspacing="5" | style="text-align: left;" | "Besides [Wonder Woman's] great origin story, there's nothing from the comics that felt right 100 percent, no iconic [[Canon (fiction)|canon]] story that must be told. [[Batman]] has it made — he's got the [[List of Batman Family enemies|greatest rogues gallery]] ever, he's got [[Gotham City]]. The Bat writes himself. With Wonder Woman, you're writing from whole cloth, but trying to make it feel like you didn't. To make it feel like it's existed for 60 years, even though you're making it up as you go along. But who she, and what the movie, is about, thematically, has never been a problem for me. But the steps along the way, it could be so easy for them to feel wrong. I won't settle. She wouldn't let me settle." |- | style="text-align: right;" | — Joss Whedon in November 2006, explaining the delay in developing a proper script.<ref>{{cite news | author=Jeff Jensen | url=http://www.ew.com/ew/report/0,6115,1562057_3_0_,00.html | title=Buffy's Back! | publisher=''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' | date=[[2006-11-22]] | accessdate=2006-11-22}}</ref> |} In March 2005, [[Warner Bros.]] and Silver Pictures announced that [[Joss Whedon]] would write and direct the film adaptation of ''Wonder Woman''.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.timewarner.com/corp/newsroom/pr/0,20812,1038969,00.html | title=Silver Pictures and Warner Bros. Pictures Sign Joss Whedon to Write & Direct DC Comics' ''Wonder Woman'' | publisher=Warner Bros. | date=[[2005-03-17]] | accessdate=2006-08-01}}</ref> Whedon's salary was reported to be between $2 to $3 million.<ref>{{cite news | author=Borys Kit | coauthors=Tatiana Siegel | url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16991003/ | title=Joss Whedon exits ''Wonder Woman'' pic | publisher=[[MSNBC]] | date=[[2007-02-05]] | accessdate=2007-02-12 }}</ref> Since Whedon was directing ''[[Serenity (film)|Serenity]]'' at the time, and required time to research Wonder Woman's background, he did not begin the screenplay until late 2005.<ref>{{cite web | author=Jim Kozak | url=http://web.archive.org/web/20070928062030/http://www.infocusmag.com/05augustseptember/whedonuncut.htm | title=Serenity Now! | work=In Focus |publisher=[[Internet Archive]] |date=August/September 2005 | accessdate=2007-09-28}}{{Dead link|date=March 2009|date=November 2008}}</ref> According to Joel Silver, the script would cover Wonder Woman's origin and include [[Steve Trevor]]: "Trevor crashes on the [[Themyscira|island]] and they go back to Man's World."<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.dc-kingdom.com/index.php?categoryid=29&p2_articleid=28 | title=SDCC - ''Wonder Woman'' Update | publisher=''The Kingdom'' | date=[[2006-07-22]] | accessdate=2006-07-22 }}</ref> Silver wanted to film ''Wonder Woman'' in Australia once the script was completed.<ref>{{cite news | author = Australian Associated Press | authorlink = Australian Associated Press | url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/Film/Aussie-Wonder-Woman/2005/05/11/1115585012566.html?oneclick=true | title=Aussie Wonder Woman | publisher=[[The Age]] | date=[[2005-05-11]] | accessdate=2006-08-01}}</ref> While Whedon stated in May 2005 that he would not cast Wonder Woman until he finished the script,<ref>{{cite news | author=Scott Collura | url=http://www.nowplayingmag.com/content/view/1532/2/ | title=Whedon Talking Wonder | publisher=Now Playing | date=[[2005-05-20]] | accessdate=2006-08-07}}</ref> [[Charisma Carpenter]]<ref>{{cite web | author=Matt Mitovitch | url=http://tvguide.com/News/Insider/default.htm?cmsRedir=true&rmDate=09062006&cmsGuid={E882AF71-8A9B-4A2C-8781-2F480C8A38E5}| title= Mars Bombshell Is Still Wonder-ing | publisher=''[[TV Guide]]'' | date=[[2006-09-06]] | accessdate=2006-09-06}}{{Dead