The last couple days I have dragged out many pin-ups of the Amazon Princess, many iconic cover images, and startlingly few examples of homemade costumes. I guess the prevailance of the cheap nylon costumes is such that nobody bothers making their own.
It is amazingly easy to find the red boots, as well. Just go to any stripper-supply website.
But that's not what I want to do. I don't think I want to settle for the bathing-suit look. Although it looks impressive on a cartoon woman, in real life even the best of us have to cope with waxing, cellulite and veins in the legs. Those French-cut briefs can get pretty chilly in an air-conditioned hotel. And frankly I don't want me or the character to be relegated to cheesecake. Wonder Woman's a warrior and she deserves respect.
Fortunately for me, there's a woman writing Wonder Woman now, and she seems to feel the way I (and many other fans) do.
This, for example, is awesome:
The bustier has straps, for Pete's sake, and the leather skirt is fantastically appropriate. I also like the lacing on the back of her boots. And she comes with combative accessories.
Yes, I think that one's a winner.
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7 comments:
That is awesome! Her boots also do not have heels, which makes sense. I've often thought so many super heroines would break an ankle with their first steps. This version of Diana also has muscles, not just curves. Love that Xena-esque leather skirt.
Who designed the costume? Do you think it was actually Simone (she's writing now, right?) or the illustrator?
I wish I knew. Gail Simone is still writing, as far as I know, as of my typing this. I couldn't find the issue that contained this page, although I checked issues #13-19, which is the current run. I assumed it was Simone's writing since she made the remark about Wonder Woman picking up an axe and facing down an army. Also I found that pic on this board and the poster implied it was in Gail's book.
However, over on Project Rooftop they put out a call for a fan redesign of the costume and Gail chimed in to indicate that she liked the iconic one. Probably she has to say that, considering where her bread gets buttered.
But I think the leather skirt and breastplate are a terrific compromise. If anybody knows who the illustrator on this was, please let me know.
These panels are from Gail Simone's 'Hypothetical Woman' story arc in JLA Classified. It was drawn by Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez. I can't remember which issue this was in particular, but it's available in TPB.
Excellent, Dean, thank you!
That explains all kinds of things, in my universe. Lopez illustrated Cinder and Ashe in the 80's, which was probably the first non-tights title I ever read and still remains my touchstone for Comics Done Right. I love the art in that book. What especially impresses me is that the two main characters are shown at various young stages of their lives, in flashbacks, and yet they are still completely recognizable.
Lopez has a fine sense of kinetic movement, as well, and knows how to draw human bodies that look like humans, even when they're athletic specimens.
Maybe someday I'll be in a position to have him draw Trace. If nothing else now I have a clear reference point that I can direct a prospective artist to.
Another JLGL adorer checking in. The man can definitely draw. Look for his covers of Wonder Woman during the Byrne run (v. 2, around issue 125 & thereabouts).
While JLGL has actually drawn one version of the longline brassiere & short shorts that looks like it could exist in reality (which someday I'll have to scan) it doesn't look terribly comfortable. I think there's a lot of room for artistic license in trying to render Wonder Woman in physical construct instead of 2-d image.
>longline brassiere & short shorts ...looks like it could exist in reality [but] it doesn't look terribly comfortable
Yes, that is the problem I'm facing right now. I've built/worn a lot of corsets, and they definitely hamper your movement. A full-boned bustier looks great and will stop a sucker punch to the solar plexus, however they are not great for tying your shoes, and if you raise your arms above your head, you can be showing off more than you planned.
... back to the drawing board.
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