Wonder Woman's Vanishing Boyfriend

[JoshuatheAnarchist]

I was always under the impression she was a lesbian; given she comes from an island full of women
go figure eh, I still can't think of who they could pair her up with, maybe Aquaman or Nightwing but overall I dunno I rather see her with Batwoman

Me too. Some of the old comics have a lot of Wonder Woman tying up other women or getting tied up herself... though I suppose there are limits to what you can use a lasso for, even a golden one that makes people tell the truth.

Writer's don't touch the subject of Amazonian sexuality much. George Pérez's run was the first to come out and say anything concrete about it:

But that just covers Amazonian society. As for Wonder Woman herself, she has never been explicitly involved with a woman, but a number of writers of Wonder Woman comics have said they consider her bisexual, it's just never become officially canon.

Also, shouldn't she have only one breast if she's really an amazonian? How's she supposed to fire a bow with those things?

XD
Yeah, historical accuracy is not something DC is too terribly worried about, methinks.

 

[The Random One]

I agree.

I also think mainstream American comics are the only medium where sexism is more taken for granted than videogames, as seen by the fact that, for instance, every single super-powered woman has hugemongous boobs. (Well, OK, there are exceptions, but they're usually women who are part of larger groups and playing second fiddle to other women who do have hugemongous boobs.) Any attempt to make women less exploitative ends up with a cute but mostly pointless 'tuff girl' routine.

If bringing Steve back is what it takes for that trend to begin reversing that by all means bring him back on.

(Also when you mentioned WW's creator's beliefs I was sure you were talking about BSDM.)

 

[C. Cain]

That is a pretty sweeping generalization on my part, sorry about that. It wasn't my intention to imply that literally everyone feels this way, only that it's pervasive enough to have become a kind've unspoken rule in mainstream comics writing.

It's alright. It was just a minor nitpick. The rest of your article was pretty insightful and I had to criticise something, right?

 

[PrototypeC]

Strong women don't make me uncomfortable. Every time he says, "we" and "us" makes me uncomfortable. I didn't do anything! I'm not perpetuating any stereotypes except my desire to take frequent naps!

:'(

 

[VanTesla]

WW should be a lesbian. Just to tick people off.

If she was a lesbian, WW could team with Batwomen for a comic series.

 

[VanTesla]

What about Batman? I am not a huge comic book fan, but I have seen some comics and specially animated movies/ series that show a connection between them.

Batman had short hilarious relationships. He even dated Catwoman for a time, and had a kid with her.

Then the kid became the Huntress in Earth 2 and was revamped from a different origin for DC current and 52.

 

[Vrex360]

Having read that, I have to agree. It is a very unfair double standard that we can accept simple civilian women getting rescued by powerful men but that the opposite is just unnacceptable. It really does drive home the point that for all of our talk of 'female empowerment' in comics and media in general we still rely too heavily on stereotypical gender roles.
Frankly I hope that Diana does get to keep dating this 'Steve' fellow. I really see no problem with a strong superheroine having a (relatively) normal civilian boyfriend who she has to protect from time to time. Fair is fair.

I also don't understand why men would be 'uncomfortable' with the idea, maybe it's just me but I think having a ridiculously hot Amazonian demi-goddess who loves me and is strong enough to protect me and keep me safe is quite appealing.

 

[JoshuatheAnarchist]

Huntress; to many to name over her long written history.

One night stands don't count as "dating" and even most of hers were superheroes (Nightwing, Arsenal, etc.)

She-Hulk; a new guy every night.

Once again, one night stands don't count. We're talking about long lasting, memorable relationships here.

Wonder Woman; Nemisis

Doesn't possess superpowers yes, but certainly doesn't count as a "civilian". Plus, very short-lived.

Astro Cities ASTRA; Matt (that one dude).

Empowered; Thug Boy

Fair enough, but I'm mostly focusing on the big two here, not indie comics.

 

[JoshuatheAnarchist]

Thing is, NO ONE LIKES WW. She has no base personality like Batman or Superman. Come on, ask a non comic reader what her origin is.

"Made from clay...maybe?...and sent out on a peace mission to man's world...or was she exiled?"


Now, who are some of her bad guys?

"Oh, I know this one...uh...Cheetor? Or Cheetra? Cheetara?"

And who is she?

"A werecheeta? A girl in a cheeta costume?"

All right, all right, here is an easy one. Who is her sidekick?

"Wonder Girl, duh."

Who is she?

"..."

