Wonder Woman's Backstory -- I Don't Understand It

[Squall]

I don't think I've ever clearly understood Wonder Woman's backstory. Is she an Amazon, like the mythical all-woman native tribe in South America? Or is it like from a mythical continent on Earth, like Aquaman and Atlantis? And how (and why) does she have super powers? Do all Amazons have super powers, or only her??? Her backstory is sooo confusing to me. Also, I've seen her coming to Earth from her home (does that make her an alien?) to fight the Nazis in World War II, but by the 1980's/1990's she still looks like she's in her early 20's. What gives?!? Any help here would be most appreciated...

[Leaping Larry Jojo]

You'd better not think about it...

DC has some of the most screwed up continuities in comic land. Apparently, the Golden Age Wonder Woman was not the present one but actually her mother...and that doesn't explain Crisis on Infinity Earths or whatever that mess was called.

Ah, just forget it.

[Plasma Wisp]

I never got WW background.

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[optimal321]

Maybe Timm and crew will give the previously unseen characters background stories. Because i don't really know about anyone's aside from those we've already seen.

[Squall]

Well, that's exactly what I like about the Timm & Dini cartoons. They took the whole DC Universe, basically cleaned house and got rid of all the confusing/ridiculous/monotonous storylines, and fixed it up where all the stories were clean, organized, and made sense. In fact, the very reasons I love the Dini/Timm DC Universe are the the very reasons why I don't (and never have, though I tried to get into it once) read the comic books. The storylines are confusing, conflicting, and often really strange to me...

[Squall]

For example, they had (or still have?) comic books devoted entirely to characters like Jimmy Olsen and Lois Lane. What's up with that???

[Knight]

Heres some of the basic (and current) Wonder Woman history:

Diana (WWs birth name ) was formed on the island of Themyscira (which is hidden from normal space and time)from clay and given life by the Olympian Gods. She won a contest held by the Amazons to come to mans world as their representitive much to her mother Queen Hippolyta's dismay. Diana's goal is to educate people on peace through reasoning and understanding .Shes not out to use people as punching bags but as a highly trained warrior often finds herself involved in various conflicts to try to maintain what peace is already in the world. Diana is a person who would much rather talk out a problem than result to violence.

Thanks to The Olympian Gods WW is one of the most powerful heros on Earth. Her strength comes directly from the Earth itself and surpasses all others except for Superman. She was granted superhuman speed and the ability to fly by the god Hermes. And while not invulnerable she wears indestructable braclets, uses bodyarmor and weilds a unbreakable lasso that forces anyone trapped in it to tell the truth.

special notes:

Amazons possesses natural attributes that are greater than that of a normal human

The braclets which all Amazons wear are a reminder of when they were defeated and imprisoned by Hercules

In the comics Lex Luthor frequently employees two members of a outcast group of Amazons. Ones name is Hope and the others name is Mercy (which is the name of the animated bodyguard that protected Lex in the Superman Animated series)

[Squall]

So let me get this straight. Wonder Woman is an alien from a parallel dimension, one where the mythical Greek Gods DO exist? (I guess since Myxlplix is on Superman, that could work.) But how about "Why?" Why did Wonder Woman come to Earth in the first place? Why would her home planet want her to come here? Why not just stay home and defend her home planet?

[Leaping Larry Jojo]

For a sheer trip, you guys should check out some of the 60s-70s "hippie-era" Wonder Woman comics. For many issues, she lost her costume (get...mind out of gutter...) and became a kung-fu fighting force of female power. She gets this oriental sensei of sorts, and...

Well, it's something to see, all right. Hilarious stuff.

[Squall]

Now THAT'S funny! I'd have to see some of that old Wonder Woman stuff, that must be hilarious to read.

You know, it's no wonder the DC and Marvel universes have to be re-invented every generation... Just like re-invented clothing styles, the old storylines and backstories become corny and stupid over time. (Just look at the "Superfriends"... sheesh.)

