Wonder woman, William Moulton, comic book, character, main character, science fiction, power, justice league, superhero, film, actress, Lynda Carter, Gal Gadot
Wonder Woman first appeared in 1941, created by psychologist William Moulton Marston and artist Harry G. Peter. In her original comic book origin, Wonder Woman is a princess of the Amazons, a mythical race of female warriors that have isolated themselves from the world on Paradise Island. She is "as lovely as Aphrodite, as wise as Athena, with the speed of Mercury, and the strength of Hercules" (Marston and Peter, 1941).
[...] The portrayal of Wonder Woman has undergone extensive scrutiny and analysis, with scholars like Daniels (2000) and Madrid (2009) examining her evolving appearance, from facial features and body proportions to the style of her outfits. Across various adaptations, Wonder Woman's look has mirrored societal shifts and cultural changes. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Wonder Woman lost her powers to become a spy, donning non-superhero outfits. She had a whole host of different outfits, none of which resembled her iconic red, white and blue uniform in the slightest. [...]
[...] Gadot's own background provides more perspectives. Her upbringing in Israel, including serving in the military, shows her multifaceted experiences as a woman. Gadot's views off-screen have also drawn criticism. She has strongly supported Israel during turbulent times like the 2014 Gaza conflict (Selby, 2014; Barrows-Friedman, 2017). Her social media posts championed Israel's military stir debate about national loyalty, cultural identity, and celebrity status (Heckle, 2017). Both Lynda Carter and Gal Gadot have indelibly influenced the portrayal and global perception of Wonder Woman. [...]
[...] William Moulton Marston, a psychologist and inventor, created Wonder Woman, known as Diana, envisioning a "solidly built, muscular, and tall princess" to reflect both strength and feminine grace (Held, 2017). Artist Harry G. Peter. Peter was entrusted with the task of translating Marston's bold ideas into imagery. His illustrations portrayed her as muscular yet elegant, tall yet graceful, and shoulder-length dark hair (Schubart, 2019). Peter presented Wonder Woman in a red shirt, tiara, gold bracelets, and a skirt (Lepore, 2014). The iconic red, blue, and gold ensemble was designed emblematically of feminine strength and American patriotism. [...]
[...] Carter's portrayal in the '70s redefined beauty standards and broadened Wonder Woman's appeal, while Gadot's modern take has delved deep into debates surrounding identity, politics, and feminism. Through their roles, both actresses have ensured that Wonder Woman remains a relevant and powerful symbol, continuing to inspire generations worldwide. In 2016, both actresses were recognized by the United Nations, aligning with Wonder Woman's appointment as an honorary ambassador (Puglise, 2019) underlining their collective impact on the character. [...]
[...] But she hides these gifts behind the guise of a secretary, adhering to traditional gender roles. Throughout the Wonder Woman comic book series and tie-ins, Diana forms alliances with fellow heroic icons Batman and Superman and joins the Justice League (Simonson, 1995). Superpowers Wonder Woman's array of abilities and accessories are rich in symbolism. Her unyielding bracelets can block bullets, and they symbolize resilience against aggressive forces, and her golden lasso compels honesty, echoing the lie-detection concepts of her creator, William Marston. [...]
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