Before Linda Carter, there was Cathy Lee Crosby as Wonder Woman, if only for an ever so brief moment. Watch all the CLC/Wondy action this holiday season.
And, while you’re at it, Warner Bros. has got you covered with the second season of the much acclaimed, “Superboy.” They both are on their way starting December 11.
More details follow:
Filed under Superheroes, Superman, Television, Warner Bros., Wonder Woman
Wonder Woman is the crown jewel in comics. You have the trinity of Batman, Superman and…Wonder Woman. Since her debut in the first issue of “Sensation Comics” in 1940, she’s grabbed the attention of the general public. Some might say that she’s had some trouble staying in the spotlight but she’s too important a character, a symbol, to not do right by her. She’s the Statue of Liberty of comics! You know what I’m saying? Well, lucky for us, she’s been getting the royal treatment for her run as part of the New 52. Written by Brian Azzarello (100 Bullets) and drawn by Cliff Chiang (Human Target), it is the royal treatment indeed.
We’re already up to Issue Four and this story just keeps getting more intriguing. We’ve had a fundamental change to Diana’s origin that has really become a central part of this story in a very intelligent and interesting way. So, this is hardly a secret, you know that the big game changer is that Diana no longer was literally created from clay by her mother, Hippolyta. Sure, she could have easily created a child from clay but that story always seemed a bit too creepy. I love this new version because, in an instant, it makes Wonder Woman all the more accessible. Hippolyta had an affair with Zeus, the ultimate womanizing god! And what happens on Paradise Island can not stay on Paradise Island. In Issue Four, Hippolyta comes face to face with the other woman, Hera!
But that’s only part of the story. As you may recall from the first issue, Wonder Woman has found herself providing comfort, and much needed safety, for a mortal young woman, Zola, who managed to hook up and get knocked up by Zeus.
Then you have Strife who is a totally messed up chick. But Wonder Woman has got it covered. At the first sign of Strife threatening Zola and her baby, Wonder Woman lets Strife have it. All this played out in a club, which is nice to see Wonder Woman being a part of that scene.
We also have Apollo who is plotting his next move very carefully. We see him attempting to drag Ares into his plans. With a shaky hand, the world-weary God of War, pours himself another drink and never stops pouring. He looks as beleaguered as he could possibly be. This story has many things in play and it all looks to be part of an awesome bigger story.
We’ve come a long way since that first issue of “Sensation Comics.” Wonder Woman can look forward to a healthy relaunch. The next issue, Number 5, is on sale January 18, 2012. Tell me that “Woman Woman” is not a hot title! Oh, it is. Wonder Woman is something to whoot, whoot, whoot about!
You can’t get tired of this cover art by Cliff Chiang for the next issue. It is easily one of the coolest covers I’ve seen in a long while. The next issue comes out January 18, 2012. Keep a close eye on Wondy. She is red hot.
Filed under Brian Azzarello, Cliff Chiang, Comics, DC Comics, The New 52, Wonder Woman
I have no beef with Kathy Bates. I’d go even as far as to say that her current show on NBC, “HARRY”S LAW,” is for all intents and purposes a fine little show, reminiscent of “CANNON” and “BARNABY JONES.” But to favor this show over the possibility of bringing back “WONDER WOMAN”? Apparently, NBC would rather drop the idea of David E. Kelley’s reboot of “Wonder Woman” and instead invest in more episodes of “Harry’s Law.”
Why not take Kathy Bates and cast her in a role in the new Wondy show? She might be able to play Wondy’s mom or maybe a character much like, if not identical, to the one she’s playing now on this Harry show. She could be a female version of Commisioner Gordon. I know, wrong superhero reference, but you know what I’m saying.
Adrianne Palicki might be counting her lucky stars. It does seem like she was miscast. And, most likely, this Wondy effort was missing something very important, like a real purpose to exist. Ah well, maybe it’s good that NBC is being as cautious as it is. Or maybe they don’t really care and figure “Harry” is money in the bank.
Filed under DC Comics, Wonder Woman
I was just commenting the other day about Eric Palicki’s writing for comics, particularly his new work, “Barefoot.” And now we get the big news from “The Hollywood Reporter” that his sister has been chosen to star in the new Wonder Woman TV show on NBC. There are no two ways about it, Adrianne Palicki is a hottie. She also happens to have developed an impressive career on TV which includes superhero street cred: Adrianne played Supergirl on “Smallville” and had a role on the CW’s short-lived “Aquaman.” But is this just shortsighted typecasting? Some might agree. Then again, this is supposed to be a different Wonder Woman, based out of LA, so let’s roll with it.
Here is some info from the press release:
The series pilot is a reinvention of the iconic DC Comics title in which Wonder Woman – a.k.a. Diana Prince – is a vigilante crime fighter in Los Angeles but also a successful corporate executive and a modern woman trying to balance all of the elements of her extraordinary life. Kelley and Bill D’Elia (“Boston Legal,” “The Practice”) are the executive producers. The pilot was written by Kelley and will be directed by Jeffrey Reiner(NBC’s “The Event”). “Wonder Woman” is from David E. Kelley Productions and Warner Bros. Television.
