Donna Assumes The Mantle: Great Missed Opportunity?

[WorstThingUS]

I think so.

Of all the frustrating results from "One Year Later" none was as great to me than Donna taking over the Wonder Woman title in Diana's absence. This should have been the equal of Wally taking over for Barry or Dick taking over for Bruce. The disciple takes over for the master. Especially given the public relations nightmare Donna inherited. Like Wally and Dick, Donna comes equipped with lifetime of experience making her a seasoned veteran. How would/did she handle it? All of Diana's old villains? But instead of an entirely new look at Wonder Woman it was over before it began with Donna needing to be rescued. Wally got 20 years. Dick initially got at least one storyline the first time in "Prodigal." But Donna got nothing. I was incredibly disappointed, especially given the delayed mess that Allan Heinberg's run was. I dropped the book, sold off what I had on eBay and didn't come back until Gail's run started.

Is anyone else curious to see how Donna would have done as WW?

[MinaRho1]

I think so.

Of all the frustrating results from "One Year Later" none was as great to me than Donna taking over the Wonder Woman title in Diana's absence. This should have been the equal of Wally taking over for Barry or Dick taking over for Bruce. The disciple takes over for the master. Especially given the public relations nightmare Donna inherited. Like Wally and Dick, Donna comes equipped with lifetime of experience making her a seasoned veteran. How would/did she handle it? All of Diana's old villains? But instead of an entirely new look at Wonder Woman it was over before it began with Donna needing to be rescued. Wally got 20 years. Dick initially got at least one storyline the first time in "Prodigal." But Donna got nothing. I was incredibly disappointed, especially given the delayed mess that Allan Heinberg's run was. I dropped the book, sold off what I had on eBay and didn't come back until Gail's run started.

Is anyone else curious to see how Donna would have done as WW?

I'm not. With the "mantle" of Wonder Woman comes the mission. Diana is all about the mission, ending wars-- which is just not Donna's focus. Which is fine. I don't any less of her because of that.

Yes, Heinberg's run was uh-- it was what it was. But I think he got Donna's attitude right, whether he meant to or not. It didn't even seem to me that he liked or knew Diana or Donna, but by accident he got that right at least. Even Donna says the whole shebang is not her cup of tea. Its a persona and a goal that's unnatural to her, and she's just enough an embodiment of truth to pick up on it

Just like with Black Canary, she's not a big picture superhero. She's more about the details.

[4PointOh]

I'm not. With the "mantle" of Wonder Woman comes the mission. Diana is all about the mission, ending wars-- which is just not Donna's focus. Which is fine. I don't any less of her because of that.

Yes, Heinberg's run was uh-- it was what it was. But I think he got Donna's attitude right, whether he meant to or not. It didn't even seem to me that he liked or knew Diana or Donna, but by accident he got that right at least. Even Donna says the whole shebang is not her cup of tea. Its a persona and a goal that's unnatural to her, and she's just enough an embodiment of truth to pick up on it

Just like with Black Canary, she's not a big picture superhero. She's more about the details.

I agree with you, Mina. I just don't see Donna as Wonder Woman. I think she'd view that role as pomp and circumstance best suited for Diana.

[WorstThingUS]

I agree with you, Mina. I just don't see Donna as Wonder Woman. I think she'd view that role as pomp and circumstance best suited for Diana.

And Dick didn't want to be Batman, but it fell to him. The question is, were there interesting stories to be told there? I think so because I think Diana's "mission" is a bit of a burden and a straight superhero Wonder Woman would have been an interesting change.

[SJNeal]

And Dick didn't want to be Batman, but it fell to him. The question is, were there interesting stories to be told there? I think so because I think Diana's "mission" is a bit of a burden and a straight superhero Wonder Woman would have been an interesting change.

I too was disappointed Donna-As-WW didn't last longer. Not because I think she'd make a better WW, quite the opposite actually. The reasons she "wasn't suited" as mentioned in above posts are exactly the same reasons that would have made for interesting stories. We never got to see how the rest of the DCU responded to the change like we did with Wally taking over the Flash mantle. How would this have affected her role within The Titans? The JLA?

