Wonder Woman gets a new costume

[Spider-Man]

According to the New York Times, Wonder Woman is getting a major makeover.


Starting today, Wonder Woman will appear like you’ve never seen her before.

As you may have seen in THE NEW YORK TIMES, bestselling artist and DC Comics Co-Publisher Jim Lee has redesigned her costume for the modern era, just in time for BABYLON 5 creator and critically acclaimed writer J. Michael Straczynski and artists Don Kramer and Michael Babinski to launch the Amazon Princess into an exciting and epic new era of adventure.

Starting with their story in WONDER WOMAN #600, which is in comic shops today, JMS and Kramer will begin a run that is both forward-looking and true to the legendary character, planting her firmly in the modern era. But enough about what I have to say. Mr. Straczynski took some time out of his schedule to lay out some of his plans for WONDER WOMAN right here on The Source. So, without further adieu, take it away, Joe:

Suppose you woke up one morning, or turned a corner, and suddenly the life you had been leading up to that moment…was not the life you were leading.

Suppose someone went back in time and changed one thing, and it changed your life to the point that you had little or no memory of what life had been like before the change happened. What would you do to get it back? Should you get it back? Who did it? And maybe more important…why did they do it?

http://dcu.blog.dccomics.com/files/2010/06/newwwcostume.jpg

See it in action:

http://dcu.blog.dccomics.com/files/2010/06/wonderw1.jpg

Thoughts? I'm really surprised! I wonder if this means DC will have the guts to alter, even slightly, the Batman and Superman costumes.

06/30/10 Mod Update: Wonder Woman #600 is now available (http://www.toonzone.net/forums/showthread.php?t=270121)!

[Bloody Marquis]

It looks all right. Kind of reminiscent of Jenny Sparks' clothes.

[Michael24]

The top portion doesn't look too bad, but the lower half is way too much dark. Overall, I prefer the classic look.

[Ed Liu]

Well, I don't hate it, but that's about the best I can do. It makes her kind of look like Black Canary and kind of like Rogue and kind of like a lot of other superheroes and less like herself. I think it's the jacket. I don't like the bracelets much.

I am also sure that the possibility of a Wonder Woman movie and the number of actors who said "no" (and maybe some of the actors who said "yes") at having to run around in nothing but a star-spangled bathing suit looking good while kicking bad guys in the face had nothing to do with this costume change. Absolutely nothing. Nope.

[unknown hero]

It looks a little dark and edgy for WW, like she's fighting in Gotham all of a sudden. Very street outfit.

[Peter Paltridge]

They already had "the guts" to alter the Superman costume, but that didn't last long. They updated WW once before too, back in the sixties, to make her "mod." No costume change has stuck, no matter how dated and corny the original looks. I take it from the lack of outrage around here, everyone else realizes this is temporary already.

For the record, I don't like either costume.

[King_of_doom]

Like Superman and Spider-Man, this costume will not last long.

[W.C.Reaf]

Well isn't that a coincidence I was just reading an interesting conversation about how WWs look needs to be changed in order to get her to appeal to a wider audience.

Honestly this looks a bit like a costume she's had previously (in the 90s I think) and well that didn't stick.

While I do think the bathing suit look should go the pants are going too far in the other direction. She needs an armoured skirt IMO.

[Bat-Fan Beyond]

I like it. Then again, it's hard for me not to like anything drawn by Jim Lee. But I do think it's modern, practical, functional, and still sexy.

[Silverstar]

OK, who wants to place bets on how long it takes before outraged fans demand for DC to bring WW's old costume back?

[Wolf Boy2]

CHANGE IT BACK!!!

I agree with getting rid of the "swimsuit", but just make it into the armor of New Frontier or the Golden Age. Not this .... whatever the heck it is. :evil:

It looks like Black Canary had a baby with Captain America.

[Knight]

I don't like it. Atleast lose the jacket and the neck choker.

[Jin Kazama]

Wouldn't it just be easier to go with a long-sleeve costume instead of wrestling to keep a jacket on while fighting? Those "in action" shots look terrible.

Other than that, no real issues with it. But, then again, I don't read Wonder Woman, so it doesn't really effect me.

