Tiffany Fallon: Wonder Woman Vs Feminist?

This is the dumbest story on line. A hottie covered in body paint makes the cover of Playboy. Problem? Yes. The body paint is a Wonder Woman Costume. A fantasy for men, but what does this mean for women? Is this a silent blow that's detrimental to women? Of course not. This should not be a controversy. So why all the hoopla?

Tiffany Fallon is the classic American hottie. She was a former cheerleader for the Atlanta Falcons. She won the Miss Georgia USA 2001 title, and later represented the state in Miss USA 2001. In 2005, Fallon posed for Playboy magazine, and became Playmate of the year. Her most current job, is co host on IFL Battleground.

The fuss: Tiffany Fallon made the cover of Playboy magazine body painted as Wonder Woman. Being the most revered super heroine of comic books, and adopted as a feminist icon, women (or at least the press) are crying foul at the sensualization of the comic icon.

Why Care: Every time some holier than thou soccer mom in Corntown, Middle America gets offended by something on a TV show, they traditionally start some silly campaign to rid the airwaves of "said" bad programming. And the eventual retaliation response from both true fans, actors, etc is = turn off your TV. If people don't watch a show, why the hell are they so up an arms?

I went through that long analogy to ask a pertinent question. "Who reads comic books?" Let's be serious, and realistic. Very few women, and very few children read comic books. I guess it's unfortunate that some women will have to develop thick skin when they hear men in the comic book store drooling over Tiffany Fallon as Wonder Woman. But, I suspect these comic book reading women, already have the tolerance to deal with their male counterparts after years of Psylocke, Red Monika, Batgirl, Lucy Lui, Britney Spears, Pussycat Dolls, etc.

To be brutal and surpass even the sexy Playboy cover, DC Comics could portray Wonder Woman monthly as a purveyor of casual sex if they wanted. And what impact would all these critics, feminist, and journalist have? None, because they don't buy Wonder Woman, much less comic books. So they can shut up.

The Writer: Online blog www.pinkraygun.com wonders what Gail Simone, the current scribe for Wonder Woman would think of the sexy cover. Www.pinkraygun.com even quotes that after sixty years, Gail Simone is the first woman to write Wonder Woman. I really question their credentials, since Gail is actually taking over the book after Jodi Picoult, who is also a woman.

Regardless, I say, it doesn't matter what the writer thinks. The writers of any comic book, are barely even caretakers. Any comic book story dealing with an important, iconic, character is directed by committee meetings. Usually a summer retreat where writers join editors to find the direction of the story for the next year. Meaning, whatever Gail Simone is writing now, is derived from what a committee decision months ago.

The Real Story: Really, this story is not about Wonder Woman and the denigration of the feminist symbol. This story is actually about the press attacking a woman that became a success because of her beauty. Our reality: Beauty of Brains. Women make their success in life from their body. Strippers can earn more money than teachers. Looks might only be skin deep, but they matter more than substance. And songs by India Arie can not change that.

The sad truth is that no one can attack an intangible reality, so they attack the reflection of a world that displeases them.

At the time of writing this, Tiffany is happily married to Joe Don Rooney, a member of The Rascal Flatts, and they are expecting their first child in May 2008.