In its original publication, Wonder Woman was a forward thinking example of feminist thought. Though it does not invalidate the remarkable nature of the early comics, a modern lens reveals several problematic elements within them. Many of these issues are highlighted when compared to other popular contemporary comics, such as Superman or Batman. One such issue that caught me eye is the change in appearances over time. Wonder woman goes through many iterations in clothing, hair, body shape, muscle definition, and makeup. Nearly every feature of her appearance. I did some research and came up with this graphic to illustrate the transition:
Comics in order L to R:
Top Row: Sensation Comics No. 1, 1942
Wonder Woman No. 57: The Man who Shook the Earth, 1953
Wonder Woman No. 146: War of the Underwater Giants, 1964
Wonder Woman No. 206: War of the Wonder Women, 1973
Bottom Row: Wonder Woman No. 304: Polaris Means Peril!, 1983
Wonder Woman (2nd Series) No. 72: The Song of Creation, 1993
Wonder Woman (2nd Series) No. 199: Down to Earth Part 4, 2004
Promotional Image from the 2016 film: Superman vs Batman: Dawn of Justice
While some of them are stylized, since they are all covers, it is representative of the major physical shifts the character went through in design. This in and of itself is not that interesting. Sure, drawing styles changed and beauty norms shifted, so the creators altered her appearance to suit a changing audience. In contrast, let’s examine two of her contemporaries: Batman and Superman. It so happens that these three characters all will appear in the 2016 film Superman vs Batman: Dawn of Justice, which provides a nice final comparison.
Comics in order L to R:
Top Row: Action Comics No. 1: Superman, Champion of the Oppressed…, 1938
Action Comics No.560: Meet John Doe!/Police Blotter, 1984
Action Comics No. 902: Reign of the Doomsdays Part 2, 2011
Promotional Image from the 2016 film: Superman vs Batman: Dawn of Justice
Bottom Row: Detective Comics No. 31: Batman Versus the Vampire: Part 1, 1939
Detective Comics No. 488: The Spook’s Death Sentence for Batman, 1980
Detective Comics No. 873: The Black Mirror, Part Three of Three, 2011
Promotional Image from the 2016 film: Superman vs Batman: Dawn of Justice
Their characters very clearly do not undergo the same type of appearance change as Wonder Woman. The art style changes, definitely, adding a progression to their characters design as well. However, aside from more defined musculature, very little appears to change about the overall appearance of these two. The creators were not concerned with whether or not Superman and Batman were up to date on fashionable hairstyles, grooming and clothing cuts. They were allowed to wear practical uniforms that served a practical and emblematic function. Only Wonder Woman seems to be a victim of the times, changing nearly every detail of her physicality over the course of the same time period. While she is progressive in her intent, it seems that she is still also held to both superhero expectations within the confines of the everyday emphasis and importance placed on women’s bodies and clothes. Something her male counterparts seem to escape.
Sources List:
1942 WW image:
WW Volume 1, Covers 57, 146, 206, 304:
WW Volume 2, Covers 72, 199:
2016 WW Movie Still:
Action Comics No. 1, 560, 902:
2016 Superman Movie Still:
2016 Batman Promotional Image:
Detective Comics 31, 488, 837:
Ooh, I find it very interesting the way comics/characters/clothing changes throughout the times. There are some similar changes in the two (gradually getting darker/emo/cool sexy/realistic). But what you pointed out about actual body changes is both intriguing and bothersome. I don't know whether this says something about inequality towards females, or that in terms of desired figure, males have stayed rather static (yes there are other types i.e. kpop "girlish" figure, but there still remains the muscular toned as well), whereas female desired figures has been dynamic.
ReplyDeleteIt's really interesting to see right out how all three costumes amped up the Darkness and Seriousness for their cinematic appearances. And even though WW's 2016 costume is definitely very sexualized, it's much more of an "Amazon" costume than the usual - the construction of the skirt looks like it's referencing ancient Greece/Rome, and she's actually wearing obvious armor.
ReplyDeleteBoth the men's and Wonder Woman's bodies became less realistic and more stylized. Where Wonder Woman's figure changes to match what's considered sexy for the time, Batman and Superman's figures change to match idealized male bodies. They're not made for the female gaze (I honestly find the muscles on 2011 Superman kind of disturbing - they're just *too* defined). The huge body-builder muscles are a power fantasy, not a sexual one.
Excellent post, Rachel-- thank you amassing the the timeline of the costumes! And, excellent responses, Nell and Adrienne! You are all correct in that there is clearly a direct relationship between heteronormative codes of 20th century, presumed readership, and these costumes. It seems to me, as you say Rachel, that WW has always been objectified. And objectification that doesn't need to happen with female superheroes. For example, Kelly Sue Deconnick's Captain Marvel is an interesting comparative case study where Kelly Sue took the original storyline of Marvel's 1960s Carol Danvers and updated it in 2012. Not only is the update is complex and vexing, it is also poses the question of how to update (what that entails), or even why update (response to readership, sales, cultural tides). Or, another interesting comparative study would be see what Dorothy Roubicek did with WW in the 1940s. In any event, the fashions and styling of the female superhero are definitely ares rich for analysis.
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