Podcast: DC's Wonder Woman 75th Anniversary Special (2016)

Episode #9

Look for us on iTunes, ShoutEngine or the Internet Archive, where you can also directly download an art-tagged MP3.

Along his way to covering DC Comics' special issue released to commemorate the Amazing Amazon's three-quarters of a century in action, Diabolu Frank lost his way and stumbled into so many outtakes from the 75 Birthdays-- The Secret Origins of Wonder Woman episode recording sessions that it became a second special its own self.

R.S.V.P. Attendees

• Ryan Daly from Power of Fishnets, Give Me Those Star Wars, Midnight…The Podcasting Hour, & Batman Knightcast
• Dr. Anj from Supergirl Comic Box Commentary
• Ruth & Darren Sutherland from RaD Network podcasts Trekker Talk, Xenozoic Xenophiles, & Warlord Worlds
• Matthew from Radio Free Themyscira: A Wonder Woman Podcast
• Angela from Wonder Woman: Warrior for Peace Podcast

We don't have a Magic Sphere, so if you want to communicate with us about the podcast...

• Tweet host Diabolu Frank directly, or commune with @rolledspine as a group.
• Email Diabolu
• If the main Diana Prince as the New Wonder Woman blog isn't your thing, try the umbrella Rolled Spine Podcasts.

Podcast: 75 Birthdays-- The Secret Origins of Wonder Woman

Episode #5

Look for us on iTunes, ShoutEngine or Internet Archive

October 25, 2016 marks the seventy-fifth anniversary of the release date for All-American Publications' All Star Comics #8, which featured the story "Introducing Wonder Woman" by her creators William Moulton Marston and Harry G. Peter in her comics debut! In acknowledgement, your regular host Diabolu Frank covers a variety of different interpretations of Princess Diana of Paradise Island's origin stories from Sensation Comics #1 (1942), Wonder Woman #1 (1942), Wonder Woman #23 (1947), Wonder Woman #45 (1951), Wonder Woman #98 (1958), Wonder Woman #105 (1959), DC Special Series #19 (1979), Wonder Woman #1 (1987), and Secret Origins #6 (2014)! To break up all that information dumping and more treat this momentous occasion as a true celebration, we've also enlisted a slew of notable co-anchors to discuss a bunch of fun, accessible topics relevant to new and old fans of the Amazon Princess! Hola!

R.S.V.P. Attendees

• Angela from Wonder Woman: Warrior for Peace Podcast
• Matthew from Radio Free Themyscira: A Wonder Woman Podcast
• Darren & Ruth Sutherland from Trekker Talk, Xenozoic Xenophiles, & Warlord Worlds
• Dr. Anj from Supergirl Comic Box Commentary
• Ryan Daly from Power of Fishnets, Give Me Those Star Wars, Midnight…The Podcasting Hour, & Secret Origins Podcast
• Pakita Trotamundos from Twitter

We don't have a Magic Sphere, so if you want to communicate with us about the podcast...

• Tweet host Diabolu Frank directly, or commune with @rolledspine as a group.
• Email Diabolu
• If the main Diana Prince as the New Wonder Woman blog isn't your thing, try the umbrella Rolled Spine Podcasts.

2012 New 52 Wonder Woman art by Simon Fraser

Click To Enlarge


Or, if you prefer, some Starfire & Wonder Girl Donna Troy.

Simon Fraser

• Big Barda @ DC Bloodlines
• Martian Manhunter @ The Idol-Head of Diabolu
• Aquaman @ Justice League Detroit

2012 New 52 Animated Style Wonder Woman art by Eric Guzman

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If you like this, the artist also did a color sketch, plus a cool Amazon pose which he then converted into a DC Trinity piece.

Eric Guzman

• Power Girl and Huntress @ DC Bloodlines
• Martian Manhunter @ The Idol-Head of Diabolu
• Aquaman @ Justice League Detroit

Wonder Woman Gallery by Marcelo Mueller

Click To Enlarge

• New 52
• New 52 Lasso
• DC Trinity
• JLA4
• Butt Shot
• Butterier Shot
• Cheetah
• Cheetah in repose

Justice League of America #2 (May, 2013)

Colonel Steve Trevor had gone to great lengths to create the Dark Hunter cover identity for Oliver Queen, and hoped his swift turn of bad fortune could be chalked up to bad luck rather than a leak. A.R.G.U.S. found Queen near dead at the edge of the Kielder Forest in Northumberland, England after a twelve hour communications blackout, and he didn't convey much of his findings before passing into a coma. Amanda Waller insisted that facing the Secret Society of Super-Villains would be the perfect trial by fire for the new Justice League of America. Trevor worried for the safety and unity of an untested team, not to mention that they'd at least have more intel if they waited for Queen to come out of surgery. Tensions and accusations mounted, with Waller determined that the JLofA was needed immediately and if Trevor couldn't follow orders, she would find someone who would.

