The only comics I read growing up were Archie and the Sunday Funnies. I loved waking up each Sunday morning and looking at the brightly colored comics – now many of them I don’t even know, nor are they funny. I miss the days of new Garfields, Peanuts, and B.C.
DC Comics are a different thing altogether. Even though I’ve watched most of the movies, I’ve never read any of the actual comics. I know they are very different and I can’t call myself a fan if I haven’t. But, I have watched Unbreakable by M. Night and there are some creapy comic book fans out there!
I love the original Batman, The Dark Knight, Batman Begins, all the Spideys (of recent years)… But, what of Wonder Woman? I don’t think I ever watched an episode/rerun with Lynda Carter (THE Wonder Woman in most opinions). I grew up watching the Smurfs, Strawberry Shortcake, and The Bugs Bunny and Tweety Show (loved 11am on Saturday mornings).
I came across this blog yesterday and did some thinking about it. Why hasn’t Wonder Woman been as big of a HERO as her male counterparts? Is it because she isn’t strong enough? No. There are reasons at which I’ll get to later. One of the statements in the blog I read brings up an interesting fact of feminism and lesbianism (do they really think this will sell more copies):
“Comic books are a male-dominate, testosterone fueled medium. Guys grow up wanting to be Superman, Batman, Spider-Man, and Captain America. Wonder Woman is eye-candy and the hot chick they fantasize about. First, last and always. The small percentage of women and girls that read Wonder Woman hardly make up for the large percentage of men and boys who don’t. The best rendition of Wonder Woman is and was the Lynda Carter version – and she wore the one-piece. Even then the character of Steve Trevor was introduced only to give Wonder Woman someone to rescue every week and give her a little heterosexual cover. The woman is almost 70 years old. Isn’t it about time she finally chose a side. Drag her out of the closet and let her start singing Melissa Etheridge and Indigo Girls songs.”
Amazon, not the bookseller, but the home of WW, is an all-female planet. Females dominate. “Wonder Woman is an Amazon (based on the Amazons of Greek mythology) and was created by Marston (an American) as a “distinctly feminist role model whose mission was to bring the Amazon ideals of love, peace, and sexual equality to a world torn by the hatred of men.” I would love to go back and interview the creator of WW for DC Comics. Created by a husband/wife team who lead a polygamous lifestyle, WW was seen as a loving superhero who embodied the feminist, non-traditional woman of the day (WW2). Marston, the main creator, said this in 1943:
“Not even girls want to be girls so long as our feminine archetype lacks force, strength, and power. Not wanting to be girls, they don’t want to be tender, submissive, peace-loving as good women are. Women’s strong qualities have become despised because of their weakness. The obvious remedy is to create a feminine character with all the strength of Superman plus all the allure of a good and beautiful woman.”
The more I study this – the problem goes deeper. So, basically, we have, all demonstrated in WW: helpless men, all-powerful, attractive, sexy, loving, truthful, I’m-in-charge woman.” This is what we as Americans are giving are girls. Now they want to make her a lesbian or a feminist? They aren’t too far from the truth according to some.
But, without going further…how can we as Christians (especially women and mothers and those who work with young women) counter this?
1. Please do not misunderstand me – I am not advocating door-mat women. I am not advocating weak women. Just to get that right.
2. We need to advocate biblical feminity. I like how John Piper defines it:
3. Scripture tells us women of the Word will be wise, fearing the Lord, industrious, hard workers, strong, giving, nurturing, trusting in her God, dignified, praiseworthy, gentle, quiet, modest, self-controlled, woman of good works, submissive to her husband and those in authority over her (see above quote), reverent in behavior, not enslaved to much wine (or any other bondage to sin), teachers of what is good, training the younger to love their husbands. These are just some of the commands/descriptions of women – not to mention all the traits of any one who considers themselves to be lovers of God, bought by the blood of Jesus. (Prov 31, 1 Timothy, Titus 2)
When I think of Wonder Woman, I see a woman who is trying to be all things, take charge, not submissive, pleaser of self, helping others (of course, she is a superhero), someone ogled by men, not gentle or meek or quiet.
When allowing your sons and daughters (and yourselves) to watch/read things in culture – do you know what those people are trying to teach your children or you? I just read some Spurgeon this morning:
“Whether we teach young Christians truth or not, the devil will be sure to teach them error.”
As a married woman – the book I can recommend is Feminine Appeal by Carolyn Mahaney.
For a single woman (like me) – the books would be Girls Gone Wise by Mary Kassian or Did I Kiss Marriage Goodbye? by Carolyn McCulley.
For a mom of older daughters, the above mentioned Girls Gone Wise.
For a mom of younger daughters, Girl Talk by Mahaney and Whitacre (her daughter).