Princess Diana of Themyscira, otherwise known as Wonder Woman, is a DC superheroine first appearing in All Star Comics #8 (1941). One of the most iconic superheroes of all time, Wonder Woman has been a symbol of power and compassion since the Golden Age of Comics. Portrayed by Israeli actress Gal Gadot, Wonder Woman has also appeared in feature films, such as Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016), Wonder Woman (2017), and Justice League (2017).
Character Background
Diana was not born, but created. Sculpted from clay by her mother, the Amazonian Queen Hippolyta, she was brought to life by Zeus. Diana was raised on the island of Themyscira, where she was trained in combat by her aunt, General Antiope. After Captain Steve Trevor crash-landed on the island, he was found by Diana and nursed back to health. Trevor eventually introduces Diana to the outside world— 'Man's World.'
Powers and Abilities
Superhuman Strength: Diana possesses supernatural strength, enabling her to deadlift tanks and deliver incredibly powerful attacks. She is often said to be stronger than Hercules.
Nigh-invulnerability: Diana is nearly indestructible, able to withstand damage that would otherwise kill any mortal.
Enhanced Speed: Far faster than any human, she is described as "swifter than Hermes."
Flight: Diana can glide through the air on wind currents.
Healing Factor: Diana, as an Amazon, heals faster than mortals.
Semi-Immortality: Given her mythic origins, Diana is essentially immortal. Her rate of aging is dramatically decelerated.
Omnilingualism: Diana can speak every language in existence, even caveman.
Genius Level Intellect
Master Combatant
Weapons and Equipment
The Lasso of Truth: This unbreakable, golden lasso can be used to bind opponents and compel those in contact with it to speak the truth.
The Bracelets of Submission: Diana's bracelets allow her to deflect any projectile (such as bullets), and when crossed together, they generate a blast of concussive force.
The Royal Tiara: A symbol of Diana's royal heritage, the tiara can also be weaponized as a projectile.
Wonder Woman's Shield: Similar to her bracelets, Diana wields an indestructible shield for defensive purposes.
Personality
Diana is a righteous believer. She is compassionate, loyal, selfless, and fierce. A virtuous warrior, she sees the good in the world and seeks to protect it at all costs. Possessing an unbreakable will, she is as strong mentally as she is physically. Diana gives to all, without want of recognition. To her, it is not about deserving something, it is about giving something.
Fun Facts
- In preparation for her role as Princess Diana in Wonder Woman (2017), Gal Gadot trained for six hours a day for six months, obtaining 17 pounds of muscle.
- The Lasso of Truth is rooted in reality: The creator of Wonder Woman, William Moulton Marston, was also the inventor of the lie detector.