This book explores representations of Wonder Woman and Captain Marvel in comics and film, as well as political struggles over these works, to illuminate contemporary cultural concerns about gender, sexuality, race, migration, imperialism, and war.

It focuses on the only two female superheroes who have long histories grounded in feminist activism and military service, and who have starred in blockbuster origin films at a time when resurgent progressive activism has been met by an emboldened backlash against movements for equality. Interdisciplinary and intersectional, the book employs insights from political science and political economy, feminist theories, critical race theory, postcolonial theory, and queer theory to explore how these characters’ feminism and militarism render them particularly appealing and profitable in contentious times.

This is a concise, accessible text suitable for students and scholars in comics studies, media studies, film studies, and women’s and gender studies.