What I am contemplating today is the story behind the story. When Siegel and Schuster created the Superman, they were inspired by other fantastic heroes of the day (I found a nice Bio on them, here). Martin Nodell created the Golden Age Green Lantern from an image of a trainman waving a lantern on dark track, plus elements of Wagner's Ring cycle.
Yesterday I saw Professor Marston and the Wonder Women
It was a good film, well acted, and respectfully handled. The subtle nods to things that inspired different aspects of the character were just that- not thrown into your face, just placed there for those in the know to catch. The Movie is R, for language and sexual content, so this is not one for your kids. William Moulton Marston had a very unconventional relationship with two different women, both of whom he loved deeply, and who loved each other in turn. Their relationship was incredibly brave by modern standards, and damn near foolhardy brave by the standards of the times (the twenties, thirties and forties).
Marstons granddaughter has come out saying the story is made up, and doesn't reflect the family accurately. She said the family was not consulted.
The truth? Who really knows? No one now was there to tell the tale. I liked the movie, and it seemed to have some truth to it. Go see it, form your own opinions. It's a good story, and a good story can make a pretty enjoyable couple of hours in a theater.
So I leave this post with a quote from The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance
Ransom Stoddard: You're not going to use the story, Mr. Scott?
Maxwell Scott: No, sir. This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend.
Oh, Apparently Olive Byrne was not a blonde.
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