Imagine Loisa of the House of Lane, Last Daughter of Krypton, being sent to the Earth right before her home planet explodes. On the Earth she is adopted by the kindly (yes!) Sam and Ellen Lane (what a coincidence) who names the girl Lois. (Another coincidence, I know.) Lois Lane grows up, develops superpowers, adopts the secret identity of Ultra Woman and starts using her powers for the greater good. Pursuing a career as a reporter she meets handsome Earthling Clark Kent and falls in love, but complications arise because she won't tell him her secret. Eventually their mutual love overcomes their frustrations, and they get married.
On a secret island somewhere in the Pacific is a strange all-male society centered around a strange character called Superman. Superman is nowhere near as super as Ultra Woman and derives most of his powers from his equipment: his boots, his belt, his S-shield and his cape. Superman finds out about Ultra Woman and decides that she is worthy of marrying him. Since she is already married Superman decides to kidnap her husband, Clark Kent, and force him to duel to the death over the love of Ultra Woman. Clark Kent bravely accepts the challenge, shaves off his hair and strips down naked. He demands that Superman removes every last piece of clothing or equipment from his body before the duel can begin. Superman reluctantly complies. They fight, wearing each other down more and more, coming close to killing one another.
Ultra Woman has finally located the island where her husband is being held captive. She lands on the island, to the horror of the men living there. She brings a stop to the duel and makes sure that her husband gets the very best medical care that the island can offer. She bawls the men out, scolds them, frightens them, lectures them and threatens them. A particularly insolent man throws a punch at her and promptly breaks his hand. Ultra Woman speaks to Superman, tells him that she would never marry somebody like him, forbids him to ever show himself in Metropolis again, issues a final warning and flies her beloved Clark Kent back to civilization. The end.
I don't know... this sounds a bit sexist somehow, doesn't it? The problem as I see it is the super-macho masculine, militant and authoritarian society of men only, being punished by a brave and super-strong woman.
In your story, Terry, there is a super-feminist, highly authoritarian and rigid society made up of women only. Such a society has clearly never existed in the history of the Earth. I don't mind a wicked Wonder Woman, because deranged individuals have always existed, but a society like that all-female one is just a sexist fantasy.
Apart from my objections to the super-feminist, super-authoritarian society, I have really, really enjoyed myself reading this tale. I have particularly loved the portrait of Lois. Her courage, her sorrow, her love, her joy... all of it has been splendidly told and described! And the suspense when Lois was fighting Wonder Woman was almost killing me. Also, I very much enjoyed the sometimes comic book-y feeling of the fic.
So, Terry, I really want to thank you for this story, even if it is not over yet.
Ann
