# DC is retconning Wonder Woman & redesigning her costume **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 30, 2010, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dc-is-retconning-wonder-woman-redesigning-her-costume/545074 "2010-06-30T15:30:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2010, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dc-is-retconning-wonder-woman-redesigning-her-costume/545074/61 "2010-07-01T03:24:41Z")
Kind of like [this](http://fanartexhibit.wordpress.com/2009/08/06/new-wonder-woman-still/), in fact. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2010, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dc-is-retconning-wonder-woman-redesigning-her-costume/545074/62 "2010-07-01T04:19:12Z")
Demin jacket and black leggings? She’s busting into the modern era just like Pat Benatar! ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2010, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dc-is-retconning-wonder-woman-redesigning-her-costume/545074/63 "2010-07-01T04:31:34Z")
> [@wolfman](#): > > Crap sandwich between two slices of crap. > > She used to look like _something_. Now she just looks like a horny cougar a bad sense of style. Shut up, Marv. > [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](#): > > Yes I did, but I totally missed the part in the link that she’ll have pockets now. > > Thank God, now she’ll have a place to keep her lipstick, Icebreakers, and subway pass. As someone who remembers the Jodi Picoult era, this is\* important.\* ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2010, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dc-is-retconning-wonder-woman-redesigning-her-costume/545074/64 "2010-07-01T04:32:44Z")
I think it’s still a little passe but certainly better than that shit they’ve always had her in. (Yeah, I know you love that outfit. Not everything is about you and we can’t remain forever tied to the past.) ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2010, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dc-is-retconning-wonder-woman-redesigning-her-costume/545074/65 "2010-07-01T04:34:50Z")
I like the costume. What’s not obvious, apparently, is that the top has straps. (As seen in some interior art from the new issue.) And to denounce this as a lack of fashion sense as if it were not an improvement over the previous monstrosity of a costume is silly. Pants pants pants 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2010, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dc-is-retconning-wonder-woman-redesigning-her-costume/545074/66 "2010-07-01T04:54:39Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > what’s next?? The Batman in Bermuda shorts, tank top and flip flops? Or maybe Superman trades in the tights and cape for a red thong? He could be the first barefoot superhero. > > I rather see wonder woman retired then ruined with an unrecognizable look. Yes, this is just silly! :D:D:D But Batman could be fighting crime while on vacation, yeah, that’s the ticket! That hot purple and black suit is hot to wear at the beach. As for Superman - well, with a cheeky new look, he could go by a new name - Ass Man! (Hey, it’s temporary!) ---
**Author:** ![Anamorphic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/anamorphic/32/3057_2.png) [@Anamorphic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anamorphic)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2010, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dc-is-retconning-wonder-woman-redesigning-her-costume/545074/67 "2010-07-01T05:00:49Z")
I kinda like it. It’s not amazing, but it’s a major step up from the ugly, dated costume they’ve had her in up until now. ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2010, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dc-is-retconning-wonder-woman-redesigning-her-costume/545074/68 "2010-07-01T05:04:09Z")
> [@](#): > > Imagine our excitement when we learned that our dear Wonder Woman of the awesome star-speckled short shorts and bullet-busting arm wristlet-thingies and sexy-yet-rugged bustier (plus, calf-high go-go/shit-kickers!) was to get a makeover. Because, she already looked pretty great, if a scratch retro. She could only look better, right? Especially with a haircut and blowout, maybe some bangs? Unfortunately, no. > > Inspired by the desire to make her costume “less revealing,” and to “shine a critical and creative spotlight on the heroine,” DC Comics has dressed her in what appear to be jeggings (oh, holy no, Batman!), along with a tacky/clashy yellow-gold belt and sash (the better for catching on doorknobs and railroad tracks), a skin-tight red sateen booby-shirt from the Brothels of JC Penney collection (strapless, too, so we hope she has a supportive underwire), and some ugly-ass ankle boots with either gold straps or socks. Topped off with a crop denim-or-navy shoulder-padded jacket with epaulet-style buttons? We’d say at least her hair looks better, but it could use a good brushing. Wow. Just WOW. FUCK the New York Times for this. They want to actually focus on quality writing and make a female comic book character that isn’t absurdly sexist, and this is the shit they catch from one of the most popular and well-respected publications in the country? No fucking wonder we can’t have interesting and realistic females in superhero books. Someone tell me the name of this title. I’m gonna buy every single issue just to support it, even though I don’t normally give a crap about Wonder Woman. ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2010, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dc-is-retconning-wonder-woman-redesigning-her-costume/545074/69 "2010-07-01T05:10:55Z")
Just like Superman and Batman, Wonder Woman’s outfit is based off of circus performer’s outfits. It’s silly, yeah, but it’s a part of the character. ---
**Author:** ![B.Serum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/b.serum/32/14266_2.png) [@B.Serum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/B.Serum)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2010, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dc-is-retconning-wonder-woman-redesigning-her-costume/545074/70 "2010-07-01T06:24:44Z")
> [@Cisco](#): > > Someone tell me the name of this title. I’m gonna buy every single issue just to support it, even though I don’t normally give a crap about Wonder Woman. Uhh… it’s called “_Wonder Woman_.” ---
**Author:** ![jackdavinci](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackdavinci/32/3259_2.png) [@jackdavinci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackdavinci)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2010, 7:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dc-is-retconning-wonder-woman-redesigning-her-costume/545074/71 "2010-07-01T07:06:06Z")
I don’t hate it as much as I was expecting to. And they do really need to do something to her costume if she’s going to ever get a future movie franchise. Compare with some of her [other looks](http://www.bigshinyrobot.com/reviews/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/wonderwoman.jpg). I think my favorite though was her [Sparta look](http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h209/7p7/1176601586403.jpg) (which in some situations also included a cape and helmet). ---