[ryandcow]

Well, I don't hate it, but that's about the best I can do. It makes her kind of look like Black Canary and kind of like Rogue and kind of like a lot of other superheroes and less like herself. I think it's the jacket. I don't like the bracelets much.

I am also sure that the possibility of a Wonder Woman movie and the number of actors who said "no" (and maybe some of the actors who said "yes") at having to run around in nothing but a star-spangled bathing suit looking good while kicking bad guys in the face had nothing to do with this costume change. Absolutely nothing. Nope.

Yea nothing with that. ;)

[GWOtaku]

It's arguably too modern and overcompensation, I'll grant that, but I have no problems whatsoever with updating the costume and letting the character wear, you know, actual clothes. It's certainly a fine look compared to many female characters that are too often drawn as glorified fetish fuel.

Also, JMS' explanation does make sense. Paradise Island is gone in this setting and Diana has to make it in the real world, and there's no denying the practicality of this. And he's quoted in the NYT as saying that “Wonder Woman is a strong, dynamic, vibrant character who should be selling in the top 20, and I’m going to do all I can to get her there.” He cares, and he's a damn good writer. I say people should give this a chance. In fact, if it goes well, I could see myself buying the books for this run. If people really want comics to be dynamic as opposed to being perpetually mired in the status quo, then good faith experimentation like this deserves at least some benefit of the doubt.

[silvanoir]

Sensible pants! I approve!
I like this design! :anime:

...but agree that the leather jacket doesn't really fit. Leather is heavy, gets hot too fast, and I think would be in the way when fighting. Plus she doesn't strike me as a leather-jacket personality.

The old bathingsuit outfit, while classic, is part of what kept me from reading WW.

[Bat-Fan Beyond]

Yeah, but if we lose the jacket, there won't be any blue in her costume.

Hmmmm... I know, I know! We can give her back her star-spangled panty-briefs to wear over her pants! Briefs over pants always works for superheroes.

:D

[wonderfly]

Hmm, well it's another point in favor of me at least trying out JMS' run on Wonder Woman, but I'm still undecided...

I gotta make sure to stop by the comic shop tomorrow to get Issue #600...

[Wolf Boy2]

Don't get me wrong, I'm not in favor of most of the skmipy costumes in comics. But this is a step TOO FAR in the other direction, mainly because it departs too far from what we know.

I'd rather see a batter armor design, something like depictions of Athena from mythology. I'm sorry, but at least her knees need to show or she's not Wonder Woman. Sensible pants would've been a good idea, but the damage was done in 1941. Now she is as fixed as Superman and Batman, for better or for worse.

Also, it bothers me how some comic critics go to the opposite extreme, where a woman's body becomes something shameful which must be covered. That's just as sexist and dangerous as the "bootyliscious" depictions.

[EinBebop]

I think they SHOULD change Wonder Woman's costume up. But this... isn't it.

Needs something that feels a little more warrior. Less street-fighting chick.

[Neo Yi]

I would personally would have lose the jacket and bracelet. The former feels too modern and the latter uncomfortable - I feel like she's going to spend her time in battle fidgeting with them to stay in place so they won't block her knuckles when she punches someone.

Otherwise, I like it. Personally, I like the pants the best. Simple, yet sleek.

[Peter Paltridge]

I would personally would have lose the jacket and bracelet. The former feels too modern and the latter uncomfortable - I feel like she's going to spend her time in battle fidgeting with them to stay in place so they won't block her knuckles when she punches someone.

Otherwise, I like it. Personally, I like the pants the best. Simple, yet sleek.
She's not W.W. without her bracelets because that's the only way she deflects attacks.

Speaking of that, I would think this would be the easiest superhero to kill. All you need are two guys with machine guns, one in front of her and one from behind, both at a safe distance. While she's trying to deflect one of them, the other shoots her back. Easy-peasy. Two lousy bracelets, that's all she's got.

[Neo Yi]

She's not W.W. without her bracelets because that's the only way she deflects attacks.

Hmm, too true. I completely forgot about its purpose. I think I just want it to be less cumbersome - it just looks so uncomfortable.

