The Kinky Polyamorous Relationship That Inspired The Original ‘Wonder Woman’
Graphic by Angelie Zaslavsky
Based on the records “Wonder Woman” has broken in the past couple months, it’s clear Americans are fascinated by the superheroine — but does anyone really know her?
In “Professor Marston & the Wonder Women”, which hits theaters in October, we’ll finally get to learn about the history of the character and that of her creator, Dr. William Moulton Marston. The film explores the fascinating polyamorous relationship between Marston, his wife Elizabeth Marston, and his student Olive Byrne that led to the creation of the original “Wonder Woman” comic. Marston and the two women lived together and both were in active relationships with Marston, although Marston and his wife referred to Byrne publicly as “Elizabeth’s widowed sister.”
Both women had children by Marston and were said to have gotten along swimmingly.
Marston was inspired by Byrne’s feminism (she was the niece of Margaret Sanger) and created the character of Wonder Woman in her likeness. Many of the early comics depict Wonder Woman escaping from bondage scenes, a move that caused great upset at the time and was rumored to have been inspired by Marston’s own sex life. Whether or not these rumors are true, the film’s trailer undeniably leans into them.
The film is being produced by Jill Soloway of “Transparent” greatness and will star Luke Evans (“Girl on a Train”) in the role of Wonder Woman’s creator.
Check out the trailer below:
Becky Scott is the editor of The Schmooze. Follow her on Twitter, @arr_scott
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