Can Wonder Woman fly? Her DC Comics powers, explained

Wonder Woman is the most resilient female superhero ever created, and while that idea may seem old hat in a world with heroes like Buffy the Vampire Slayer (and all her complicated legacy), Jessica Jones, and hundreds if not thousands of others, remember that when Wonder Woman debuted in 1941's All Star Comics no. 8, American women only got the right to vote 20 years ago. Her character stems from early 20th century feminist movements; her creator, William Moulton Marston, was part of them, and he wanted to inspire women to be their best and men to listen to them, if not obey them. What better way to deliver these lessons, Marston apparently realized, by publishing them in children's comics when readers are of formative age?

So writing truthfully wonderful woman, did Marston create the world's first flying woman? Can Diana of Themyscira take off like Superman? It varies, and yes, the answer reflects Wonder Woman's political and feminist themes.

Long story short: For the first 40 years of Wonder Woman's publication, she was generally unable to fly. (Superman couldn't fly originally either, until 1940s Fleischer Studios animated shorts “Superman”. showed him flying.) But when writer/artist George Perez rebooted Wonder Woman in 1987, Diana gained the ability to fly and has retained it ever since.

So if you look at some of the earlier iterations of Wonder Woman, you'll see her stuck on the ground. In 1972, when Gloria Steinem's feminist magazine “Ms.” became independent, Wonder Woman appeared on the cover of the issue (note that her leg divides the background between peace and war). As you can see, she does not rise above the city, she walks through it.

Ms. Magazine

In the actual 1972 Wonder Woman comics, Diana had ditched her superpowers and classic costume to become an Emma Peel-style martial artist. (This era began with Wonder Woman #178 by writer Dennis O'Neill and artist Mike Sekowski and ended in 1973 with issue #204.)

Perez's “Wonder Woman” was the lightning bolt (allegedly thrown by Zeus) that Diana needed. After decades of mediocrity, the comic made him an A-list hero in more than name. Unafraid to put feminist themes front and center, Perez made Wonder Woman Superman's equal, not only in popularity, but also in power.