Wonder Woman - The New 52

We are two issues into Diana's run with DC's new 52 and I have to say I have been quite impressed with what I have seen and am anxiously looking forward to where this story will take us. When the first news broke of the new 52 we had been give a glimpse of Diana wearing long black pants and to be honest I liked it. Of course as we all know that was not to be true - she is back in her starred shorts - though now in black. Also, the only thing gold now is the lasso. However her color scheme isn't the only thing that has changed. It has been announced that for the first time in her history that she has a father, and it isn't just any father  - but Zeus himself.

What does this mean for Diana? Only time will tell . . .

My Collection - Maquettes

This was a Warner Bros store exclusive. It has the standard modern era costume with a molded golden lasso being held in Diana's hand. It is approximately 13 inches stall.

 This second piece was based on based on DC's direct to DVD animated Wonder Woman movie. The style of this Wonder Woman is a bit sleeker with very straight hair, a simplified costume (the yellow of the WW breastplate continues across her back), and a more determined face.

This maquette did a good job recreating the Diana represented in the movie.

Upcoming release

A picture of this awesome upcoming release from Tonner arrived in my inbox just a few moments ago. 

Its Donna Troy wearing her standard Wonder Girl attire. She looks amazing and is definitely on my list for possible addition to my collection. 

Dear Santa . . . .  :-)

#1

I traveled to the comic store on a break today and low and behold Wonder Woman #1 was SOLD OUT!!!  I am happy in one respect - that people are excited and interested to see what's happening; however I'm also sad that I don't have it in my hands. I said I wouldn't - but I may just have to buy it digitally so that I can at least read it. I want to know what's going on!

5 more days . . .

Till the new #1!

The Tonner figures - I don't own

In my previous posts I focused on the beautiful Wonder Woman dolls by Tonner that I actually own in my collection. During one of my posts I also mentioned two others that I do not own Artemis and Justice Protector WW. It got me thinking that it might be good to mention the other amazing Tonner pieces that perhaps someday will be in my collection. 

Quick side note: I do own one non-Wonder Woman Tonner doll - Batgirl. 

Wonder Woman: Amazon Princess

This beautiful piece was released after the first DC Stars doll and before the Amazonian Warrior doll. She is beautifully done and definitely something that I would love to add to my collection sometime in the future.

Trunk Set

This was an FAO Scwarz exclusive and was limited to 100 pieces. It features the first DC Stars doll and costume with two additional outfits. The first is the white Goddess of Truth dress complete with blue cap that  completely captures the look and feel from the comics. The second outfit is a completely original take on a more warrior appearance. Unlike the gold Amazonian Warrior outfit this one keeps the R,W&B but adds new red gauntlets PLUS a shield and a sword (that were greatly missing from the Amazonian Warrior).

At the time this was released it cost $600 and now that several years have past, I highly doubt I will ever own it. (Unless of course, I win the lottery)

Diana of Themyscira

Released as an exclusive to Tonnerdirect.com, Diana of Themyscira beautifully portrays our heroine as she might appear out on the town. I absolutely love the look of this piece and would love to own this one day. I love how - just by looking at her you can tell she is Wonder Woman. You can't really tell from this promo photo, but the dress itself is a halter top with completely separate sleeves.

Wonder Woman Athena's Champion

Athena's Champion was an exclusive for a convention (sorry, I don't know which one). Again, this piece beautiful portrays Diana in a very traditional Greek feeling attire that you could imagine her wearing on Themyscira. I also appreciate that you can get the feel that she is Wonder Woman without being beat over the head with R,W&B that unfortunately tends to happen sometimes in the comics. I would love to have this piece one day, but again, since it was an exclusive I don't think that will be happening any time soon.

Deluxe Edition

The deluxe edition was the first to introduce the glittery boots, bodice, and the metal stacked double W insignia. The deluxe edition also introduced a new body style. It is beautifully done, however, there is one thing that stands out (or seems a little off putting) the most to me. It's how endowed she is/appears. It just seems a little much.

DC Stars 8 inch

Completed in the style of Betsy McCall dolls, this cute little edition features the modern era costume. While this piece is fairly low in price, I haven't really gotten the urge to purchase her. I don't mind different takes on Diana, but there is something too cutesy about the face. Who knows, if I find her cheap enough I probably will purchase it, but not actively seeking it out.

