Wonder Womanis a shining beacon of hope and strength in the DC Universe, acting as a more compassionate version of Superman and an even more fierce version of Batman while splitting the difference between the two in meaningful ways that allow her to blaze her path as a leader, warrior, and lover. Already a great role model no matter the situation,a former Wonder Woman writer explains whyDiana of Themyscirais a character comic readers and regular everyday people alike can look up to.
Writing 1986’sThe Legend of Wonder Womanfour-issue series and 2008’sTrinityweekly series that focused not only on Wonder Woman but also her fellow super-colleagues, Batman and Superman,Kurt Busiek understands Diana Prince’s deep ties to the DC Universe, with his 2008 “5 Questions with Gail Simone” interview highlighting a few reasons why Wonder Woman is such an influential hero.
One of the ideas we got into TRINITY (2008), that Amazons don’t compete against others, they compete against themselves, trying always to outdo their own personal best in whatever they do. They’re fiercely competitive, but the competition isn’t about “I’m better than you,” but “I’m better than I was yesterday, and I’ll be better still tomorrow.” That feels like what an Amazon should be, at least to me.
It’s also in keeping with the Golden Age approach to Wonder Woman, where she was sent to Man’s World to show — by example — a better way than war and destruction, and one of the ways she did that was by telling (and showing) others that they didn’t need to live in subjugation, that any woman can be a Wonder Woman, and can take care of herself. That’s what Etta Candy and the Holliday Girls were about — the message that girls could kick ass, and didn’t need to be fainting flowers. That’s how the Amazons establish peace, by making sure the weak can protect themselves, so no one is reduced to prey.
So that’s what I think Wonder Woman’s an ambassador for - the idea that everyone can develop their inner strengths and become someone capable of excelling, of being their best, strong and capable.So there’s peace because everyone’s strong enough to defend themselves, like the Amazons are. Peace through strength, not peace through shying away from violence, not when it’s needed.
In a quote taken from his interview with Gail Simone (as recently unearthed onReddit’s r/WonderWoman channel), Busiek explains how he views the Amazons’ relationship with one another, what “peace through strength" really means, and why Wonder Woman is the perfect character the world could learn a thing or two from, especially in these trying times.
Wonder Woman Proves That Peace Through Strength Is an Attainable Goal We Should Strive For
According to DC Comics Writer Kurt Busiek
While writingTrinity, Busiek made it so theAmazons “don’t compete against others” and instead, ensured “the weak can protect themselves, so no one is reduced to prey.”Explaining how Wonder Woman stands for “the idea that everyone can develop their inner strengths and become someone capable of excelling,” Busiek continues by saying how “…there’s peace because everyone’s strong enough to defend themselves… Peace through strength, not peace through shying away from violence, not when it’s needed,” expertly summing up what it means to be an Amazon, like Wonder Woman, but also a regular person simply wanting to become better.
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Understandably, Diana has her days when playing nice can only get her so far, so for the times when evil simply needs to get punched in the face,Busiek notes how Wonder Woman won’t shy away from violence should the situation call for it, with Diana being fully capable of ending whatever conflict may arise though she’ll attempt to avoid it if she can. And while Wonder Woman has issues putting her friends and family at risk, herculture as an Amazonensures that she’ll do whatever she can to raise up the people around her, including the most vulnerable.
Wonder Woman Is Having a Renaissance in DC Comics That Doubles Down on the Character’s Values
In Wonder Woman’s current comic run, Diana is in the middle of taking down The Sovereign as she seeks retribution forSteve Trevor’s tragic death, with the villain hurting Diana in a deeply personal way while pushing her in a more violent direction than she might be willing to go. But as always,the idea of “peace through strength” is a valid lesson to be learned here, withWonder Womanand her crew of Wonder Girls standing ready and willing to help each other while defending and teaching those who can’t — a practice the world needs to take to heart.
