10 Quotes That Prove Wonder Woman Is The Best Hero In The DC Animated Universe

Across the DC Animated Universe (or DCAU for short), fans have rejoiced at seeing their favorite heroes in animated form. From the television hits of the ’90s like Batman: The Animated Series and Justice League: Unlimited to the animated films of Justice League: Dark and All-Star Superman, there have been many iterations of our favorite superheroes.

Despite the large cast of characters that have appeared across the DCAU, Wonder Woman can be argued as the greatest hero of them all. With her warrior strength, knowledge of magical artifacts, and the bravery to confront any foe for her beliefs, there’s a reason she has remained a beloved character after all these years.

Her Independence

“Why would anyone want to cover up her natural beauty?”

Throughout both the best episodes of Justice League and Justice League: Unlimited animated shows, there has been room to see a vast number of heroes and villains develop and explore new ideas. Wonder Woman is no exception, seeing her being tested time and time again by the DC rogues gallery and human society in general.

Diana is seen looking around a shop in the opening scene of the episode “Fury” when she bumps into a woman trying on lipstick. Despite her confusion on the need for make-up, the writers were able to make Wonder Woman someone who embraced herself. Furthermore, it shows that Diana doesn’t always have to accept social norms to fit in and is comfortable with the way she is.

Her Vulnerability

“There are times where faith is all we have to rely on.”

Throughout the many adventures that the Justice League have been on, it’s safe to assume that their believes and moral codes would be tested now and again. As someone who grew up with Greek gods and goddesses being real entities and she herself living longer than ordinary humans, it’s no surprise that this exchange with Hawkgirl would be true for her.

Being in close proximity to alien conquerors, mad scientists and dangerous weapons made by man would test her belief in herself and the world she is trying to protect. This shows that she is able to be vulnerable and human with her teammate and that even someone as powerful as her needs to have something to rely on and believe in.

Her Unique Fashion Sense

“And what’s wrong with the way I dress?”

Throughout the entire history of Wonder Woman as a comic book or adapted into another form of media, there always seems to be someone ridiculing her costume. And in Justice League, a cheesy television presenter is just another one to ridicule her.

The character of Diana has always embraced her strengths and the way she looks, proudly wearing her costume as a symbol of empowerment. Throughout the show, she never gives in to the pressure of criticism or changes her outfit; instead, she continues to wear what makes her feel right and be who she is.

Her Relentless Persistence

“And I’ll be waiting.”

Justice League: Unlimited saw the introduction of Hawk and Dove finally appearing in an episode that shared the same name. The two brothers join Wonder Woman to stop Ares from starting a new war with the help of a new and powerful weapon.

After defeating the God of War, Ares threatens to return and ignite chaos where prejudice and inequality live. As a defender of justice and powerful foe against those who look down on others, Diana reminds him and the audience how she will never give up on those that need her. Her determination and the ability to see the good in all humans shines through this one moment, never giving up on people, no matter who they may be.

Her Intelligence

“Having power and knowing how to use it aren’t the same thing.”

In the 2010 animated film, Batman/Superman: Apocalypse, Supergirl finds herself on Earth after escaping the destruction of her home planet Krypton. After meeting her cousin Superman and learning about humans, she goes to Themyscira to train among the Amazon warriors.

While Supergirl has incredible strength and powers, Wonder Woman’s knowledge of using them in combat is unrivaled. She demonstrates with this one quote to Superman that an understanding of control in combat is key to victory and her knowledge and fighting ability is what has made her the Justice League’s most powerful member. Her teachings even help Supergirl to fight off Darkseid in the process.

Her Wisdom In Battle

“Sometimes it takes more strength not to fight.”

In the Justice League: Unlimited episode “Hawk and Dove,” the two superhero brothers team up with Wonder Woman to stop Ares, one of Wonder Woman’s most loved villains. With Ares thinking he will win with a gigantic robotic weapon, Dove stops fighting it and is able to defeat the machine with nothing more than peace, much to Ares’s dismay.

Wonder Woman acknowledges what fans have seen several times before throughout the show and that sometimes no fighting can stop anything. Diana is one of the most experienced and intelligent heroes throughout all of DC and as a warrior, she knows that not all situations can be resolved with battles.

Her Faith In The Truth

“Embrace your truth, my friend.”

Justice League: War may have lots of scenes to highlight the greatest heroes of DC, but Wonder Woman certainly had a lot of elements to face. Most notably, the scene where she encounters protestors outside the White House against her and the property damage that other heroes have unintentionally done.

But to disperse the group, she uses an unexpected weapon: the truth, or in other words, the lasso of truth. She is able to defuse the situation without having to fight or debate anyone and end a fight before it begins with very wise words. While this version of Diana is fairly new to the world of man, she shows that not all things have to end with intimidation and the end of her sword.

Her Respect For Mankind

“I’m sorry these men hampered your day.”

The standalone film Wonder Woman: Bloodlines sees Diana in many great scenes: her relationship with Steve Trevor; the fight against Medusa; and even getting a new and updated costume. And yet the opening fight scene with a group of criminals has a line that shows how different she is from her other super-powered colleagues.

After swiftly taking down the gang and saving a woman in the process, Diana confers with her before having to take off. During this transaction, she shows her politeness and maturity as only someone of long age can demonstrate. While other heroes have to remain in character as their alter egos, Diana embraces that Wonder Woman is just a title and has no fear to embrace those she saves.

Her Enjoyment At Being a Role Model For Young Girls

“I will welcome your sisterhood, Hannah.”

In one of the first of a series of canonical animated films, Justice League: War saw multiple superheroes joining forces to defend the Earth from Darkseid and his army of paradaemons. Among them, Wonder Woman certainly had plenty of shining moments, especially with her battle against the alien conquerer.

But when she befriends a young girl, we see why she is among one of DC’s greatest heroes. After telling her she wants to become Wonder Woman herself, Diana doesn’t talk down to her and instead welcomes her dream to be a hero. While there have been many scenes of her encountering young girls, this is one of the defining moments as it shows them sharing a very human moment, exchanging dreams, and enjoying ice cream together.

Her Amusement At Being Underestimated By Men

“Do you really think so little of me?”

Based on the one-off graphic novel Superman: Red Son where Superman is raised in Soviet Russia, this animated film saw many twisted versions of beloved heroes and classic villains. But despite this alternative universe, Diana remained true to her character despite her disappointment that the world of men is going into another war.

After saving Superman from the Green Lantern Corps, she tries to stop him from starting the impending battles that will come, reminding him of the planet they share. Worried she can be manipulated, Superman refuses to do things peacefully. While this exchange may be brief, her actions reflect the statement as she easily blocks an attack from him and the Green Lanterns in the process.