50 years ago, Lynda Carter saved Wonder Woman from DC Comics
The Wonder Woman television series starring Lynda Carter is celebrating its 50th anniversary, marking half a century since the show redefined the DC Comics character for popular culture. The series debuted in 1975 on ABC as The New Original Wonder Woman, following an earlier attempt featuring actress Cathy Lee Crosby in a made-for-TV movie in 1974. After the initial pilot, the network aired two one-hour specials in April 1976 before launching the show’s official first season.
Carter’s portrayal became iconic and revitalized the character during a significant moment in Wonder Woman’s comic book history. In the late 1960s, writer Denny O’Neil and artist Mike Sekowsky had depowered the character in the comics, removing her superhero abilities and reimagining Diana Prince as a martial arts-trained spy. The television series arrived at this crossroads and helped restore the character’s prominence through mainstream media exposure.
The show’s success demonstrated television’s power to reshape comic book characters and introduce them to audiences beyond traditional comic readers. Lynda Carter’s performance transcended the source material and established Wonder Woman as a cultural phenomenon, creating a legacy that continues to influence how the character is portrayed in modern adaptations. The series’ impact on superhero television proved the commercial viability of comic book adaptations during an era when such properties were not yet considered mainstream entertainment properties.