Where’s Wonder Woman?

I like the character of Wonder Woman. I haven't read a lot of her comics, but I've always liked the ideas behind the character. She was different than the usual hero framework, especially for DC. I used to like her when I was but a wee lad too, but for a whole different set of reasons. [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="298"] Think about it. Actually, you know what? Don't.[/caption] She stands as a third of DC's Trinity, one of the most popular characters in the whole universe. Something Marvel, as much as I love them, can't really boast. Who's their big female character? Black Widow? Maybe since Avengers, but she's never really factored into the universe in a big way. However, I think the biggest thing I like about Wonder Woman, or 2Dubs as she's known to awesome people, is that she's unique into herself. It's a rarer thing than you'd first think. Most popular female characters, talking specifically about DC, are girl versions or girl riffs off of male characters. TAKE A LOOK: Now obviously, I'm cherry picking a little. There are fan favorites that are not linked to a male counterpart, Black Canary for example, but the characters that are just lady versions seem to outweigh the ones that aren't. Especially since there isn't much of a reverse. Can you think of a male version of a female character? Catman? This Catman, not this Catman. Wonder Woman stands on her own to a degree much greater than the others. Her origin, her drives, her world, how she deals with obstacles. It's all different from the typical superhero tropes. So that raises the question. Where is she? [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="351"] H-here?[/caption] I'm not saying DC is completely ignoring her, that's obviously not true, but with the explosion of super things, she's definitely been left behind. Joss Whedon famously tried to get her her own movie, but the studios weren't interested. They shot a Wonder Woman pilot (that admittedly sounded terrible) for NBC, but they never picked it up. They tried again for a movie that, again, didn't work. Now, it appears she'll be making an appearance in Batman vs. Superman in some capacity. It seems people don't think she can stand on her own. Which is strange, because she did. The Wonder Woman TV show from the 70s was a pretty big hit and is still recognizable today. [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="359"] I'd recognize those puffy hot pants anywhere.[/caption] Rumors have been circulating forever about studio executives and money men who are afraid that making a female main character would alienate male audiences. Most of their revenue comes from merchandising, and since they believe little Tommy won't buy a Wonder Woman toy, they'll loose money. And maybe that's true. Maybe little Tommy would rather be dead than be caught playing with a Wonder Woman toy. However, I think that's still missing the point a bit. In this current explosion of comic bookery, there really isn't anything easily  accessible to girls. That's not to say women can't or don't like it, but it's all undeniably dude-centered. I've been to the cons, I've read the web forums, I know there's a sizable female fanbase for this genre. You make something accessible to the lady fans, you'll have yourself a license to print money. Cash money. [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="304"] This attitude is why you weren't picked up, Wonder Woman Pilot[/caption] Unfortunately, that would involve avoiding some of the issues people have had dealing with the character for decades. In an attempt to appeal to the male audience, they sex her up into some kind of bondage-happy fan service machine. To make her "strong and independent" they make her some kind of irrational Lady Conan. The failed pilot, written by David E. Kelley (you know, from Boston Legal), tried to do everything at once which only made it come out like a weird halter top mess. They'd have to make her both a powerful Amazon and a caring, dimensional woman. Something that has been done both inside comics and out (ahem Justice League ahem). Make her someone you can connect to and empathize with, and you'll have yourself a franchise that at least could rival Superman's. What do you think? Is Wonder Woman good enough to stand on her own? Or is she a one dimensional relic of another time?