Wonder Woman #1 (Comic)

A brand new first issue of Wonder Woman came out. She's supposed to be one of the 3 big guns of DC Comics, the other two being Superman and Batman, but has never received the same treatment. It is said that those three characters provide the template for most of the superheroes out there. Both Superman and Batman have at least three different titles each month and most have lasted past 650 issues. Except Wonder Woman. She has exactly one title with her name on it and is starting over again. Why is that? I think it partially has to do with her core concept. Take a look at Batman; child, after witnessing parents death, vows vengeance on the criminal element. Superman has a basic approach as well: sole survivor of doomed planet uses his god-like powers to help others. And Wonder Woman? Well, she leaves an island consisting of only women and is charged with being an ambassador on mission of peace, I think. It's changed over the years with no real rhyme or reason.

There are other reasons as well. Unlike the other two, she's seen as a more sexual being and her outfit certainly does not help matters. Could her lack of popularity be simply due to the fact that in a primarily male dominated readership, she's just too icky? I'm not sure. I've read various incarnations of her comic over the years and I've tried to get into it, but just couldn't. I didn't find her adventures to be exciting or different enough. A real stand out of Batman is his villains, with Superman it's his feats of power. Wonder Woman has neither the rogues to combat nor interesting powers to set her apart. What does set her apart is her gender and I have yet to see that portrayed compelling enough in a comic. I think if it wasn't for that tv show from the 70's, she might not even be around today. And that's a real shame.