The Big Three: what age/era best represents them?

[Binker]

Superman best describes the 1930s (or is it the 1930s best represents Superman?) because of what he is and of that time. The 1970s would be the answer for the the O'Neil/Adams Batman which is the well known Batman style that is still used today. Or the Miller Batman (being DKR) then its 1980s. Hell, 1930s must represent both Superman AND Batman.

I don't know about Wonder Woman. It could be said she represents both the women in the workforce that increased in number from 10% to 40% by World War II and influence the feminist icon of that time: Rosie the Riveter. But theres also the second wave feminist movements in the 1960s/70s that represents Wonder Woman (more so from the 1970s because of the show and/or the I Ching era).

So in your mind, what ages and eras best represent Superman, Batman & Wonder Woman?

 

[Spike_x1]

I don't really know about Wonder Woman, but I know what eras best represent both Batman and Superman for me.

Superman would be during the Byrne years of the late 80's and the early 90's. Superman was still the powerful, angelic figure that he's supposed to be, but he wasn't above being highly relatable on a more personal and down-to-earth level. His supporting cast was also very well developed at that time as well, as opposed to being stuck in the bland status quo that they're more or less in now.

Batman's best era, I'd agree, would be O'Neil and Adams' run. It was very iconic, and didn't go overboard with the whole darkness and brooding crap like our modern Batman seemed to be doing, but it was still dark and serious enough.

 

[The Question]

Well, there were aspects of 30s/early 40s Superman that really worked well for the character and I rather miss. Mostly the lack of Kryptonite (god how I hate that infernal substance), and the fact that the stories were more socially conscious. I rarely see Superman tackling social issues anymore.

 

[Spike_x1]

You're right about Supes facing those social problems. I remember when Lex Luthor faked his death and America went into a second depression because LexCorp had such a large stake in the economy before having its head chopped off.

Many of the Daily Planet staff and crew were fired (a very good running subplot was Jimmy's quest for employment) and Superman had to deal with riots and the like. Good stuff.

 

[The Question]

Yeah. Really, I much prefered the way Supes operated in his origional apearances. Not so much of a public figure (the public knew of him, but he didn't stick around to give interveiws and sign autographs and usually left as soon as he had finished the job), and was a champion of social causes along with simply protecting people from everyday dangers. A blend of that and the later expansion of his character would be the perfect Superman for me.

 

[Darthphere]

Superman to me is really the 30's-40's.

Batman-The 70's.

Wonder Woman-Literally a toss up between Peerz and Rucka.

 

[The Batman]

Superman: The original Siegel/Shuster run, the Bronze age from the early 70's-86'

Batman: O Neil and Adams

Wonder Woman: Moultons original Wonder Woman

 

[Steelsheen]

Superman= '40s and '50s. its when being a boyscout was appreciated. must be the effect of the world wars. you tend to appreciate the good when there is so much horror around you.

Batman= the '40s and the '80s. '40s was when gothic fantasy influence merged with crime noir. the time when he was at his worst was the '70s or whenever they started to make him cheesy.

Wonder Woman= nearly all decades with the exception of the '70s (the I Ching era). she still kicked arse but i thought it was a major insult to the franchise when they made her lose her powers and turned her into an Emma Peel wannabe. the thing with the WW franchise is that it has a suffered what could be called a bridesmaid effect, its played second fiddle to the titles of Superman and Batman ever since and never really taken the lead from either titles. she has had less "low points" in her franchise but she's never been the "hot title" either. i think a lot of it has got to do with the creative leads not really knowing where to lead this character and is sorta just "passing time" until they can get the next gig they feel strongly about.

 

[BrianWilly]

Wonder Woman's most defining era would probably be when her TV show was on, I think.

But her best defining era, in my opinion, would be Perez's revamp. He made her both relevant and mythical with a dose of political ingenuity and classic adventure.

Jimenez and Rucka brought back a lot of that political, social awareness angle of Wonder Woman that she pretty much lost after Perez left the book, and I think those three -- Perez, Jimenez, and Rucka -- truly captured the best parts of the character.