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Cancelled. The remake of the classic and iconic Wonder Woman sitcom of the 1970's wasofficially cancelled by NBC, the very network that had commisioned the show, without even a pilotepisode shown. 1 The show seemd to be off to a rocky start as soon as it was announced to be in theworks. A leaked script was immediately shopped around and was called 'bizarre' by many who read it. i Fans created an uproar when they saw the new Wonder Woman's costumes as well. NBC tried tocounter this by introducing the idea that Wonder Woman would wear three different costumes,but it

wasnt enough to quell the fire and the show, after getting mixed reviews from the NBC execs whoviewed the pilot was inevetibly cancalled. ii

Its a fact within televison that unpopular shows and shows that wouldnt appeal to the public arenormally and constantly cancelled. However, the cancellation of Wonder Womans show is a symbol of something far greater and far deeper. Superhero movies and television shows are in abundance.Smallville, a sitcom on the life of Clark Kent, or the superhero Superman, survived ten seasons beforeits last episode aired on May 13 th, 2011. iiiThe Incredible Hulk movie(2008)starring Liv Tyler and EricBana, made 55 million dollars in its opening weekend,and 134 million dollars in total. iv The Dark Knight(2008), a remake of the Batman movie from the 90's made over 158 million dolars its openingweekend, and even more astounding, it made over one billion dollars worldwide v.In comparison theheroines faired much,much worse. Catwoman(2004), played by the Oscar winning actress Halle Berry,made only 16million dollars its opening weekend and made 40 million in total .vi Electra(2005), theheroined played by Jennifer Garner made 14 million dollars its opening weekend,and made only 24million dollars in total vii.The glass ceiling doesnt only exist for the 'real women' because it is evidentthat it exists for the ladies within the pages as well.Women comic book heroes, from the very firstheroine, Fantomah, tell the story of feminism and womens struggle from its very introduction.

The years between the 1940's and the 1950's were tumultuous yet groundbreaking years for women. In1941, the United Stetes becomes involved in World War II. With the men involved in the war, theUnited Stets government launches a campaign to get women into the workplace. One of their most

popular ads included 'Rosie the Riveter' who beckoned the women to be involved in the wartime effortsand even had her own song by the same name. Some 13 illion women joined the workforce, eager tofill the holes in the workforce the men had left behind. The iconic Wonder Woman was born inDcember of 1941 and she perfectly epitomized the working class women of the United States. Wonder Woman was a major departure from her fellow heroine Fantomah who had debuted only a handful of manths before her. Fantomah was a mysterious,wild over sexualized girl from the jungle who had beencarefully crafted to capitalize on the popular Tarzan of the Apes and Sheena, Queen of the Jungle comic

books. Wonder Woman was made by the polyamorous William Moulton Marston who modeled theheroine after his lover.Wonder Woman was debuted fighting the Axis Powers and was the most famousfemale to defend American Democracy .viii While the real woman did their part to help in the war, by

becoming the backbone of the country,the comic book ladies did their part as well. Many new heroineswere introduced,including Liberty Belle, Pat Patriot,and the extremely sexualized post war heroine,Yankee Girl .ix

The 1950's bring change for women as the men are home come home from war and resumetheir lives in the home. Although 80 percent of women want to keep their jobs, more are eventuallyforced out by the men to return to their domestic lives. Americas new conservative attitudes anddomestication was mirrored in its comic books as well. The Comics Code Authority was made to cleanup the industry. While strong women dissappeared from the work force, strong women dissapearedfrom comic as well, as artists would rather not show a character rather than tone down her excessivelylarge breasts or cover her midriff and butt. Many of the heroines created during the war dissapearedfrom the newstands. Even Wonder Woman was not impervious to the wave of conservative attitudesweeping the nation. The once busty Wonder Woman was now being drawn fully clothed more oftenand her costume not as scanty.Wonder Woman became a member of the Justice Society of America

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during the 1950's. Although she was stronger, faster, and much more agile than the men, Wonder woman joined the team as their secretary. As if this wasnt demeaning enough Wonder Woman is shownhappily accepting the postion all the while lamenting about how she wish she could go with the boys ontheir adventures. Marston, the original creator of Wonder Woman died in 1947, leaving his creation toArtist Peter, who stripped Wonder Woman of her feminine wisdom and care for the welfare of thewoman and focused Wonder Womans comics on her love interest Steve. Mnay of the story lines were

based on hOW Wonder Woman could keep her 'man' happy.The 1960's brought about he changes for women. Leaps and bounds are made in birth control

legislation, abortion laws, equal pay acts in put into place, and affirmative action becomes extended towomen. Women were making a fuss about the enequalitys they faces and the Media was definitely notstanding behind them. While reports flew about bra burning feminists, the comic book industry decidedto show very few women,if at all. Marvel comics, one of the largest companies had no womenheadlining their own comic books. Intead Marvel chose to either show a woman as part of a group of men such as Sue Storm from The Fantastic Four. Or stereotype the women by showing them enjoyingfeminine past times such as shopping and going to tea. The company that owned Wonder Woman,didthe same thing, herding Wonder Woman into the updated version of the Justice Society of which shehad been the secretary. Wonder Woman became part of the Justice League, a group of new superheroes,even though she had been around for nearly 20 years. The women of the 1960s comics were written asgenerally satisfied with their lives. They were women who found fulfillment in their relationships, withlittle need for power or independence.

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