Steve hasn't been around for awhile. The public just cares so little, they never read the memo.

Fair enough, the details of Wonder Woman's mythology are not well known outside the comic book community. After all, the only thing she appeared that gained a real widespread, mainstream audience was the TV show. She's yet to have a hit movie like Superman or Batman.

However, I don't really see how that's relevant. My point was that even among comic book readers Steve Trevor is obscure because he's been absent for so long.

And I have to disagree with your assertion that NO ONE likes Wonder Woman. The character's been around for 70 years no, you don't get that kind've staying power without a fanbase. And I really can't agree with the idea that she has no baseline personality. Superman's the idealistic farm boy, Batman's the brooding borderline psychopath, and Wonder Woman's the serene warrior-poet.

 

[Vrex360]

I also don't understand why men would be 'uncomfortable' with the idea, maybe it's just me but I think having a ridiculously hot Amazonian demi-goddess who loves me and is strong enough to protect me and keep me safe is quite appealing.

Because we have nothing in common. A relationship is not based on your partner being able to "keep you safe." You seem to be relying on the same gender stereotypes you are denouncing, but inverted.

A relationship is based on an equal partnership. If one of us is an immortal demigoddess brought to life with magic, who can fly, is a princess, can bench press a semi-trailer & is immortal, while i am none of those things, then i'm not so much an equal partner so much as a pet.

I'm not relying on it, not one bit. Just pointing out that I wouldn't object to dating a strong warrior woman. What I mean is I wouldn't feel uncomfortable if my significant other happened to be stronger then I am or if society saw her as my 'protector'.

Ultimatley measures of 'strength' shouldn't factor into what makes a couple equal, I've seen very small women date tall men and I've seen frail men dating female athletes.
Physical stature is not what makes a couple 'equal', it's how said couple interacts with each other that does. If they both treat each other with the same level of respect and compassion and care enough about each other and share common interests, then that is an equal couple. At that point, it doesn't matter if the man is stronger or the woman is smarter or whatever.

Because in the end the actual relationship is based on the couple's feelings towards each other and how they choose to express those feelings and interact with each other, not about who happens to be the strongest. Yes if Wonder Woman or Superman used the fact that they had superior powers to bully their respective partners into doing all the house work, that wouldn't be equal. But just being more powerful then the partner they are with shouldn't matter.
All that should matter is that they love each other.

And indeed comic book writers and fans seem to be able to accept that just fine when it's a male superhero with a civilian girlfriend. Spiderman can date Mary Jane Watson, Ironman can have Pepper Pots, Thor can have Jane Foster or of course Superman, the man who can fly through the SUN and shoot LASERS from his eyes and is impervious to bullets an indeed death itself can find true love in the form of a simple 'plucky girl reporter'.
Power levels sure as hell don't come across as 'threatening' there.

And no one objects when the girlfriend inevitably gets kidnapped by the villain and the hero must swoop in to save her, or indeed when she's just outright killed so that our main hero can have a new dramatic story arc (see Women in Refridgerators). But suddenly if it's a powerful woman saving her ordinary civilian boyfriend now it's a damaging unequal relationship?
The author of this article is pointing out that there is a gender double standard in these kinds of stories, and frankly there is. Because there is still some kind of objection to the woman being the 'strong' one of the couple instead of the man.

Yes ultimatley I prefer it when couples are of equal strength and are capable of challenging each other in a capable way (Which is why I've hated all of Batman's love interests in the movies who weren't Catwoman) but I just think if we are fine with every single comic book/video game/movie/ TV show having there be a moment where the main dude's girlfriend is kidnapped sparking a determined quest to save her(or killed, prompting a desire for revenge) it should only be fair that Wonder Woman gets to rescue Steve from time to time and screams NNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO when he's found dead.

My entire point with that comment there was that I wouldn't object to, or feel threatened or weakened by, dating a woman who is stronger and more capable combat wise then I am. That's it, I apologize if it came across any other way.

EDIT: Also it must be said if a quarter million teenage girls can swoon at the idea of everlasting love with a Vampire boy who actually DOES express a desire to drink their blood and demonstrates a love of showing how much more powerful he is, why is there still no desire among men for a super powerful girlfriend?
That said before you bring it up, yes I do think Twilight is a depiction of an unhealthy relationship but not becaue Edward was 'stronger' but for a plethoa of other reasons like him being stalkerish and creepy and emotionally domineering.