Circe

Tonner's first foray into Diana's rouge gallery produced the witch Circe. I think they did an amazing job creating one of Diana's most powerful foes. From her purple hair to the flowing cape and skirt - she is fantastic. Circe was also a convention exclusive. (Could another foe be forthcoming sometime in the future . . . perhaps the Cheetah?)

DC Stars 22 inch

When I first saw the promo photos I was disappointed with the way her hair is portrayed, however, since its release I have seen this on other sites and it appears the hair is not actually pulled back around the tiara. With this new size in dolls, Tonner beautifully recreates the modern era costume using all the additions (molded metal insignia, silver bracelets) that have helped make their pieces so outstanding.

Tonner has proven time and again that they care about Diana and have produced some amazing pieces that highlight her beauty and strength. I hope that they continue to produce more versions of her (Golden Age, Odyssey) as well as adding to her family ( Hippolyta, Donna, Cassie) and rogues gallery (Cheetah, Silver Swan).

My boss rocks!

Once again - I work with some of the greatest people. This morning when I entered my office I discovered the following item waiting for me.

Wonder Woman napkins! She discovered them while shopping for supplies for a birthday party she is planning and immediately thought of me.

My Collection - Tonner DC Stars 13 inch

Released last year after many other versions of Diana, this version was a new line for Tonner as it was now 13 inches instead of their standard 18 inches. Again since so many other versions had come without an opportunity for me to get one I thought this one might slip through my grasp as well. However, luck was on my side and Tonner was having a huge sale on Tuesday and she was marked down to the lowest I had ever seen her before so I jumped right on it. She's been in my collection less than a month.

The updates and changes to Diana's costume from the first release are wonderful. They really did a great job in making her unique while adding something new for the shorter size. This time the stacked double W breastplate is not an applique but a molded piece of "metal". The bodice and boots are now a glittery red with a glittery belt to match. Silver bracelets, red dot earrings, and "metal" tiara complete the look. 

My only little complaint about her is that I wish the stacked W breastplate was molded better to the breast-line as when you view her from the side it appears to stick out to far. But again, this is a very minor complaint.

Just a couple of months before this was released Tonner released a 13 inch version of one of Diana's amazon sisters and one-time Wonder Woman herself Artemis of Bana-Mighdall. She was a NY Comic Con exclusive and unfortunately is not in my collection.

I think they did an amazing job bringing Artemis to life and would love to possibly see a version of her during her brief stint as Wonder Woman.

My Collection - Tonner Amazonian Warrior

The second addition to my collection of Tonner pieces showcases Diana in an original Amazon Warrior costume. (I hazard to guess that this look was inspired by the full body eagle style armor sometimes used in the comics. I have no real basis for that because I don't recall seeing anything to support that in any of the press releases.)

Wonder Woman Amazonian Warrior came out fairly soon after the previous post's doll. Diana's standard R,W, & B is replaced with a complete one piece gold outfit with a molded eagle breastplate and a gold sheer cape. Golden gauntlets, boots, and hoop earrings accessorize the attire. Instead of the standard gold tiara, she sports an eagle headpiece.

I remember when I first saw the promo photos for this piece I really liked the idea of what this outfit represented (that Diana is a warrior) . . . except for the headpiece. At first I really did not care for the eagle and thought it would have been better to use the standard tiara. My opinion on that has changed and I now think it fits the look quite well. I think the only thing missing from this attire is some weapons. In the comics whenever Diana dons any type of battle armor a shield or sword are usually included and I think it would have added to the Warrior look. And of course - there is no lasso of truth.

Tonner would use the eagle head piece again in their next release; the limited edition Justice Protector Wonder Woman. (An exclusive item for Previews Magazine).

I do not own this piece and I have to say that I think it is Tonner's worst/least successful original Wonder Woman attire. There is just something about the thigh high boots, loin cloth skirt and the eagle head piece that just screams tacky.

Thankfully this wasn't Tonner's last rendition of Diana and there further releases have returned Diana to an elegance and beauty that she so rightly deserves.

My Collection - Tonner DC Stars

I first became aware of Tonner collectibles in the late 90's (around 96 or 97) when they released a porcelain limited edition doll recreating the silver age version of Wonder Woman. It was beautifully done and represented Diana in her standard hands on hips pose. I can't remember how much it cost at the time, but I knew it was something that most likely (and still is) out of my price range.

