Proper off the bat, I’ve to say: that Marvel Girl’s presence on display was enormous, however how she’s been handled in comics and fandom has been all over for means too lengthy. In contrast to Superman and Batman, her historical past hasn’t gotten constant respect. That hole was evident to me. DC’s two greatest heroes had iconic, reprinted tales from each decade. Marvel Girl, not a lot. This isn’t only a rant; it’s my frustration over how DC, creators, and followers have dealt with one in every of their Trinity’s brightest stars. She deserves a lot extra.
After I have a look at Superman and Batman, I see creators like Siegel and Shuster, Alan Moore, John Byrne, Frank Miller – names connected to their decades-long legacies. They created must-read runs that maintain getting celebrated. In the meantime, Marvel Girl’s defining tales solely actually began with George Perez after Disaster on Infinite Earths. Different runs got here alongside – Messner-Loebs, John Byrne – however nothing as historic as “Kryptonite Nevermore” or “The Ra’s Al Ghul Saga.”
And from the ’50s by means of the ’70s? Frankly, I can’t title a single Marvel Girl story from these many years that stands up. Even that ’70s period the place she misplaced her powers was extra of a headache than a spotlight. So yeah, I get why individuals are annoyed.
Time to dig deep: Marvel Girl’s legacy wants correct archival respect and consistency
I feel DC actually must mine its archives and put out stable reprints of Marvel Girl’s greatest stuff, decade by decade. Superman and Batman followers have had that for years, however Diana hasn’t. The hope was that the flicks would kickstart this overdue celebration. Positive, some reprints occurred because of the large display, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a drop within the ocean.
Diana’s backstory additionally felt like a shifting goal. Batman’s origin is basic – orphaned child who vows to wash up Gotham. Superman’s is easy: alien child despatched to Earth and raised by farmers. Marvel Girl, was she born from clay or a god? How do the Amazons reproduce? Was she an solely youngster? nicely, it felt like each author rewrote her origin simply to go away their mark. That shaky basis, I imagine, actually harm her iconic standing.
Her energy ranges too had been all around the map. Generally she’s nearly Batman-level, different instances she’s Superman-lite. And I all the time discovered it humorous, in case you can name it that, how in “Batman beats the Justice League” tales, Diana’s defeat all the time hinged on some random, damaged trick. In Tower of Babel, a hallucination practically killed her. In a Jokerized Justice League story, Batman makes use of a magic artifact to idiot her. It’s nearly like writers didn’t wish to give her full credit score.
I’ve to say, I actually agree with the frustration. Diana deserves higher. If Batman and Superman get their legacies endlessly celebrated, why not Marvel Girl? She’s an unimaginable character with large potential. It’s simply irritating to see that legacy diluted by inconsistent storytelling and lack of correct archival care.
To wrap up, I feel Marvel Girl’s rise on the large display was a step ahead, however her comedian legacy desperately wants the identical love and a spotlight. DC has to completely decide to honoring Diana’s wealthy, advanced historical past. And I feel the MCU ought to be paying shut consideration – right here’s a hero who’s prepared for iconic storytelling, if solely somebody would give her the possibility.
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