Updates as of July 7, 2010: I originally began "The WonderDome" as a forum in which to share both upcoming Wonder Woman projects/merchandise and my own thoughts/opinions on such. I really enjoyed the opportunities the site gave me to connect with fellow fans, industry professionals, and the manufacturers of some great Wonder Woman merchandise.
Wonder Woman #600 has hit and WOW...talk about a media storm! Everyone from CNN to the New York Times to the punchline to ANY joke, FOX News, have weighed in on this dramatic change in the Amazon Princess' direction and, more importantly (it would seem) appearance. Fans are across the board from loving this new direction/look to abhorring it and anyone connected with it. Even Lynda Carter seems to have collected some major compensation by jumping on the DC bandwagon of PR bs and said she loves the look.
I've been a Wonder Woman fan since I was 3 years old, falling in love with Lynda Carter on the TV Screen. My first issue of Wonder Woman was #300 of the original series, a double sized Anniversary Issue showcasing some AWESOME talent and a beautiful wraparound cover. Nearly 30 years later (Diana turns 70 in 2011 and I'll be 33), this milestone issue has been reached and Wondy's original numbering restored. I approached the issue with a cautious optimism and I'm happy to say I am now LOVING what lay ahead for Diana and the title. The stories by Gail Simone/George Perez, Amanda Conner, and Louise Simonson are a beautiful goodbye to the continuity that has been in place since Perez relaunched Diana back in 1986. The tale by Geoff Johns, the setup for J. Michael Stracyznski's, is surprisingly good and unexpected from the writer (he often writes Diana as a TOTAL b*tch). And JMS (J. Michael Stracyznski from this point forward) introduces us to a brand new world for Diana and crew and one that promises, if nothing else, to be a drastically different look at the character than has ever been done before (including the de-powered phase of the late 60s).
That said, the costume HAS to go. Don Kramer is a huge talent and asset to the title, and he draws the costume much better than its designer, Jim Lee (who seems stuck in the 90s), but it is still a regrettable look for the character. I do like the bracelets (minus the gloves) and the belt. Those may stay when Diana returns to a more classic look NEXT year in celebration of her seventy years of continuous publication (a distinction shared ONLY with Superman and Batman). But the leggings (no WAY are those "pants"), stirrups (Gail Simone made some hilarious comments about the boys in DC editorial strapping on saddles), and WORST of all, that gods awful jacket are best left forgotten. Like the brief stint Diana did in the biker chick costume when Artemis took over as "Wonder Woman" in the 90s.
In honor of this relaunch, DC has provided variant covers for #600 by Adam Hughes and the sold out issue will feature a new cover when it goes for a second printing late this July. You can view that cover as well as the original cover for #601 and its variant here. (in order: orig. 601 solicit, updated version, variant version, and 600 second printing cover):
WONDER WOMAN #601
Clint
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