Description
Created in 1941 by the psychologist William Marston, Wonder Woman would go on to have one of the longest continuous run of published comic book adventures in the history of the industry. Seventy years after her debut Wonder Woman remains a popular culture icon. Throughout the intervening years many comic book creators have had a hand in guiding her story, resulting in different interpretations of the Amazon Princess. But the changes in tone, theme, or subject matter in Wonder Woman's fictional adventures are not only the result of new creators. Wars, the feminist movement, politics, and evolving social opinions and concerns can be seen influencing the stories found in Wonder Woman's comic books. In this collection, each chapter examines a specific period or storyline from Wonder Woman comic books and analyses those stories in regards to contemporary issues in American society. Tracing the evolution of Wonder Woman through seven decades of comic books not only increases our understanding of an important American icon, it illuminates the relationship between American society and the entertainment it produces and consumes.
About the Author
Joseph J. Darowski, a professor of English at Brigham Young University-Idaho, has published work on comic book superheroes such as the X-Men, Green Lantern, and Superman and is the author or co-editor of several books.
Reviews
"a valuable contribution to the study of this character"-Journal of American Culture; "the character is both iconic and mysterious, recognizable but hard to understand. Part of the problem is that she has been repeatedly reinterpreted depending on the sensibilities of the era"-Year's Work in English Studies; "there are many things to like about Darowski's Ages of Wonder Woman...accessible and clearly written...provides much value to a general audience...especially those interested in the history of pop culture and Wonder Woman's place in it"-SFRA Review; "nineteen essays about the Amazon warrior and how she's changed over the years...Wonder Woman has always been seen as one of the leading DC characters...few have had a real fix on what she is really about"- SFCrowsnest; "goes into extensive detail about the individual characters starting from their origins and their transition and evolution through the decades...makes for fascinating reading"-Collectors' Corner.
Book Information
ISBN 9780786471225
Author Joseph J. Darowski
Format Paperback
Page Count 248
Imprint McFarland & Co Inc
Publisher McFarland & Co Inc
About the Author
Joseph J. Darowski, a professor of English at Brigham Young University-Idaho, has published work on comic book superheroes such as the X-Men, Green Lantern, and Superman and is the author or co-editor of several books.
Reviews
"a valuable contribution to the study of this character"-Journal of American Culture; "the character is both iconic and mysterious, recognizable but hard to understand. Part of the problem is that she has been repeatedly reinterpreted depending on the sensibilities of the era"-Year's Work in English Studies; "there are many things to like about Darowski's Ages of Wonder Woman...accessible and clearly written...provides much value to a general audience...especially those interested in the history of pop culture and Wonder Woman's place in it"-SFRA Review; "nineteen essays about the Amazon warrior and how she's changed over the years...Wonder Woman has always been seen as one of the leading DC characters...few have had a real fix on what she is really about"- SFCrowsnest; "goes into extensive detail about the individual characters starting from their origins and their transition and evolution through the decades...makes for fascinating reading"-Collectors' Corner.
Book Information
ISBN 9780786471225
Author Joseph J. Darowski
Format Paperback
Page Count 248
Imprint McFarland & Co Inc
Publisher McFarland & Co Inc
