"Wonder Women! The Untold Story of American Superheroines" Premieres Tonight, Monday April 15, on PBS's "Independent Lens"

For many years, there has been talk of a Wonder Woman movie, but for some reason it never seems to come to fruition. Perhaps the major studios who have the money to back superhero projects do not think a female lead character will fill seats or lead to a franchise, such as the popular Dark Knight triology or the recent Avengers related films that have performed incredibly well at the box office. There was also a pilot for a Wonder Woman television series that was produced not too long ago that failed to be picked up as a regular series. Yet, the character still seems to thrive in comic books, including the Justice League and in her own titular series. Insight into the character of Wonder Woman is discussed in depth in Wonder Women! The Untold Story of American Superheroines, which premieres tonight, Monday April 15, on PBS's Independent Lens (check your local listings for time and availability). Other comic book superheroines and also briefly discussed or mentioned, including Catwoman, She-Hulk, Batwoman and Batgirl. Wonder Women! also focuses on television superheroines, including The Bionic Woman, Buffy The Vampire Slayer and features comments from Lynda Carter, who portrayed Wonder Woman in the successful television series, of the same name, in the 1970s, and from feminist icon Gloria Steinem.

While no big screen adaptations of solo superheroines are currently planned, many characters star in their own monthly comic titles, including Batgirl, Catwoman, Batwoman, Captain Marvel, Red She-Hulk, Supergirl and Birds of Prey, which features an all female team. In addition, The Invisible Woman is still an integral part of the Fantastic Four and many female mutants continue to play prominent roles in popular titles, including Storm, Emma Frost, Rogue and the Scarlet Witch.

Filmmakers Kristy Guevara-Flanagan and Kelcey Edwards focus on the popular representations of powerful women since Wonder Woman's debut in 1941 and the impact they have had on society and vice versa. Initially, Wonder Woman was portrayed as a powerful superhero during the second World War, but afterwards was stripped of that power and was written in stereotypical terms for many years. Her fascinating evolution takes center stage as various interviewees explain how the character has positively impacted their lives in the intriguing hour long special that debuts tonight.