New Duds for the Superhero With the Lasso of Truth

June 30, 2010 — -- After spending decades fighting crime in star-spangled spandex, the time has come for Wonder Woman to update her costume.

The powers that be at DC Comics are lowering her high heels and covering her up in black pants and a biker jacket.

"She still is supposed to be sexy," said Jim Lee, the longtime artist and co-publisher of DC Comics who created the new look, which debuts in Wonder Woman comic book No. 600.

"You want to keep the ideals of who Wonder Woman is. She's sexy, she's strong, she's powerful and she's this princess at the same time. But you want her to be a superhero that is taking on the most evil threats the world has seen, from demons to armies. You want to have a costume that speaks of that kind of ability and power."

The Amazon Princess has always been known as much for her super-sexy uniform of skin and sparkle as for her super powers.

So why mess with the icon now?

"I think that part of it is our job, our ability to take these characters and reinvigorate them and redefine them for every age," said Lee. "I mean, these are characters that were great in the '40s and '50s, and if you don't take that chance with them, if you don't take that risk, you end up with characters of previous generations that no one has interest in."

When DC Comics introduced Wonder Woman in 1941, she looked a lot like the modern version, but wore a knee-length skirt. It gradually shrank in the decade that followed. By the 1950s, she was wearing the hot pants that would later make Lynda Carter famous.

"When I draw Wonder Woman in her classic costume it looks normal to me, but when I see it on TV on Lynda Carter, I can't help but go, 'Oh my God, she's half naked,'" said Lee.