THE 12 LABORS OF WONDER WOMAN TOUR

In 1968, Wonder Woman entered what is commonly referred to as her "mod" era.  Writer Denny O'Neil took over as the writer on her title, and promptly stripped her of her powers by having Paradise Island phase into an alternate dimension.  Because of this, she resigned her membership in the Justice League of America.

In 1973 the Amazons and Paradise Island returned from their dimension hopping.  As a result, Princess Diana regained her powers and soon began operating again as Wonder Woman. When she is asked to return to active membership in the Justice League, Diana doesn't remember ever taking a leave of absence.  It soon becomes clear that Diana has no memory of the time she spent powerless.  Because of this, she expresses concern about returning to the team because she worries her faltering memory might prove to be a danger to herself and the team.  As a way of making sure she is fit, Diana is inspired by the 12 Labors of Hercules and asks if the Justice League members will monitor her next twelve adventures, and judge whether they find her fit to serve on the team.

This tour will briefly review The 12 Labors of Wonder Woman which were featured in Wonder Woman (vol. 1) #212 through #222.

The 12 Labors of Wonder Woman was an interesting concept and no doubt DC hoped that having other popular Justice League members appear on the cover of Wonder Woman would help boost sales.  

Wonder Woman (vol. 1) #212  (July 1974)
Primary Guest Star: Superman

Wonder Woman overturns a plot by the Cavalier to control Indira Gamal, the Prime Minister of Pamanasia, and to take over that country. Her first adventure, monitored by Superman, was successfully completed. Superman elects Flash to take over in observing Wonder Woman's next outing. In a subplot, Wonder Woman discovers that her mother, Hippolyta, is responsible for her missing memories. She also finds out that her boyfriend, Steve Trevor, was killed during the period when she had no powers.

Wonder Woman #212 (July 1974), cover art by Bob Oksner

Wonder Woman (vol. 1) #213  (Sept. 1974)

Primary Guest Star: Flash

Wonder Woman takes on a giant space robot that steals the aggressive natures of humans. Flash approves of her handling of the situation.

Wonder Woman #213 (Sept. 1974), cover art by Bob Oksner

Wonder Woman (vol. 1) #214 (Nov. 1974)

Primary Guest Star: Green Lantern

When a man finds a magical amulet and uses it to make himself king of the world, Wonder Woman works to prevent bombs from going off over Russia, possibly starting a new world war. Green Lantern provides his fellow Justice League members with a report approving of how Diana handled the situation.

Wonder Woman #214, cover art by Bob Oksner

Wonder Woman (vol. 1) #215 (January 1975)

Primary Guest Star: Aquaman Mars, the god of war, works to provoke the Atlanteans and Amazons into entering a war with each other. Aquaman reports to his fellow Justice League members that Wonder Woman handled the adventure with his approval.

Wonder Woman #215, cover art by Bob Oksner

Wonder Woman (vol. 1) #216 (March 1975)

Primary Guest Star: Black Canary A Greek tycoon seeks to find out what would actually happen if a man broke Aphrodite's law by actually setting foot on Paradise Island. Wonder Woman thwarts his plans and Black Canary gives an approval of her adventure to the Justice League.

Wonder Woman #216, cover art by Nick Cardy

Wonder Woman (vol. 1) #217 (May 1975) Primary Guest Star: Green Arrow

The Duke of Deception attempts to start a world war by driving all the delegates of the United Nations mad, in the hopes that this would force Mars to be beholden to him. Wonder Woman proves to be central in making sure this never happens and Green Arrow turns in a favorable report for Diana's 6th mission.

Wonder Woman #217, cover art by Mike Grell

Wonder Woman (vol. 1) #218 (July 1975) Primary Guest Stars: Red Tornado and Phantom Stranger

Red Tornado observes as Wonder Woman loses mental control of her equipment. Phantom Stranger observes as Wonder Woman takes on Felix Faust, who has animated the Statue of Liberty.  Both adventures prove Wonder Woman to be worthy of the approval of her fellow League members.

On a personal note, I remember being very disappointed that Red Tornado, this being his very first "solo" outing outside of the Justice League of America series, was relegated to a half-length story and given less cover space than Phantom Stranger, the team's least active member.

Wonder Woman #218, cover art by Nick Cardy

Wonder Woman (vol. 1) #219 (Sept. 1975)

Primary Guest Star: Elongated Man

The ruler of a male-dominated world in another dimension (I guess our own planet somehow didn't qualify!), kidnaps feminist icons from our Earth via beauty parlors. Ugh! Wonder Woman manages to thwart this dastardly plot and Elongated Man gives a favorable review.

Wonder Woman #219, cover art by Dick Giordano

Wonder Woman (vol. 1) #220 (Nov. 1975)
Primary Guest Star: Atom
Chronos eliminates time perception in the NYC area and Wonder Woman must take him on. As shown, at one point this means elongating her magic lasso so much that it can encircle the entire UN Building three times over!! The Atom gives the Justice League a thumbs-up for Diana's efforts.

Wonder Woman #220, cover art by Dick Giordano

Wonder Woman (vol. 1) #221 (Jan. 1976)

Primary Guest Star: Hawkman

Dr. Cyber blames Wonder Woman for her disfigured face and is bent on having Professor Moon graft Wonder Woman's face over her own. Hawkman tells the rest of the Justice League about this adventure, claiming it occurred at the same time as the adventure Atom had previously reported. How could there be two Wonder Women having two different adventures at the same time?? Readers would have to wait until the next issue to find out!

Wonder Woman #221, cover art by Ernie Chan

Wonder Woman (vol. 1) #222 (March 1976)

Primary Guest Star: Batman

Batman, the great detective, discovers that a duplicate of Wonder Woman was created at Dazzleland, using bio energies leached off of all the park visitors. It was this duplicate who Atom observed.

Wonder Woman battles her duplicate, who ends up being killed (along with a duplicate Wade Dazzle) in an acid bath triggered by Dazzle. Despite the fact that it was a duplicate that defeated Chronos, Batman convinces the league that this labor should still count. As a result, Wonder Woman is readmitted to the Justice League.

Wonder Woman #222, cover art by Ernie Chan

Our tour of Wonder Woman's 12 Labors draws to its conclusion! The Amazing Amazon was readmitted to the Justice League and eventually, she forgave her mother for all the meddling of her memories!

Wonder Woman and all related characters, names, and elements and the distinctive likenesses thereof are trademarks of DC Comics, Inc.

Wonder Woman is the creation of William Moultan Marston and H. G. Peter (uncredited).