link|date=October 2008}}</ref> and [[Morena Baccarin]]<ref>{{cite news | author=Rebecca Murray | url=http://movies.about.com/od/serenity/a/serenmb092605.htm | title=Morena Baccarin on "''Serenity''," Joss Whedon, and "''Wonder Woman''" | publisher=[[About.com]] | date= | accessdate=2006-08-01}}</ref> expressed interest in the role. After nearly two years as script-writer, Whedon had not managed to write a finished draft. "It was in an outline, and not in a draft, and they [studio executives] didn't like it. So I never got to write a draft where I got to work out exactly what I wanted to do."<ref>[http://www.avclub.com/content/interview/joss_whedon AV Club Interview: Joss Whedon]</ref> In February 2007, Whedon departed from the project, citing script differences with the studio.<ref name="whedon">{{cite news | author=Joss Whedon | url=http://whedonesque.com/comments/12385 | title=Satin Tights No Longer. | publisher=Whedonesque | date=[[2007-02-02]] | accessdate=2007-02-03 }}</ref> Whedon reiterated: "I never had an actress picked out, or even a consistent front-runner. I didn't have time to waste on casting when I was so busy [[air ball]]ing on the script." Whedon stated that with the ''Wonder Woman'' project left behind, he would focus on making his film ''Goners''.<ref name="whedon" /> <blockquote> "I would go back in a heartbeat if I believed that anybody believed in what I was doing. The lack of enthusiasm was overwhelming."<ref name="ReferenceA" /> </blockquote> A day before Whedon's departure from ''Wonder Woman'', Warner Bros. and Silver Pictures purchased a [[spec script]] written by Matthew Jennison and Brent Strickland. Set during World War II, the script impressed executives at Silver Pictures.<ref>{{cite news | author=Tatiana Siegel | coauthors=Borys Kit | url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/film/news/e3ifa3342614f951b4fc18bab50889c94af | title=Another 'Wonder Woman' for WB | publisher=''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'' | date=[[2007-02-01]] | accessdate=2007-02-02 }}</ref> However, Silver has stated that he purchased the script because he didn't want the rights reverting; while the script has good ideas, Silver doesn't want the ''Wonder Woman'' film to be a [[period piece]].<ref>{{cite news|author=Ryan Rotten, Edward Douglas|title=Joel Silver's ''Wonder Woman'' Update|publisher=SuperHeroHype.com|date=[[2007-03-25]]|url=http://www.superherohype.com/news/topnews.php?id=5391|accessdate=2007-03-24}}</ref> By April 2008, Silver hired Jennison and Strickland to write a new script set in contemporary times that would not depict Wonder Woman's origin, but explore Paradise Island's history.<ref>{{cite news | author = Stephanie Sanchez | title = ''Wonder Woman'' Still in Development says Joel Silver | publisher = IESB | date = [[2008-04-18]] | url = http://www.iesb.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4742&Itemid=99 | accessdate=2008-04-18}}</ref> According to an August 2008 article in ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'', featuring [[Warner Bros.]] president Jeff Robinov speaking about their DC property films, a Wonder Woman film is among other superhero films currently in "active development."<ref>Schuker, Lauren A. E. [http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121936107614461929.html "Warner Bets on Fewer, Bigger Movies." ''The Wall Street Journal''.] August 22, 2008.</ref> ====''Justice League'' film==== A ''[[Justice League#Film|Justice League]]'' film was slated for a 2009 release, before being put on indefinite hiatus in April 2008. It was based upon the [[DC Comics]] publication, the ''[[Justice League]]'' which has included a number of [[superhero]]es in the past including [[Superman]], [[Batman]], Wonder Woman, [[Flash (Barry Allen)|Flash]], [[Hal Jordan|Green Lantern]], [[Aquaman]], [[Green Arrow]], [[Atom (Ray Palmer)|Atom]], [[Hawkman]], [[Black Canary]], and [[Captain Marvel (DC Comics)|Captain Marvel]].