How did Wonder Woman's portrayal differ from many early comic-book superheroines?

In an era when many early comic-book superheroines were primarily utilized for "cheesecake" titillation or functioned merely as secondary adjuncts to more powerful male counterparts, Wonder Woman stood apart as a distinct and independent figure.1

Created by William Moulton Marston, the character was explicitly designed as "psychological propaganda" to promote a new type of woman who possessed both the strength of Superman and the allure of a beautiful woman. While other heroines of the time were often relegated to supporting roles, Wonder Woman was a central, confident protagonist who frequently advocated for the power of womanhood and the necessity of female solidarity.231

Her portrayal was deeply influenced by Marston’s background in the women’s suffrage movement and his belief that women would eventually lead the world into a more peaceful age. Consequently, she resonated with female readers by offering a powerful, self-reliant model of femininity that challenged the prevailing industry norms of the 1940s.231