Check out the new Wonder Woman costume above. That's her on the left... and you'll notice she's wearing pants. After nearly seven decades of fighting crime in a swimsuit and boots, the female superhero will appear in issue #600 next week with her legs covered.
Along with the new duds, Wonder Woman is getting a new, tougher image. She'll have a darker backstory--no more Paradise Island--so her clothes need to show it off.
"It reflects her origins in both the outside world and the world of Amazons: tough, elegant...a street-fighter’s look which also incorporates elements of her classic design," incoming series writer J. Michael Straczynski told the Cristian Science Monitor. "It reflects the two sides warring for ultimate victory, and underscores the path she must take."
I think this is a horrible development. Sure, it's patently ridiculous to fight crime in a pair of bootie shorts, but so is an invisible jet. Wonder Woman's loopy charm practically depends on a lack of pants.
Then there's the backstory -- I know dark, conflicted heroes "sell" in today's world, but can't we have any heroes who aren't all troubled and broody? I'll take a peppy do-gooder in hot pants over some tortured, punk-rock chick any day of the week... besides, there's one real Wonder Woman in my heart, and her name is Lynda Carter. No-pants was good enough for Lynda, and it should be good enough for this new, modern Wonder Woman.
Comic book expert and Fresh Ink host Blair Butler disagrees with me, pointing out that fighting crime in the comic book equivalent of your aunt's bathing suit is simply impractical, and that if Wonder Woman wants a film career, she'd better cover her gams. Here's Blair's mini-rant on the subject:
"For all the bloggers muttering that DC has, 'ruined' Wonder Woman, a few quick things. Number one: costume changes are par for the course in comics. If you think the new look is forever, you’ve clearly never read a comic book. Remember Spider-Man’s disco-ball armor from back in the day? Or his Cirque du Soleil 'Iron Spider' jumpsuit? Yeah, I’ve tried to block that out, too. Number two: Fighting crime without pants is utterly impractical. I don’t care if you’re a semi-indestructible Amazon – it’s a crappy idea. If DC wants to make a solid case for Wonder Woman popping up in movies – and they should -- then maybe giving her pants isn’t a bad idea. Because an ARTIST can draw Wonder Woman with star-spangled drawers that stay perfectly modest, even when she’s throwing a roundhouse at someone – but in a MOVIE, if you wear that, every time Diana high-kicks a bank robber, she’s going to be pulling 'a Brittany.' And, for the record, if you object to this outfit for purely aesthetic reasons – fine – but did you see that horrible white pants-suit she wore in 1969? Just saying."
Check out the new pictures and leave your comments below, Wonder Woman fans.
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G4ChuckW
In the Movie its o.k. to change the Costume because in every movie they change the costume somewhat to make it look good on film (Wolverine would of looked ridiculous in yellow spandex on the big screen). In the comics its completely unacceptable to not have WW in her drawles fighting crime. Honestly the fact that the Swimsuit worked in the TV show proves it could work in the movie...besides all the action is gonna be CG anyway. Which one of these 110 lb. anorexic broads in Hollywood could pull off the physical stunts required to be WW.
dfalken
Nope, gave it some time and still hate it. Gimme the old, leg showing, ultra sexy, red, white, and blue Wonder Woman any day. Changing her to make her edgier is just plain stupid.... We've all come to know her as she is, THE pinup girl of super heroines, and that's how she should stay. You want tougher, darker verson of her, come up with a new super....
Koventry
Honestly, the new look isn't bad, except for the 90s-style jacket. THAT should have been left in the past. But does anyone remember the 70s movie (pre-TV series) starring Cathy Lee Crosby as WW? Dreadful movie, but the jumpsuit-style costume she FINALLY wore in the last third of the film was actually kind of cool. Still colorful, but functional; more realistic for combat than a bathing suit. It even stored her lasso INSIDE her belt. Just my $.02.
what0080
Yes, DC. Change Wonder Woman. Because the last time you changed Wonder Woman went over soooo well...
pan2dapan
This makes me pretty sad. WW has been my favorite hero and role-model since I was but a wee tot. And seeing this drastic of a change breaks my heart. I loved that while other heroes changed costumes like underwear (no pun intended), she stayed mostly the same over all this time.
I'm also sad to see Paradise Island go. It's her Krypton or Smallville. Why does she have to have a darker or edgier story? There is so much of that in comics and movies nowadays, that it's refreshing to have that purity and light coming from someone like her. I'm just sad that she now has to traverse this path now.
Wondy, I'm gonna remember you for the goddess of truth that you are, everything a woman should aspire to be, courageous, strong, independent, loyal, smart, nuturing, the list goes on. And when this journey's over, I'll be waiting for you to return.
drh1975
I'm with Lady Blair on this one. Besides, Wonder Woman is DC's property. If they want her to look like Captain America in drag-not that she does-that's how the artist is gonna draw her. Deal with it. If you don't like it, don't read the comic.
Coolman13355
First off I agree with V_Translanka if JMS is cool with this then I'm good. Second what in the heck does the Christian Science Monitor have to do with this?
Spartan870
Well it dosen't look like Wonder Woman to me, so I guess they are losing the iconic look. In my opinion though it looks much better.
Ian528
I don't care about the pants.... I will say that the outfit previously was not good. It was however ICONIC. If you saw it you knew what it was. She has always been the weakest of the DC trinity and thats fine. However, to take her and make her look like several other characters kind of kills the whole ICONIC piece of wonder woman. I would actually object less if it was gaudier but still had the whole stars and stripes piece worked in. They are down playing that and making her look like rogue, black canary and a host of other heroines. It may look stupid but the old costume just does not look like anybody elses costume.
MindTricked
While I have no problem with the pants (for the most part), the look (and "newer, darker!") back-story is SERIOUSLY late 80s/early 90s. I mean, wow. Here's betting that WW 600 will have foil-stamped holographic cardstock covers, multiple variant covers done by various Image founders, and a game card insert.
Oh, and Blair? I do believe that Spidey only wore that "disco ball armor" for one issue, Web of Spider-Man 200... although it might have had a cameo at the end of 199, and might have lasted until 201 (it's been years since I read it), it was definitely gone by 202.
akumasaint
Paints are okay. Not much of a big deal really (and it makes sense to have her wear pants). It could be worst, she could have turn into a guy.
BullKingSix
Is it Donna Troy or Diana Prince? thats the biggest question....
TKEmysterio
This is all just prep work for a movie. Nothing more, nothing less.
Necros_hun
I like the new design, but I'm not really a fan of the character. It would change if they got Tabrett Bethell to play her in a movie though. :D
dfalken
I HATE it... It can't be Wonder Woman without that outfit. The chance of a little slip out is the whole point...for us guys. If a movie is made without that lovely velvet toe, I'll, I'll just.. Pout....
WonderPuddin
What's this 'dark' backstory going to be? I'll weep if they make her an former prostitute/ battered wife.
scurryby
I'm looking forward to it. If you want someone not all troubled and broody then read Power Girl. Although i'm not too sure if that's gonna hold with the new team.
hezzron73
Awful. Jacket sucks. She looks like Janet Jackson circa 20 years ago.
DigitalChicanery
Sorry... If I would see a Wonder Woman movie, it would ONLY be to ogle Actress X's legs the entire time. Just bleh.
Championship
I blame Disney.
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