Anybody else reading the archives and would like to discuss?

[aquiles]

I am rereading the archives of Wonder Woman and All Star Comics. Anybody care to read along and discuss?

[suedenim]

Sure! I've been reading them myself (WW Archives 2-5).

[Kyle Sing]

I would but I am waiting for the WONDER WOMAN CHRONICLES that are coming in 2010. The Archive editions are too expensive for me.

That said, I LOVE the Golden Age Wonder Woman! They are some of the most unique comics ever created and it is too bad that they don't get enough press.

At least will be changing next year!

[tangentman]

I have volumes 1-3 of the WW Archives. On those rare occasions when I have extra time, I re-read them. Marston & Peter told such bizarre, fun, wondrous stories back then! Readers could expect so much in any one issue: patriotic themes, references to psychological theory (Marston's own work), proto-feminist credo, S & M, Greek myth, exotic adventures, and flamboyant feats of heroism!

Since the series also collects Wonder Woman's appearances in Sensation Comics, I think that deserves mention, too. Sensation often used a different artist for WW. The work is cleaner than H.G. Peter, and certainly gorgeous! I noticed that Diana's adventures seemed a little more exotic, too, if that was possible for the time. She often traveled to foreign lands, fighting enemy agents disguised as princesses, or encountering lost civilizations.

For Wonder Woman fans, readers interested in Golden Age stories, or even curiosity-seekers, I'd recommend checking out these volumes!

[aquiles]

That is the reason why the Golden Age is so wonderful, all these fantastic stories.

I can't believe some blatant things that would definitely be considered racist this day and age. I am not sure, but either in volume 1 or 2, Mexicans are portrayed very how shall I say it stereotypical in a negative light. I am sure the Germans are also depicted like so. But these are a wonderful window to how the world was back then.

[korok]

I've read all five archives (when does six come out?), and I still have the hardcover book that came out in the 1970's that reprinted stories from the 1940's! I got it when I was a kid, and it's one of the few things I have from my childhood!

Anyway, I love the old "Golden Age" stories! There are some awesome stories in there! There's some wild stuff in there too.... the reverse-sexism, "loving submission", and the fact that Wonder Woman seems to get tied up in almost every story.

I also like that, even tho Etta Candy was the comedy relief sidekick, she often helped and/or rescued Wonder Woman. She had a role to play, and was a fun character! And don't get between her and her bon-bons! I don't remember which story, but they all get dunked in the ocean, and Miss Etta has rescued the box of chocolates! Woo woo, indeed!

Seriously, I really do like these stories, and for a variety of reasons. The writing was pretty good for most of them. Sure, they were written for kids, but there was more going on than "Super-guy stops Bad-guy". There is also the awesome art! Totally unlike anything else from that time period, and more sophisticated. The only other comic I've seen from the 1940's with sophisticated story-telling and art is Joe Palooka. There was even a guest artist on WW (from Sensation Comics) who turned out better work than the other comics...

The main downer was mentioned earlier, and that is the unfortunate racial stereotypes. I know it was the times, and I look at it thru the filter of that knowledge, but it's a shame we had to have them at all. With Wonder Woman promoting equality, you would think the stereotypes would not have turned up.

[JKCarrier]

Oh, I didn't know they were doing Wonder Woman Chronicles. Great news! The Archives are nice, but it's hard to fit them into the ol' budget.

Golden Age Wonder Woman is still my favorite version. There is a tendency among some to dismiss William Marston as just some old perv, and that's a real disservice. He was pushing an agenda, and he wasn't subtle about it, but he also knew how to tell a rip-roaring adventure yarn. His Wonder Woman stories were a lot of things, but they were never dull.

[Nyssane]

I can never find any WW archives or compilations anywhere I go. I see tons of Green Lantern, Batman, Superman, and Aquaman, but no WW....

[aquiles]

At my LCS they specially order them for me.

[Indigo Al]

I may be cracking open volume 4 pretty soon...

[Amazon Fan]

I have all of the Wonder Woman and All-Star Archives, as well as the first Comic Cavalcade Archive and the "Rarities" archive that includes The Big All-American Comic Book.