Diana of Themyscira, Wonder Woman, has been an icon and a role model for generations, standing as one of the most recognizable superheroes ever created. For nearly a century since her debut in All Star Comics #8, she has grown into not only one of the pillars of DC Comics, but a character whose influence extends far beyond the pages of comic books. As one-third of DC’s iconic Trinity alongside Superman and Batman, Wonder Woman’s place in the medium’s history is undeniable.
But as Wonder Woman celebrates her 85th anniversary this month, fans have started asking one question: Why isn’t DC celebrating this milestone for her?
The conversation has been exploding across social media, where many have begun to compare the celebrations and even dedicated days that the Man of Steel and the Dark Knight get, but in the case of the Amazing Amazon, there’s hardly anything to show for her despite the generational impact she has had since her creation.
DC Comics, as a company, has indeed released special edition comics, as well as merchandise for Wonder Woman’s previous milestones. However, what has been noted by the fans in recent years is an increased divide between the Trinity.
Superman Day was replaced this year by Supergirl Day to coincide with the release of the Supergirl movie, but the celebrations for the 85th anniversary of the Last Son of Krypton were much larger than those for Wonder Woman. Superman received special-edition comic releases, exclusive action figures in partnership with McFarlane Toys, custom ornaments and stamps, and an in-game event in DC Universe Online. Even in Cleveland, where Superman was created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, Fan Expo had special events during the convention devoted to celebrating the character.
And for Batman? DC wasn’t messing around. The Caped Crusader’s 85th was marked with what DC itself called a “global celebration,” stretching across comics, collectibles, merchandise, gaming, and events. DC released a special 8th anniversary printing of Detective Comics #27, and outside of publishing, there were collections from brands like Spin Master, Mattel, Hot Wheels, Crocs, and Loungefly, an in-game celebration in Multiversus, which is no longer playable, and even a 10-film Batman 85th Anniversary Collection released on 4k UHD. All of this and even more made Batman’s 85th anniversary hard to miss.
In the case of Wonder Woman, however, there appears to be hardly any celebration. There was a Wonder Woman Barbie Doll released earlier this year to celebrate her 85th anniversary, but other than that, DC has yet to announce any publishing initiative or larger celebration to commemorate this important milestone.
Diana’s fans, however, aren’t letting the day pass without celebrating her. Across social media, many have declared October “Wonder Woman Month,” releasing videos celebrating Diana, her history, and what the character means to them.
Jenna Prather, a content creator and reporter for the Clear Lake Mirror Reporter, has dedicated herself to posting daily throughout October to celebrate the legacy of Wonder Woman.
“I think it’s important that people celebrate this milestone because Wonder Woman is an enduring character that has broken real-life barriers, changed what a superhero could be, and has been a symbol of feminism for 85 years,” Prather told The Beat. “That’s an achievement worth celebrating. To see Diana not getting a bigger celebration for an anniversary like this is sad, and comes across as very disrespectful by DC. Even in comparison to her anniversary five years ago, there is so much less. We need to be celebrating characters like her more. Diana is important to a lot of people. She’s a character that little girls still dress up as, that gets parodied and referenced all the time, and that people still want to see on screen. If DC won’t give her the attention she deserves, we will.”
Another content creator who has dedicated her entire online presence to celebrating Wonder Woman is WondyWoman. An Australian native, she has been a standout on social media, offering everything from reading guides and recommendations to discussions about Diana’s history, supporting characters, and her place within the DC Universe. Her work has become a resource for new readers looking for a place to start with Wonder Woman’s history. She has endured online harassment for her dedication to the character but continues to use her platform to highlight Diana because she knows how important her legacy is to so many.
When asked about the lack of an anniversary celebration, WondyWoman reflected on the character’s historical significance and the impact she continues to have on generations of readers.
“For 85 years Wonder Woman has continued to uplift and inspire not only women but countless generations through her radical kindness, compassion, and empathy; a trait something we so desperately need in the world, especially in the year 2026 when the world is more divided than ever by conflict. Wonder Woman has been a symbol of female empowerment and single-handedly survived through one of the toughest periods in comic book history – she is synonymous with the second wave women’s rights movement when the late Gloria Steinem placed her front and center on the first issue of Ms. Magazine, when she had been previously stripped of her powers and was no longer the character we once knew.
We are seeing a new generation of readers fall in love with the character through Absolute Wonder Woman, and branch off to read more of Diana, and it’s been something amazing to see. However, as one of DC’s big three characters and THE female superhero, the treatment Diana receives compared to her male counterparts is disproportionate, and it leaves people like myself asking, “Does DC even care about Diana?”.
Diana is THE female superhero, and when one of the biggest comic book companies in the world neglects their biggest female superhero and consistently pumps out more male-led projects, it can feel like a slap in the face to the many female fans and readers of comic books. How can you have progress when a character isn’t given the equal opportunity to do so?”
While the lack of any announcement of an 85th-anniversary celebration has sparked criticism from Wonder Woman fans, the conversation also highlights the character’s importance to readers around the world. From longtime fans to folks who are just now picking up books like Absolute Wonder Woman, which is being praised as a good jumping-on point for new readers, Wonder Woman Month has become an opportunity for fans to recognize the character’s legacy in their own way, even if they feel DC is failing her.
With Wonder Woman Day fast approaching on October 21st, and with no major announcements coming out of New York Comic Con, there is still time for DC to announce additional plans to commemorate this important milestone. Stay locked into The Beat for potential updates.
Shame on you DC.