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Wonder Woman: Feminist icon, or just a painted lady?

by
Dorothy Snarker

It’s Friday. It’s been a long week at work/school/that place you call “the office” that is really your best friend’s basement where you eat Cheetos and play Wii Tennis all afternoon. So probably the last thing you want to do right now is put your cranky pants back on over your uppity underoos. But I feel a little redressing is in order so we can give the latest Playboy cover the dressing-down it deserves.

Now, obviously, we’ve given a friendly AfterEllen.com how-do-you-do to the naughtiest bits, but you get the gist. Former Playmate of the Year Tiffany Fallon has been painted to look like Wonder Woman. The accompanying text (link NSFW) in the magazine reads:

“You know the painted lady on our cover as Playmate of the Year 2005 Tiffany Fallon, but to usher you into the cover story, Sex in America, we recast her as that champion of truth, justice and American Sensuality, Wonder Woman. Tiffany, a modern-day Lynda Carter, has been honing her TV skills. She appeared on TV’s The Simple Life with Paris Hilton, became a weekly co-host for the International Fight League’s Battle Ground and accompanied her country music star husband, Joe Don Rooney of Rascal Flatts (Still Feels Good is in stores now), to numerous awards shows. What’s next? 'I’ve been filming The Celebrity Apprentice,' says Tiffany. 'At first I was intimidated because I was one of the youngest contestants. But I brought a fresh outlook to the tasks. I can’t tell you much more, you’ll have to watch.' If this wonderful woman is involved, we’ll have our eyes glued.”

Gosh, where to start? Never mind that she is portraying one of our most iconic female superheroes. Never mind that it’s meant to illustrate “Sex in America.” Never mind that she is taking skintight to ridiculously literal extremes. Actually, I really, really do mind all of those things. But what I mind most is the assertion that Ms. Fallon is somehow a “champion of truth, justice and American Sensuality,” not to mention a “modern-day Lynda Carter,” based on the resume presented in the blurb.

How, exactly, does buddying up with Paris Hilton, cohosting an ultimate fighting talk show and marrying some dude from Rascal Flatts make her a symbolic women’s champion, let alone a celebrity? Oh, wait, she is also on a show with celebrity in the title. That makes her a celebrity.

Look, Playboy, if you’re going to objectify, just objectify. We all know the game. Don’t frame it in the guise of some faux empowerment lexicon that you think will make the sexualization more sophisticated and therefore more acceptable. Feminism isn’t against sexiness. It’s against being judged solely for one’s sexiness. Which also means you can’t substitute attractiveness for accomplishment, no matter how good it looks in body paint.

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    • Submitted by
    Dorothy Snarker
    on January 18, 2008 - 6:00pm.
    TAGS :: 
    captainsam's picture

    That is EXACTLY what I

    Submitted by
    captainsam (65 posts)
    on January 18, 2008 - 7:02pm.

    That is EXACTLY what I wanted to say, but was unable to due to my all-encompassing rage.

     

    Also: Greg Rucka agrees.

    http://ruckawriter.livejournal.com/31761.html

    livlab's picture

    Gasp! How very dare you, Playboy?!

    Submitted by
    Livia (64 posts)
    on January 18, 2008 - 7:11pm.

    I have the highest regard for Lynda Carter and the character she played (as made obvious by my avatar) so I can't begin to tell you how annoying that all sounds.

    Having said that, I really don't have issues with Playboy's aesthetic choices (paint-on wonder woman costume) - it's just the faux-homage/impossible-comparison that's absurd. Then again, nobody reads playboy (well, some do, but not the centerfold 'article').

    *bummed* I miss you Wonder Woman and I'm really bummed that the movie plans were dropped (was supposed to be directed by Joss Whedon of Buffy fame).

    Note: from the top of the cover: "Red-Hot & Spicy: The Women of Hooters" . Wow, Playboy sure went far with the 'feminist' theme this issue!

     

    Heather01's picture

    Amen!

    Submitted by
    Heather01 (47 posts)
    on January 18, 2008 - 7:38pm.

