TRIGGER WARNING: Includes Discussions of Sexual Assault and Using Rape as a Narrative Device.
As a passionateWonder Womanfan, I eagerly seek out any and all content featuring the Amazon Princess. However, there’s one unrealized Wonder Woman story that I’m profoundly grateful never came to light, as its premise left me feeling utterly nauseated when I first learned about it.
…a twenty-two-page rape scene would not only be exploitative but also excessive…
The 90s were undoubtedly a revolutionary period for comics, as creatives pushed heroes beyond their limits, challenging their physical capabilities and identities while exploring themes of vulnerability, sacrifice, and resilience in the face of insurmountable odds. Notable narratives from this era include Dan Jurgens’The Death of Superman(1992) and Doug Moench’sBatman: Knightfall(1993).
Jurgens’ story depicted the Man of Steel’s demise at the hands of the Kryptonian monstrosity, Doomsday, while Moench’sKnightfallshattered the Dark Knight, leaving him nearly unrecognizable after the villain Bane broke his back. Both storylines led to dramatic shifts in their characters' narratives. Continuing with this theme,Mark Millar proposed a Wonder Woman story in the same vein—The Rape of Wonder Woman.
Mark Millar’sThe Rape of Wonder WomanExplained
Cover B Jenny Frison Variant forWonder Woman#15 (2017)
Allegedly,Mark Millar pitchedthe idea ofThe Rape of Wonder Woman to DC in 1993, aiming to give Diana her own “Death of Superman"moment. Killing off Superman and breaking Batman’s back were bold creative moves that ultimately reshaped the legacies of these iconic characters. However, Mark Millar’s idea fora rape-centric Wonder Woman story undeniably pushed the concept of breaking a hero beyond acceptable limits. By considering the use of rape as a narrative device, Millar ventured into a territory that was already highly controversial in the 90s and would be even more so in today’s climate.
In a discussion on his Millarworld forums, Millar reportedly stated,“I pitched this to DC for a laugh years back. The idea was that, like ‘Death of Superman,’ we had ‘Rape of Wonder Woman’; a twenty-two-page rape scene that opened up into a gatefold at the end just like Superman did.“For those unfamiliar, a gatefold is a publication layout commonly used in comic books that is larger than standard pages and folds out to create a double-page spread of artwork, emphasizing the visual impact.This suggests that the proposed comic would have been graphic and sensationalized, further trivializing a deeply serious issue.
DC Officially Admits That Wonder Woman’s Codename Makes No Sense… But That’s a Good Thing
In a surprising revelation, Diana admits that even though she doesn’t fully understand her codename, it does carry an unexpected sentimental value.
WhyThe Rape of Wonder WomanWould Have Been an Insensitive Narrative
Variant Edition Cover by Jenny Frison forWonder Woman#45 (2018)
While I acknowledge that DC’s intent in considering such a storyline was to explore a state of vulnerability for Wonder Woman, akin to the narratives surroundingSuperman and Batman, I firmly believe this was the absolute wrong approach. Rape and sexual assault are profoundly serious issues that can be addressed in fiction, but they demand a high level of sensitivity and respect. However, Millar’s alleged comments suggest that his pitch would have been executed in shockingly poor taste, underscoring why it’s best that this narrative never came to fruition.
Using sexual assault as a narrative device is inherently controversial, anda twenty-two-page rape scene would not only be exploitative but also excessive, suggesting a complete disregard for the gravity of such trauma. This approach trivializes the experiences of survivors and risks desensitizing audiences to real-life issues of violence and consent. Moreover, the fact that Millar reportedly pitched this idea“for a laugh”highlights an appalling insensitivity to a topic that has devastating real-world consequences. It underscores the need for creators to approach sensitive subjects with the utmost care, prioritizing empathy and awareness over sensationalism.
“It Is Very Tempting”: One of Wonder Woman’s Greatest Writers Teases Their New Superhero Stint
Wonder Woman writer Gail Simone has sparked major excitement on X by teasing a potential new writing project on the horizon (& we have a theory).
Millar’s Wonder Woman Story Would Have DethronedBatman: The Killing Jokeas DC’s Most Controversial Comic
Main Cover by Brian Bolland forBatman: The Killing Joke(1988)
There is no denying that if Millar’s Wonder Woman story had been realized and published by DC, it would have become the publisher’s most controversial comic, surpassing Alan Moore and Brian Bolland’sBatman: The Killing Joke(1988). This narrative also addresses sexual assault, specifically against Barbara“Batgirl”Gordon, where the Joker invades her home, shoots her, and then assaults her as part of his plan to drive her father, Commissioner Gordon, insane. While the sexual assault inBatman: The Killing Jokeis less central and graphic than in the proposedRape ofWonder Woman, both stories highlight the contentious use of rape and sexual assault as narrative devices.
10 Darkest DC Comics To Date, Ranked
These stories aren’t for the faint of heart, featuring triggering content and moments of despair that have broken even the strongest heroes.