Thankfully it wasn't Tonner's only attempt at our favorite Amazon Princess and another version was released in 2007. Again, it was something that I was concerned might be out of my price range, however the magic of Christmas came and my fantastic partner surprised me with this amazing piece. Unlike the porcelain version, this one is completely jointed and can be posed in numerous ways. Standing 18 inches, she is stylized in Wonder Woman's contemporary attire with the stacked double WW insignia, blue starred shorts, red zipper boots and metal tiara, belt, and bracelets. However there is a slight change in this version - instead of the standard silver bracelets - this version's are gold.

Unlike the Barbie versions of Diana (and future Tonner releases) the tiara is a complete circular piece that can be worn under or over her hair (promo photos displayed it both ways as well). Since the release of this beautiful piece, Tonner has released numerous other versions of Wonder Woman and I've been fortunate enough to add two more of them to my collection and will be highlighting them soon.

Wonder Woman Spin

Been working on a new blog post about the assumption that because I am a Wonder Woman fan that I am also fan of some other DC heroes, however its not coming together as I'd like just yet so I thought I'd do a "filler" post. Of course - what is better filler than watching the one and only Lynda Carter in her very first spin.

Enjoy!

The Universe has changed . . .

As of yesterday and the release of Flashpoint #5 and JLA #1 - the entire DC Universe has changed! DC is relaunching 52 of its previous on-going series many of them with brand new updated costumes, story-lines, and back stories. All initial photos that came out when this massive undertaking was announced showed Diana in pants - however over the weeks we've learned that she has once again been given her starred shorts, though this time in black instead of blue. Wonder Woman #1 doesn't come out until 9/21/11 and as she doesn't actually appear in JLA #1, I'll be waiting just a little longer to see how altered her history will be. 

My Collection - Decorations

This great decorative piece from the 70's features jointed arms and legs as well as removable lasso piece. Though I have strong reason to believe that the legs were placed on incorrectly - as I think it would look much nicer if the legs were behind the shorts and the positioning of the feet seem backwards. I am not willing to remove them and re-position them as I don't want to tamper with its original state. Its a fantastic piece that I should really frame. 

My Collection - Retro-Action

As mentioned in one of my previous posts MEGO was one of the biggest names in toys in the 70's and are still loved and sought after today. I see them at toy shows and antique / flea markets all the time and many of them I am simply amazed at how much they are going for. There is just something so appealing about these toys.

So it was no surprise that Mattel attempted to cash in on the love of these toys and created the Retro-Action DC Super Heroes. The goal appeared to be to recreate some of the characters originally released in MEGO's World's Greatest Super Heroes line while also creating new characters.

Wave 1 included Superman, Green Arrow (both released in WGSH), Green Lantern, Sinestro, and Lex Luthor.
Wave 2 included Batman (with removable cowl), Aquaman (released in WGSH), Black Manta, and Two-Face.
Wave 3 included Wonder Woman (released in WGSH), Flash, Captain Cold, and Cheetah.
Wave 4 included Shazam (released in WGSH), Black Adam, Martian Manhunter, Dark Seid
Exclusives: Guy Gardner, Yellow Sinestro

The figures arrived in old school bubble style (piece of cardboard with a plastic "bubble" holding the figure to the card) packaging with no twist ties.

Once again Diana came with rooted hair, but instead of the old style one piece painted outfit she had multiple parts and pieces. Joining Wonder Woman is her arch nemesis, the Cheetah. Dressed as she appeared in the Super Friends TV show - complete with tail.

My Collection - Postage Stamps

A couple of years ago the US Postal Service issued a series of postage stamps based on DC Comics. The series of two stamps include two of Wonder Woman. The first was a close up of Diana from most likely the Bronze Age and the second featured the cover to issue #22 from her relaunch in the early 90's. Also featured were Batman, Green Lantern, Green Arrow, Batman, Flash, Plastic Man, Aquaman, Hawkman, Superman and Supergirl.

Thankfully it never happened!!

Back in the 90's Mattel attempted to create an animated Wonder Woman TV show with an accompanying toy line. While normally the idea of an upcoming Wonder Woman show would have been made me extremely excited, however after seeing the ideas (along with actual prototype figures) I could not been more pleased that it did not actually happen. The show was going to be called Wonder Woman and the Star Riders. I am assuming that they were attempting to cash in on the She-Ra craze because the dolls look like the company simply took some left over dolls and converted them to "Wonder Woman". The show never moved past the prototype stage - Thank Goodness!!!!

My Collection - note / post cards

Over the years I've received numerous sets of the these note cards. I used to keep one set in my desk at work and would use them all the time as thank you or pick me up notes. I have two complete sets left and will definitely save one for my collection. There was also a Super Friends set as well - but at the moment I am not sure what happened to that one. Its either packed away with some of my other stuff or its in my desk at work. 