<ref>[http://imdb.com/title/tt0974015/ IMDB: Justice League of America]</ref> An [[October 29]], [[2007]] article quoted Joel Silver as stating that due to the impending release of ''Justice League'', the ''Wonder Woman'' film will be placed on moratorium: :'They're going to make the Justice League movie, and we're kind of pausing on Wonder Woman now [...] Let them go ahead and do that picture [first]' [...] The Amazon superhero from the DC Comics series will be a major part of the upcoming JLA. 'And if that comes together, Wonder Woman will be a part of that story,' Silver said. 'And then we'll see where we go from there. But we struggled with it for a while. I hope that we can solve it and make it one day.'<ref>[http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/index.php?category=0&id=45012 SciFi Wire, 10/29/07]</ref> A number of actresses had reportedly been under consideration for the role of Wonder Woman in the ''Justice League'' film. [[Jessica Biel]] was approached for the role, but declined it,<ref>{{cite news | author = Nicole Sperling | url=http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2007/09/biel-passes-on-.html| title=Biel Passes on Wonder Woman role | publisher=''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' | date = [[2007-09-27]] | accessdate=2007-09-28}}</ref> while [[Missy Peregrym]],<ref>{{cite web | author = Mel Caylo | title = Missy Peregrym wants to play Wonder Woman | work = [[Wizard (magazine)|Wizard]] |publisher=[[Internet Archive]] | date = [[2007-07-29]] | url = http://www.wizarduniverse.com/movies/wonderwoman/005417307.cfm | accessdate=2007-12-12}}{{Dead link|date=November 2008}}</ref> [[Mary Elizabeth Winstead]], [[Teresa Palmer]], [[Shannyn Sossamon]], and [[Christina Milian]]<ref>{{cite news | author = Shawn Adler | title = Mary Elizabeth Winstead Envisions Bulking Up For Wonder Woman | publisher = [[MTV]] | date = [[2007-10-26]] | url = http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2007/10/26/mary-elizabeth-winstead-envisions-bulking-up-for-wonder-woman/ | accessdate=2007-10-27}}</ref> expressed interest. Eventually, Australian supermodel [[Megan Gale]] was cast.<ref>Cann, Linda (December 2, 2007) [http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,22855197-2,00.html "Gale to play Wonder Woman." NEWS.com.au] Retrieved September 3, 2008.</ref><ref>Celaschi, Molly. (December 4, 2007) [http://www.2snaps.tv/9812993 "Justice League of America: Batman & Wonder Woman Cast!" 2snaps.tv] Retrieved September 3, 2008.</ref> In early January 2008, production of the JLA film was delayed due to the [[2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike]].<ref>Robert Sanchez, "[http://www.iesb.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4059&Itemid=99 ''Justice League of America'' has been delayed], IESB.net, [[January 7]], [[2008]] (accessed [[January 13]], [[2008]])</ref> When asked if the film would still affect the solo ''Wonder Woman'' movie in April 2008, Silver said it would not as the ''Justice League'' film had been put on indefinite hold.<ref>[http://www.chud.com/articles/articles/14429/1/JUSTICE-LEAGUE-DISBANDED/Page1.html Justice League disbanded]</ref> In August 2008, however director George Miller as well as actress Megan Gale confirmed that the film was still on, with a plan to resume filming in 2009.<ref>[http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,24108414-5012980,00.html Megan Gale proves she's a real wonder woman]</ref> In an article in ''The Wall Street Journal'', [[Warner Bros.]] president Jeff Robinov expressed studio interest in the production of a Justice League film, but confirmed that the project that had been in development had been shelved. Warner Bros. is currently focusing on single-lead films for their DC properties.