    "Don’t frame it in the guise of some faux empowerment lexicon that you think will make the sexualization more sophisticated and therefore more acceptable. Feminism isn’t against sexiness. It’s against being judged solely for one’s sexiness. Which also means you can’t substitute attractiveness for accomplishment, no matter how good it looks in body paint."

     

    Amen, Dorothy! I couldn't have said it better myself. 

    livlab's picture

    Off Topic

    Submitted by
    Livia (64 posts)
    on January 18, 2008 - 7:50pm.

    On a marginaly related topic, I thought you might be interested in: http://tinyurl.com/22yrg3

    "Brian Hughes of "Again With the Comics" has an advice column called "Ask Golden Age Wonder Woman," in which questions from the lovelorn are answered using actual panels from old issues of Wonder Woman, surely one of the most crypto-fetishistic comics of the Golden Age."

    rumor16's picture

    celebrity?

    Submitted by
    Alisha (25 posts)
    on January 18, 2008 - 8:06pm.
    I didn't even know who Tiffany Fallon was until she was on Celebrity Apprentice.  (Yes, I watch the show.)  Just because she was playmate of the year doesn't make her a celebrity.  Okay, in a way it kind of does, but not really.  There are a lot of women who are far more beautiful than her but they don't pose for playboy.  Should they be Celebrities too?  As for the Wonder Woman paint job, that might be going to far considering what Wonder Woman stood for.
    hslp's picture

    Boo.

    Submitted by
    hslp (13 posts)
    on January 18, 2008 - 9:12pm.

     

    Awful!

    Amphryxia's picture

    I disagree

    Submitted by
    Claire (2 posts)
    on January 18, 2008 - 11:54pm.

    "Feminism isn't against sexiness. It's against being judged solely for one's sexiness."

    Feminism does seem to have something against it though, if thats the case. Is feminism equally offended by a woman being judged solely on her intelligence?

     I also don't understand why you felt the need to trash her career when your complaint is against Playboy.

     

    lezzieboredom's picture

    Those fussy feminists!! (boo hoo!)

    Submitted by
    lezzieboredom (21 posts)
    on January 19, 2008 - 11:49pm.

    Nelie McKay on Feminism

    Feminists don’t have a sense of humor
    Feminists just want to be alone (boo-hoo)
    Feminists spread vicious lies and rumor
    They have a tumor on their funny bone

    They say child molestation isn’t funny
    Rape and degradation’s just a crime (lighten up, ladies)
    Rampant prostitution, sex for money (what’s wrong with that)
    Can’t these chicks do anything but whine

    Dance break
    Woo-hoo
    (Take it off)

    They say cheap objectification isn’t witty, it’s hot
    Equal work and wages worth the fight (sing us a new one)
    On demand abortion, every city (okay, but no gun control)
    Won’t these women ever get a life

    Feminists don’t have a sense of humor (poor Hillary)
    Feminists and vegetarians
    Feminists spread vicious lies and rumor
    They’re far too sensitive to ever be a ham
    That’s why these feminists just need to find a man

     

    whitelabcoat's picture

    Oh, please.

    Submitted by
    whitelabcoat (83 posts)
    on January 19, 2008 - 4:17am.

    "Feminism isn't against sexiness. It's against being judged solely for one's sexiness."

    Feminism does seem to have something against it though, if thats the case. Is feminism equally offended by a woman being judged solely on her intelligence?

    Please give us all a rundown of where feminism 'does seem to have something against it though'. This is a common complaint - you know, when, for instance, women object to other women being degraded or treated like they have nothing better to do than serve some moronic fantasy of how women 'should' be: "Oh, but, feminists just hate sex ...".

    And, if you can't tell the difference between being judged for one's aesthetic appearance and being judged for one's mind, well ...

    Plus, I believe it was the depiction of her career being associated with what Wonder Woman represents that was being mocked, not necessarily her career in and of itself.

    Amphryxia's picture

    Feminist attitudes

    Submitted by
    Claire (2 posts)
    on January 19, 2008 - 5:19am.

    I need to give a rundown on feminist attitudes towards sex? I was just objecting to the inconsistency of declaring that there's nothing wrong with posing for Playboy, just don't judge them for it. If feminists believe that intellectual pursuits are more respectable than taking off your clothes, (A belief that I share) then there should be no need for the fig leaf, as it were, of political correctness.