Most of the members of the new Justice League of America met at their new headquarters in Washington, D.C. Hawkman turned up covered in someone's blood, so Trevor told him to get cleaned up before the press conference where the President Barack Obama was set to introduce the team. Stargirl interjected "That's so exciting! I would've voted for him. If I were old enough." Col. Trevor started the short briefing without Simon Baz, who might have been the only Green Lantern that Amanda Waller could "put on a leash," but was still off in outer space.



Catwoman wasn't allowed at the press conference, so as the rest of the team started off to their appointment, she gave Trevor a big ol' kiss. She claimed it was for luck, but Steve ordered "Don't do that again." She'd actually picked his pocket, but found only a license, $30, a coupon for Chinese takeout, and a picture with Diana in better times. Steve's getting dumped by Wonder Woman reminded Catwoman of Batman's dismissal of their relationship. At the conference, Stargirl gave a sappy speech about Johnny Appleseed that barely related to the team's debut, but likely won the crowd.

Steve Trevor asked the Martian Manhunter to telepathically probe Oliver Queen's mind to learn as much as possible about the Secret Society, and was shocked when J'Onzz offered to make some behavioral adjustments. "What? No. Read his mind, don't change it. You haven't really done that, have you? Not to anyone I know, at least?" No answer was forthcoming, and beyond the circumstances of "Dark Hunter's" escape, no further information could be safely extracted.



Queen awoke briefly, at a vague point following his encounter with the Manhunter. Steve explained that while Green Arrow had uncovered the Society, the situation had gotten too big for them to handle, and that Amanda Waller had disallowed Queen to join the team. Ollie called Steve a sell-out, while Trevor protested, "I'm the guy who rebels against authority!"

The Justice League of America landed their jet a mile outside the forest in England, then traveled on foot. Katana vanished from the group, so Trevor asked the Manhunter to get a lock on her. Not only was J'Onzz's telepathy blocked, but Catwoman disappeared next. A golden lasso caught Trevor around the neck like a noose. "Steve," said a figure who appeared to be Wonder Woman, "You shouldn't have come here." She was flanked by approximations of Superman and Batman...



"World's Most Dangerous, Chapter Two" was by Geoff Johns & David Finch. Boy, Finch's proportions were awful in some scenes, but I'll still take his dark mood and detailing over most of the flashier Image-style artists DC now employs. I've always had a fondness for the Secret Society of Super-Villains, so I'm happy to see them get a steady, ominous reveal, as opposed to the bait and switch that was Villains United almost (God help me) a decade back. Besides missing Amanda Waller's girth and her ability to walk the fine line of anti-heroism without falling off, it also seems like a good portion of her brains went M.I.A. as well. In a world with a finite number of powerful, viable super-heroes that the government could wrangle to serve their purposes, you don't throw a whole team at a wall to see who sticks versus splatters against unknown hostiles. A lot of that seems to be in service to rebuilding Steve Trevor, so I'm torn between being glad a classic himbo is back in the game and one of the few female African-American comic book icons being ruined in favor of a blue-eyed, blond haired white male. The lead story is rife with "because" with insufficient "why," and what's the point in teasing a conflict with the main Justice League if you draw their facsimiles as obvious robots?

New 52's Day

• The Green Team: Teen Trillionaires #1 @ DC Bloodlines
• Hawkman in Justice League of America #1 @ Power of the Atom
• Martian Manhunter in Justice League of America #3 @ The Idol-Head of Diabolu
• Vibe #3 @ Justice League Detroit

Justice League of America #1 (April, 2013)

Five years ago in London, Professor Ivo met with a mysterious figure to discuss all the "super-heroes;" the Justice League, Green Arrow, Zatanna, Hawkman; that were turning up with increasing routine. "Well, then. I guess they'll call us super-villains..."

Cut to the present, as "The Dark Hunter" ran through the Kielder Forest in Northumberland, England. He had been skewered by a tree branch, and was pursued by what appeared to be a Justice League intent on his death. The Dark Hunter was convinced that he was going to die, but not yet. "I never believed I'd amount to anything worthwhile. I played right into what the world said about me. But I can prove everyone wrong. I can do better. I've been trying to." The fugitive entered hypovolemic shock, and asked a greater power for help that didn't come. "So I do what I did the last time. I tell god to go screw himself. I'll find my own way home."

Years ago, U.S. Homeland Security tasked Colonel Steve Trevor with establishing the Advanced Research Group Uniting Super Humans to police metahuman activity. Trevor had acted as A.R.G.U.S. liaison to the Justice League until his ex-girlfriend Wonder Woman requested his removal, and been replaced by Amanda Waller. The (slender, non-supporting) "Wall" felt Trevor had gotten too close to the League, and far out of his depth.