Like the note cards I've received the following postcard box set at least three times. Two of my sets are still shrink wrapped while the third was used like the note cards as thank you / pick me up notes.

My Collection - Stationary

Almost every year for my birthday or Christmas my partner has this uncanny ability to find me some Wonder Woman related item that I had never seen, knew was released, or thought I would ever have. One of those items was this Mix and Match Stationary set. It includes 16 highly detailed sheets, 16 envelopes with matching or complimentary colored envelopes and a sheet of clear / see-through stickers (complete with 2 invisible jet stickers). My favorite image is the third sheet with the close up of Diana's face. I think it is just stunning.

The Odyssey has ended

Issue #614 was released today and it is the final issue of the Odyssey story line and the final issue before DC relaunches Wonder Woman next month with a brand new Issue #1 (along with 51 other titles). As I've said before I have truly enjoyed the story line presented through Odyssey and am sad to see it end. This journey provided us with a Diana that knew of her heritage, but had been raised in seclusion in the world of man. She was naive and brash, but not without determination.

That said I feel the last issue was a little bit of a let down. I mean yeah, I knew that Diana was going to beat her enemy and that her history would be restored and I am sad that its ending, two distinct things made it feel off for me. First, there are three pages of interactions with Diana and Hippolyta where the art work seemed to be done by a completely different person than the rest of the book - it felt like an addition (or a replacement) to the completed story. It was during these pages that the second thing I didn't care for emerged: Diana mentions that she "knows" something else is on the horizon and that things are going to change. We already know that because of DC's Flashpoint that histories are changing and that with the relaunch in September numerous things have been altered in the DC Universe. I felt this line didn't need to be there.

Overall, its been an amazing journey.

My Collection - Barbie

It was perhaps inevitable that DC's most recognizable and famous heroines would somehow be portrayed be one of the biggest names in toys today - the one and only Barbie.

Released in 1999 as part of the Barbie Loves Pop Culture line, Wonder Woman Barbie was one of the most visually stunning and beautiful dolls to represent the Amazon Princess. From the moment I knew she was being released I was relentless in my pursuit of owning her. At the time, the Warner Bros. Stores were still in existence and it was announced that they were receiving them first before being released to the other stores. Weekly I was calling and asking if they were in yet. Yes, I was that determined!! What surprised me most was that once they did come in was that the store actually held one for me (before I called) because I had called so often. (Side note: I miss the Warner Bros. Store - it was awesome!)

Completely capturing the modern era costume with its double WW emblem, metal tiara, bracelets, magic lasso, star shaped earrings, and cape copied from the comics. The only complaint I have about this representation is the boots - they are completely made of fabric (more like socks).

Four years later (2004) Mattel released a second version of Wonder Woman and this time she was meant for more than just display (both in price and design). Diana's outfit was simplified and came on a new flexible body (arms and legs are extremely bendable). She was also released with two of her fellow DC heroes - Batgirl and Supergirl. 

Numerous changes took place between the promo shots and the actual doll. The promo shot shows streaks of blue in the hair (very comic book) and a extremely glittery WW and belt designs. The actual doll does not have the blue streaks and the glitter designs were simplified. The shorts are also shown in the standard bathing suit design. However, the actual doll has longer bike short style. Non-fabric boots accompanied this version - however they have long slits going up the back (presumably to assist in the ease of removing them??). Also this version came with red base complete with logo. The first version only came with a clear base (not the one she is photographed with).

A second (or updated??) version of this one was released with some minor changes made. The face was more rounded, the top was a given a more defined shape, and the odd slit up the back of the boots was removed. However both came packaged with a small lunch box style key chain.

Barbie's third version of Wonder Woman came another four years later (2008). To date it is my absolute favorite. Again, Diana was joined some of her fellow female DC characters of Batgirl, Supergirl, but this time a four was added - Black Canary. 

Unlike the previous version's release, the attention to detail is outstanding. I especially like the molded "metal" WW across the breast-line and that the belt is also molded "metal" provide a more armored look to her suit.  And of course her arms and hands allow her to do the hands on hip pose that is so Lynda Carter. I also like the change in capes from the solid blue to RW&B.

One can only hope that another fantastic version will be coming out soon. I'd love to see them do a Golden Age version or even an Odyssey style version. If not another version of Diana, why not Hippolyta or Donna? Fingers crossed.