Of all the DC Comics superheroes, Wonder Woman is currently the most underused property in the comic book industry. After many failed attempts to bring the Amazon Princess to television or movie theaters, fans have begun to think that Wonder Woman is cursed.
Over the years, almost every major Hollywood studio had a Wonder Woman project in progress with big names attached to write and direct such as Joss Whedon and David E. Kelly. In fact, Wonder Woman came close to having another TV series air this season, when NBC hired Kelly to create the new show. Ultimately, due to bad reviews and fan backlash to changes in Wonder Woman’s backstory and personality, NBC was forced to pass on the series. Perhaps the problems do not lie with the studios, but the inconstant source material and the fans’ expectations.
Any faithful follower of Wonder Woman could state all the inconsistencies to her characterization, such as a naïve hero, a powerless spy, an ambassador for peace and a cold-hearted killer. While Wonder Woman has found some stability during her latest reincarnation, Brian Azzarello and Cliff Chiang’s version is very different from the beloved feminist icon made popular by the 1975 TV series starring Lynda Carter. This new Wonder Woman is a brutish demigod from a race of Amazons that murder and rape men to continue their race of women warriors.
In addition, fans are far too critical about writers sticking to the source material as well as creating a serious take on a character with many fantasy elements. Most of Wonder Woman’s stories feature her fighting giant talking gorillas on waterfalls or storming Mount Olympus to stop the Greek Gods. The source material does not allow for a realistic take fans want to see on the silver screen.
Wonder Woman is a complex character that is difficult to translate outside comic books, and writers need to take some liberties to attack a more general audience. So, fans need to relax and be patient as writers need to remember who Wonder Woman is—a strong willed hero whose courage and power rivals her male counterparts.