[Rick Jones]

I'm probably not the most gender sensitive guy or whatever but I never had a problem with Wonder Woman's costume, except maybe when like one of those artists with cheesecake styles make her costume bottom into a thong. This feels sort of like a redux of Deodato's biker uniform from the 90s with long pants reminiscent of the 60s jumpsuit with a splash of the red and gold. I don't hate it but I don't like it.

[Silverstar]

I'm probably not the most gender sensitive guy or whatever but I never had a problem with Wonder Woman's costume, except maybe when like one of those artists with cheesecake styles make her costume bottom into a thong.

Same here. I never realized there was so much hate for Wondy's 'star-spangled bikini' costume until I joined the internet forum scene, and even now I still don't see what the big problem is that so many people have with it. Yeah, it was skimpy, but very few super ladies' costumes aren't absurdly sexy; the majority of comic book artists are guys, after all.

I don't dislike this new costume, but I don't see it as all that necessary as I never had a problem with the old one. This is OK, I guess, but I agree with others that the leather jacket needs to go; I can't imagine it's the easiest thing kicking bad-guy butt in a leather jacket, those things are hot and heavy. That's why greasers typically take off their leather jackets before they fight. This new suit isn't bad, but the jacket makes it look a tad too 'biker chick'. Wonder Woman should wear something that says 'woman warrior'.

If DC wants to change something, they could update Superman and Batman's costumes a little. Do they still need the 'man-panties' in this day and age?

[DisneyBoy]

It looks like Black Canary had a baby with Captain America.

HA! Word.

I don't think the original costume needs changing. I think people need to stop expecting everything to be "modern" and "up to date". Including DC.

And nope, I don't think actresses were upset about the notion of having to wear the bathingsuit in a WW movie. That's the costume WW is known for and any intelligent actress knows - much as we all do - that nothing beats the classic costume regardless of the hero involved.

I was really stunned when I woke up to see this, and hoped it was a joke. It isn't, and it seriously cuts into my interest regarding JMS' first arc on the book.

EDIT:
Do they still need the 'man-panties' in this day and age?

I believe they're called briefs.


While she's trying to deflect one of them, the other shoots her back. Easy-peasy. Two lousy bracelets, that's all she's got.

And the speed of Hermes. The woman can deflect bullets with her eyes shut, so putting one arm behind her and one in front isn't that much of a stretch.

[Bat-Fan Beyond]

Lynda Carter reacts to the Wonder Woman makeover.


Actress Lynda Carter, whom a vast majority of people envision when (and if) they think of Wonder Woman, likes the new ensemble. Really.

"I think it will take time for people to get over not seeing a lot of leg," she told ABC News (http://abcnews.go.com/WN/womans-wardrobe-lower-heels-biker-jacket-sexy/story?id=11046362). "[But] I think it's going to be very sexy and it's new and I love the little cap sleeve. You know, she's a hip girl. [...] "I think Wonder Woman has a mind of her own. And I think she was just kind of ready for something new. She's got an attitude and if this is the new thing that she wants to wear, well, by God, she's going to wear it. And I like that. And I hope that in the story someone mentions, where's the old one? And she says, get over it!"


06/30/10 Mod Update: Wonder Woman #600 is now available (http://www.toonzone.net/forums/showthread.php?t=270121)!

[DisneyBoy]

I honestly wouldn't expect Lynda to do anything other than support DC's latest move. They invited her to write the intro to the 600th issue, they treat her with respect, she does the same.

And yes, of course Diana can wear different things. But that's not what this book really needed.

[Wolf Boy2]

You know, the feminist in me still is not satisfied with this design. Yes, she's got pants --- BUT THEIR PAINTED-ON SKIN TIGHT. Just as "revealing" as before, so let's not delude ourselves into thinking this is a "covered up" design. Also, the low-cut neckline. How non-sexy THAT is. :p

She still has a non-existant waist and hips, massive breasts, and she's so skinny her ribs show.

IMO, the best version of Diana is something like Darwyn Cooke's design. Tall, thick and imposing, but with a soft face and a genuine sense of "goodness" about her. A body that actually fits the CHARACTER, rather than the readers fantasies.

