Wonder Woman Archives, Vol. 1 (DC Archive Editions) [Hardcover]

DC Comics (Author)

Book Description

Series: Wonder Woman Archives | Publication Date: May 4, 1998

The earliest adventures of the most enduring heroine of all time are featured in this hardcover collection, from her beginnings as an Amazon Princess to her 1940s career battling the power of the Nazis. These celebrated, quirky stories made an indelible impression on all those who grew up with them.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: DC Comics (May 4, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1563894025
• ISBN-13: 978-1563894022
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 0.8 x 10.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,141,277 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A look at Wonder Woman's first incarnartion, March 4, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Wonder Woman Archives, Vol. 1 (DC Archive Editions) (Hardcover)

This volume covers the early career of Wonder Woman,as chronicled by Dr.William Martson(Charles Moulton,if you will)and Harry G.Peter.This shows Wonder Woman's debut stories in 1941(ten years before the birth of Lynda Carter)and shows how she became the heroine for the female comic-book reader who didn't want to identify with Lois Lane. (Gloria Steinhem was 7 when these stories first came out,and she loved them...not suprisingly, considering her later career.)These stories very subtly show that Moulton believed in female superiority in many cases-and wanted to show that a woman can be as much a hero as any man.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Hera! What a sentimental time warp!, March 28, 2005

By 

Spinner "jd" (Virginia) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Wonder Woman Archives, Vol. 1 (DC Archive Editions) (Hardcover)

My introduction to Wonder Woman (or I should say, who I "thought" was Wonder Woman) came in the form of the weekly TV show starring Lynda Carter. As a child in the mid 1970s, I was not only bewitched, but suddenly I was hooked on superheroes and don't think I missed a single episode of WW or the many other superheroes who made their prime time debuts in the 1970s and 80s. For this 2nd grader, there was no one who topped the esteem that Wonder Woman held in my favor. But like many things from childhood, Wonder Woman the superhero faded into my conciousness for many a decade...until THIS book!

Presented here are the first Wonder Woman tales and what a treat they are to behold! Not only could Wonder Woman fight the Nazis, stop a blacmarket milk trade, uncover unfair working conditions for shop girls-- she could also kick some serious butt and save her beloved Steve Trevor from all harm(who seemed to ENDLESSLY get himself in to pickles) and by the end of the issue not bat an eyelash! Considering the cultural atmosphere of War-time America, this was quite a feat and what a role model Wonder Woman would served for young children. Yes, Wonder Woman was an early Gloria Steinem with brains, beauty, braun and a kicky pair of boots! Interestingly, the producers of the TV series in the 70s, at least for a little while, remained very faithful to the nature of these first comic books. A smart decision on their part. After reading these marvelous adventures, I decided to check out Wonder Woman of the 21st Century at the local comic shop. I'm sorry wasted my $2. The WW of 2005 is a sorry testament to the original icon presented in the pages of this marvelous CD Archives edition. Gone is a lot of the whinsome yet strong storytelling. Its replaced with a Uber-Wonder Woman whose overly "pumped up" muscles and attitude leave nothing to the imagination and sense of "wonder" the early vision so effortlessly supplied. What we have in the early books is the REAL Wonder Woman...perhaps the one that is best left to the casual reader's memory.

The DC Archive Editions are easily one of the most enjoyable and accessible ways to rediscover the comics (something I hadn't given at thought to since 1983!). Presented in beautiful color, on superior quality papers these volumns are "built to last". They are truly archival in every since of the word. These time capsules will not only become welcome additions to your library, but are destined to become terribly addictive to read. Worth every penny for certain! But first and foremost they serve as a reminder to all grownups of simpler pleasures that could be had for a couple of quarters with some change to spare....once upon a time.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Fun!, March 25, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Wonder Woman Archives, Vol. 1 (DC Archive Editions) (Hardcover)

For those who are fans of Golden Age comics, or are just crazy about nostalgia, this book is for you! I've always thought Wonder Woman was a well conceived character and being able to read her first adventures (during the early 1940s) was a real treat. While the art and stories are not as sophisticated as what today's comic book readers are used to, they are still incredibly enjoyable. Wonder Woman's character had almost a sarcastic side to her in these early days. Completely different from the very serious character in current issues. Readers will enjoy watching Wonder Woman toss around America's World War II era Axis enemies as well as cleaning up corruption and injustice on the home front. The Amazon princess is also a great role model for young girls. This archive would make a nice gift for the serious comic book collector in your life.