Diana Prince

Before this week, I knew very little about Wonder Woman.  I knew the basics of her mythical origin story from the Justice League TV Show, but the nature of her secret identity was totally new to me.  At first, I was struck by the similarities between Clark Kent/Superman and Wonder Woman/Diana Prince.  Like Superman, Wonder Woman hides in plain sight by donning a pair of glasses and accepting a real-world occupation.  When writing about Superman, I made note of the lengths that Siegel and Schuster went to to depict Superman struggling to remain in disguise.  It's clear that he's not just wearing glasses and assuming a new name. He is affecting an entirely new persona.  As I read through these comics, it struck me that "Diana Prince" is given far less character development than "Clark."  Diana is not bumbling, nervous, or socially inept like Superman's alter-ego.  She is superhumanly good at her job and does little craft a new persona.  In her case, the glasses really do seem to constitute the entire disguise.  This becomes problematic when Steve Trevor falls for Wonder Woman.  Time and again, he all but swoons at the beauty of his savior.  This is all that he ever makes note of and, seemingly, all that might differentiate Wonder Woman from Diana.  Whereas Superman stands out from Clark because of his confidence, charisma, and courage, Wonder Woman is merely beautiful in comparison to Diana Prince.  Lois is obviously taken with Superman's features and physique, but it is his more intangible heroic qualities that seem to really win her over.  The same can not be said of Steve and his affection for Wonder Woman.  Each time she saves his life, he can only think to comment on her stunning beauty.