
For When I Feel Like Recommending Comics: Still Can’t Shut Up About Wonder Woman Edition
So I’ll let this interview with writer Brian Azzarrello catch you up on where things in Wonder Woman stand after a year of stories and speak to just how brilliant this dude is. He just gets it.
Here’s an excerpt:
Nrama: This issue also had an important moment as Wonder Woman took off her bracelets. What did that moment represent to you?
Azzarello: It represented a lot of things. But I think one of the most important things is choice. And I don’t mean that in a political way. I mean, Wonder Woman should have the choice to do whatever the hell she wants, which is something I think she’s lost.
She should be able to be as big of a hero as Batman or Superman without her last name.
Nrama: Woman.
Azzarello: Yeah, her last name is woman. And for some reason, that has made that character lesser. And I don’t think she should be that way.
Now we’re getting philosophical.
Nrama: Yeah, but I could tell the bracelets, while they obviously held a cool story moment for issue #12, were also symbolic. At least it felt that way for me. But are you tiptoeing on the line of “Wonder Woman as a feminist” with that statement comparing her to Batman and Superman?
Azzarello: No, that shouldn’t be what she’s about either. She is just such a great character. That’s what I’m saying. She is not a lesser character. I think she’s smarter than the bulk of them.
But I’m not just talking about powers and match-ups. People like to say, “Oh, can she beat up Superman? That would make her equal.” But that’s ridiculous. Do you know what I’m saying? She has to be able to beat him physically to be his equal? I don’t think that’s right.
I mean, just look at how well she has survived what we’ve put her through. Her mother’s dead now; her whole family’s dead, or turned into snakes. But she has the ability to move on. That makes her strong to me. And realistic and identifiable, because it’s what we all have to do.
As you can tell, I’m very invested in this character.
Nrama: Which you should be.
Azzarello: Yep. That’s my girl. She used to be a character I didn’t care about. Now I do.
Nrama: But let me just try to understand what you’re saying with this idea of equality. Are you saying Wonder Woman has as much potential as a character, and as much potential to “save the universe,” as any of the other DC characters?
Azzarello: Yeah! And she isn’t usually given that opportunity.
Nrama: And that brings us back to that idea of freedom and choice we were talking about with the bracelets. You’re saying she shouldn’t be relegated to stories that shackle her.
Azzarello: Exactly.
Pamela Isley by spicysteweddemon
Their website
Cliff Chiang’s nod to the ultra-mod Wonder Woman of the late 60s really works for me.
The wood paneling in the doctor’s office even! I love it. So smart.
“Batman and the Tit Titans” #1 cover by Mico Suayan
why is catwoman’s hand coming out of Pamela’s lush tropical forest?
Great Comics That Never Happened by Rusty Shackles
Hmmm, Batman or druggy sex magic… Batman or druggy sex magic… god this is worse than Sophie’s Choice.
Artist: website / tumblr (via: xombiedirge)
(Source: xombiedirge)