{{Fact|date=September 2009}} ==See also== * [[Diana Prince]] * [[List of Wonder Woman enemies]] * [[List of women warriors in literature and popular culture]] * [[List of Wonder Woman supporting characters]] * [[Cultural impact of Wonder Woman]] for appearances of Wonder Woman in other media * [[Alternate versions of Wonder Woman]] for ''Elseworlds'' and other characters to bear the title * [[Portrayal of women in comics]] * [[List of Wonder Woman in literature|Wonder Woman literature]] * [[Wonder Woman (TV series)]] * [[Wonder Woman (film)]] * [[Darna]] * [[Orana]] * [[Amazons]] ==Bibliography== *''Wonder Woman'' (Vol. 1) # 1 - 329 (Summer, 1942 - February 1986) *''Wonder Woman'' (Vol. 2) # 1 - 226 (February 1987 - April 2006), #0 (October 1994), #1,000,000 (November 1998) **Annuals 1 - 8 (1988-1999) **Special 1 (1992) *''Wonder Woman'' Vol. 3 # 1 (August 2006-present) **Annual 1 (November 2007) *[[Les Daniels]], ''Wonder Woman: The Complete History,'' (Chronicle Books, 2000). *Michael L. Fleisher (with the assistance of Janet E. Lincoln), ''The Original Encyclopedia of Comic Book Heroes Volume 2: Wonder Woman,'' (DC Comics, 2007; orig. pub. 1976). *Joshua Glen, "[http://www.boston.com/news/globe/ideas/articles/2004/04/04/wonder_working_power/ Wonder-working Power,"] ''[[The Boston Globe]],'' [[4 April]] [[2004]]. *Malcom, Andrew H."[http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E0CE1DF1539F93BA25751C0A964958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=print She's Behind the Match For That Man of Steel]". ''[[The New York Times]]''. [[18 February]] [[1992]]. *Marguerite Lamb, "[http://www.bu.edu/alumni/bostonia/2001/fall/wonderwoman/ Who Was Wonder Woman? Long-ago LAW alumna Elizabeth Marston was the muse who gave us a superheroine,"] [[Boston University]], Fall 2001. *Richard, Olive. ''[http://www.wonderwoman-online.com/articles/fc-marston.html Our Women Are Our Future].'' ''[[Family Circle]]'', [[14 August]] [[1942]]. ==References== {{Reflist|2}} ==External links== *[http://www.dccomics.com/sites/wonderwoman/ Wonder Woman's Official Website] *[http://dccomics.com/heroes_and_villains/?hv=origin_stories/wonder_woman Wonder Woman's Origin @ DC Comics] *[http://alankistler.squarespace.com/journal/2007/11/21/alan-kistlers-history-of-wonder-woman-part-1.html Alan Kistler's History of Wonder Woman] *[http://www.carolastrickland.com/comics/wwcentral/index.html Carol A. Strickland's Wonder Woman site] *[http://amazonarchives.com/index2.htm amazonarchives] {{Wonder Woman}} {{Justice League}} [[Category:Wonder Woman| ]] [[Category:1941 comics characters debuts]] [[Category:All-American Publications characters]] [[Category:DC Comics characters who can move at superhuman speeds]] [[Category:DC Comics characters with superhuman strength]] [[Category:DC Comics characters with accelerated healing]] [[Category:DC Comics superheroes]] [[Category:DC Comics immortals]] [[Category:DC Comics martial artists]] [[Category:DC Comics titles]] [[Category:Fictional diplomats]] [[Category:Fictional empaths]] [[Category:Fictional immigrants to the United States]] [[Category:Fictional princesses]] [[Category:Fictional women soldiers and warriors]] [[Category:Fictional writers]] [[Category:United States-themed superheroes]] [[da:Wonder Woman]] [[de:Wonder Woman]] [[es:Mujer Maravilla]] [[fr:Wonder Woman]] [[it:Wonder Woman]] [[he:וונדר וומן]] [[la:Mulier Mirabilis]] [[hu:Wonder Woman]] [[nl:Wonder Woman]] [[pl:Wonder Woman]] [[pt:Mulher-Maravilha]] [[ru:Чудо-женщина]] [[simple:Wonder Woman]] [[fi:Ihmenainen]] [[sv:Mirakelkvinnan]] [[tl:Wonder Woman]] [[th:วันเดอร์วูแมน]] [[tr:Wonder Woman]] [[uk:Чудо Жінка]] [[zh:神奇女俠]]'