"Possessed by Starro, physically shattered by Despero and most recently almost beaten to death by Mr. Graves." Waller thought Steve was lovesick, and Trevor thought Amanda treated people as disposable since their last days together on Team 7. No one could replace the heroes of the Justice League, but Waller insisted that a branch loyal to American interests was needed. Booster Gold had uncovered a romance between Superman and Wonder Woman, only to disappear without a trace. What if they had kids, a bad break-up, or Princess Diana convinced the Man of Steel to become as destabilizing a world changing force as herself? Steve Trevor was hesitant to assume a Rick Flagg type role as point man for a team designed to take down the current Justice League if necessary, but being in that position was the only way he could continue to protect the Princess he loved. "I was the one who brought her to this screw-up world."

Waller subscribed to a low-tech records keeping approach, since anything placed on a computer could potentially be found by Cyborg. The first recruit in her file folder was Hawkman, who was getting deeper in dutch with authorities for his vigilante activities. Waller would grant him diplomatic immunity as "Katar Hol," a "police officer from the planet Thanagar," and classify the human criminals he brutalized as "alien fugitives" so that Hawkman could continue to be as savage in his dispensation of justice as he pleased.



Tatsu Toro vied with Deathstroke for the title of world's deadliest assassin as determined by the U.S. government. Her husband, Maseo Yamashiro, was the previous title holder before his murder. Waller knew who his killers were, and this information would attract Katana to JLA membership.

Five years ago, during the Apokolipsian incursion on Earth, Cisco Ramon was caught in the event horizon of a Boom Tube. One of Cisco's brothers died freeing him from its wake, and Ramon was left "out of sync with the rest of the world." He had been using his vibratory powers to deal with local petty crime, but Waller saw bigger things for him.

Stargirl had the highest Q Score for any active super-hero, relentlessly positive and massively helpful. "In less than a year, she's saved over four hundred people..." Seemingly perfect, while receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, she spied a supernatural pentagram appear in a nearby fire. Courtney Whitmore appeared to suffer night terrors over the fate of the previous bearer of the Cosmic Staff, "Pemberton." Waller planned to blackmail her into participation with the identity of her biological father.



Little was offered on their Green Lantern prospect, except that he "was arrested, not convicted." Trevor protested Green Arrow's inclusion, feeling that he was the wrong candidate for "the most important spot on the JLA." Trevor suggested Catwoman, who he confronted during her break-in at a hotel room registered in the name of "Selina Kyle." Catwoman attacked "Wonder Woman's boy-toy," who rolled over, but persuaded Catwoman with information on the woman who had stolen her identity. "Her enemies came after you. You almost lost your life because of her. I know her real name." Waller thought she was more like Suicide Squad material, and her criminal history meant she couldn't publicly join the team, but Trevor felt she was the best option to take down Batman in the event of a clash between Leagues. After all, the secret, primary role of the American League was to have a strike team in place should the original unit go rogue. Katanna was Wonder Woman deterrent, Vibe Flash's, Stargirl Cyborg's, Hawkman Aquaman's, and Simon Baz was meant to check Hal Jordan.

The Superman killer was the final piece, to Trevor's dismay. He'd worked with the Martian Manhunter during the Alien Atlas' disastrous stint with the main Justice League team, and felt that he couldn't be trusted, but Waller needed his raw power to complete her team. Trevor knew that it was enough for someone in his circles to mention J'Onn's name, and the suspicious alien would hear. J'Onzz agreed to join, but with the stern warning that he would mindwipe all of A.R.G.U.S. if they betrayed him.



"The Dark Hunter" was lost in the forest for days until his beacon finally started working. Etta Candy thought something might have been interfering with it. Near death, the disguised Green Arrow had been discovered as a plant even faster than he and Steve had feared. The villains called themselves "The Secret Society," but Ollie passed out before he could identify their leader...

"World's Most Dangerous, Chapter One" was by Geoff Johns & David Finch. As usual in the modern age of decompressed storytelling, there was a lot more sizzle than steak. Most of the book is two people having a meeting in an office while looking at photographs. It doesn't help that one of those people is the anorexic New 52 Amanda Waller, nor that the once robust Etta Candy could now be easily mistaken for the former "Wall" turned pole. The individual team member vignettes are nice teaser trailers for whoever they're meant to be for the purposes of the book. I can't say that I'm exactly excited about this title, but I'm not put off by the debut issue either, which is something of a victory with a New 52 offering.



