The jacket comes off
The real problem with Wonder Woman's new look: It's not the pants, it's just so... 1992
Wonder Woman today: Cool enough to wear leather pants, but definitely not coolenough to roll the jacket sleeves down.
In the 1960s, a single vertical stripe was always slimming.
In the 1970s, we chose to ignore that Wonder Woman had breasts by throwing awhite sheet on her.
The new look is actually a throw back to the 1990s version. Same jacket, butless biker bikini top.
There's been a lot of chatter in the comic world this week, and it almost all revolves around Wonder Woman.
The most iconic female in print hit a landmark with issue No. 600. While that in itself is a huge accomplishment for a comic character — male or female — her new look has dominated the news.
The Princess has shorter hair, a set of gloves, a leather jacket with sleeves rolled up (so 1990s), pants, and practical boots that imprint a scripted ‘W’ on the forehead of any thug she roundhouse kicks in the face.
Oh, and a sweet choker necklace you got there, Diana.
Many comic fans believe the change has actually dated the warrior rather than modernize her, and the seemingly random update has others puzzled. Why would anyone mess with a classic?
A statement by artist Jim Lee talked about the difficulty of giving Wonder Woman new duds. In the same vein, J. Michael Straczynski, the new series' writer, says that Wonder Woman is entering a new age, and they wanted the look to reflect that.
Maybe Jim and J. Michael are secretly onboard with DC’s new underground movement that puts everyone in pants?
Wonder Woman is idealized (and idolized) for a reason. She's a strong character people can admire. She's someone you want to have on your side. She's one of the good guys. Let’s try not to mess that up.
After my initial knee-jerk reaction, I reminded myself that changes in comics happen all of the time. Wonder Woman’s costume has changed before and it will change again. In fact, she wore pants in the 1960s. In the 1970s, her story was rewritten. She wore an all-white power pantsuit and did not have any powers.
While a lot of comic readers are in a bit of a huff, I hope that the new look isn’t permanent. Major costume changes to classic characters hardly ever stick. Who even remembers the biker shorts that Wonder Woman wore in the early 1990s (hey, that jacket looks oddly familiar)?
But if you still need comforting, Jim Lee threw this little piece of information onto Twitter: "Just FYI--eleemtns of her costume, like her jacket do come off in her journey. There is a method to the madness ..."
Well played, Jim.
I’ve settled down since reading landmark issue No. 600. The art is gorgeous, the storyline is intriguing, and that special pin-up gallery is fabulous. A comic fan's dream come true.
When it's all said and done, Wonder Woman is still Wonder Woman. Whether she is wearing star-spangled bikini bottoms or not.
