10 Weirdest Controversies Surrounding Comics
3. Wonder Woman Was Created To Teach Kids About Dom/Sub Relationships
As the official story goes, William Moulton Marston co-created Wonder Woman in 1941 alongside artist H. G. Peter, in attempt to fill the gap in the market for female superheroes. However, the Amazonian warrior actually had two more co-creators who are often forgotten: Elizabeth Holloway Marston and Olive Byrne. The team wanted to create a superhero who "would triumph not with fists or firepower, but with love." Although they were forced to hide it in the forties, we now know that William, Elizabeth and Olive were talking about a very specific type of love, one that they all shared.
The story of Wonder Woman's creation is fascinating, full of fun facts and juicy secrets. For example, did you know that her iconic 'Lasso of Truth' was based on the lie detector, which William and Elizabeth ALSO invented?! Or that William, Elizabeth and Olive were secretly polyamorous life partners, living together and raising children as a happily married 'throuple'?
The three championed DISC Theory, living their lives according to a model which centered on four personality traits: Dominance, Inducement, Submission, and Compliance. They wanted to teach their readers that people were happiest when they were submissive to a loving authority, as long as they were doing it willingly and with an ideal love leader. Wonder Woman was designed to be an allegory for this leader. Marston never even attempted to hide this message, stating:
"Frankly, Wonder Woman is psychological propaganda for the new type of woman who, I believe, should rule the world."