200th Wonder Woman of the Week: Melissa Benoist

Deciding who would be the 200th Wonder Woman of the Week was no easy task. I had already written about Lynda Carter and Gal Gadot, Princess Ukok and Joan of Arc, famous astronauts, badass musicians, and hard-core activists. After four years of writing about powerful women both from history and today- I’ve gained an appreciation for all who inspire both girls and boys to become super. But during my quest to find the 200th Wonder Woman, I harkened back to where it all began five years ago when Wonder Woman became my favorite superhero. It was a rainy day in Carbondale, Illinois when I started watching the Lynda Carter Wonder Woman TV show from the 70’s. The show was one of only a rare handful of television shows dedicated to a female superhero, helped launch a new wave of Wonder Woman fans, and inspired a generation of feminist activists. So what better woman to be the 200th Wonder Woman of the Week than a contemporary Lynda Carter, starring in another rare TV show centered around a female superhero, and helping to inspire the next generation of feminist activists? I couldn’t think of anybody more perfect for the title of 200th Wonder Woman of the Week than Supergirl actress Melissa Benoist.

The character of Supergirl began in the 1950’s as a knock-off sidekick of the more famous Superman. Over the years, the character has struggled to escape from her cousin’s shadow, so for a live-action television show to attempt a Supergirl- driven story independent of Superman’s shadow (or maybe cape is the better term?) was no small task. When the first trailers for the series hit television, most viewers immediately dismissed the show as the cliché example of how sexist shows with a female lead character can become. But- with credit given to the writers and directors- nobody expected the titular actress to have the superpowers to make the presumably sexist television show into a perfect example of how to display female characters. [1]

The television show Supergirl hosted a panoply of characters including Red Tornado, Martian Manhunter, and even the Flash. But the host channel- CBS- typically played host to shows marketed towards an older demographic. It was no surprise then that the CW was quick to retrieve the television show headed into the vault- keeping Supergirl and actress Melissa Benoist in the game. [2] Before donning the cape of Supergirl, Benoist performed in a series of roles in film and television including Glee in 2009, Homeland in 2011, The Good Wife in 2009, Tennessee in 2008, and Whiplash in 2014. [3]

Supergirl and titular actress Melissa Benoist are headed for a second season of the superhero television show and will feature crossovers with Arrow, Flash, and Legends of Tomorrow in its upcoming second season. Benoist’s performance continues along a new wave of DC Comics titled “Rebirth” featuring a version of Supergirl independent of her cousin’s cape (I called it earlier, folks!) with lead artist Emanuela Lupacchino (known for art in Marvel and Dc Comics) paving the way for a more strong and independent character. [4]

Melissa Benoist and Supergirl come at an important time in the United States with the renewal of Feminist Civil Rights movements. Benoist’s role as Supergirl comes with the double role of being a symbol of hope not only for the fictional characters in the show’s universe; but for young girls in real life who now have a strong, independent, super-powered role model to show them that women can be superheroes.

Sims, David. “Supergirl Takes Flight.” 26 October 2015. The Atlantic. Accessed 21 July 2016. http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2015/10/supergirl-takes-flight/412438/

Wagmeister, Elizabeth. “CBS President Explains ‘Supergirl’ Moving to the CW.” 18 May 2016. Variety. Accessed 21 July 2016. http://variety.com/2016/tv/news/supergirl-cbs-president-reaction-cw-1201777795/

“Melissa Benoist Biography.” 2016. IMDb.com. Accessed 21 July 2016. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2552034/bio

“Supergirl: Rebirth #1.” 2016. DC Comics. Accessed 21 July 2016. http://www.dccomics.com/comics/supergirl-2016/supergirl-rebirth-1

If you aren’t yet watching Supergirl, I highly recommend catching the first season online- and fast! Season 2 starts August 1st. I also highly recommend picking up Supergirl: Rebirth #1 at your local comic book store- and while you’re at it, look for more female-superhero comics like Captain Marvel, Batgirl, and of course- Wonder Woman.