So, what does this mean to you, or to me? Well, I’m just a guy. I scratch when I itch. I will lay about with a beer and watch a game now and then. I don’t keep up with all the shows on TV unless it’s something that really calls out to me, otherwise I may be tone deaf to something that apparently is popular. For instance, Adrianne Palicki is currently the star of “Friday Night Lights.” I have no idea what that is. She plays the role of Tyra Collete. Maybe I’ll look it up.
What I initally found interesting was all the newfound interest in Wonder Woman. This is one of those shows that I’m interested to follow as the publicity ramps up. I am not a wild fan of too many actors. You’d have to go back to Jack Lemmon for someone I really liked and cared about. Or, for someone more recent, Drew Barrymore, but on a different level. And on an even more different level, Russell Brand comes to mind. What do Jack Lemmon, Drew Barrymore and Russell Brand have in common? They all come across as real human beings. Smart, talented and human. That’s a great combination.
Anyway, back to Wonder Woman, based on what fans seem to want, it really looked like the best choice would have been Bridget Regan. She was on ABC’s “Legend of the Seeker.” Again, that does not register with me but, from what I can tell, it looks good. And, from what I see, Adrianne Palicki should do quite well as Wonder Woman. This could very well be her Lynda Carter moment. She may become a truly household name, although audiences are definitely not what they were in Carter’s day. Everything is now scattered and random. Audiences can be more fickle. Corporations can be less patient. Although there are always exceptions. Did anyone predict that “Big Bang Theory” would become a hit? No, of course not. Some shows take time and are worth sticking with. And some shows get dropped for no good reason other than low ratings.
Whatever the case, Adrianne Palicki will become better known because of the fact she’s now Wonder Woman and then, after that, her career may go downhill unless she’s really good on this show, so good that she actually transcends it. Now, that’s a tall order. We’ll wait and see.
Filed under DC Comics, NBC, Television, Wonder Woman
In comics news, what is on my radar right now is the new Wonder Woman collection of MAC cosmetics. Designed by Alex Chalk, this collection will make you feel like you’ve just gained superpowers. In the US, you can go down to your local Macy’s and sample the wares.
Really, as far as anything about comics at the moment, I find this most interesting. I happen to have been at Macy’s during the launch this weekend and this collection was indeed a hit among all age groups. There were director chairs lined up for free makeovers and you had tweens on up to more mature and adventurous ladies. Does it say something about the allure of Wonder Woman? Yes, I believe it does. Of course, the presentation was impeccable with a pop culture panache that would have made Andy Warhol proud. But the fact remains that Wonder Woman, the idea of Wonder Woman, is amazingly powerful. The character, as broad and iconic as she is, lends herself to vast interpretation. She is speaking to women, and men, on so many levels that it should have the heads of DC Comics talent spinning and striving for even more engaging content for Wondy. Would it be possible to create something similar for men, maybe a cologne, covering a wide age range, that would bring in Superman or Batman? Probably not. Now, that’s pretty darn powerful.
Filed under comic books, Comics, DC Comics, Wonder Woman
“I tend to be a little grand in terms of storytelling, I’ve never been limited by anybody’s sense of reality.” That from the great David E. Kelley, a man who lives the dream in Hollywood, having written, and produced, his way to the top with some of the most popular TV show over the years: “LA Law,” “Chicago Hope,” “Picket Fences,” and that most quirky and iconic of shows, “Ally McBeal.” Now, he’s gotten the greenlight from new NBC entertainment president Bob Greenblatt to bring forth a reboot of Wonder Woman. This is huge. Outside of any stupendous blunder, this show will be a hit.
The fact is that Wonder Woman is currently stalled. In the comics, she remains on uncertain footing. And as for that regularly promised movie, that remains elusive. But on TV, and in the capable hands of Mr. Kelley, we should see TV leading the way on the fate of this iconic character, at least for awhile. Most people will not care one way or another if the character is attached to the military or whether or not she’s an Amazon princess. Some details on the new show state that she will be a corporate executive in LA who turns superhero vigilante by night. Even the most casual viewer should pick up on how far afield that is to the Lynda Carter Wonder Woman but, again, it may not matter if the writing is crisp and, especially, if the actress is out of this world. You want someone who is not too sweet (Jennifer Love Hewitt) or too tough (Megan Fox). One very good option would be Bridget Regan. She has proven herself quite capable on ABC’s “Legend of the Seeker.” She might be just what Wonder Woman needs right now, just the right mix of sexy and smart.
Yes, indeed, the TV show should provide some valuable lessons for Wonder Woman in the comics and, eventually, on the big screen. Either that, or just let us have a real gem on the small screen. Whatever the case, it will be harsh to watch if NBC mucks this one up.
Filed under comic books, Comics, NBC, Wonder Woman
