I’d like to talk about this for a second. I noticed this after watching the last trailer that Wonder Woman was positioned between the two titled heroes of Superman and Batman. But, not only is she standing in the middle, she’s standing forefront. She’s standing before them, and actively protecting them. I thought it was a great visual commentary on Diana as a character, the relationship the Trinity have, and a great showing of narrative importance of the character.
Wonder Woman is not only equal to Batman and Superman, but she’s also important. She’s not the “Female Superman” or whatnot, she’s a protector for both Bruce and Clark. She saves Bruce and Clark if the trailer doesn’t mislead us. She protected them with her shield - as Diana is a protector, a symbol of justice - and stands before them as they watch behind her in awe.
The joke “is she with you?”/”I thought she was you” punchline is that Diana is not with anyone. She is her own character and her own symbol. You see this as well in the current marketing. Is it as much as Superman or Batman? Unfortunately not, but I’m happy we don’t have to fight for it to be there. As we have repeatedly - and still do - have to fight to see Black Widow merchandise, or Scarlet Witch, or Gamora included on their respective teams.
Plus, she’s not just getting a statue that’s meant for adult fans and collectors, she’s getting toys. This is what bothers me about the argument that Black Widow does have toys, no she has statues. She has collectors items that adult fans will buy, she doesn’t have toys for children who watch and love these movies can or will buy. She doesn’t have t-shirts, or a hat, she’s not typically even included on team shirts while Hawkeye is. Same with Scarlet Witch, and Gamora.
Yet we see Wonder Woman included here. She’s getting kids toys, and that’s extremely important, because kids who do see these movies can buy her toys and her shirts. Kids are an important demographic to cover, and deserve to be included in the overall community.
It took way to long for a Wonder Woman to happen, and there’s no guarantee it’ll be great, but gosh, I’m so happy it’s happening. I’m so happy to see Diana being repeatedly promoted standing in the middle, facing forward, eyes directly pointed at the audience in promotional pictures and in the latest trailer. It shows her importance, that she’s a figure to be respected and equated on equal value as Superman and Batman.
I wouldn’t be surprised - if they go with Diana’s humanitarian politician story - if both her and Bruce are the ones who save Clark in the end from political murder. If she’s the missing link that keeps them from fighting, and more importantly, from the world imploding in the face of great danger and these new troubles.
Wonder Woman is important and it appears the DC/WB franchise is acknowledging that with zeal.