Reviewed by Susan Vosburgh

The first issue of DC Comics' SENSATION COMICS, January 1942, has been reprinted as part of the Millennium Editions because it includes the debut of Wonder Woman (who had also appeared briefly in the previous year's ALL STAR #8). The other features in the book don't seem noteworthy at all. They are an assortment of fantasy characters, settings and time periods, and none really caught on with the readers. In "Black Pirate," "Mr. Terrific," "The Gay Ghost," "Wildcat" and "Little Boy Blue" the art is ugly and undistinguished. Five different artists seem to be bad at drawing faces. "Wonder Woman" looks like the only feature done by creators who put in any time and love. William Moulton Marston did the story and Harry G. Peter the artwork.

The story is original and exciting, with imaginative details like her cool invisible airplane and ability to catch bullets with her magic bracelets. The story probably thrilled and surprised its audience with its wild exaggerations of a woman's independent attitude and sexy outfit. I would recommend this original Wonder Woman for its historical value alone, but couldn't help approaching this review from a 21st century feminist perspective… According to the introductory notes (helpful information and a good reason to read these Millennium reprints), Wonder Woman was a bit of a sociological experiment, psychologist Marston was working on as a way to attract women readers. I wonder (as a wondering woman, ha ha) what that entailed. The intro only mentions Greek mythology as a source, which has obviously been a great resource for comic books in general. Did Marston actually talk to any women?

She's a Wonder Woman (frequently referred to as "The Wonder Woman") But she's also interested in shopping for clothes. She doesn't wear any, though, only her strangely patriotic tube top and hot pants from her distant Amazon island. The only time she changes her clothes is to be close to the man she loves, Captain Steve Trevor, who is in the hospital. (She's the one who rescued him and brought him there.) She, Diana, switches identities with a nurse, also named Diana, and wears the drab nurse's dress as camouflage.

Finally we have an actual female superhero who hides her identity from her boyfriend pretty well. She seems to be attracted to the accident-prone, bedridden type. She loves him because he's the only man she's ever met! That's every man's fantasy!

WW is quite the feminist role model when it comes to earning her own money and effectively confronting her boss on matters of pay equity and gender harassment, but she feels the need to hide these strengths from her beloved. She knows Steve has to think he's the hero. Steve is not only the only man she knows, but he's absolutely dependent upon her - in an appealing, s&m sort-of way: not intimidated by her mousy alter-ego, yet still aroused by her hot and scantily-clad other identity! More male fantasy stuff. But how did Diana learn all this stuff growing up on Paradise Island - an all-female community? You'd think, after that experience, she would have been free to bring something new to the male-female dynamic.

So do women like or read Wonder Woman? It was fun to watch the TV show in the seventies- inseparable from "Charlie's Angels" and "Electra Woman and Dyna Girl." Until just recently, were there ever any female comic writers or artists? Was the only other strong female heroine Little Orphan Annie? Do lesbians like Wonder Woman? I know I've seen a similar lesbian avenger kind of character as a spokesperson for gay pride. Do gay men ever dress like Wonder Woman at parties?

The Wonder Woman of 1942 is, surprise, a woman men find attractive, not so much one a woman can identify with. They can probably identify with the compromises she creatively makes to be a strong woman in a man's world. The gender issues haven't even changed much in most of our male-dominated media. But her image is a true icon of our time, regardless of the content of particular comic books. Luckily, real women have come such a long way since 1942 that Wonder Woman can be a symbol of anything you want her to be a symbol of.

As for me: I like the powerfulness, resourcefulness and one hell of a body.

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Susan Vosburgh is a new contributor to PopImage