Wonder Woman's Violent Act Threatens to Take the Spirit from DC's Trinity

The iconic trinity of DC Comics: Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman have stood since the Golden Age as the foundational elements of DC's mythology. Batman, the mind, emboldened the power of intellect over might. Superman, the body, showed how a moral imperative combined with sheer strength could change the world, and Wonder Woman, the spirit, gave a higher power to DC's dynasty. However, developments in Infinite Crisis and brutal violence in Amazons Attack!, have created some doubt about DC's valuation of the spirit in their midst.

Wonder Woman appeared in 1941 as the ambassador of peace from Themyscira, formed of clay by her mother Hippolyta and blessed with the gifts of the Olympian Gods (The DC Comics Encyclopedia). Her devotion to Hera and her desire to bring peace to the patriarchal world of man carved a unique place for her among the super heroes and costumed villains of DC's lineup. Eventually her popularity began to rival Batman and Superman, creating an alliance between the three as pivot points for the Golden Age. Her strength balanced with a strong moral center and level head have long given a light of hope to the grim reality of Gotham and rest from ambition of Metropolis.

A Murder Most Foul

DC's decision to shake up their multiverse in Infinite Crisis called for a catastrophe of physical and spiritual proportions. Characters were getting new stories, directions and motivations. Some characters died, while others re-emerged from the other side of the multiverse. Of all the surprises and struggles to take place, none was less expected or more soul destroying than the moment prior to Infinite Crisis when Wonder Woman, princess of peace and Goddess among men, snapped the neck of Maxwell Lord, killing him purposely. Infinite Crisis is filled with the fallout from this event. Batman can't understand it. Neither can Superman. Neither can the rest of us.