[GWOtaku]

Man, her beauty is certainly apparent, but I don't think the new look is just as revealing at all. I guess mileage varies. As one who adores Darwyn Cooke though, I'm the last one who's going to dismiss the qualities of his interpretation. It was good.

[Leaping Larry Jojo]

Here we have the difference between comic books and movies, and why trying to make one medium more friendly to the other does a disservice to both.

[krazymed]

Less is more. Why is DC going this far to accommodate JMS? Do they not remember what he tried to do to Spider-man?

[Funkatron]

Is it me or is her new costume inspired by the two WonderGirls?

[GWOtaku]

Less is more. Why is DC going this far to accommodate JMS? Do they not remember what he tried to do to Spider-man?

If you're referring to One More Day, as you can see here (http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=141756) JMS was very far from being the only one involved in what happened. In fact, a lot of decisions about it were made that he didn't like.

[Wolf Boy2]

If you're referring to One More Day, as you can see here (http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=141756) JMS was very far from being the only one involved in what happened. In fact, a lot of decisions about it were made that he didn't like.

He was probably talking about Ezekiel, Sins Past and other much-hated JMS story material.

(Though I loved Sins Past and still do ... it's what got me back into Spider-Man until OMD messed things up again ...)

[Azrayel]

I don't like it. The other one costume was hotter this one to me has boring all over it.

[Manga4life]

You know what, I kind of dig the new costume. I'm not like totally high on it or anything, but I'm not in the mindset of that it's terrible, it's just a new look that probably won't last much longer than JMS' run on the book anyhow so it's no biggie.

What I read yesterday is that they plan on tinkering with her origin (again), this is what bugs me the most. Seriously, why fix something that isn't broken? Or in this case, why fix something that's been broken 100 times over?

[Leaping Larry Jojo]

JMS is a good TV writer.

That's all I'll say about him in this thread.

[ABrown]

I honestly and objectively think that this is a very good look. It's just not Wonder Woman though.

Check out Maxim magazine's take on the change:
http://www.maxim.com/humor/stupid-fun/93642/new-look-for-wonder-woman.html

[Anthonynotes]

Not a fan of this costume. It looks too busy, yet also too generic (plus too reminiscent of Black Canary and/or Wonder Girl). I didn't have a problem with the old costume, but can see why others would want a change. If I were changing it, I'd have gone for focusing on giving her costume actual tights (given the bathing suit look is the main criticism).

As for the origin change? Sounds pretty awful... that combined with the costume makes this sound like "Diana Prince, Wonder Woman 2.0" (reference to the old late 60s/early 70s storyline where she was depowered). Still, I expect everything to eventually get retconned back to "normal" (costume and all) and her costume to be as forgotten as Superman's mullet... :-p

[Gokou Ruri]

Didn't they try changing it before.. like, many times, and it always goes back to the 'classic' look after the writer leaves because people dislike change?

But either way, it's nice someone is trying to change it, though I would have preferred some armor of some kind It really is amusing when your 'femnist fighter' is going around in a metal thong bathing suit for eye-candy. Now, to focus on fixing the writing problem of it changing every new writer.

[Superpan]

I thought the costume was okay (I went to Six Flags yesterday and they're still using the old one. Good luck explaining that to new readers DC!) until I saw an article on Yahoo. Wonder Woman's bracelets leave W's in people faces? She's the Spider now or Zorro? Okay, that's...out of character.


I also learned of the new orgin. I have to ask, is this really part of a Wonder Woman Year One Project? No, I think it's in continuity to which I have to ask...why? I mean hasn't Superman showed us anything about messing with orgins? Namely, don't. It gets real confusing real fast.

[Blackstar]

I think that the jacket needs to go. I like how it looks, but it's an unnecessary accessory. Struggling to keep it on during a fight just seems pointless to me. The pants are OK, although I personally didn't have a problem with the "bathing suit", particularly after DC replaced the eagle with the 'W" insignia. It didn't make a whole lot of sense for a Greek woman warrior to wear an American eagle logo across her chest (well, it did make sense when one considers when Wondy was created and for what purpose she was originally created for, but I digress). Ironically, this outfit looks a bit like Wonder Girl's outfit. My only criticism is that the new outfit should have more of a Greek goddess look to it.