I also have to say that one thing set right by the reboot was the restoration of Steve Trevor. It's okay for Batman to have a James Bond type of impermanence with regard to his love interests, and even Superman shouldn't necessarily be tied down to Lois Lane, so long as she remains generally prominent in comics. Steve Trevor though is arguably as central a figure in Wonder Woman's origin as Diana herself, since he was the impetus and ongoing motivation for the Princess' abandoning Paradise Island to combat the evils of Man's World, and remained so until the 1970s. For nearly a quarter century, Wonder Woman didn't quite make sense as a character because Steve Trevor had been cast aside for past sins with nothing more than vague altruism and wanderlust left in his place (DC strongly squelching any emphasis on that "lust" part.) Returning him to prominence fixes a broken element of the DC Universe, and his being the rejected party in a past affair humbles and humanizes the once abusive figure. Further, that element of romance, even lost, enlivens Wonder Woman and ensures that Trevor won't join the long list of Nick Fury proxies.

New 52's Day

• The Atom in Justice League #18 @ Power of the Atom
• Vibe #2 @ Justice League Detroit
• Martian Manhunter in Justice League of America #2 @ The Idol-Head of Diabolu
• The Movement #1 @ DC Bloodlines

2012 “Justice Mag - Wonder Woman” art by Stanley “Artgerm” Lau

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"Just for fun. Wonder Woman photo studio shot for a magazine cover."

Justice League #17 (April, 2013)

Due to the manipulations of a former subject, Atlantis declared war on the surface world and flooded a major U.S. city. Their ruler Ocean Master was eventually defeated, and Aquaman took back the throne, but there was widespread animosity over the incident. Back at their satellite headquarters, Batman called the Justice League together for a new initiative. "We need to do what we haven't done before... We open our ranks." At A.R.G.U.S., Amanda Waller saw a similar need. "Atlantis's (sic) attack is the event we needed to push this operation through, Colonel Trevor... The world's skeptical. They want another team. They need one." A third mysterious meeting was taking place elsewhere, as a villain looked over snapshots of DC rogues. "The opportunity is now. It's time for recruitment... starting with the Scarecrow."

"Throne of Atlantis, Chapter Five" was by Geoff Johns, Ivan Reis and Paul Pelletier with Joe Prado, Oclair Albert and Sean Parsons.

New 52's Day

• Talon #1 @ DC Bloodlines
• The Atom in "Throne of Atlantis, Conclusion" @ Power of the Atom
• Martian Manhunter in "Security Detail" @ The Idol-Head of Diabolu
• Vibe in Justice League of America #1 @ Justice League Detroit

Action Comics #14 (January, 2013)

N'rrssshk't the Conqueror was an other-dimensional dinosaur that invaded Earth with his army, armed with "Thought cannons. Multiphase quantum blades. Encephalobots." The Justice League fought them off, but it wasn't such a struggle that they forgot that Superman had an appointment or that they couldn't get by without him. While Batman, Aquaman, the Flash and Wonder Woman punched lizards, most had time to verbally prod the Man of Steel. "We got this" explained Cyborg. Diana simply said, "Go."

The astrophysics community had pooled all of their resources for one night to assist Kal-El in a special viewing experience at the American Museum of Natural History's Hayden Planetarium in New York City. Their accumulated telescopic might allowed Superman to see light projected from the star Rao from twenty-seven years ago, offering a "ghost" image of the planet Krypton from the night it "died."

"Star Light, Star Bright..." was by Sholly Fisch, Chris Sprouse, and Karl Story.

New 52's Day

• The Atom in Aquaman #16 (March, 2013) @ Power of the Atom
• Martian Manhunter in Justice League of America #1 (2013) @ The Idol-Head of Diabolu
• National Comics: Eternity #1 @ DC Bloodlines
• Superman Annual #1 (2012) featuring the Manhunter from Mars @ The Idol-Head of Diabolu
• Talon #0 @ DC Bloodlines
• Vibe #1 @ Justice League Detroit

2012 Cryptozoic Entertainment DC Comics The New 52 Wonder Woman Artist Proof Sketch Card by Jack Redd

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"This is one of my two Artist Proofs from the DC Comics New 52 trading card set published by Cryptozoic Entertainment.

Thought I'd go for Wonder Woman on this one.

Official and approved card.

2.5" x 3.5" - drawn ink and pencils.

Cheers,
Jack."

Here's the other one featuring Ares, plus a 2008 piece.

2012 “Classic v. DCNU: Wonder Woman” by TJ Frias

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"By this time, you've probably had your fill of the DC relaunches. Maybe you love it and maybe you loathe it. But this series of sketches were inevitable. I present my "Classic Versus DCNU" series. Next we have both versions of the Amazon Princess: Classic Diana in her red, blue, and gold versus Jim Lee designed, sword-weilding Diana. Mech pencil on sketchbook."

