I was just browsing through the net when I saw some articles relating to Wonder Woman. It appears that DC Comics and J. Michael Straczynski has tied up some ridiculous story that has changed Wonder Woman! After doing some extensive research, I found out that not only has JMS revamped Wonder Woman's story- he has also changed her costume and altered her origins! Are these people insane???
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| The New (Improved???) Wonder Woman |
I have been an avid fan of the Amazon Princess since I was a kid. Wonder Woman has been a staple image in the world of cartoons and comic books. Created by William Moulton Marston way back in 1941, Wonder Woman has been by far the most popular female super hero the world has ever known. Joining the ranks of equally iconic heroes like Superman & Batman, Wonder Woman has forged an identity of her own beginning from her origins to her storyline and through her costume. The world has known Wonder Woman's costume all these years and has become familiar with it. Why the sudden change? She's been locked into pretty much the exact same outfit since her debut in 1941 and people have come to know her in it. This sudden change is not going to be well accepted by fans- and down right so will I!
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| Wonder Woman Through The Years |
I don't mind seeing some changes in her costume. All throughout the years, Wonder Woman has undergone some minor but detailed costume changes. From the red sandals and skirt to the high cut red boots with white lining and shorts. Her bracelets also made some serious redefining- from short and blue to long and silver. Even her logo and tiara has undergone changes; the eagle is gone and in place is a gold WW breastplate. Her tiara has gone from triangular to diamond. But despite these changes, Wonder Woman has remained true to her origins and look. People were able to easily accept the changes due to it's modern day improvement.
But this new look that JMS and DC Comics have agreed upon is way too drastic- too modern for the fan's taste. It almost seem like it's not Wonder Woman at all! Gone is her iconic uniform that has been known all over the world and in replace is some modern day tights that barely sets her apart from a common hero in a movie version. Her bracelets are good redefinition but still not acceptable. Looking at Diana in this costume made me think they might as well have changed her entirely from Diana to a totally new person! I don't know who the hell is in that costume but I know that it's not Wonder Woman!
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| From Old To New Wonder Woman |
There was this one time that they have attempted to change Wonder Woman's costume- back in the time when another amazon replaced her (Artemis) as Wonder Woman. That costume change didn't go so well. Fans hated it and after 10 issues, they killed off Artemis and placed Diana back to the mantle of Wonder Woman. This new change isn't going to be any better. I could almost see it now- fans were enraged with this sudden movement!
I got word from one article on the net (http://www.comicbookmovie.com/news/?a=19572) that this change is because of the upcoming Wonder Woman movie that Josh Wheddon was trying to launch into production. That movie idea has been ongoing for years now- 10 years to be exact! Last I heard, the main reason they can't start filming is because they can't find a new face that will fit Wonder Woman as we have come to know her. They are desperately trying to find someone who would resemble Lynda Carter from her TV adaptation in 1978. If their only problem was the face- why change the whole costume?
According to an interview with Jim Lee, they have decided that it's time to give Wonder Woman a new look to fit modern times. "Visually, the character seems edgier than before but stylish enough to warrant a second, albeit cautious, glance," Lee wrote on DC’s blog. "The jacket and boots confirm the costume’s functionality and the open, thinner tiara and shaped bracelets reveal a lighter, even youthful, bent to the Amazonian Princess." says Lee. Wrong move! This is not what the fans are looking for!
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| Wonder Woman In Her New Costume |
I sure hope that it's not too late to change Diana back to her original costume. The comic book change has been running for 7 issues now (until February 2011). I'm counting 10 issues all in all and the change should take place. In my opinion (and in most fan's opinion as well judging by all the nasty comments they left on several blogs) Wonder Woman is an icon; like Superman and Batman. you can't change her costume just like you can't change Superman or Batman's no matter what. Changing their costumes is like totally changing who they are. These heroes are timeless- there's no need for them to adapt to modern day changes. They have been globally known for the costumes they wear. That's their identity. Changing their looks will destroy these heroes careers.
I vote to change Wonder Woman back to her old costume. What is yours?