One example: Not too long ago I saw a rerun of the orginal "Superfriends" on the Cartoon Network. This episode devoted 20 minutes to Superman and Green Lantern going to India and helping a mother elephant and its baby out of a big hole in the ground! Which brought up three important questions:
1. How did the guy in RURAL INDIA call the Hall of Justice on their VIDEO PHONE?!?
2. Why was there a big hole in the ground in the first place?
3. Why do need Superman AND Green Lantern to do this job? Either one could have easily done it by themselves. Besides, aren't there animal control officers who could take care of such a minor thing? Just lower a crane and the elephant's out. Was there nothing to do that day? Were Superman and Green Lantern THAT bored?

Man, I'm glad that Dini and Timm think about that kind of stuff. That's why their cartoons are so good. :)

But what were those guys in the 1970's thinking? And the sad thing is that it's just ONE episode of many. They do get worse. Really.

So here's a question for everybody: Do you think that Batman: TAS, Batman/Superman, Batman Beyond, Zeta, and Justice League will stand the test of time? Or will teenagers and young adults in 2030 be thinking the same things about the shows we love now?!?

[metaphysician]

Originally posted by squall
So let me get this straight. Wonder Woman is an alien from a parallel dimension, one where the mythical Greek Gods DO exist? (I guess since Myxlplix is on Superman, that could work.) But how about "Why?" Why did Wonder Woman come to Earth in the first place? Why would her home planet want her to come here? Why not just stay home and defend her home planet?

No, she is from Earth. On DC Earth, they Greek Gods do exist, and so does Paradise Island.

[Squall]

What??? I don't like that. I just find it strange. After all, the Greek Gods NEVER come up in any Superman or Batman or Green Lantern or etc. stories. And where is Paradise Island? Out in the Pacific Ocean or something???

The sci-fi part of me is coming out here. It doesn't add up for me. :confused:

[Squall]

Also, do the Greek Gods rule over the whole Universe, our whole Galaxy, or just planet Earth (or its Solar System)? Are the Greek Gods really "Gods" (like what about God, Heaven and Hell?), or are they just really powerful noncorporeal aliens who protect Earth? (Think the wormhole aliens who protect Bejor on DS9.)

[Leaping Larry Jojo]

The Greek Gods intentionally isolate themselves from the affairs of men and they let Wonder Woman do all the diplomatic work (i.e. she gets the crap jobs). I get the impression that they do not rule so much as lounge around in the safety of their home...

Also, IIRC, Paradise Island is not very easy to get to. But I'm not too familiar with this aspect of the Wonder Woman mythology.

Might as well pick up the George Perez issues of Wonder Woman. He's the guy behind the current Wonder Woman backstory, and he goes pretty in depth with the mythological aspect. The issues are fairly recent (1980s) and shouldn't be too expensive.

I did not know that Mercy was an Amazon. No wonder she was so strong, though she seems to be only slightly stronger than an average human, and WAAAAAAAAY weaker than a Wonder Woman.

[Squall]

I still think I'd rather Wonder Woman be an alien. It's what makes the Superman story seem more "real" to me...

[Leaping Larry Jojo]

Wonder Woman has always had a fantasy flavour to her, so sci-fi would be out of place. She was created out of clay--I think they were going for some post-Adam and Eve thing there.

I dunno. Wonder Woman is a fascinating character with endless potential, but it's mix-ups like this that cause her to be eternally the third best hero on the DC list.

[Joe Tully]

But what were those guys in the 1970's thinking? And the sad thing is that it's just ONE episode of many. They do get worse. Really.



My friends and I once watched a Superfriends ep., back when they were on CN, and over time started giving it the MST treatment. It was the one with the Baloonians, if anyone remembers it. They were aliens who could float around. The villian attacked Aquaman with "Itchy Acid" It was good fun, absolutely hilarious. Anyone looking for a good laugh, look that one up. Or get some of your friends together and do the same.

I think this stuff will stand the test of time. Adults wouldn't have watched Superfriends seriously when it came out, just as they wouldn't now, but BTAS is pretty well respected, and I think that it always will be.

[Leaping Larry Jojo]

If they ever did an animated show with the kung-fu fighting secret agent hippie Diana, I'd still watch it.

[Maxie Zeus]

Originally posted by squall
But what were those guys in the 1970's thinking? And the sad thing is that it's just ONE episode of many. They do get worse. Really.