I've made it pretty clear how a feel about Xiana Amazon Warrior Princess, which is a very particular, very minimizing and alienating interpretation of Wonder Woman with origins dating back as far as the Silver Age. However you feel about Azzarello and Chiang's run, I think we can all agree that this ain't your grandmother's Mujer Maravilla. I'm divorced enough that I don't even consider it a legitimate run, and prefer Geoff Johns' awful but franchise building work with the character in Justice League that the latest deconstruction of mythology from the eponymous comic. Anyway, all I've seen New 52 Wonder Woman do in her own book is run around slicing stuff with her sword, where on the team book she has powers, but either way I'd stack my Wonder Woman against New Coke any day of the week. Those bracelets can deflect a sword, and Classy Wonder Woman would just hogtie this pretender. The one compromise I will make is that, aside from requiring red boots and desperately needing to ditch the subservient collar, I do think the updated costume will translate better outside comics.

TJ Frias' Post-Crisis DC versus New 52

• Martian Manhunter @ The Idol-Head of Diabolu
• Aquaman @ Justice League Detroit

Dragon*Con 2012 Wonder Woman Cosplay Gallery by Shag Matthews

Click To Enlarge & Expand

Two other good full shots are here and here.









Thanks to the Irredeemable Shag for sharing his hundreds of pictures, and the Superhero Costuming Forum for arranging the shoot.

Dragon*Con 2012 Cosplay Galleries by Shag Matthews

• DC Cosplay Obscura @ DC Bloodlines
• Aquaman @ The Aquaman Shrine
• The Atom @ Power of the Atom
• Black Canary @ Girls Gone Geek
• Booster Gold @ BOO$TERRIFIC
• Doctor Fate @ Tower of Fate
• Doom Patrol @ My Greatest Adventure #80
• Firestorm the Nuclear Man @ Firestorm Fan
• The Flash @ Speed Force
• Hawkman & Hawkgirl @ Being Carter Hall
• Martian Manhunter @ The Idol-Head of Diabolu
• The Vixen and Zatanna @ Justice League Detroit
• Wonder Woman @ Diana Prince

DC Comics - The New 52 FCBD Special Edition #1 (June, 2012)

"Detroit, Michigan. The Red Room. The world's largest covert research facility for housing extraterrestrial, unidentified and classified technology recovered from across the globe." The remains of an Amazo sat on a table while doctors Sarah Charles and Silas Stone argued over what Cyborg should be doing for the world. Suddenly, "the Monitor Machine" started working, and scientists were given a brief glimpse of a "signal from another universe." It was Earth 2, and included their Wonder Woman, Superman and Batman battling parademons.

"Washington, D.C... A.R.G.U.S. A military agency created to combat super-human threats and supports the world's greatest super heroes, specifically the Justice League." A very Tracie Thoms-ish Etta Candy was giving report to Steve Trevor on the millions in property damage caused during the League's battle with Professor Ivo's mad android. Trevor noted, "We've clearly helped establish any damage was Green Arrow's fault. The League doesn't make mistakes." Candy continued that a group of super-human teens tracked to Alaska (the Ravagers) had disappeared, and that Talia al Ghul's recruitment activities were being monitored. Etta criticized Steve for cancelling dinner with his sister again. Steve was too busy to even read a restaurant menu, which made it all the more dismissible when an untraceable copy of David Graves' book Justice League: Gods Among Men arrived for him.



An emergency arrived at the Black Room, "a vault containing the world's most dangerous supernatural artifacts." Dr. Mist usually oversaw it for A.R.G.U.S., but he was away in South America. An unidentified male had previously broken in to steal the Orb of Ra, and now a red-cloaked female had breached security. Trevor and a squad drew down on her. "The Spear of Destiny, the Black Diamond, the Seven Spells of Shazam... it's quite an impressive collection you've amassed, Colonel Trevor. But this belongs to me." Pandora fired some sort of magical automatics at A.R.G.U.S. and made off with a box containing a bejeweled demonic golden skull. "I know you were one of the soldiers who helped recover it, Colonel Trevor. I know many of your friends died to crate it up. But I need it. It may be the source of my curse. But it's also the secret to my salvation." Pandora had entered and escaped, despite spells in place to keep her kind out. Further, a report of a cyber attack on the Red Room came in. Trevor ordered, "I want a lockdown on the other rooms. Especially The Circus! We need Dr. Mist. Get Black Orchid in here, Etta. And find me John Constantine." As for calling in the Justice League, Trevor finally acknowledged "It's just a matter of time before this all comes crashing down."



Pandora had the box. "This time I know what I'm dealing with. And it must be dealt with." Previously, Pandora had been tried by other mystics as part of a "Trinity of Sin" for her crimes, and judged harshly...

"The Near Future." Batman had recovered Pandora's skull box, but was set upon by the new Green Lantern currently known only as "Baz" (but unnamed in the book.) This led into a four page gatefold image of "The Trinity War." Hero battled hero, including Wonder Woman slugging Mera...

By Geoff Johns, Ivan Reis & Joe Prado, Kenneth Rocafort, Gene Ha, and Jim Lee & Scott Williams.

