EDITORIAL: Marvel needs their OWN Wonder Woman

EDITORIAL: Marvel needs their OWN Wonder Woman

EDITORIAL: Marvel needs their OWN <em>Wonder Woman</em>

I've been waiting for Marvel to come through. Waiting for them to develop a character to rival or surpass Wonder Woman's popularity and success. With an infusion of billions from Disney, shouldn't they have come up with something by now?

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By headlopper - 10/25/2011

DC has Wonder Woman. She's iconic and has been well known in society for decades. With the added popularity of the TV show in the 70's , she was further ingrained in popular culture.

She's a big gun in the DC universe, along with 'Batman' and 'Superman'.

Other publishers have strong female character too, such as Dynamite's 'Red Sonja'

,
...and Top Cow's 'Witchblade' to name a few.

And DC doesn't just have 'Wonder Woman' in their stable of big name female characters, 'Supergirl' and 'Batgirl' are major players that are publicly popular and probably could carry their own movie.

.

But where is Marvel's strong female hero?
If your going to be honest, there isn't one female character in the Marvel universe that comes close to DC's.
Only recently 'Black Widow' has hit the main stream, and is beginning to grow in notoriety and popularity. But who else? Karen Danvers? Jennifer Walters? Jessica Drew? The general public doesn't know these names. Although they have the potential to translate into good films, they don't have the recognizable names such as 'Wonder Woman' or 'Supergirl'
Marvel needs to put those billions to work to hire the best, creative minds to develop a character already in the Marvel U. , or a totally new one!

I don't favor Marvel or DC (I like them both)and go with what characters I identify with. What's strange to me is that Marvel has not - with all it's creativity and cash - been able to popularize a female hero of their own.
Maybe it's because Marvel's female hero's never really had the exposure that DC's did.
The only exception was Susan Storm-Richards. She appeared in a cartoon with the FF back in the 60's and has had some exposure in the two films. Despite being all a hero should be-strong, smart , inspiring, etc.- , she's part of a team ; singling her out as a major independant character would be impossible.
We could talk about the X-men too. Since the TV cartoon in the 90's, and the three films , people have definitely become familiar with 'Storm' and 'Mystique' for example, but again they're part of a team . However, if Marvel were to invest in one of them somehow to try and 'mainstream' one in paticular, it could work. Maybe give one of them a TV show for a few seasons and go from there. I've read here recently a few TV projects featuring female hero's are being developed.

It's possible Marvel's already working on creating their own 'Wonder Woman'-I wouldn't be surprised- but so far , this is a subject where DC dominates...for now.

