There’s been quite a bit of hoopla over the kiss between DC’s icons, Superman and Wonder Woman in Justice League #12. In fact, it even made page 2 of my local newspaper. That’s right, 2 fictional characters getting it on trumped homicide, civil unrest and war.
What the f#@k?!
Needless to say I just don’t get it. Don’t get me wrong, I get just as excited as the next nerd when something exciting happens in any of my hobbies. But worldwide interest in something that happened in a comic? We’re not talking the Death of Superman here. And besides, it’s not even the first time they’ve kissed!
It happened twice in Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane issues #93 (1969) & #136 (1974), again in DC Comics Presents #32 (1981), and Wonder Woman #300 (1983). In 1985, Alan Moore included a playful kiss between the two in Superman Annual #11 and 2 years later John Byrne added his take in Action Comics #600.
In Kingdom Come (1996) it even goes further than that. By the end of this story Superman & Wonder Woman are a couple and expecting a child (with Batman asked to be the godfather!).
As great as Kingdom Come is (I highly recommend checking it out if you haven’t already) my favourite Superman/Wonder Woman moment is actually from Action Comics #761 (1999). Like the kiss in Superman Annual #11, it is hardly more than a peck, but it is the culmination of a great storyline that involved the heroes being trapped for hundreds of years in an alternate universe battling crazy Norse gods. Nothing more happens, but it comes very close and is very emotional.
Nowhere near as good are Miller’s Dark Knight Strikes Again (2002) & All Star Batman and Robin (2005). Avoid both.
So as you can see, Justice League #12 is nothing special. It’s not even that poignant a moment. Perhaps the special excitement is due to the fact that this is in current continuity? Who knows.
Either way, there are far more exciting things happening in the world of comics. Mark Waid continues his amazing run on Daredevil, Sean Murphy’s Punk Rock Jesus is making huge waves & Rob Leifield continues to have brain meltdowns.
And these are a fraction of what’s going on out there.
So let’s put this apparently world shattering moment in its place. There is so much more interesting things to talk about.
Of course this is all just my opinion. I would love to know yours! So leave a comment!