New 52's Day

• Animal Man #2 (December, 2011) @ DC Bloodlines
• Aquaman #9 (July, 2012) @ Justice League Detroit
• Stormwatch #9 (July, 2012) @ The Idol-Head of Diabolu
• 2012 Capstone DC Super-Pets! advertisement @ Power of the Atom

Wonder Woman #8 (June, 2012)

Mount Etna. Hephaestus opened his arsenal up to Diana, but found her choices of blades and armor archaic. “It’s how I was raised…” Lennox and Eros were ready to join her in storming the underworld, but were refused, if for no other reason than as a safeguard if she and her escort Hermes failed to return. Against Eros’ protestations, Hephaestus took his golden twin automatics. “She’ll bring them back. Won’t you… Wonder Woman?”

Diana and Hermes were surprised to find themselves in a seemingly desolate replica of London with gloomy red skies. “The underworld is governed by Hades’ whims and imagination. As they change, so does his realm.” So the underworld was never the same twice over Hermes’ many visits. Further, all the matter in this realm were made up of the souls of the dead, laid down like brick and mortar. Most were serene about the matter, but some statues shed their metal shells to become skinless centurions riding muscle-horses to charge the intruders. The hands of the souls making up the streets grabbed at Diana and Hermes’ ankles. The god didn’t need help from the Amazon, and so sent Diana to find her missing friend Zola while he held off Hades’ forces. Wonder Woman was too busy facing a swarm of Hades’ proxies to get far, so the duo fought their way to a brief respite before continuing on together.



Following a light, the heroes found a dark reflection of Zola’s farm, which she was prepared to defend by shotgun. The friends were reunited, but because of the difference in the passage of time in the underworld, Zola was much further along in her pregnancy than when she left Earth. Hades arrived, demanding that he be given a queen he’d been promised in an earlier negotiation, preferably Hera. Diana had lied about that, but Hades offered her forgiveness and free passage for Zola and her unborn child in exchange for Eros’ love guns. Diana agreed, only to be struck by a bullet that passed through her guarding bracelet and into her chest. Hermes and Zola departed, while Hades stated his intention to marry what was left of Diana…



“Casting Shadows” was by Brian Azzarello & Cliff Chiang. I can see what all the fuss is about this book. The art is very pretty, and the story is solidly cinematic. I just don’t care for the choices the writer has made with regard to interpretations of characters established three quarters of a century before this run. Also, the storytelling is decompressed to the point where even if I did like the places being traveled to, I'd still whine after each briskly read issue “are we there yet?” I’ve said it before, but once again, Wonder Woman chopping up a Bodyworlds exhibit and having an adolescent with a candle for a head plotting conjugal relations with her corpse is not the book I’m looking for.

New 52's Day

• Action Comics #7 (May, 2012) @ Power of the Atom
• Animal Man #1 (November, 2011) @ DC Bloodlines
• Aquaman #8 (June, 2012) @ Justice League Detroit
• Stormwatch #8 (June, 2012) @ The Idol-Head of Diabolu

I Don't Read Wonder Woman Comics Anymore

Pretty much the worst thing that can happen to Wonder Woman comics is their getting popular. For instance, the original creators' run on the series sold like gangbusters, which attracted the attention of Frederick Wertham. The good doctor told the mothers of America about what a deviant sapphic bondage fest the book was, so DC had Robert Kanigher whitewash everything that made it a success for twenty years. Contrary to common misconception, the "mod" Diana Prince stories sold well, which attracted the attention of television producers. This led to the book returning to ersatz World War II stories to ride the wave of 40s/50s nostalgia in the 1970s. George Pérez sold a flat, boring, sexless distortion of feminism and Greek myth in the conservative '80s on the strength of his detailed artwork. William Messner-Loebs ended his unappreciated sweetly humanist run on the character with a barrage of profitable bad girl cliché thanks to the late arrival of artist Mike Deodato Jr. That wave was continued (for a time) as the bland last hurrah of former fan favorite John Byrne before his ability to move units was officially pronounced dead. Allan Heinberg and the Dodsons (eventually) eked out six whole comic books devoted to the Amazing Amazon's take on the execrable but money-earning Batman "Hush" storyline.



Currently, Wonder Woman volume New 52 is a top twenty seller thanks to Brian Aregano, who is noted for his disdain for super-heroes and only one legitimate (if modest) long term successful series, and Cliff Chiang, a swell artist who will draw as many bisected centaurs as needed to get a gig worthy of his talents. I haven't read a single issue of their run, so I can't objectively critique it, but I've decided to keep it that way because it's friggin' garbage. You might take umbrage for my condemning them sight unseen, but I have empirical evidence to support my view.

A) The book is written by Brian Azazel, who is a hateful overrated hack.
B) It is published by DC Comics.
C) It is a hit with fans. I shall now elaborate...