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40 Comments

	thunderforce - 10/25/2011, 1:22 PM Login to report abuse Maybe Marvel realizes that a female superhero can't do as well and one needs to be a part of a team to get a lot of people interested , there just is not as much interest in female super heroes as male . Wonder Woman also got canceled before it even made it to air .
	Moakynubs - 10/25/2011, 1:47 PM Login to report abuse Marvel has plenty of strong iconic established female characters. They just don't get any credit because they're parts of teams (And to be fair, none of their male teammates get credit outside of the team either, aside from Wolverine)
	Coldblood6 - 10/25/2011, 2:18 PM Login to report abuse Dude, currently STORM and MYSTIQUE are far more well known than WW to the GA. They mostly know her from an archaic, cheesy, 70's TV show. STORM is MARVEL's #1 female character.
	golden123 - 10/25/2011, 2:21 PM Login to report abuse First off, Supergirl did have her own movie. Not exactly critically acclaimed but still. Second, if you don't count Storm, Mystique, Susan Storm/Richards, and Rouge and Jean /grey should be up there, then you shouldn't count Supergirl and Batgirl from DC. Third, Ms. Marvel and Scarlet witch are the two Marvel should try to increase the popularity of. I just don't like how if a suuperheroine from Marvel isn't primarily part of a team or based off another hero she is a secret agent. @thunderforce: I'm pretty sure the 2011 Wonder Woman tv show was a no go because it was just plain bad. WW being female has nothing to do with it's failure.
	golden123 - 10/25/2011, 2:24 PM Login to report abuse @Coldblood6: Storm and Mystique are more well known then WW? That is very untrue and bull. Nice try. You should survey a bunch of people and see, out of those three characters, how many of them they know. Do this without describing the superheroes, and I guarantee you WW will be victourious.
	marvel72 - 10/25/2011, 2:33 PM Login to report abuse i'd go for ms.marvel as marvels wonder woman,they should try & push solo comics & movies for her.
	headlopper - 10/25/2011, 3:13 PM Login to report abuse @WittySupername- I still have the bumps on my head from it. Sorry, 'B' cups just won't do.(:
	BigK1337 - 10/25/2011, 3:44 PM Login to report abuse I would say Ms. Marvel, but you got me with the "general public never heard of her" . . . until the season 2 of the Avengers cartoon that is. Plus, everybody knows of She-Hulk; therefore Marvel does have their own strong female character that is very popular.
	headlopper - 10/25/2011, 5:01 PM Login to report abuse @marvel72- I remember yesterday you recommended Doria Baird for Ms.Marvel. She would definitely fill out the suit! Do you think she could handle the role? I've never seen her act except in that clip you pasted in your thread.
	alucard365 - 10/25/2011, 5:10 PM Login to report abuse Black Cat is the most popular Marvel female character. Catwoman is the most popular DC female character, not Wonder Woman, Catwoman been in more movies, animation, games, and television shows then Wonder Woman.
	Coldblood6 - 10/25/2011, 5:13 PM Login to report abuse @ Golden123 Dude come out of the 70's. The actresses playing STORM and MYSTIQUE have won viewer's choice awards and are now more well known to the current generations. Only old people might remember WW. Even then they probably don't have a clue about other then vague images of scantily clad Linda Hamilton.
	headlopper - 10/25/2011, 5:50 PM Login to report abuse @alucard365- BOOB FIGHT!!!(should be an Olympic event)
	marvel72 - 10/25/2011, 6:21 PM Login to report abuse @ headlopper well she's not the greatest actress in the world but neither was blake lively but she still got a part in green lantern. i say give her a shot,i don't think people will even be talking about her acting ability when they see her in costume. :P
	BIGBMH - 10/25/2011, 6:38 PM Login to report abuse Ms. Marvel's name is actually Carol Danvers, not Karen. I agree that Marvel doesn't have a heroine recognized as widely as Wonder Woman, but that's a pretty difficult task. Wonder Woman is THE female super hero, and she has been for a very long time. She was one of the first major ones, therefore she got a lot of mainstream attention and DC has made her a priority (to an extent) putting her in cartoons, video games, etc. It might be a good idea for Marvel to push character like Ms. Marvel and Black Widow, but it's not exactly like Wonder Woman is a cash cow for DC. She's one of their big 3, so she's iconic enough to sell merchandise, but even with her popularity, I don't think an animated series is likely any time soon. For a character like Ms. Marvel, Black Widow, Storm, Spider-Woman to be pushed, it would be quite difficult because there are several more prominent Marvel characters compare to the 2 DC character more prominent than wonder Woman.
