Wonder Woman’s Iconic Creator Almost Exited Due to DC’s Pressuring Demands

Darwyn Cooke’s DC: The New Frontier: A Landmark in Comic Book History

Darwyn Cooke’s DC: The New Frontier stands as a hallmark of storytelling in the DC Comics universe. However, the emergence of this iconic narrative was nearly jeopardized due to a creative dispute concerning the portrayal of Wonder Woman. Fortunately, Cooke’s vision prevailed, allowing audiences to experience his artistic brilliance upon the comic’s release in 2004. Had DC and Warner Bros. had their way, this heralded work might have remained incomplete.

Creative Disagreement Over Wonder Woman’s Portrayal

Cooke delved into the contentious issue surrounding Wonder Woman during a 2007 interview with The Comics Journal. The dispute revolved around how the character’s size and stature was presented in The New Frontier.

Comic book art: Wonder Woman from the New Frontier fights with her lasso.

[DC was] going, ‘Hey man, what’s with this really chunky Wonder Woman?’ Cooke recounted, explaining his rationale behind her representation:

I started putting all this together and with every one of these characters I was trying to think, ‘What’s going to be different with my take on them, that’s still consistent with who they should be?’ So with her, it was, ‘I’m going to make her the biggest of the bunch. She’s a Goddess, she’s a warrior Goddess.’

DC Comics’ Objections to Wonder Woman’s Design

A pivotal point of contention was a particular scene that revealed Wonder Woman’s height exceeds that of Superman. This occurs during a moment when Superman discovers Diana celebrating with women she has liberated in Vietnam. Cooke elaborated on this moment:

And that whole situation in Vietnam in that hut was staged, so it’s not until the end of the scene that we see her stand up. And she’s actually taller than
(Superman).

DC’s higher-ups, along with Warner Bros., were uneasy about this height differential and urged Cooke to modify Wonder Woman’s depiction.

Cooke’s Threat to Quit Over Creative Differences

The tension during the comic’s production escalated to a point where Cooke considered abandoning The New Frontier. In a Twitter/X post reported by Bleeding Cool, former editor Valerie D’Orazio recounted, “Originally, DC/WB brass balked at this Wonder Woman design for being too ‘off-model.’ Darwyn threatened to quit the series unless it was kept the way he initially rendered it.”

Originally, DC/WB brass baulked at this Wonder Woman design for being too “off-model.”Darwyn threatened to quit the series unless it was kept the way he initially rendered it. (Source: me on the phone with the artist at the DC offices).

Fortunately, a compromise was reached, enabling Wonder Woman to embody her powerful stature in The New Frontier.

The Iconic Height Difference and Characterization

The dynamic between Wonder Woman and Superman is one of the standout moments within The New Frontier. The difference in their heights serves to highlight their contrasting moral codes. Superman is depicted as more focused on maintaining the status quo, while Wonder Woman embodies the mindset of a warrior, advocating for justice for marginalized groups.

“She’s a Warrior Goddess”: Cooke’s Vision Endures

Upon its release, DC: The New Frontier garnered widespread acclaim, often hailed not just as one of DC’s finest works but as one of the greatest comics in the medium’s history. By reimagining the dawn of DC’s Silver Age, Cooke artfully wove the origins of the Justice League of America into the socio-political fabric of the 1950s and 1960s, infusing the narrative with historical resonance absent from earlier portrayals.

I meet thousands of people who’ve read this book and that’s their favorite scene, hands-down. By a wide margin.

Lasting Impact of Cooke’s Wonder Woman

Interestingly, the height difference between Wonder Woman and Superman was also reflected in a line of action figures by DC Direct, where Wonder Woman prominently stood taller than her male counterpart. It’s ironic that DC and Warner Bros. initially objected to this portrayal, considering it has become one of the most memorable aspects of the story. Cooke’s insistence on preserving his vision ultimately paid off, as he enriched the character of Wonder Woman and provided audiences with a timeless work of art. Fans can rejoice, knowing that DC: The New Frontier is available for new generations to explore.

Sources: The Comics Journal; Bleeding Cool

DC: The New Frontier is currently available from DC Comics.