Description
Book SynopsisComics expert Noah Berlatsky takes us on a wild ride through the
Wonder Woman comics of the 1940s, vividly illustrating how William 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.
Trade Review"In this smart and engaging book, Noah Berlatsky reveals how psychology, polyamory, bondage, feminism, and queer identities inspired comic books' most enduring superheroine. A fascinating read for anyone interested in comics, pop culture, or gender politics!" -- Julia Serano * Whipping Girl: A Transsexual Woman on Sexism and the Scapegoating of Femininity *
"Berlatsky can always be counted on to show us new facets of what he examines, in fact, to show that the facets are part of a whole shape heretofore unperceived." -- Carla Speed McNeil * writer/artist of Finder *
"Engaging and entertaining." -- Sean Kleefeld * FreakSugar *
"Insightful...Berlatsky examines some of the most complex and controversial aspects of Wonder Woman. The analysis is solid, the research is thorough, and the conclusions are valid." * Publishers Weekly *
"An engaging read from start to finish, and Berlatsky’s love of Golden Age Wonder Woman comics comes through on every page." * Comics Journal *
"The research is astonishing. The dedication is breathtaking. And the fact that this would actually be usable as a college textbook in either a women’s literature, comic history, or even pop culture class is awesome." * Comic Booked.com *
"[Berlatsky] reminds us of how Wonder Woman’s non-normative forms of sexuality and womanhood actually challenge sexism. " * Public Books *
"Berlatsky, the editor of
Hooded Utilitarian (a comics and culture site), has written a work filled with deep scholarly insights on the history and politics of Wonder Woman's creator, as well as a larger examination of the histories, lifestyles and personal ethos that gave rise to one of popular culture's most powerful figures." * Mic.com *
"Noah Berlatsky took a deep dive into the marriage of psychology and artwork that is [William] Marston’s enduring pop culture impact." * New City Lit.com *
"Berlatsky's accomplished analysis of [Wonder Woman]'s sexuality and narrative themes tell us much about Marston's philosophies." * Cinema Journal *
"[Berlatsky] combs the verbal and visual texts to show how Marston and Peter conveyed their unique notions of liberation through bondage, submission, and the glorification of lesbian sexuality while simultaneously linking these ideas to feminism and freedom." * Gay & Lesbian Review *
"Berlatsky does a dazzling and remarkably accessible reading of the 1940s Wonder Woman comics against some of the heavyweights of modern feminist theory—Judith Butler, Luce Irigaray, Shulamith Firestone, Julia Kristeva, Susan Brownmiller." -- Joan Hilty * Wellesley Centers for Women, Women's Review of Books *
"Zounds! Who knew the wonders of Wonder Woman's sadomasochistic complexities? If you only know the TV show, get ready for the ropes and lassoes and chains of the 40's comics as examined by Noah Berlatsky. Be sure to buy the e-book to see the original images in glorious color!" -- Linda Williams * UC Berkeley *
Author Noah Berlatsky published an article in
The Verge directly connected to the topic of the book, entitled "The crucial thing the new Wonder Woman movie gets right about the character’s history." * The Verge *
"Quick Takes, Movie Comics, Wonder Woman, Watchmen and Archie" by Boyce McClain * Collectors' Corner *
"In this smart and engaging book, Noah Berlatsky reveals how psychology, polyamory, bondage, feminism, and queer identities inspired comic books' most enduring superheroine. A fascinating read for anyone interested in comics, pop culture, or gender politics!" -- Julia Serano * Whipping Girl: A Transsexual Woman on Sexism and the Scapegoating of Femininity *
"Berlatsky can always be counted on to show us new facets of what he examines, in fact, to show that the facets are part of a whole shape heretofore unperceived." -- Carla Speed McNeil * writer/artist of Finder *
"Engaging and entertaining." -- Sean Kleefeld * FreakSugar *
"Insightful...Berlatsky examines some of the most complex and controversial aspects of Wonder Woman. The analysis is solid, the research is thorough, and the conclusions are valid." * Publishers Weekly *
"An engaging read from start to finish, and Berlatsky’s love of Golden Age Wonder Woman comics comes through on every page." * Comics Journal *
"The research is astonishing. The dedication is breathtaking. And the fact that this would actually be usable as a college textbook in either a women’s literature, comic history, or even pop culture class is awesome." * Comic Booked.com *
"[Berlatsky] reminds us of how Wonder Woman’s non-normative forms of sexuality and womanhood actually challenge sexism. " * Public Books *
"Berlatsky, the editor of
Hooded Utilitarian (a comics and culture site), has written a work filled with deep scholarly insights on the history and politics of Wonder Woman's creator, as well as a larger examination of the histories, lifestyles and personal ethos that gave rise to one of popular culture's most powerful figures." * Mic.com *
"Noah Berlatsky took a deep dive into the marriage of psychology and artwork that is [William] Marston’s enduring pop culture impact." * New City Lit.com *
"Berlatsky's accomplished analysis of [Wonder Woman]'s sexuality and narrative themes tell us much about Marston's philosophies." * Cinema Journal *
"[Berlatsky] combs the verbal and visual texts to show how Marston and Peter conveyed their unique notions of liberation through bondage, submission, and the glorification of lesbian sexuality while simultaneously linking these ideas to feminism and freedom." * Gay & Lesbian Review *
"Berlatsky does a dazzling and remarkably accessible reading of the 1940s Wonder Woman comics against some of the heavyweights of modern feminist theory—Judith Butler, Luce Irigaray, Shulamith Firestone, Julia Kristeva, Susan Brownmiller." -- Joan Hilty * Wellesley Centers for Women, Women's Review of Books *
"Zounds! Who knew the wonders of Wonder Woman's sadomasochistic complexities? If you only know the TV show, get ready for the ropes and lassoes and chains of the 40's comics as examined by Noah Berlatsky. Be sure to buy the e-book to see the original images in glorious color!" -- Linda Williams * UC Berkeley *
Author Noah Berlatsky published an article in
The Verge directly connected to the topic of the book, entitled "The crucial thing the new Wonder Woman movie gets right about the character’s history." * The Verge *
"Quick Takes, Movie Comics, Wonder Woman, Watchmen and Archie" by Boyce McClain * Collectors' Corner *
