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Updates as of September 1, 2006: I originally began The WonderDome as a forum in which to share both upcoming Wonder Woman projects/merchandise and my own thoughts/opionions on such. Much has changed with Wonder Woman since I shut down this website. She is no longer a Princess, no longer an ambassador, and is once again running around with a secret identity (something her reboot in 1986 made rather ridiculous). The title was cancelled early this year and, then a few months later, relaunched. A well respected writer (Greg Rucka) was pulled from the book long before he had planned to leave, and a writer with more Media cred was given carte blanche in reinventing Wonder Woman for the 2000s.
Alan Heinberg is well known in TV circles for his acclaimed work on "The OC" and "Grey's Anatomy" (shows I have yet to watch and, therefore, can offer no opinion as to quality). He's still a rather new talent on the comic's, having only worked on Marvel's "Young Avengers" as a solo writer up til DC Comics, in a step to attract an audience beyond the ever dwindling Comic Book faithful, recruited Mr. Heinberg (a longtime Wonder Woman fan) to handle the character's relaunch.
Contracted for ONLY five issues, Mr. Heinberg was an unusual choice for the relaunch of a major comic book icon. Add in the fact that his work in comics is chronically LATE, and it becomes even more unusual that DC went this route. Afterall, when your bread and butter comes from a lucrative industry such as television, a few issues of Marvel's "Young Avengers" or "Wonder Woman," are hardly worth losing sleep to insure your contributions to these titles are on time and as contractually agreed upon. Yet DC Comics, wisely, took into consideration Mr. Heinberg's previous scheduling issues and ended the previous "Wonder Woman" series WAY back in February of this year (2006). Allan's first issue was not due to ship until JUNE, giving him MANY months to write his limited run and allow for a timely scheduling of such.
So, hot property writer is now in place. Who could fill out that roster of buzz talent and come aboard as artist for this new era in Wonder Woman's sixty five years of comic history? Who could envigorate the artistic side of things for a comic book that has, unfortunately, been plagued with many subpar artists during the majority of it's publishing history?
Greg Rucka, the last writer of the second volume of "Wonder Woman," was teamed with several artists that, while they showed great promise (Drew Johnson, afterall, turned in some GOREGEOUS pinup style artwork of the title character. It was the storytelling aspect that left the majority of fans underwhelmed), failed to deliver on it while on the book. Cliff Richards, the man to illustrate the last handful of the second volume of "Wonder Woman," not only showed promise, but fullfilled and exceeded all expectations this reader had. Had he been tapped to continue under Mr. Heinberg's scripts, I would have been fairly happy. But he said goodbye to Wondy in February's #226 (which, oddly, shipped the day after my 28th birthday. Thanks for the depressing gift, DC!) as the title left comic racks for nearly four months.
Terry Dodson, and his wife, Rachel, are one of the very few husband/wife teams working in comics today. I LOVED their work on "Harley Quinn" as I saw it showed not only a deft ability to convey a story without words, but had me laughing out loud with all the "in-jokes" the artist pair managed to sneak into many of the panels. Portraying devastatingly gorgeous (and respectful!) depictions of both genders, I often wondered what the pair could do when given the reigns to "Wonder Woman." Knowing Allan Heinberg's buzz would require an artist worthy to attach to it, DC Comics asked Rachel and Terry to play a part in the relaunch of Wondy. Her third in sixty five years. Unlike her fellow members of DC's "Trinity," Diana was once again being taken back to number one. Yet, I was still pretty excited to see what the new era of "Wonder Woman" would have in store for this twenty some odd year fan.
Flash forward to today. Three issues of the new series should be taking up space in my comic book collection, with the fourth originally solicited in stores the second week of Sept. The first issue shipped on June 7th. Yet the second installment did not arrive in fans hands until just last week. August 23rd, to be exact. What is the reason for this delay? And why did DC make an announcement just this week, August 29th, that "Wonder Woman," for the first time since the original series was cancelled back in 1986, has gone to a bi-monthly shipping status?
Unfortunately, I am not at liberty to share all the details of this major insult to both the fans, and the status of "Wonder Woman" within DC's professed Iconic rank she holds among the "trinity" that includes Superman and Batman. I can, however, tell you to look no further than DC's desire to appeal to a certain writer's fanbase and allowing him to not only go against their previously agreed upon publishing schedule, but to actually REWRITE the majority of his run.
I'm all for a writer being allowed to present his vision. But in a medium that remains relevant as a still viable form of entertainment by maintaining a constant shipping schedule, delaying a beloved character's title by several months past the originally announced shipping date, and furthering the sting by stating it will now OFFICIALLY be two months inbetween each issue, is inexcusable.
Allan has shown us a fun take on "Wonder Woman." Are there several flaws in the plotting and reasoning behind the story? Oh hell yes. But, if you are willing to return to an age in comics when they were meant as little more than escapist fun, you can enjoy the tale Allan is weaving. If you hate the story (there hasn't been much thus far. The majority happening in last weeks #2), you can still be engrossed in the gorgeous artwork the Dodsons are putting their heart into.
While the fans are suffering by not getting their Wonder Woman fix in a timely manner, it's really the Dodsons that end up victims at the end of the day. Imagine: you are contracted to do a monthly comic. You budget your salary and ability to stay current with the cost of daily life accordingly. Suddenly, you are now only getting paid every two months for work you expected to have the ability to complete monthly. If only your writer turned in scripts on time.
Thank you, Terry and Rachel, for being so kind in your interviews and for producing such beautiful (and goodwill inducing) artwork. I only hope you stay onboard the title when Heinberg FINALLY wraps his run in February of 2007.
Wow...five issues, as it stands right now, from June 2006 to February 2007. Way to drop the ball DC.
Now that I have that out of my system, look here shortly for announcement on some positive things going on in the world of Wonder. Great merchandise is on the way and I'm geared up to make this your one stop source for news and thoughtful commentary on all things Wonder Woman. Thanks for reading and feel free to share your thoughts, idea, and contributions at mercifulminerva@yahoo.com
Clint
**disclaimer** Wonder Woman, and all related characters and indicias, are trademarks of DC COMICS, INC. No part of this website is for profit and all opinons shared are those solely of the webmaster. You can enjoy Wonder Woman in comics published by DC Comics. At least, you can every other month. :)