Brian Azzarello wrote 100 Bullets, a book that I got bored with after just the first trade. It lasted a long time, so maybe it got better. He later wrote Hellblazer in a "back to basics" run, by which I mean he rolled back the development of the John Constantine character under writers like Garth Ennis and Paul Jenkins so he could do reheated Warren Ellis after the real thing got drummed off the book for being too controversial. I made it one trade into Loveless before falling asleep, and then  there was his mini-series Lex Luthor: Man of Steel, best remembered for being extremely well drawn by Lee Bermejo. He teamed up with Jim Lee for a yearlong Superman story "For Tomorrow," considered a disappointment after "Hush" (I say again, "HUSH,") and probably the dullest Man of Steel epic prior to J. Michael Straczynski's "Grounded" (and a fellow Moore-raper on Before Watchmen.) I don't read Brian Azzarello comics if I can help it.



I bought most every Wonder Woman comic produced from 1994 until about 2007. I have a complete run of the Post-Crisis volume, too many specials/mini-series/guest appearances, and scads of back issues from the late Silver and Bronze Ages. I own Archive Editions of 40s material and Showcase Presents covering the 50s. Out of all that material, I figure less than a quarter was worth bothering with. Even by the standards of the day, Wonder Woman was typically an underwhelming book. The earliest stuff by William Moulton Marston and Harry G. Peter is mindbogglingly awesome, and DC has run far from it ever since. Despite DC's firmest intention to make Wonder Woman as much of a safe, soulless commodity as possible, some interesting stuff has managed to get published over the years. The problem is that DC rushes to stamp out that kind of thing as swiftly as possible.



You see, Wonder Woman as a character is about female empowerment, kinky sex, and rampant weirdness. It's about a cowgirl who rides on a kangaroo, has an inherently passive arsenal, mommy issues, and battles goofy conceptual villains (often borrowed from radically Anglicized Greco-Roman mythology.) Dr. Psycho is an embodiment of short-dick misogyny. Cheetah is the champion of female cattiness and the destructive impulses of intrasexual competition. Mars is a physical manifestation of male aggression. The Amazons of Paradise Island are meant to be an example of women's inherent superiority over men. DC Comics hates the social politics Marston built into his franchise, and for decades have striven to obfuscate, corrupt, and bury them totally. In more recent years, DC has decided that the only thing Wonder Woman is "about" is being badass, so she's traded her lasso and invisible jet for a cleaving sword and the same exact power of flight as every generic heroine. Yay "progess." Yay Xena/Red Sonja in a gaudy costume.



I'm not going to say that everything popular in comics is bad and subject to future ridicule, but wait, yeah, totally. For instance, Daredevil was the height of deconstructionism a quarter-century ago thanks to "Born Again." Daredevil was the poor man's Spidey for years, so making him the noir punching bag of super-heroics actually gave the character integrity. However, that trajectory has a limited shelf life, and is not universally applicable. Matt Murdock can only go so low for so long before imploding, and his formula doesn't translate to aspirational characters like Wonder Woman. Daredevil is about surviving in Hell's Kitchen, subsisting on small Pyrrhic victories against the grinding machine of city life. Wonder Woman is about hope and the ultimate betterment of all humankind. It could be argued that stripping Wonder Woman's powers in the '60s was deconstruction, but in many ways it was a reconstruction, restoring her as an assured, capable heroine against all odds after too many years of chasing after Steve Trevor and being distracted by nonsense. Only a boob with no clue as to who Wonder Woman is at a basic conceptual level would strip mine her lore for a tired "everything you thought you knew was a lie" Cue Brian Tarzan Boy.



The truth is, Wonder Woman is a great character that DC undermines at every opportunity. Fans are equally culpable, because they'll read a book like Justice League of America and feel they "know" all the characters based on glorified monthly guest appearances. Many of these people then grow up to write Wonder Woman in comics based on a group dynamic bastardization which is in turn derived from a typically bowdlerized interpretation taken from bad Wonder Woman comics written by former JLA  readers. Those writers read the book during a time DC was promoting it heavily because some hot creator had arrived to "fix" the perpetually "broken" character, usually operating from the faulty understanding acquired by previous "fixes" and guest appearances. It's a cycle of suck.



Personally, I dropped Wonder Woman early into her aughts volume, and though I sampled some trades thereafter, the lack of understanding of the character left me cold. At least since Kingdom Come, there's been a trend toward debasing the character and her society by making the Amazons cold, calculating, murderous warriors. Actually, the Amazons have been relatively amoral and unrealistic bitches since about the 1960s, with their being inspirational only in brief spurts here and there. While DC has taken that to extremes lately by making them literal rapist killers, by allowing them to fluctuate between victims and misandrists for decades, there's nothing particularly new in the take. The Amazons are just horrible in a different way, while Wonder Woman plums new depths of ineptitude by association.


