Princess Diana may be the most well-known Wonder Woman, but one of her allies on the Justice League deserves a shot at taking the mantle for herself. The New God and ex-Female Fury Big Barda has consistently proved she has the warrior spirit necessary to take on the Wonder Woman moniker.
Big Barda hails from Apokolips, the same world ruled by the notorious despot, Darkseid. Barda was trained by birth by one of the most feared warriors in all of Darkseid's armies, Granny Goodness, to become a part of her elite fighting force, the Female Furies. However, Barda met Scott Free, aka Mister Miracle, and fell deeply in love with him. Together, they escaped the fiery pits of Apokolips and made a life for themselves on Earth. Since leaving Apokolips, Barda has worked alongside several DC heroes and earned a spot on the Justice League alongside her husband.
In the Justice League series JLA, Big Barda had a sizable role on the team. Nothing showed the skills and determination she brought to the team better than JLA #1000000 by Grant Morrison and Howard Porter. The League has been displaced in time and wound up in the future shown in the DC One Million crossover. The team comes across Justice Legion Alpha, the League of the 853rd century, but due to a techno-organic virus, paranoia is running rampant among the team. Convinced that they must fight off their future legacies, the JLA prepares for battle on the Watchtower, awaiting the arrival of the Legion. Upon their entrance, Barda is one of the first to spring into battle, taking on the Legion's Wonder Woman. Though the hero gives her all, Barda proves to be too much for the future Wonder Woman, especially once she pulls out a particle canon.
Wonder Woman Would Be A Good Step For Big Barda
Though Princess Diana is the Wonder Woman most fans may be familiar with, she’s far from the only person to hold the title. Her mother, Queen Hippolyta, as well Diana’s sisters, Nubia and Donna Troy, have also been Wonder Woman at various points. And every person that’s earned the moniker have all had two things in common: the heart of a warrior and a capacity for love. And Big Barda enough of both to bear the Wonder Woman identity with pride.
If the one bearing Wonder Woman’s title needs to possess a tenacious spirit, few meet that requirement more than Big Barda. Not only is she the best Female Fury to come out of Apokolips, she’s bested some of the greatest fighters in Darkseid’s army (even defeating the tyrant herself in some continuities). The training of Granny Goodness couldn’t destroy the kindness and love Barda has, and her enduring relationship with Scott Free is a shining example of the warrior’s gentle side. The Justice League’s Big Barda is everything a Wonder Woman should be, and she deserves a shot at taking the mantle for herself.