     I can see where the writer is coming from, but really, is she being judged against a fictional character, or Lynda Carter? I have nothing but respect for Lynda, but I think she had a 10 year long alcohol addiction, if I'm not mistaken.

    Keeva99's picture

    Feminist Attitudes

    Submitted by
    Keeva99 (101 posts)
    on January 20, 2008 - 12:01am.

    When Tiffany Fallon (who I personally don't find particularly sexy, crappy wannabe celebrity career or not) has had a career in music and acting that has spanned 40yrs and/or saved the world, then she can be compared to Wonder Woman and Lynda Carter. Untill then...no. I think we feminists would have slammed any publication that tried to pull this shit off.

    (And if that's respect, I'd hate to see you being disrespectful.)

    Nathiest's picture

    Who the heck is Tiffany

    Submitted by
    Nathiest (625 posts)
    on January 19, 2008 - 10:17am.

    Who the heck is Tiffany Fallon? I watch Celebrity Apprentice and???.... anyhow though I like the idea of Wonder Woman trading in her Wonder Outfit for a skin tight bodypaited one, uh no f" you playboy.

    -Nathiest
    live for lust die for love

    YCjXpayD's picture

    time for an article on the original wonder women?

    Submitted by
    YCjXpayD (2 posts)
    on January 19, 2008 - 10:23am.
    As a counterbalance to the media's misuse of the image of Wonder Woman, perhaps it would be a good time for an AfterEllen article on the women behind Wonder Woman, namely Elizabeth Marston and Olive Byrne, the official wife and second “wife” of Bill Marston, the creator of the Wonder Woman character. Elizabeth and Olive lived together for all their lifes, staying together for decades after Bill died of cancer. Olive is supposedly the physical model for Wonder Woman and Elizabeth seems to be the model for at least some of the personality. Elizabeth lived to be 100, supporting Bill when he was unemployed and supporting Olive all her life. Elizabeth worked as a lawyer and also taught law, and is considered to be the coinventor of the polygraph (“lie detector”).
    Nathiest's picture

    Wiki Woman

    Submitted by
    Nathiest (625 posts)
    on January 19, 2008 - 11:00am.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wonder_woman Wikipedia is a great sorce for all things comicbooks.

    -Nathiest
    live for lust die for love

    citroen's picture

    You're Fired!

    Submitted by
    mimi (32 posts)
    on January 19, 2008 - 3:37pm.

    Tiffany Fallon: First fired contestant on Celebrity Apprentice. Yep, fresh perspective to challenges.....um....yeah, I mean....one challenge.

     

    saloprix's picture

    i didn't know that

    Submitted by
    saloprix (50 posts)
    on January 19, 2008 - 4:52pm.
    thanks for the info on the women behind wonder woman, YCjXpayD. i didn't know any of that. now i definitely want to read more. and i'm just as disappointed as everyone else that josh whedon won't be directing a wonder woman movie. oh, the awesomeness that could have been.
    .lamby.'s picture

    ooh

    Submitted by
    .lamby. (87 posts)
    on January 20, 2008 - 1:28am.

    well now i feel wrong for watching Girls of The Playboy Mansion & knowing who Tiffany Fallon is! lol *hides* :|

    Beckychr007's picture

    Oh my gosh

    Submitted by
    Becky C. (87 posts)
    on January 20, 2008 - 3:06am.

    Oh my gosh, Dorthy. You sound like my mother. I get the point--but gee whiz--the girl is kinda cute:)

     

    ~Becky

    shygurl99's picture

    Depressing

    Submitted by
    shygurl99 (218 posts)
    on January 20, 2008 - 4:33am.

    Are they going to ruin Batwoman next..

     "Life is either a daring adventure or nothing."-Helen Keller

    JHB's picture

    This might be a little off the topic

    Submitted by
    Jessica Hannah (1509 posts)
    on January 20, 2008 - 9:07am.
    But, I thought in the new movie version of W.W. Katherine Mcphee was suppose to play her. Did anyone else hear that or just a rumor?
    Modigleana's picture

    Wonder Woman in new Justice League Movie

    Submitted by
    Cat (5 posts)
    on January 21, 2008 - 6:54am.