I enjoy good Wonder Woman comics, the character herself, and her world. I don't think DC Comics or their creators feel the same way. It's so disappointing when even quality talents have fallen far short of the mark, as has happened as recently as the Gail Simone run. I think calling the character difficult is a cop-out though, and expect better from creators than that. However, the New 52 has ushered in a revised continuity in which the Amazons are deplorable and Wonder Woman is a sap. So long as that's the case, and the relative success of the relaunch insures it, I simply won't be counted among the numbers of people who even bother to sample the Amazing Amazon from time to time. So long as this is Wonder Woman, I simply won't read Wonder Woman comics anymore.

2012 New 52 Wave 3 Artemis #1!

ARTEMIS #1
Written by Ann Nocenti
Art and cover by George Todorovski and Midhat Kapetanovic
On sale JULY 25 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

• Millenia ago, the Ancient Amazons were split into numerous tribes. The Nubian Amazons chose to exile themselves to another dimension to develop their minds and bodies without the distractions of Man's World. Today, they've sent us their most brilliant, fiercest champion to teach equality and save the world from dark forces. In a time of corrupt gods and murderous fallen tribes of Amazons, the beautiful Artemis will wield her bulletproof bracelets, Lasso of Truth, and Invisible Jet to fight for the rights of all peoples in her mission of peace!
• All the stuff you expect from Wonder Woman, without all that gore and trading babies for weapons and sperm jokes and crap!
• She's all-the-way BLACK! What-What Marvel? We'll just make Plastic Man a Latino in Wave 4, or something! More than enough reboot color to go around!

 

Most years, April Fool's Day among the DC Blogosphere revolves around shenanigans like ‘Vibe: Rebirth’, the Bloodwynd Mini-Series Announcement, or last year's slew of blogs changing their formats in outrageous ways for the day. This year, we're mostly resting, but I couldn't let the occasion go by without mocking DC's New 52 Wonder Woman series by offering a book that stars someone who actually acts like Wonder Woman, instead of Xena crossed with Tomb Raider. The results look like an Antarctic Press book, but I'd buy it. Click the links above for the main art sources I stole materials from, plus the DC Bullet image and most of the logo.

DCnÜ Wonder Woman design by Jim Lee from Justice League #1 (October, 2011)

WONDER WOMAN: There was much debate on Princess Diana's leg wear. This one denotes some deadly accessories.

I don't mind the lazy lack of stars, and I don't mind the armored chest plate. I always mind the need to give Wonder Woman friggin' deadly weapons. The short shorts look cheap, and I prefer the pants when they show up. I hate the black boots, which make little sense design wise. Matching her hair, I suppose?

New 52's Day

• Rejected DCnÜ Aquaman design by Jim Lee @ Justice League Detroit
• Demon Knights #1 (November, 2011) @ The Idol-Head of Diabolu
• Grifter #1 (November, 2011) @ DC Bloodlines
• Bonus: Captain Atom: Armageddon #4-7 (2006) @ Power of the Atom

2011 Rejected DCnÜ Wonder Girl Concept Art by Brett Booth

Click To Enlarge

"This one almost made it through... until it got Vetoed;) Oh and the other lasso with the pokie things on it isn't barbed wire, it's thorny vines.

Best,

Brett"

2011 DC Fifty-TOO! Wonder Woman #1 by Nathan Fox

Click To Enlarge


You might have heard DC Comics was rebooting everything in their line at issue #1 as part of their "New 52" titles. This inspired Washington-based cartoonist Jon Morris to fire off some emails. "Fifty-two artists (and then some) responded, and that brings us here - DC FIFTY-TOO, The New DC Universe as imagined by fifty-two independent cartoonists." One such artist is Nathan Fox, who seems to understand how thoroughly everything goes out the window for the Amazing Amazon in these reboots. Diana seems to have about the same attitude about that as the rest of us.

Fox writes...

"As a father of two daughters, one of which idolizes Wonder Woman - even before she can independently read a comic book - it is my hope that whomever picks up the torch from her on out, will give due justice and respect to the women characters in comics as well as the female readers of comics. "Men", for lack of a better term, will always be "served", but when strong female characters take the lead among men and carry the torch, as a father AND artist, it is something truly remarkable to behold. When you witness that kind of iconic inspiration on paper reflected in an anxious and impressionable girls eyes (guys too...). Anything becomes possible at that age and as long as "she" (The hero and the reader) is in the right and not wrong, she never has to take "no" for an answer, be backed into a corner or be ashamed of who she is, where she comes from or what she can become. Wonder Woman is an american icon as much as she is a role model, a beautiful amazon woman and kicker of much evil ass. I hope she never fades - as much as I hope she will continue to evolve and inspire millions."

Fox continues, and offers a detailed biography, at DC Fifty-TOO!