Wonder Woman Coloring Page: Free Printable PDF Sheet

Wonder Woman: History & Fun Facts

All Star Comics #8 and the Amazon Princess

Wonder Woman debuted in All Star Comics #8 in October 1941, three years after Superman and two years after Batman. Her creator William Moulton Marston was a Harvard-trained psychologist who had helped invent the systolic blood pressure test that became the basis of the polygraph — a fact that explains the existence of her famous Lasso of Truth. Marston pitched a new kind of hero to DC Comics editor Sheldon Mayer: a woman whose strength came from love and wisdom rather than fists, and whose origin tied her to Greek mythology rather than American small towns. Artist H.G. Peter drew the first version of the costume, and the character was a hit immediately.

Themyscira and the Amazon Heritage

Wonder Woman is Princess Diana, daughter of Queen Hippolyta of Themyscira, a hidden island of Amazon warrior women. In the original mythology Marston built, the Amazons were placed on this paradise island by the goddesses to escape the world of men, and they were granted immortality and superhuman gifts. Diana left Themyscira to bring Amazon values to the wider world — a mission of compassion, justice, and the protection of those who cannot protect themselves. The island setting, the Greek-goddess backstory, and the warrior-diplomat balance have stayed constant across every reboot of the character.

The Lasso, the Bracers, and the Tiara

The three iconic items shown on this coloring page each carry specific meaning. The Lasso of Truth, sometimes called the Lasso of Hestia, is unbreakable and forces anyone bound by it to tell the truth — a literal embodiment of Marston's polygraph research. The bracers were originally cuffs the Amazons wore to remember their enslavement by gods of war, and they can deflect bullets, blades, and energy blasts. The tiara, marked with a central red star, doubles as a thrown weapon with a razor-sharp edge. All three remain part of every version of the costume from 1941 to the present.

From Comics to Film

Wonder Woman's mainstream visibility exploded in the 21st century. Lynda Carter's 1975-1979 TV series introduced the character to broadcast audiences, but it was Gal Gadot's 2017 film Wonder Woman, directed by Patty Jenkins, that turned her into a global box-office star. The film earned $822 million worldwide, became the highest-grossing live-action film directed by a woman at the time of release, and proved that a female-led superhero film could anchor a major franchise. Wonder Woman 1984 and appearances in Justice League and Batman v Superman followed.

Symbol of Empowerment

Beyond comics and film, Wonder Woman has become a broader cultural symbol. In 2016 the United Nations named her an Honorary Ambassador for the Empowerment of Women and Girls. She appears on protest signs, museum walls, and clothing across the world. Her unique mix of warrior strength and stated commitment to compassion makes her stand out among superheroes — she fights when she must, but the comics consistently show her trying to talk down opponents first. No other superhero has been a UN ambassador, appeared on protest signs worldwide, and anchored an $822 million film in the same decade — a combination that says something real about what the character means beyond comics.