WONDER WOMAN & the Endurance of the Modern Myth

Visit Comi-Con in San Diego; New York or any city of your choice. You will bump into; stroll by and see ladies, little girls, women of a certain age and teens all sharing a common vision. These women of every stripe, body type and national origin dressed in the stars (bad pun warning!) and bras of Wonder Woman. 

William Moulton Marston’s idea was to create a powerful super heroine that represented all the best characteristics of woman hood; a character that could hold her on with any male; hero or villain. Under the pen name Charles Moulton he based his Wonder Woman on and steeped her in Greek mythology, especially the legend of the amazons. She would be graced with strength, beauty and wisdom. Her dedication to honor, right over wrong and truth would be unparalleled. Marston achieved his goal many times over. Wonder Woman is the symbol for Women’s liberation, rights and an entertaining action queen across media and medium.

Among a select number of super people Wonder has the distinction of being in print of some form and interpretation since her nineteen forties inception. The distinct star pattern short skirt or pants, red strapless top and tiara, accessorized with bracelets and golden lasso have rarely changed over time.  The lasso by the way is used to extract the truth from anyone caught in it’s noose and often in a fetish like way has found Wonder Woman herself restrained in bondage. 

Currently in print the first female of comics is written and illustrated by wife and husband team Meredith and David Finch; another first.  To date six regular issues and an annual created by the Finches show their run promising to be among the amazon’s most memorable.  

The enduring allure of Wonder Woman is a source of pleasure and inspiration for all who admire great tales of hope and adventure. Wonder Woman will remain as long we cherish the ideals of perfection and grace she is.

Superman "Man of Steel"

 

 

The “Man of Steel” has been around for many, many extravagant, entertaining and extraordinary years certainly longer than you or I. He was originally conceived by teen agers Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster in 1938. Within his unique history he has been envisioned in every possible medium since his comic book birth; radio, theatre, novels, games, toys, music, television and film. He is certainly the stuff of legend both as a character and as a production icon of society. Ask anyone if they remember being introduced to Superman and overwhelmingly people will answer that they can’t recall “The Man of Steel” as a new concept. We learn about Superman as we learn of language itself. With so much history and saturation into the American psyche and hearts it is next to impossible to change or revamp the temperament and tone of the character for our contemporary times. Batman his partner, foil and diametric opposite is much more flexible for rewrites and reworks. Spiderman, Dare Devil, Iron Man and even Hell Boy are crafted for our dystopian modern existence. Superman; the “Grand-Daddy” of them all is in most ways just that; the “Grand-Dadd

                                               

                                          

                       

                                                                  

As Superman is known there are some definite things that he can do such as to leap a tall building in a single bound (it would take the rest of us at least three or four bounds.) He is faster than a speeding bullet (there are benefits to this ability; ask just about anyone.) He is more powerful than a locomotive (this refers to a train; something most Americans under the age of thirty probably have never heard of.)  Now; there are also some things that he cannot do. He cannot and has no right to doubt himself. When you can fly purely as a result of your own will power, bend steel in your bare hands, see through walls etc. you do not have any time or reason for petty insecurities. When using said powers you cannot do anything wrong. This means any selfish thing or anything that hurts anyone else (even the bad guy or gal.) You’re the opposite of the baddie and that‘s what makes you the hero; not your powers.   

 

“Man of Steel” opened this weekend in theatres across the country and world-wide. The reviews are mixed; the consensus at this point is “Man of Steel” is at best a descent effort but nothing special. This is the fourth big screen incarnation for Superman. Christopher Reeves set an impossibly high bar for anyone to reach in the Donner films. They will never be surpassed. Reeves personified Superman on screen and he proved to have an amazing amount of courage and resilience in real life. Reeves was an inspiration. This new film comes to us over blown, dark and repetitive. These days the source materials for the super hero “Block-Busters” are known as Graphic Novels. Originally the book’s genre was classified and considered Comic or Funny Books. There has to be a sense of humor; a joyfulness in the equation for anything relating to a comic book creation like Superman, again he is the original. Superman doesn’t need to imitate the kids. He only needs to be himself.      

                                                 All Images of Superman by the Stellar Alex Ross