It remains to be seen how long this new look for Wondy will last before fans start longing for the return of the star spangled bathing suit.

[wonderfly]

Oh dear, the media's really grasping onto the "patriotic" side of this story... (http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2010/07/01/new-wonder-woman-loses-patriotic-costume/)

[Ed Liu]

Oh dear, the media's really grasping onto the "patriotic" side of this story... (http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2010/07/01/new-wonder-woman-loses-patriotic-costume/)
It's a slow news week, plus it's the 4th of July. And it's summertime, so there's nothing good on TV. And for movies, all these people would either have to talk about Twilight or The Last Airbender and really, who wants to do that? :p

Is anybody else amused by the frequent complaints of how hard it is to keep a jacket on in a fist-fight but nobody seems to notice or complain about how Batman is lugging around that humongous, cavernous, monster cape that would do nothing but get in his way while he's doing all his Bat-fu on people, or how it would get caught and snagged on all the gargoyles and rooftop spikes in Gotham City? Or the fact that nice, grabbable long hair is very much NOT an asset in a fight, but Wonder Woman still has it (and, for that matter, so do most other female superheroes and a few male ones)? I think the jacket looks too 90's, but I have to admit that the practicality of this outfit never entered my mind for the same reason that I don't much care about capes (despite Edna Mode's perfectly sensible advice) or even stuff like masks that take away one's peripheral vision.

Also, for what it's worth, alternate WW redesigns at Project Rooftop (http://www.tencentticker.com/projectrooftop/2007/11/26/wonder-woman-wardrobe-war-winners/), just about any or all of which kick seven shades of snot out of the Jim Lee redesign.

[Jin Kazama]

Is anybody else amused by the frequent complaints of how hard it is to keep a jacket on in a fist-fight but nobody seems to notice or complain about how Batman is lugging around that humongous, cavernous, monster cape that would do nothing but get in his way while he's doing all his Bat-fu on people, or how it would get caught and snagged on all the gargoyles and rooftop spikes in Gotham City?

The cape is attatched to the cowl, so if something was to get hold of that, his neck is more likley to snap before that cape goes anywhere, considering how dense that cape is.

Plus, it doesn't really restrict movement, just more of getting in the way. If that jacket starts to come off, her arms aren't going to be of much use fighting.

I'll agree on the hair, though. Kind of why I never minded characters having it pulled back. Or even the current Batgirl's. It's still out there, but less in the way.

[Rainbow Sharpie]

Imho it isn't too terrible...maybe because I'm not a big comic book reader but even then I could still live with it. (I saw this on Fox News when I was channel-surfing.)

I hate the neck choker and gloves, though. Urgh. They look so lame and wanna-be cool, as well as uncomfortable. I know Wonder Woman isn't Wonder Woman withouht them, but...

Everything else about her redesign, I can live with. It has a nice color scheme, but I think the retro crowd will probably make petitions and boycott this.

[W.C.Reaf]

I hate seeing people saying the new costume is more practical 'cause it really isn't any more practical than the old one. I keep seeing those comments everywhere and I wish they'd just say what they mean, that it's good that she shows less skin. That I can agree with but practicality is not something superheroes have to worry about (see Batman’s cape, or Zatana, or Spider-man etc)

Also the pockets comments bug me 'cause when does she ever need to carry anything that can fit inside one? Also Superman, The Flash, Green Lantern, Martian Manhunter all get along fine without them so why can't Wonder Woman?


Also, for what it's worth, alternate WW redesigns at Project Rooftop (http://www.tencentticker.com/projectrooftop/2007/11/26/wonder-woman-wardrobe-war-winners/), just about any or all of which kick seven shades of snot out of the Jim Lee redesign.

That website is awesome and so are those WW redesigns and a lot better and feel more "Wonder Woman" than the Jim Lee one. But I think if I were to improve the Jim Lee design I'd make it look like this (http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e44/WCReaf/comic%20panels/Wonder_Woman_Redesign_by_katiecooki.jpg).

