photo source: Rotten Tomatoes
Women can be warriors.
This sentiment has been bolstered by the smash hit Wonder Woman movie which grossed $254 million worldwide, and is poised to keep going. And, the fact that this is the most successful female-led and directed movie is even more awesome.
I was hitting the LIKE and LOVE buttons on Facebook like nobody’s business when I came across posts praising the movie, stories of how Gal Gadot and her badassery stirred emotions in us we didn’t even think we had, and then it occurred to me how a dark time in history, a life-sucking World War, was the perfect backdrop to the emergence of a heroine who represented love, a passion for justice, and a sense of duty.
The First World War is also known as the Great War, as it involved many countries and killed off millions of military combatants and civilians, and there were also a few genocides that took place. What also made it one of history’s most deadly conflicts was the fact that we had the technological capability to produce and use weapons on a scale that surpassed previous time periods.
I thought Captain Steve Trevor’s description of the horrors of the war was well-delivered, and it set the tone of the true darkness that would face Diana, who had previously only known paradise on the island of Themyscira.
She brought the passion and principles of the fierce Amazons with her, and when she had to wield her sword or fight hand-to-hand with an enemy, she did so with strength and skill. I loved seeing her story play out during this time period, not only to observe her challenges in the face of the ongoing dark war, but also because it was a point in history when women were told not to get involved, not to even vote, not to do a host of things.
“How do these women go into battle?” (I’m paraphrasing) Diana asked Etta Candy.
Great question! I’ve heard that the next Wonder Woman movie will bring Diana to America, perhaps during World War II, or a different time? Interestingly enough, because of the attitudes regarding women and war, this gave rise to some pretty badass women who spied and fought against the Nazis.
These women were called The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare by Winston Churchill. They were women warriors who helped clear the way for the D-Day landings, gathered intelligence for the British and other Allied forces, and one of them even killed a Nazi with her bare hands. I kid you not.
So, as we’re celebrating an awesome movie and congratulating the talented director and actors that helped bring this all to life, I’m definitely interested in seeing more. I want more heroines, more women warriors, more women with the heart and smarts to match their punches and kicks. This is an exciting time, so let’s keep bringing on amazing stories with women like Diana at the forefront.
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About the Author
Alesha Escobar writes fantasy to support her chocolate habit. She enjoys reading everything from Tolkien and the Dresden Files, to the Hellblazer comics and classic literature. She’s the author of the bestselling Gray Tower Trilogy, an action-packed supernatural thriller set in an alternate World War II. The first book of the trilogy, THE TOWER’S ALCHEMIST, is currently free to download at all online retailers and is also available in audiobook format.
Besides being a loving warrior mom to her six children, she enjoys crafts, consuming more coffee than is necessary, and spending time with her husband Luis, a 20-year art veteran for The Simpsons television show. To receive free and discounted book offers from a Alesha, join her Fantasy, Mashups, & Mayhem mailing list today.