    Here's a heads up for other AE readers.  It's just been announced that Wonder Woman is to be played by Australian model (supermodel!) Megan Gale in the new Justice League movie to be directed by Aussie director George Miller.

    Megan is a yummy statuesque brunette, so she'll fit the bill looks-wise.  She also genuinely seems to be a nice person in all the interviews I've seen her do, so here's hoping she can actually act and will do our favourite Amazonian princess proud.

    Megan is also apparently excited about the role.  She told the Australian press that she still can't believe it and said: "I have been infatuated with Wonder Woman since I was a teenager."

    Well, haven't we all!!!

     

    snugsallstar's picture

    Holy Out of Context Blog, Batman

    Submitted by
    snugsallstar (1 post)
    on January 21, 2008 - 9:45am.
    This blog seems like an excuse to complain about Playboy more than anything. The cover model is attractive, and looks sexy in body paint. If DC comics has a problem with it, that's one thing, but it isn't the place of feminism. In fact, despite Steinem putting Wonder Woman on the first cover of Ms. magazine, Wonder Woman hasn't ever been a feminist, and certainly wasn't created to be one. Feminists want blind equality. Wonder Woman is supposed to represent superiority, and her superior strengths are that she is loving, powerful, honest, strong, sexually liberated and beautiful. In short, based on the creator of Wonder Woman's voiced principles about the character, he would likely support the Playboy cover with Fallon. Also, William Moulton Marston, who created and wrote every issue of Wonder Woman for many years, used the Wonder Woman character to promote "loving submission," as a philosophical concept. Women in bondage was a common theme in the comic for years. This is not a feminist ideal. Possibly the modern incarnation, in today's comic books, would best reflect the Wonder Woman that the type of feminists who would react to an artistic rendering on a cover of Playboy over, would best represent this blogger's heroine. Modern Wonder Woman is hard-headed, unaccepting of humanity, and sometimes cold-blooded. She still looks great though, and hasn't aged a bit in 60 years. So, if you have a problem with sexuality, like that displayed in the Playboy cover, maybe Wonder Woman still shouldn't be your icon.
    YCjXpayD's picture

    “loving submission”

    Submitted by
    YCjXpayD (2 posts)
    on January 24, 2008 - 5:43pm.

    Actually, I think Bill Marston's idea was mostly men in loving submission to women. He seemed to think of women as the superior sex. Ever wonder why Wonder Woman's main “weapon” was a magic lasso?

    But, yes, Wonder Woman got tied up herself a lot. Often this was by her friends (see an example). Sometimes she tied up her female friends (see an example). And it is clear that she fantasized about tying up other girls (see an example). Following the links above will take you to lots of scenes of Wonder Woman tied up. The links are all on the same site that illustrates in excruciating detail (with lots of examples) just what a dick Superman is.

    The explanation behind this is mainly that this is what the Marston family (all three of them) practiced at home. I suspect Elizabeth was usually the top.

    Slym's picture

    WTF????

    Submitted by
    Slym (1442 posts)
    on January 21, 2008 - 10:18am.

    PUH-LEASE!!  Celebrity my a$$. This is an insult! Let's see playboy model + A Simple Life = Wonder Woman (What's wrong with this equation?)

    hallyb's picture

    Well...

    Submitted by
    HallyB (76 posts)
    on January 22, 2008 - 3:21am.
    Why is that when you write a post to villify Playboy, you must splash a huge picture of the cover, and another picture from (I guess) the spread. If you really have a problem with their objectification of women, why do you contribute to it? Or do you think that we, as women, cannot objectify other women, so it's OK? It seems the real problem you have with Playboy is that it's for boys.
    jennifer from pittsburgh's picture

    WW

    Submitted by
    jennifer from p... (1228 posts)
    on January 23, 2008 - 12:00am.
    Any wonder that Joss Whedon was shit-canned from writing the WW script? The studio wants a WW whore, and this cover shoot does nothing to negate that theory.

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