Wonder Woman: Bondage and Feminism in the Marston/Peter Comics, 1941-1948 (Comics Culture)

Synopsis

William Marston Was An Unusual Man--a Psychologist, A Soft-porn Pulp Novelist, More Than A Bit Of A Carny, And The (self-declared) Inventor Of The Lie Detector. He Was Also The Creator Of Wonder Woman, The Comic That He Used To Express Two Of His Greatest Passions: Feminism And Women In Bondage. Comics Expert Noah Berlatsky Takes Us On A Wild Ride Through The Wonder Woman Comics Of The 1940s, Vividly Illustrating How Marston's Many Quirks And Contradictions, Along With The Odd Disproportionate Composition Created By Illustrator Harry Peter, Produced A Comic That Was Radically Ahead Of Its Time In Terms Of Its Bold Presentation Of Female Power And Sexuality. Himself A Committed Polyamorist, Marston Created A Universe That Was Friendly To Queer Sexualities And Lifestyles, From Kink To Lesbianism To Cross-dressing. Written With A Deep Affection For The Fantastically Pulpy Elements Of The Early Wonder Womancomics, From Invisible Jets To Giant Multi-lunged Space Kangaroos, The Book Also Reveals How The Comic Addressed Serious, Even Taboo Issues Like Rape And Incest. Wonder Woman: Bondage And Feminism In The Marston/peter Comics Reveals How Illustrator And Writer Came Together To Create A Unique, Visionary Work Of Art, Filled With Bizarre Ambition, Revolutionary Fervor, And Love, Far Different From The Action Hero Symbol Of The Feminist Movement Many Of Us Recall From Television-- Introduction -- 1. The Pink Bondage Goo Of Feminism -- 2. Castration In Paradise -- 3. Candy You Can Eat -- Conclusion: A Future Without Wonder Woman. Noah Berlatsky. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.