C’mon DC. Is this REALLY the best design the uber-talented Jim Lee could come up with for Wonder Woman’s new look? Sigh. For those not in the know, Wonder Woman #600 hits comic stores today headed by a new creative team, and thus the obligatory changing of the guards must take place, which ALWAYS includes a costume re-design. The intent with Wonder Woman’s latest look was to bring her firmly into the modern era, which is an immediate fail for me, when you give her a terrible looking jacket reminiscent of some of the worst 90’s costume designs the comic world has ever seen. (The 90’s were a creative wasteland when it came to superhero costumes) Ugh. I cringe just thinking about it. The jacket isn’t the only offender. Any re-design that includes a choker immediately disqualifies itself from joining us here in 2010. I mean, Christ, a CHOKER?? Are you SERIOUS??
Phew. Not to be a total Grumpy Gus, there are actually a few things that have potential on WW’s new suit. I’m really digging the feel of the red “corset” (if you will) section. The larger, more colorful set of Bracers makes sense as well (since it’s a main part of her defense when it comes to projectile weapons). I’m not a fan of the colorless section of the lower half of her costume either. It needs a dash of color, maybe some sort of simple piping to lead the eye downwards. If I was tackling a re-design for WW, I’d break it down to the most basic elements of the character and go from there. I’d design the costume around three things that people know instinctively when thinking of the character:
- The Bracers
- The Lasso
- The Colors (and maybe the Eagle.)
I’d stay away from using stars, because Wonder Woman shouldn’t be aligned patriotically with the United States, like say, Captain America is. Wonder Woman is an Amazon Warrior, and that should always be present in her design in some way, shape or form no matter what era she’s being re-imagined for. I think this is another case of men designing outfits for women, that feel cheap and tacky, instead of noble and beautiful. I’d be very curious to see how a fashion designer would tackle the Wonder Woman costume. Would he/she design something better? Infinitely worse perhaps? Or would they feel the costume is too iconic to drastically tamper with, like Superman. Or Batman. Wonder Woman is considered to be DC Comic’s “Top Three”, yet her book suffers from poor sales constantly, no matter what direction they attempt to steer her in. She seems to deflect permanent, relevant change like a stray bullet off of her steel bracers. I suppose we’ll have to wait and see if #600 breathes new life into the Amazon Princess.
I thought it would be fun to include some more Wonder Woman costumes from the past, both good and bad. Feast and or shield your eyes below!
A great line-up of most of her costumes since her debut in 1941.
Project: Rooftop held a re-design contest a while back, and these were the results. I’ve posted two of my favorite here on Mind Grapes. Click here to see the rest!
By Ming Doyle. Fantastic. I would have just extended her "skirt" a bit more, but I respect his take immensely.
And with the good comes the bad. Mike Deodato Jr. still holds the “worst offender” award when it came to a re-imagined look for Wonder Woman. There really are NO words. SHAMEFUL and ABOMINATION might be two to bandy about though.
Enjoy!
-Mooch-
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