Don't blame the writers, blame the network and the stupid parents against violence groups. Back then, from what I understand, BS&P wouldn't even let cartoon characters make a fist. There was also a huge movement to make children's shows "socially responsible" by addressing contemporary problems like pollution and racism and stuff like that. Stories about Superman and GL helping elephants were the natural result. Probably the writers had to get drunk or stoned before they could even bring themselves to write the kind of crap they were forced to turn out.


So here's a question for everybody: Do you think that Batman: TAS, Batman/Superman, Batman Beyond, Zeta, and Justice League will stand the test of time? Or will teenagers and young adults in 2030 be thinking the same things about the shows we love now?!?

The Batman and Superman shows will easily stand the test of time (less sure about Zeta). 60 years from now these shows will be watched with the same affection and admiration as cartoons from the 40s are watched. Even if the animation doesn't hold up (and I think in large measure it will) they will still be watched because they are excellent dramas.

[Robin2099]

To put these 70's censor groups into perspective, they were the same people who took the Human Torch out of the Fantastic Four cartoon and put a Robot named Herbie in his place.

[Brian Cruz]

Originally posted by Robin2099
To put these 70's censor groups into perspective, they were the same people who took the Human Torch out of the Fantastic Four cartoon and put a Robot named Herbie in his place.

That's actually just an urban legend. Look here for the real reason behind the change: http://www.povonline.com/IAQ2.htm

[DisneyBoy]

Squall...Wonder Woman is not an alien!!!

Although others have explained most of her backstory already, I feel the need to clarify a few things.

1) Paradise Island is just that - an island hidden away from the civilised world. No one knows exactly where it is, but it is populated by Amazons. Not like Zena or anything, just warrior women who, although being mortal, manage to live much longer than ordinary humans. The island is filled with pillars and temples, basically, a Greek style of archetechure.

2) The Gods (Zeus, Hera, Hermes, Aphrodite, Ares etc) live on Mount Olympus and play an interesting role in the Wonder mythology. The Gods created the race to show men and women how to coexist peacefully, and therefore, the Gods make guest appearances in the comics. Keep in mind that the religious beliefs of the rest of the World are not mentionned in the comics. So, on JL you won't find Wonder Woman talking endlessly or preaching about Zeus, but she might mention his name "Great Zeus!" or "Holy Hera!" in a time of battle or crisis. It is important to note that WW's main villain is Ares, the God of War, who encourages men's anger and manipulates them into fighting. Think of the Gods as the puppet masters of us all. Though they don't walk amoung us, they can make us feel angry (Ares) or loving (Aphrodite). The Amazons believe in them completely, but I don't know how Timm and co. will get into the issue of religion. Although they may try to avoid it, pitting WW against villain's like Cheetah and that guy in the robe, Ares is to WW what Joker is to Batman. They can't just pretend he doesn't exist.

So, WW is deeply rooted in Greek mythology, giving the comics a sort of classic epic feeling. If WW was ever written to be an alien, it would totally ruin her character. After all, Martian Manhunter, Hawkgirl and Superman are all aliens. How many more do we need? WW's background is unique and shouldn't be tampered with. Love live the Amazons!

[DerekPowers]

for anyone alittle confused about wonder woman's backstory, pick up the wonder woman our worlds at war #1. it gives a pretty good account of wonder woman's past and trys to tie up confusing twists like hippolyta going back in time and becoming the original wonder woman, etc, etc. Ive never read much wonder woman, but this issue cleared alot of things up. as far as the greek gods, i always imagined things like this much like how they deal w/ it in Xena. they exist, as do the christian god and devil, and other gods, each w/ different power levels and influence. i dont know. but i'd suggest reading ww to anyone cause i just started reading it w/ the owaw arc and i really like it, i think its one of the best written titles and the art is really good as well. peace.

[CarterHall]

Hey, I'm all for going to an island of Amazons. But, seriously, George Perez wrote the book on WW. It is one of the richest backstories ever crafted. I actually read a few of the "hippie" Wonder Woman stories....pretty corny but a lot of fun.


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