25 things you didn’t know about Wonder Woman

18. Her bracelets might actually limit her powers

Besides being cool accessories, Wonder Woman’s bracelets have historically been important parts of her costume.

According to Wonder Woman creator William Moulton Marston, the bracelets are properly called the “Bracelets of Submission”. As you likely remember, Marston had some, shall we say, interesting ideas about gender, submission, and bondage. Marston believed that submission to a loving authority was an important need of the human psyche. Without it, the human ego could go unchecked, causing destruction to the individual and their community.

The Amazons living on Themyscira were originally shown wearing these bracelets as a symbol of their submission to Aphrodite, patron of their people. Removing the bracelets might mean that a given Amazon would fly into a vicious, near-uncontrollable frenzy.

However, this aspect of the bracelets has been quietly swept under the rug by most subsequent writers. Rather, creators have been more apt to focus on the practicalities of the bracelets. They can deflect bullets and other projectiles, for one. The bracelets have also been able to absorb the energy of a long fall or forceful impact.

Now, in the New 52 continuity, they may have another purpose altogether. Diana, who is now a semi-divine daughter of Zeus, has hinted that she may be wearing them to level the playing field. As it turns out, her bracelets may, in fact, limit her powers, leaving readers to wonder just how strong this new Wonder Woman really is.