OCR Text |
Show 223 also neglects her, creating the traditional superhero rivalry of self and alter-ego which Diana ponders and laments at the end of several issues. In addition to Marston's psychological propaganda, the combination of a 1941 release date, the publisher's apprehension about publishing a female superhero, and the desire to attract the typical male comic book demographic made it nearly inevitable that Wonder Woman would serve as flag-waving propaganda as well. She was dedicated to the fight against the Nazis, and when she wasn't thwarting their plans in the comic strip, she was selling U.S. War Bonds. The early Marston-led comic strips were also fraught with racist stereotypes. Although Wonder Woman's main nemeses are Caucasian Nazis, ethnic minorities are rarely represented as much more than caricatures. Sometimes this overgeneralization would be used as a convenient way of escape (Germans wear monocles, are named Fritz, shout a lot-can be angered to the point of irrationality; Italians can't resist music and dancing, therefore can be distracted, allowing escape; and so on). American ethnic minorities are similarly for the most part represented as racial stereotypes. Marston kept a tight hold on Wonder Woman, insisting that he was the only one who knew how to deliver the message properly. He insisted even on writing her parts in the Justice League comic strip, to the annoyance of the publisher. Despite his peculiar vision and tight control on the series, however, Wonder Woman took on and maintains an identity of her own. But she has |