Wonder Woman 10 Best Comic Issues of the 1970s

Wonder Woman: 10 Best Comic Issues of the 1970s

Wonder Woman has been a fan-favorite DC Comics’ superhero since Diana Prince’s first appearance in 1941. What are her best stories in the ’70s?

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Wonder Woman has a long history, fascinating background, and has captivated audiences since her first appearance in 1941. However, the 1970s were something of a rootless time for the iconic superhero. Coming off the huge changes of the Mod era, the book and character lacked a real direction. Some of DC’s best writers at the time like Len Wein and Matin Pasko took turns writing her, but creative teams didn’t stay long and new directions often shifted between issues.

In 1975, ABC premiered the Wonder Woman TV show starring Lynda Carter and won good ratings. The first season of the show was set during WW2, and so the comic book reverted to the same timeline for a while. When the series modernized, the comic book followed, confusing some readers. Despite that, the ’70s still saw some great individual Wonder Woman comics.

10 Wonder Woman #228, 1978: “Retreat To Tomorrow!”

Wonder Woman of Earth-One finds herself on Earth-Two and teams up with the Golden Age Wonder Woman to take out Nazi villain The Red Panzer.

This issue set up the new direction to feature the adventures of the Earth-Two Wonder Woman but was set in the Golden Age year of 1942. This was to mirror ABC’s then-current Wonder Woman TV show starring Linda Carter, which was also set in the 40s. The title would be set in the past until #244.

9 Wonder Woman #201-202, 1972: “The Fist Of Flame”

Diana and I-Ching team together to hunt down the mysterious jewel the “Fist of Flame,” which is said to drive people “insane.” Once they have the treasure, Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser try to stop them, as does guest-thief Catwoman.

Diana shows what a skilled, brave, and fearless fighter she is, even without her powers. This comic is part of Wonder Woman’s Mod era, or the Diana Rigg era, where Wonder Woman lost her powers and became a globe-trotting adventurer, much like Emma Peel in The Avengers. The changes were a way of shaking up a franchise whose better days were two decades behind them. This is that version’s last hurrah and features the guest appearance of Catwoman in her early ’70s outfit and two famous sword-and-sorcery characters, Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser, created by Fritz Leiber.

8 Wonder Woman #187-188, 1970: “Earth-Quaker”

I-Ching receives a call from an old friend in Hong Kong, asking for help. Asia is threatened by ‘earth-quakers’ machines and Diana has to find and shut them down.

Diana is now mid-way through the controversial Mod era, still searching the world Dr. Cyber, Steve Trevor’s killer. The ‘quest for revenge’ trope has carried the series fairly well up to now. The era has been unfairly overlooked in the past, but it was an improvement over the previous still Wonder Woman storylines that had the superhero love-sick over Steve Trevor, changed into a gorilla, or fighting giant eggs. Without Steve, who was often brash and abrasive, Diana can be more independent. This issue has her saving Hong Kong, I Ching, and dealing with tidal waves, all without powers, by using her wits and physical skills.

7 Wonder Woman #204, 1973: “The Second Life Of The Original Wonder Woman”

A murderous sniper shoots I-Ching, who dies in Diana’s arms. Diana chases the killer but is struck in the head and knocked unconscious. She ends up on Paradise Island, her powers and former costume restored by Queen Hippolyta.

The scrubbing of the Mod Era has begun. Right off, one of the more objectional characters, I-Ching, is killed and by the end of the issue, everything is back to normal. This is not so much a “new” direction but a return to the old way — with some modifications. Rather than retread the silliness that marred the ’50s and mid-’60s stories, this is a mature and thoughtful relaunch that showcases a more independent Diana.

6 Wonder Woman #206, 1973: “War Of The Wonder Women”

Wonder Woman learns she was not the only daughter crafted from clay: a second statue was created from black clay by Queen Hippolyta and was also given life by Aphrodite.

Diana is still one of the best fighters in the DC Comics, and could probably give Batman pointers, but she’s met her match in her sister. Nubia is a major retcon of Wonder Woman’s origin. DC is back to the “made from clay” origin story that has come and went, but this time she’s not an only child. Adding Nubia expands the origin and gives allies for Wonder Woman and much-needed diversity to a beloved comic book series.

5 Wonder Woman #212: 1974: “The Man Who Mastered Women”

Wonder Woman has no memory of losing her powers, and to be re-admitted to the JLA, she insists on performing a “Twelve Labors of Hercules” trial, to be judged by the JLA. This is the first labor, reported by Superman.

Wonder Woman was now going through a rootless time both in and out of the comics. As Diana, she was employed at the UN but shifted positions, had roommates, then didn’t, and was still finding her way. Editorially, she had a different writer and artist team with almost every issue, which brought about a slew of continuity problems. The “12 Labors” is a way to bring the comic book stability and direction.

4 Wonder Woman #214, 1974: “Wish Upon A Star!”

Wonder Woman averts WW3 when a restaurateur’s wish to be King of the World causes a bomber to unload its nuclear payload. This is the third labor, reported by Green Lantern.

Diana is now an independent woman, unattached and living in New York. Steve Trevor may have been killed, but that death really freed up the character to be more her own person — and she doesn’t have to continually rescue him. She is trying to prove herself only to herself and regain the confidence that she relied upon so much in the past. Even stopping WW3 from happening was not enough to accomplish this.

3 Wonder Woman #216, 1975: “Paradise In Peril!”

Wonder Woman saves Paradise Island from a Greek tycoon bound and determined to invade it against Aphrodite’s law. This is the fifth Labor, reported by Black Canary.

Love is the theme, the obsessive “love” of the tycoon for Diana that causes the attack, and the love of Diana for her home, family, and tradition. While the “no men” decree of Aphrodite against Queen Hippolyta might be a curse, it is now a tradition and one that must be protected as a way of life for the Amazons. The Amazons are firm believers in traditions, as they help hold their society together; they fight for these traditions.

2 Wonder Woman #221, 1975: “The Fiend With The Face Of Glass”

Wonder Woman’s old enemy Dr. Cyber returns, and this time she wants two things: Wonder Woman’s face and her life. Hawkman guest stars as a JLA observer.

Dr. Cyber, who was thought to be killed in an explosion in #187 is still alive but prominently scarred. This is a final callback to the Mod era as the killer of Steve Trevor is still alive and running loose. Dr. Cyber was the main instigator of that storyline and her “death” halfway through it allowed the series to be about something besides a woman seeking revenge for her man.

1 Wonder Woman #222, 1976: “Will The Real Wonder Woman Please… Drop Dead!”

A duplicate Wonder Woman attacks Diana and leads her to the amusement park Dazzleland, where her life force will fuel the cryogenic chamber of a frozen Wade Dazzle, founder of Dazzleland.

This is the final Labor. The whole theme of the “Labors” series was not that the JLA would decide to let Diana back — they all wanted her from the start — it was whether she would let herself back in. This was a 12-issue arc to prove to herself she was mentally and physically able to be a League member again. It took her 12 issues to get to yes, but she got there. She has regained her confidence and is ready to move forward.

Link Source : https://screenrant.com/wonder-woman-best-seventies-dc-comic-books/

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