Wonder Woman Comic Books: See the Evolution

1941: William Moulton Marston invents Wonder Woman, an Amazonian superhero who fights for women’s rights and democracy. Her look is inspired by both pinup girls and suffragists.DC Entertainment

1942: Wonder Woman's costume was a matter of debate from the start. Her hemline traveled up and down with the times—and her editors.DC Entertainment

1943: Wonder Woman faces off against her nemesis, Cheetah.DC Entertainment

1943: In this comic, Wonder Woman foresees the future. She runs for president against her love interest Steve and the Man's World Party—and wins.DC Entertainment

1949: After Marston’s death, DC strips Wonder Woman of her powers, making her a model and a babysitter. Women’s-history sidebars in the comics are replaced with wedding advice.DC Entertainment

1968: Rejecting her dual identity as hero and secretary, DC rebrands Wonder Woman as a James Bond–like spy figure. In this psychedelic version, she loses her powers but gets to wear pants.DC Entertainment

1972: In this one-off "Women's Lib Issue," Wonder Woman battles employers who won't pay women equal wages.DC Entertainment

1972: In a callback to a 1940s comic in which Wonder Woman wins the presidency over the Man’s World Party, Gloria Steinem puts “Wonder Woman for President” on the cover of the first issue of Ms. magazine.DC Entertainment

1979: In the 1970s, Wonder Woman grows in popularity thanks to the television show starring Lynda Carter.DC Entertainment

1987: Writer George Pérez reboots a flagging franchise. He modernizes Wonder Woman’s story, emphasizing her Amazonian origins and making her more muscular.DC Entertainment

1992: Comics go sexy in the 1990s. Wonder Woman is no exception.DC Entertainment

1992: Her many makeovers includes a punk aesthetic but also slinky leather outfits in a bid for young male fans.DC Entertainment

2013: Wonder Woman gets a new origin story in DC's New 52 storyline.DC Entertainment

2016: Wonder Woman gets yet another origin story in the comic books focused on female empowerment. Controversially, comic-book writer Greg Rucka says in an interview that the character is bisexual.DC Entertainment

See the Evolution of Wonder Woman in the Comics

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