	headlopper - 10/25/2011, 7:14 PM Login to report abuse @BIGBMH- Well thought out.(Carol, my 'B') I never bought a Marvel title featuring a female hero. DC, yeah. Supergirl, Powergirl and now Huntress. Top Cow, I was buying Tomb Raider. Dynamite, I'm buying Red Sonja and Vampirella. And an import form GG Studios(Italy) called 'Mediterranea'. Nothing from Marvel has ever jumped out at me except Sue Storm. Like you and I wrote, Marvel has never had a prominent female hero that penetrated mainstream pop culture like the DC's have.
	tweeeeenkies3 - 10/25/2011, 7:39 PM Login to report abuse Nice! I found it....HAHA! I am just that great! I say Psylocke or Ms. Marvel! They are both so strong, independent, amazing, and powerful!
	tweeeeenkies3 - 10/25/2011, 7:53 PM Login to report abuse I think characters Like Ms. Marvel are highly relatable. I mean, she fought for our country (in the comics), and then struggles with alcoholism, and being a drunk....the dealing with getting over that. She has endured so much, and struggled with humane things, it is easy to relate to her character. As for Psylocke, I just love her...no explanation...just my favorite lol
	headlopper - 10/25/2011, 8:06 PM Login to report abuse @tweeeeenkies3- There could be a very simple reason why you like Psylocke...because she's freaking HOT!!!(which is a very good reason BTW)
	tweeeeenkies3 - 10/25/2011, 8:09 PM Login to report abuse @headlopper...Way to true!
	alucard365 - 10/25/2011, 8:39 PM Login to report abuse no female character from DC or Marvel can beat the Hotness of Top Cow's Trinity.
	Paulley - 10/26/2011, 2:25 AM Login to report abuse What are you on about!!" Marvel has: Jean Grey, Storm, Rogue, Mystique, Emma Frost and other X-Girls which have featured in multiple TV series (animation + TV movie) aswell as a sucessful Movie franchise Sue Storm, multiple animations and three movies. She-Hulk, popular animated show appearances Black Cat, popular animated show appearances and many more Most of these have had more appearances in pop culture than Wonder Woman.
	grog - 10/26/2011, 7:21 AM Login to report abuse @coldblood6 Lynda Carter was WW. Linda Hamilton was Sarah Conners in Terminator. The problem is Wonder Woman has been around since 1941, and I would imagine that for any characters to reach "ICON" status level needs to be around for a long time. IMO the only female Marvel character that even comes close to this level of popularity is Storm. and Storm has only been around since 1975
	Coldblood6 - 10/26/2011, 8:01 AM Login to report abuse @ Grog Thanx for the correction; although that should give you an indication of how relevent that character is to non-dc fans. She is only an icon to dc fans. To the rest of the world she is a: "Umm, that was some old tv show right? I remember the actress was hot but not much else." She hasn't been in media spotlight for over 30 years. MYSTIQUE has been in 4 successful big budget movies; STORM in 3. The actresses have won viewers choice awards for playing these characters. Just being around for a long time is not significant; the character needs to be at the forefront of the media in some way recently.
	kriswone - 10/26/2011, 12:06 PM Login to report abuse First off, Marvel has more Female Characters, and better stories, better art work. Besides catwoman and wonder woman, i have a hard time naming any other female DC characters. I could name tons of Marvel female characters. Mrs. Marvel would tear Wonder Woman apart.
	kriswone - 10/26/2011, 12:09 PM Login to report abuse Oh Headlopper! Now I know why this article is for inciting riots. Headlopper only writes flame bait. this article isn't serious, do not fall for this trap AGAIN.
	MsCeeMourCox - 10/26/2011, 1:07 PM Login to report abuse wonder woman has been around since the 40's & although she is popular because she's been around longer, she really doesnt get the respect from DC .... if DC grew some balls and gave her better writers/storylines gave her a movie (& not a cartoony movie like the GL movie was, i mean a serious movie like 300 etc..) she would be sucessful & her comic book sales would go up & she'd be on top again but unfortunatly look what we as fans of this iconic character have to deal with a dumb pilot with a crappy storyline thanks david e.kelly for that,a cheesy re-invented costume,re-inventing her history once again......Aruggghhh,im getting a headache just thinking about it, but you guys get the jest of it,she has alot of potiental,but know one is giving her a chance
	MoonDoggyX - 10/26/2011, 1:18 PM Login to report abuse @kriswone - "Mrs. Marvel would tear Wonder Woman apart." Yeah right...
	headlopper - 10/26/2011, 4:01 PM Login to report abuse @alucard365- Good call.'Top Cow' also had a mini-series years back called "EVO". The women in these books were gorgeous!
	jjmeylar - 10/26/2011, 6:19 PM Login to report abuse Carol Danvers should be put in more of a spotlight and turned into the Marvel WW.
