The Ages of Wonder Woman: Essays on the Amazon Princess in Changing Times

Created in 1941 by the psychologist William Marston, Wonder Woman would go on to have one of the longest continuous run of published comic book adventures in the history of the industry. Seventy years after her debut Wonder Woman remains a popular culture icon. Throughout the intervening years many comic book creators have had a hand in guiding her story, resulting in different interpretations of the Amazon Princess. But the changes in tone, theme, or subject matter in Wonder Woman's fictional adventures are not only the result of new creators. Wars, the feminist movement, politics, and evolving social opinions and concerns can be seen influencing the stories found in Wonder Woman's comic books. In this collection, each chapter examines a specific period or storyline from Wonder Woman comic books and analyses those stories in regards to contemporary issues in American society. Tracing the evolution of Wonder Woman through seven decades of comic books not only increases our understanding of an important American icon, it illuminates the relationship between American society and the entertainment it produces and consumes.