Superheroes

Early Superheroes

With the success of Superman, DC Comics introduced Batman in 1939 and then other male heroes (such as the Flash and Hawkman in the early 1940s). One of the earliest female superheroes developed by DC (and the most successful) was Wonder Woman, who first appeared in All Star Comics #8. Wonder Woman was created in 1941 by the Harvard-trained psychologist William Moulton Marston. From the beginning, Wonder Woman acted in assertive ways; Marston wanted her to be a role model for how a strong woman behaves. After the passage of 70 years, Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman continue to occupy a privileged place in DCs publishing schedule.

During the early 1940s, other comic book companies joined the bandwagon and developed their own superheroes for the reading public (e.g., Fawcett Publications' Captain Marvel). Because comic books are produced monthly, they are often responsive to the social environment. Thus, during World War II super-heroes joined the war effort in their fictional exploits, fighting Axis powers abroad and at home. Perhaps reflecting the integration of women into the workplace at this time, many female superheroes were created. Superheroines such as Black Cat, Miss Victory, Pat Patriot, and Liberty Belle fought the Axis powers just as their male counterparts did. During the war years, superhero comics featuring such top characters as Superman and Captain Marvel were selling one to two million copies each month. (By comparison, in the 2000s, a successful comic book will sell 100,000 copies.) Sales were closely tied to the war effort. Indeed, by the end of the war in 1945, sales for superhero comics were declining, and most superhero titles were canceled by mid-century.

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