 

[JediMB]

I'm glad that May "Spider-Girl" Parker finally seemed to be getting together with Wes at the end of her run. After the on-and-off relationship with Flash Thompson's annoying son, it was sweet to see her with someone nice.

 

[Wookie 1]

I actually think its right they dont have him (Trevor) anymore after all it is rather deliberately anti-male in intention and implementation. It also smacks a wee bit of silly lets reverse everything and made social points kind of thinking.

 

[JoshuatheAnarchist]

Well, yes, she has a fanbase, just as Firestorm, the Crimson Avenger, and Grifter have fanbases. Maybe not even that. I think she might only be as "famous" as she is because she is DC's flagship female charecter. As of right now, she is the only female with her own title that isn't from Wildstorm (Voodoo) or a spin-off (Batwoman, Batgirl, Catwoman, and Supergirl).

I admit, her popularity has not remained consistent over the years, and it is partially the brand recognition that keeps her around. That doesn't mean that no one cares about and it certainly doesn't mean she isn't worth preserving, developing, and analyzing.

Sometimes she hates men, sometimes she is peace loving, sometimes she is a killer, sometimes she is strong as Superman, sometimes only a bit stronger then a peak human, and so on. Writers don't know what to do with her.

And sometimes Superman is pissy & moany about being an alien and feels he doesn't fit it, and other times he feels perfectly at home among humans. Different writers have different takes on the characters. Yes some writers are dumb enough to play Wonder Woman as man-hating killer, but in my experience, most know better. Having contrasting takes on her personality doesn't mean she has any less of a character than Superman or Batman.

And so what if her powers have changed over time? Originally, Superman couldn't fly and Batman carried guns. Both personalty & power-wise, she's remained more or less consistent for the past few decades, non-canon stories excluded.

 

[Therumancer]

I think people are intent on finding sexism where there isn't any, if one rant (such as apperances in artwork won't work), it will be the number of female heroes, when that gets slapped down it will be about why aren't there more men playing second fiddle as romance interests or sidekicks or whatever to the female heroes?

It's rapidly coming to the point where I think "The Escapist" should just make a policy that topics such as sexism and racism in geek media are banned, at least for the purposes of articles. It's not insightful, it's not profound, it's not new, and really it only seems direct at getting attention and trying to keep tired old issues, that don't even really exist anymore, afloat.

The easiest way to counter the entire point here (which isn't so much about Wonder Woman) is to point out that this is a non-issue especially nowadays as there are tons of Anime/Manga/etc.. that have exactly what is supposed to be missing here, and of course there has been an increasingly incestuous relationship between Manga and western comics in recent years.

That point aside, one also has to understand that usually the "normal" love interest of a male super hero fills the role of a foil of sorts. The idea being that the character in question is maintaining a secret identity, and the "normal" love interest largely exists to represent jeopardy of that identity being found out. The problem compounded by the having love interests who are competant enough in their own right to get into these huge messes that require the intervention of the super hero.

The lack of female characters with "norms" as love interest is largely because in recent years where the issues of actual sexism have mostly dissappeared is because the whole idea of the "secret identity" has fallen out of favor, at least in the old sense, largely because as time goes on and technology improves, the odds of something like this working continuously go down. Most super heroes aren't total unknowns, and know this, with groups like SHIELD maintaining huge databases of heroes and who they really are, oftentimes without their knowlege, but frequently with it, and there is increasing awareness of this within the concepts.

The point here being that most of the super heroes who still follow that mould are VERY old super heroes. The "norm" love interest has gone the way of the child sidekick, it still exists to some extent, but it's not what it used to be. Most female characters are the product of modern tastes in comics, where people want to read about super-beings and what they are up to, not about normal people, and if they do want to read about casts of normal characters they generally don't want to deal with the much-parodied classic relationships.

It's not a matter of sexism, or men feeling it hurts their macho pride, or whatever else, hell Anime and such is popular enough in the western market alone to show that there isn't much of an issue there. Some of the longest running series out there are pretty much entirely about all these super-babes who are madly in love with some poor schlub who is totally out of his league and needs to be rescued 24/7.

 

[CAPTCHA]

I feel so uncomfortable with this idea that I find hard even to imagine my heroines with weaker boyfriends. The need men have to be strong is not just cultural, it is marked in our instincts (of men and women).

This. It's not that there's a problem with women filling traditionally male positions within society, but physicality is a different matter. Males are genetically stronger and more athletic than women. When a woman embraces these male roles they quickly step beyond what it means to be female in order to emulate masculinity.

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