[Anthonynotes]

Oh dear, the media's really grasping onto the "patriotic" side of this story... (http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2010/07/01/new-wonder-woman-loses-patriotic-costume/)

Given the source of that link (Fox News), not surprised they'd gripe about the "patriotic" angle, Fourth of July weekend or not...

I showed two female coworkers (who aren't comic fans, though one of their boyfriends is) a picture of the new costume (after telling them about the change). They weren't impressed; one didn't think anything was wrong with the old costume, and thought the new one made her look "tarted up" (to use a nicer term than what she used). They also thought it looked too plain, and "looked like she took costume stuff from other heroes" (it reminded them of Storm, Rogue, etc.). One didn't like the jacket, either.

-B.

[Dreyfus]

Mass media always has something to say when something like this is done in comics. I understand why changes to such an iconic character are responded to like this, but I really don't see why it's such a big deal to so many people. Even if this costume will be around for the foreseeable future, I don't think the change is all that bad.

[Silverstar]

If I were to improve the Jim Lee design I'd make it look like this (http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e44/WCReaf/comic%20panels/Wonder_Woman_Redesign_by_katiecooki.jpg).


I like that design. The only alteration I'd make is I'd add the tiara, since Diana occasionally uses it as a weapon.

[Shawn Hopkins]

I like the pants. Why was it sooo very embarrassing for Robin, a young boy, not to wear pants, but okay for an adult woman to fight crime in a bikini? There's certainly a bit of a double standard there.

As comics fans we've grown used to this stuff, but show an Adam Hughes Wonder Woman or Power Girl to a friend who doesn't read comics. They'll tell you they look like porn stars. I took my friend to a comic store recently and he admitted that's one of the major reasons he can't take comics seriously.

I do wish they were a lighter color, though. Jim Lee probably won't draw all of these appearances and he should have made some accommodations for people who have a different style. They won't look that great in the hands of others. Making them a little more blue would have also helped to lighten the look of the costume.

The leather jacket actually is practical if you consider Wonder Woman's powerset. She could take a blunt punch from Doomsday, but a mook with a sharp knife could still stab her in the back. A good leather jacket can blunt a knife attack, so it helps protect one of her weaknesses. She's so strong that the effort it takes to flex a bit of leather isn't going to slow her down.

As for the Fox News piece, I think they need to get their eyes checked. All of the old flag elements are there, just rearranged slightly.

Anyway, as with everything else in superhero comics, this is only the illusion of change and not permanent. Only the media will get het up about it, which is what DC is hoping because they need the publicity.

[W.C.Reaf]

Anyway, as with everything else in superhero comics, this is only the illusion of change and not permanent. Only the media will get het up about it, which is what DC is hoping because they need the publicity.

I do feel a lot better about the costume knowing it's due to the rewriting time story rather than a permanent change (which some people don't seem to get, like Fox News). It's going to go away when the story finishes.

The marketing boys at DC really took advantage to the slow news day and the 4th July weekend. People getting up in arms over this spreads the story round and gets more people interested in buying the book.

[Bat-Fan Beyond]

I like this cover by Alex Garner. Her face is a little hard for Diana, but for the most part I think the rendering of the painted/digital medium better illustrates the idea of what the outfit would look like in reality or in a movie.


http://www.comicartcommunity.com/gallery/data/media/568/Wonder_Woman_No__601_by_AlexGarner.jpg

http://www.comicartcommunity.com/gallery/details.php?image_id=38863

[Bubblegum Girl]

I feel like I'm one of the few people that actually likes the new Wonder Woman costume. :sweat:

[batgirl2007]

It looks too boring for a super hero costume. But i like the pants if they put stars down the sides of them to reference her previous costumes it would look more interesting.

[Fool's Gil]

She looks alot younger, like college age in this new look. I like it.

[JAG]

It's not bad. I'm not sure it really fits the character, but it's likable enough. My main gripe is her lack of shoes. She should just have normal pants and then a pair of boots or something, rather than the gold...whatever those are on her ankles.

I don't especially care, though. Never been much of a WW fan, and I've pretty much given up on DC in general for the time being. So this temporary publicity stunt doesn't really affect me.