A trans row has erupted over Wonder Woman after DC released a new version of the iconic superhero.
Created as a female superhero in the male-dominated comic book world, Wonder Woman has become one of the most recognisable and enduring female icons of our time.
Now, DC Comics has sparked controversy - revealing a new version of the character in what the publisher describes as a “trans power fantasy” mini-series.
In this series, centred around girl power, the openly trans DC character "Dreamer" is found taking Wonder Woman’s place, in an alternative reality universe.
The first issue of 'Justice League: Dream Girls' has been released as part of DC’s annual Pride publishing initiative.
IMDb broke the news with the headline “DC Unveils New Trans Wonder Woman ...and she's perfect”.
Wonder Woman was essentially designed to be the perfect woman, so recreation of the "perfect" woman as biologically male, has attracted the attention of some critics who question what this development means.
Susan Smith, Co-Director of For Women Scotland, a key figure in the landmark Supreme Court case concerning the legal definition of “sex”, said: "Little girls have so few superheroes, but it seems the powers that be are determined to take even those away reinforcing the message that women and girls will never be as good as a man who apes us.
"'She's perfect'", no doubt because she's not hampered by all the female frailties."
Wonder Woman has been saving the world for more than 80 years.
Created by William Moulton Marston in 1941, the purpose of the character was clear - to be a powerful female hero capable of standing alongside Superman and Batman.
Mr Marston's created her in response to concerns about a lack of female role models in the superhero genre.
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It was important that her power did not derive from her resemblance to men but was instead rooted in her femininity.
After playing Wonder Woman in the 2017 film, actress Gal Gadot said: "All of the guys, all men, all boys, always had a figure to look up to.
"Whether it’s Superman or Batman or Spider-Man or whatever it is, they always had heroes to look up to, and for girls it’s always the princesses who are being saved, who are being passive.
"Finally, [there's] Wonder Woman. She’s fierce, she’s proactive, she believes in herself, she believes she can do everything, and that’s a true woman to me."
Wonder Woman hails from the island of Themyscira, home to the Amazons – an all-female society known for its strength, independence and warrior culture.
Shortly after her introduction into the DC Universe, she secured her position as one of the central figures of the Justice League, the top superhero team.
Julia Williams, a founding member of SEEN in Publishing, an organisation monitoring trans activism in literature, said: "Wonder Woman mythology is replete with feminist references, some obvious, some not.
"It is a shame that DC Comics wish to erase the very thing which Marston sought to promote.’
Supporters of the storyline argue that the comic does not replace the original Wonder Woman but instead presents an alternative reality interpretation intended to expand transgender representation within the comics. Others argue that it’s a step too far.
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