	tweeeeenkies3 - 10/26/2011, 7:32 PM Login to report abuse ^^Agreed!
	Fastestmanalive - 10/27/2011, 9:13 AM Login to report abuse Ms Marvel is pretty popular I would think, not as popular as Wonder Woman, but she did just have her own series that ran for about 50 issues which is pretty good, and shes around alot in the Avengers books. Plus shes powerful, has an interesting history and powers, and has a bad ass military personality, and last but not least shes damn sexy. So I agree, Carol Danvers has got alotta potential and Marvel has used some of it, they just gotta push it a little more to make her truly huge.
	Fastestmanalive - 10/27/2011, 10:35 AM Login to report abuse First off, Marvel has more Female Characters, and better stories, better art work. Besides catwoman and wonder woman, i have a hard time naming any other female DC characters.-kriswone Dude are u kidding me? DC has no female characters? Wonder woman powergirl supergirl zatanna black canary batgirl huntress big barda hawkgirl dove troia raven starfire stargirl star saphire phantom lady ravanger catwoman batwoman arisia black orchid fire ice saturn girl maxima jesse quick katanna lady blackhawk manhunter mary marvel vixen wonder girl, ect. that enough for you?
	kriswone - 10/27/2011, 11:15 AM Login to report abuse @FATestwomanalive - To directly respond to your statement, no i am not kidding you, and i did not say DC has no female characters. I have never heard of most of those, here is a list from your list that i know of, from outside this web site: Wonder Woman Supergirl Batgirl Batwoman Catwoman
	Fastestmanalive - 10/27/2011, 11:45 AM Login to report abuse @kriswone Oh boy, man some people are babys, I wasent insulting u so no need to try to be dissey by changing my name, FASTesmanalive, FATestmanalive, good one bro, lol. Dont know who u are dude but u totally just lost me.
	Thunderkutfo - 10/27/2011, 6:38 PM Login to report abuse I agree with anyone who mentioned Ms.Marvel, she has potential.
	headlopper - 10/28/2011, 10:45 AM Login to report abuse Ms.Marvel seems to have the popular vote. Marvel, if you're reading this, you've got your answer! Get to work!
	golden123 - 10/28/2011, 4:16 PM Login to report abuse @alucard365: Catwoman may have been in more movies, games, animation, and television, but she has only starred in one live-action movie, two video games, and an animated short. All the rest of Selina's appearances had Batman as the main character. Wonder Woman, on the other hand, has had an animated film, a live-action tv series, a live-action tv movie (not related to the show), and an unaired tv pilot. Additionally, Wonder Woman has been in alot of Justice League material just as Catwoman has been in alot of Batman material. Catwoman isn't even the more popular one in the comics. Wonder woman's number 1 sold 76.2 thousand units while Catwoman's number one sold 53.6 thousand units. @Coldblood6: Whatever I've never ssen a Storm or mystique Halloween costume, in my life. However the number of WW costumes, I've seen, is astronomical. @kriswone: The Justice Leauge animated tv show was extremely popular. So alot of people know who Hawkgirl is.
	FlixMentallo21 - 11/2/2011, 10:23 PM Login to report abuse They should try and build up Ms. Marvel's exposure a bit more. In a fictional sense she, aside from She-Hulk, is probably one of the few people who can go toe to toe with WW. Outside fiction, the only difficulty I see in trying to give She-Hulk, Ms. M, or Spider-Woman more exposure is the fact that they're also derivative heroes, since each is a female counterpart to their male equivalents--that, and the fact that it'd be difficult for girls to look up to Ms. M because of how she was written as an alcoholic in the late 90's. Which means that either Black Widow or the Wasp would be a good option for someone for Marvel to build up.
	RLAAMJR - 11/19/2011, 7:24 AM Login to report abuse Ororo Munroe aka Storm is by far the most popular female comic character. Wonder Woman is not exposed worldwide. Storm is through the x-films and different cartoon series shown worldwide, all x-men cartoon series and her appearances in spider-man and Black panther cartoons series. Storm also holds the record for a female comic character to have the most number of appearances in video games, more than 30 video games. The only thing that people think WW is better than Storm is because Storm doesn't have her ongoing comics. But comics is not spread well worldwide, unlike movies and cartoon series. So I don't think Marvel needs a Wonder Woman, unless you are only talking about comics and comics alone where Wonder Woman is way better because of having her own ongoing comics.
	tron21full - 12/22/2011, 4:36 PM Login to report abuse the thing is though, Mark Millar had already created Marvel's Superman(Superior) and Batman(Nemesis).

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