Wonder Woman: A Christian Response to Superhero Saviors

COMMENTARY

Diana Prince (aka Wonder Woman) deflects speeding bullets with her bracelets, swan dives off a tall cliff to rescue an Army officer who's crash landed in the ocean, and dazzles with spectacular sword-and-shield combat moves. Her golden lasso compels you to tell the truth. She's a friend/companion to the Army officer, a princess to her Amazonian sisters. And she does it all with power, grace, wisdom, and wonder.

If you were choosing teammates to defeat the bad guys, would you pick Wonder Woman?

Created in 1941 as a kinder, gentler comic book superhero, she most recently appeared onscreen in 2016's Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, intervening in the nick of time to help the Man of Steel and the Caped Crusader. They'll all return this November in Justice League.  But first, Diana (Gal Gadot) gets her own film – filled with action, excitement, nobility (parts made me want to cheer), plot twists, compassion, and love – to remind the world of her roots, her mission and power. 

Wonder Woman Embodies Strength and Beauty

Wonder Woman's comic book creator, William Moulton Marston, was a Harvard-trained psychologist with a complicated, multifaceted life.

Superman (1938 comic launch) and Batman (1939) were becoming too violent for many readers' tastes. Seeking a family-friendly solution, publisher M.C. Gaines hired Marston, who recommended a "female superhero" with powers related to "love and truth and beauty" to inspire and sell comics to girls.

Strongly influenced by the women's suffrage movement, Marston wanted "to create a feminine character with all the strength of Superman plus all the allure of a good and beautiful woman." He once admitted, "Frankly, Wonder Woman is psychological propaganda for the new type of woman who, I believe, should rule the world."

A Feminist Icon

Wonder Woman has indeed become a feminist icon, gracing the cover of Ms. Magazine three times. Gloria Steinem, a huge fan, complained to DC Comics when writers stripped the heroine of magical powers. The publisher restored them.

The United Nations named Wonder Woman its ambassador for female empowerment – until a slew of UN staffers and others complained she was too white, too American, and too curvaceous. 

Regarding creator Marston's life: his wife (Elizabeth Holloway), his lover (Olive Byrne) and he all lived together. Each woman bore two children. Marston also invented the lie detector (think Wonder Woman's golden lasso) and the famous DISC psychological personality model (Dominance, Influence, Submission, and Compliance contribute to Diana's mission).

Olive Byrne's aunt was Margaret Sanger, whose feminist views also influenced Marston. 

Greek and Roman mythology figured prominently in Marston's youth, so it's not surprising that Wonder Woman's saga is steeped in such lore. She hails from Themyscira, a fictional island with only female inhabitants who fled Greece to escape enslavement by men. She worships and interacts with Greco-Roman gods.

Superhero Spirituality

Many comic book/cartoon characters exhibit spiritual links. Superman often is a Christ-like figure. His father sent him, his only son, to save Earth. Charles Schultz wove numerous spiritual themes into Peanuts. The Simpsons depicts multiple faiths including Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Muslim, and Buddhist.

Some find biblical parallels in the Wonder Woman canon. Amazons first lived in an earthly paradise, then were cast out (Eden allusions?). The comic book Wonder Woman died, rose again, ascended to heaven for a time, then returned to earth. Jesus certainly elevated the status of women (a central Wonder Woman cause). In contrast to social norms, Jesus taught, befriended, and traveled with women. They were the first at his empty tomb, first to see him alive again, and first to spread that news.

The biblical Deborah was a judge, prophetess, and military strategist with wisdom somewhat similar to Diana's (read Judges 4:1-24, Judges 5:1-31). She instructed Barak, a male military leader, to engage in a strategic battle. Barak replied, "I will go, but only if you go with me" (Judges 4:8). Deborah chided Barak: "Very well … I will go with you. But you will receive no honor in this venture, for the Lord's victory over Sisera [the opposing commander] will be at the hands of a woman" (Judges 4:9). Another woman, Jael, used guile and stealth to kill Sisera (Judges 4:21). 

Do We Need Superheroes?

Of course, significant differences exist between Greco-Roman deities and the God of the Bible. The former were multiple, could be capricious, and exhibited flawed behavior. The latter is depicted as being "one"(Deuteronomy 6:4-15), unchanging (Malachi 3:6), and "holy" (Isaiah 6:1-6). 

In any case, superhero stories are universally popular, perhaps because they tap into our human need to negotiate an often hostile world. Fantasizing about vanquishing evil and darkness – or cheering imaginary characters that do – can provide temporary diversion from life's fears. 

Consider this: Many embrace God as their "superhero" seeing Him as an all-powerful, just, and loving reality, one who longs to deliver us from darkness. Could fictional-hero stories' popularity reflect genuine human desire for divine connection?

It's something to chew on as you watch Wonder Woman and other superhero movies.