**Author:** ![WotNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e19b73/32.png) [@WotNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WotNot)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2010, 7:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dc-is-retconning-wonder-woman-redesigning-her-costume/545074/72 "2010-07-01T07:10:30Z")
> [@Cisco](#): > > Wow. Just WOW. FUCK the New York Times for this. They want to actually focus on quality writing and make a female comic book character that isn’t absurdly sexist, and this is the shit they catch from one of the most popular and well-respected publications in the country? No fucking wonder we can’t have interesting and realistic females in superhero books. That’s the _Village Voice_ article quoted there. The writer of the NYT article appears to have done a little more than glance at the costume design from a distance. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2010, 7:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dc-is-retconning-wonder-woman-redesigning-her-costume/545074/73 "2010-07-01T07:14:51Z")
I suspect it’s a way to put in some real permanent changes. It’s kinda like the overton window way of pulling it off: they’re going way overboard now, so that, when she changes it back, the much smaller changes will be more palatable. And I actually like some of the new outfit. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2010, 11:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dc-is-retconning-wonder-woman-redesigning-her-costume/545074/74 "2010-07-01T11:42:00Z")
> [@](#): > > I think my favorite though was her Sparta look (which in some situations also included a cape and helmet). THIS…IS…AMAZON ISLAND! (kick) ---
**Author:** ![zweisamkeit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zweisamkeit/32/4360_2.png) [@zweisamkeit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zweisamkeit)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2010, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dc-is-retconning-wonder-woman-redesigning-her-costume/545074/75 "2010-07-01T15:03:03Z")
> [@smiling\_bandit](#): > > I like the new look. I tdoes make her look a bit more like a scrappy brawler (and while she is a tough, skilled amazon warrior with expert training heightened by years of expereince, she’s also enjoys tossing fists wildly. 😃 ) The new costume emphasizes her toughness, but it’s also a good look overall. Good colors, reasonable style, but heroic. It’s also far more practical for fighting people. Low heeled boots, stretchy jeans and a top is more useful than her old standard outfit. I think it’s pretty sweet. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Scud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Tom\_Scud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Scud)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2010, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dc-is-retconning-wonder-woman-redesigning-her-costume/545074/76 "2010-07-01T15:04:59Z")
The jacket is kind of dumb, but I like the rest of the outfit. ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2010, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dc-is-retconning-wonder-woman-redesigning-her-costume/545074/77 "2010-07-01T15:14:16Z")
I don’t like it. It’s not a bad design. It just doesn’t feel like Wonder Woman to me. ---
**Author:** ![Lightray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightray/32/391_2.png) [@Lightray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightray)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2010, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dc-is-retconning-wonder-woman-redesigning-her-costume/545074/78 "2010-07-01T15:28:12Z")
The costume design is a little goofy, but no goofier than what she’s got now, nor what most other heroes are prancing around in. The _real_ problem here is that this is a stunt to revive the comic’s sales… which is doing the _exact same_ things that prior stunts have done: 1. New costume: done to death (oh, Mod Diana. tsk.) 2. Kill off all the Amazons: done to death. and then some. heck, they _just_ got all revived in Gail Simone’s arc. 3. Change-in-timeline Retcon: not specific to WW, but overall in DC _done to death_. I’d wonder how this one will break the recently-fixed LSH continuity… but why bother, when it actually breaks _JSA_ continuity (fare-thee-well, Hippolyta as WWII Wonder Woman) 4. Stunt Writer: Straczynski. Oy. Simone’s arc was going along rather well, and was actually fixing some of the _real_ problems with WW – namely, her rogues’ gallery. _Not_ her costume. If Superman can be iconic wearing his underpants on the outside with a belt, then WW can be so in her star-spangled granny pants swimsuit. As has been noted, Lynda Carter certainly pulled that look off. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2010, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dc-is-retconning-wonder-woman-redesigning-her-costume/545074/79 "2010-07-01T15:32:52Z")
> [@Lightray](#): > > 1. Kill off all the Amazons: done to death. and then some. heck, they _just_ got all revived in Gail Simone’s arc. Gail’s being rather cryptic about this changeover, but you can bet she isn’t too happy about it. Oh, well-we can still read _Birds Of Prey_ to see it done right. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2010, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dc-is-retconning-wonder-woman-redesigning-her-costume/545074/80 "2010-07-01T16:07:44Z")
I bought the first two Wonder Woman Archives reprint books in 2007. They cover the first few years of the comics. I like the original Wonder Woman look the best. They came out during WWII and most of the stories dealt with fighting Nazis. I need to buy the next two books myself. That covers almost all William Moulton Marston’s original work. here’s the first volume. The others are on ebay too. [http://cgi.ebay.com/WONDER-WOMAN-ARCHIVES-HC-VOL-1-30-OFF-HARDCOVER-/400110902811?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH\_DefaultDomain\_0&hash=item5d2877de1b](http://cgi.ebay.com/WONDER-WOMAN-ARCHIVES-HC-VOL-1-30-OFF-HARDCOVER-/400110902811?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5d2877de1b) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dc-is-retconning-wonder-woman-redesigning-her-costume/545074.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dc-is-retconning-wonder-woman-redesigning-her-costume/545074.md?page=5)