Summary

Chapter 22, titled “Suprema,” describes Marston’s entry into the comic book industry and the beginnings of the creation of Wonder Woman. In September 1939, Germany had invaded Poland. Britain and France declared war days later. The heightened international tension led to fear regarding fascism leading to the comic industry’s first public relations crisis: Superman was beginning to look like a fascist to some people. Olive decided to run a piece for “Family Circle” magazine about people’s anxieties about their children reading comic books, interviewing Marston as an “expert” on the comic form. Marston lauded the comic book form in the interview, stating precautions must be taken in terms of the content presented but comics in general show great promise. The interview prompted M.C. Gaines, head of National publishing house (later called DC), to hire Marston as a consulting psychologist.

Marston was...