The Problem of Privilege in Absolute Wonder Woman

In keeping with the ethos of DC’s Absolute line, Kelly Thompson’s Wonder Woman raises important questions about the concept of privilege but may also be seen to support the ways that privilege (or even oppression) can sustain itself through invisibility. #wonderwoman 1/11

According to Jesse Schedeen of IGN, “the Absolute Universe asks a key question – what would Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman be like if they lacked many of their innate advantages and privileges?” The answer is: still Batman, still Superman, Still Wonder Woman. Their heroism is absolute. 2/11

In the case of Wonder Woman, de-privileging means having our heroine raised in hell rather than paradise and by the witch Circe, one of Wonder Woman’s greatest foes, rather than by the loving tribe of Amazon warriors and their leader, Hippolyta. 3/11

Privilege studies expert Kim A. Case defines privilege as “automatic unearned benefits bestowed upon perceived members of dominant groups based on social identity.” Case notes that privilege is often invisible and that privileged voices can “deny the existence of oppression” implicitly. 4/11

And here the “Absolute” argument becomes contentious. If Batman could be Batman without ludicrous wealth and the power and privilege that comes with it, the thesis of this juxtaposition of Batmen becomes one that does indeed deny the privilege of the wealthy. 5/11

In the case of AWW, the compelling privilege is that of an idyllic upbringing in an otherworldly paradise, surrounded by supportive role models and empowering tutelage – effectively drawing forward the nature vs nurture argument on childhood development. 6/11

Is a child raised in hell different from a child raised in paradise? Well, a little. In appearance she is more “metal” and more willing to use violence as a tool to end oppression, but she remains the kind, empathetic, and caring young woman that fans all over the world will recognize. 7/11

And though the circumstances seem antithetical, Diana’s upbringing in hell still provides her with many of the privileges that Paradise Island did: superhuman strength, otherworldly charisma, a loving (eventually) mother, and access to all manner of powerful artifacts and allies. 8/11

We should also note that the core concept of Wonder Woman has always been one that explores the societal privileges experienced by men over women, and thus being underprivileged, in some way, has always been in play. AWW might just add other forms and thus raise intersectional potential. 9/11

One of the cuter ways that the text foregrounds the impact of hell is through a series of playfully ironic comic strips called “Li’l Diana,” which show Diana having an idyllic, Calvin-like childhood in Hell, largely by forcing the world to align with her values. Like Milton’s Mammon, she would make hell into a heaven. 10/11

So this is where Absolute Wonder Woman leaves us: either with a powerful message about how innate character shines through regardless of circumstance (that we have agency and are not defined by our environment) or with an uncomfortable evasion of the very concept of privilege. Or both. 11/11