By Colleen O’Connor

This week “Wonder Woman,” the movie, debuts. The timing couldn’t be more apt.

Alongside the ancient, mythical comic-book heroine stand the new powerhouses of the political world: Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, now known as the “leader of the free world”; Theresa May, the prime minister of the United Kingdom and formidable champion of Brexit (the UK’s exit from the European Union); and Melania Trump, whose star power on the recent U.S. presidential visit abroad inspired genuine awe and resistance while simply standing still.

They are all versions of the original Wonder Woman. Strong, intelligent and sexy. Fighters with a moral compass, and a huge following. To say nothing of a sense of humor.

Alongside the ancient, mythical comic-book heroine stand the new powerhouses of the political world: Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, now known as the “leader of the free world”; Theresa May, the prime minister of the United Kingdom and formidable champion of Brexit (the UK’s exit from the European Union); and Melania Trump, whose star power on the recent U.S. presidential visit abroad inspired genuine awe and resistance while simply standing still.

They are all versions of the original Wonder Woman. Strong, intelligent and sexy. Fighters with a moral compass, and a huge following. To say nothing of a sense of humor.

Now, place them in front of the recent “Woman’s March On Washington” where some estimated the crowd size as three times the size of the Trump inaugural. See the potential influence?

Let’s start with Angela Merkel. Seeking her fourth term in September, with no one within shouting distance of defeating her, Merkel is often called “the most powerful woman in the word.” She, who has led Germany through re-unification, an immigration/refugee crises, and disaffected neighbors, sits atop one of the world’s economic powerhouses.

For that, she has drawn the ire of President Trump, who tweeted: “Our relationship with Germany is very bad.” That earned him an even a more stinging rebuke from the measured Merkel. “The times in which we could completely depend on others are, to a certain extent, over,” she told an election rally in Munich. “I’ve experienced that in the last few days. We Europeans truly have to take our fate into our own hands.”

Then there is Theresa May, also facing re-election this June, but with every indication of winning—and possibly winning big. In the recent by local by-elections in England, Scotland and Wales, May led her Tories to the first governing party win since 1982—a massive net gain of 556 seats—according to a BBC tally.

To appreciate May’s other fun talent—her quick-wittedness—watch the Prime Ministers Questions Time with her fighting back live against the Labour MPs.

Both May and Merkel, jostle constantly with the press, constituents, government officials and serious issues of terrorism—to say nothing of comments on their shoes, pants suits, and pearls. Both are also daughters of ministers. Their religious upbringing dictates their moral compass.

So, too, with Melania Trump. Fashion icon and the first Catholic woman in the White House—since Jacqueline Kennedy.

Look at the photos (albeit selective)—even the Pope is entranced.

Think about it. Who stepped outside Air Force One when it landed in Saudi Arabia—without a headscarf, long hair flowing, and girded in a gold-belted black pants suit that said it all? Cleopatra on her barge would have been impressed by Melania’s quiet defiance.

So, too, were the non-feminist Saudis. That picture appeared—the next day—on the front of both their newspapers and magazines with the title “Classy and Conservative.” And what a revolutionary image for all the young Middle Eastern women in hijabs and burquas.

Who also determines her own schedule, her own residence (wisely avoiding the crocodile infested swamp of the capitol), chooses her own clothes, and speaks more languages than a diplomat? Melania Trump.

And whose popularity is soaring much higher than the President of the United States?

Now, imagine these three world-wise women sitting down to tea at the Savoy.

What might they discuss? President Trump’s notorious handshakes?

Merkel: How Donald Trump boorishly snubbed the chancellor when she politely leaned forward to asked if he wanted a handshake for the assembled photographers?

May: How quickly Donald Trump grabbed her hand for safety, and held it, while traversing a few steps outside the Oval Office.

And Melania Trump: How she swatted away her husband’s unwanted hand grasp in what became a viral sensation?

Which of these three Wonder Women would you bet has best mastered the “Art of the Deal?”

Colleen O’Connor is a native San Diegan and a retired college professor. This article is reprinted from The Times of San Diego which, along with The Moderate Voice, is a member of the San Diego Online News Association.