DC BEGINS: Wonder Woman



How many times can a character be reinvented?


One of the most iconic characters in comics is also one whose book continues to receive one facelift after the next. While I have enjoyed the current “Odyssey” storyline in Wonder Woman, I don’t know that the J. Michael Straczynski/Phil Hester-penned tale has done enough for the character to create positive long-lasting effects.

As far as I’m concerned, this is the same stoic character that has inhabited the book for years. She only has a new suit.

I think you could go the obvious route with the character if she isn’t working anymore and create an event titled “The Death of Wonder Woman!” It would sell a lot of books—and that really is what needs to be done (to sell a lot of books, not the death part).

But killing the character off would be cheap and easy. I do think it’s time for Diana to retire as Wonder Woman though. It seems difficult for even the best writers to find interesting stories and scenarios for this character. Growing up, Wonder Woman has always been that one character who has always been going through a “fresh new take.”

Here’s what I would do:

Have Diana return to Themyscira as the island’s new Queen. Diana would then grant her powers to a young woman who is deemed, by the former princess, worthy of taking on the mantle of Wonder Woman. The girl would be rough around the edges, not totally confident in her ability to take on this intimidating role, but her heart would be pure—this is the characteristic that Diana uses to select the new heroine. And no, it wouldn’t be Donna Troy or Cassie Sandsmark.

A new costume does not a
character make.

So after this five part first arc, titled “The Search for Wonder Woman”, the new Wonder Woman would take on the role of protector of a fictional DC city; it’s my belief that every hero needs something to protect. Because the new Wonder Woman was raised in man’s world, she is smart and savvy to the way of men. She can also have friends who are relatable and date guys who don’t drink from grails or hunt (or befriend) minotaurs.

One of her arch-nemeses could be one of the runners-up that was unable to convince the original Wonder Woman that she was fit to ascend to the role of world’s most famous heroine. And of course there are all the mythological villains who would come out of the woodwork to take on the new Wonder Woman to test if she is truly worthy.

The new Wonder Woman could often go to Themyscira for guidance, whether from Diana or the other Amazons. The fish out of water elements of her visits to the island could also be great fun as she learns the ways of the Amazons.

The tough thing about the current Wonder Woman is that she is often written as this uncharismatic figure who is sometimes difficult to find appealing. While she works well on a team, reading her solo stories month after month can bring to light the weaknesses in her character.

Rumor has it that DC might start all (or many) of their books over at issue #1. "DC Begins" is our take on the biggest and brightest of the DCU.