I guess we'll never know...

[4PointOh]

And Dick didn't want to be Batman, but it fell to him. The question is, were there interesting stories to be told there? I think so because I think Diana's "mission" is a bit of a burden and a straight superhero Wonder Woman would have been an interesting change.

Hm. I'd have to know a little more about Donna to know for certain (as her portrayals have been a bit all over the place lately). But maybe there is story potential in a Wonder Woman who is less earnest and more laid-back; who wasn't destined for her role, but inherited it; an Amazon who is more like an American than she is like a Themysciran.

[Dream Boy]

I don't think Donna should be Wonder Woman either, but I think it would have been cool to see a little more of her time wearing the tiara. I could see her being in over her head, though not nearly as inept as she came off during the initial arc.

[DEWLine]

Yeah. Definitely missed opportunity here. Something to be remedied in the years to come?

[shanealt]

Unfortunately, I don't really see a way to organically put Donna in the mantle again--she had her shot here, and it was a huge thing (at least, theoretically, even if it didn't stick). To do it again would simply be mining the same well again, and repositioning Wonder Woman's place in the DCU to do so--she'd have to be "removed" from the role, one way or another. Infinite Crisis and One Year Later gave a great shot there, but doing it again anytime soon would seem...well, too soon.

With that said, Donna Troy will be taking Wonder Woman's place in the Justice League soon, which may be a nice compromise. Just like Nightwing was always more of a group superhero than Batman was, Donna Troy might arguably be better with the League, especially with Diana absent. Ultimately, I do think that she fits in better with the Titans--not because that's where she began, but because the Titans emphasize family, and Donna Troy is...friendly, warm, maternal. The Justice League is rarely portrayed that way.

[MinaRho1]

Unfortunately, I don't really see a way to organically put Donna in the mantle again--she had her shot here, and it was a huge thing (at least, theoretically, even if it didn't stick). To do it again would simply be mining the same well again, and repositioning Wonder Woman's place in the DCU to do so--she'd have to be "removed" from the role, one way or another. Infinite Crisis and One Year Later gave a great shot there, but doing it again anytime soon would seem...well, too soon.

With that said, Donna Troy will be taking Wonder Woman's place in the Justice League soon, which may be a nice compromise. Just like Nightwing was always more of a group superhero than Batman was, Donna Troy might arguably be better with the League, especially with Diana absent. Ultimately, I do think that she fits in better with the Titans--not because that's where she began, but because the Titans emphasize family, and Donna Troy is...friendly, warm, maternal. The Justice League is rarely portrayed that way.

I agree completely. Donna hated being Wonder Woman. And Dick being Batman is his worst nightmare. He loved being Nightwing. The whole point was stepping out of the Batman shadow while still honoring it and its not a step up in his mind at ALL. Why should we see it that way?

It would have to be something really quite bad for Donna to take on the role again. I mean real bad. I think fans need to stop thinking of this sort of thing as an eventuality. It makes no sense to me. When characters become just ready made parts waiting in assembly line fashion to become legacy heroes, it all becomes very boring.

[aegisbearer]

The title of Wonder Woman should not be a legacy passed down. Diana had to earn her place as the Amazon to travel to Patriarch's World to return Steve Trevor. Any other Amazon (theoretically) should have to do the same. I love Donna - don't get me wrong - but Diana is Wonder Woman. We all know that Bruce Wayne will eventually come back to be Batman. How can you change that kind of iconic character so drastically forever? Could someone else really be Superman except Clark Kent?

Donna deserves her own place in the Wonder Woman family, just not as the Wonder Woman.

[MinaRho1]

The title of Wonder Woman should not be a legacy passed down. Diana had to earn her place as the Amazon to travel to Patriarch's World to return Steve Trevor. Any other Amazon (theoretically) should have to do the same. I love Donna - don't get me wrong - but Diana is Wonder Woman. We all know that Bruce Wayne will eventually come back to be Batman. How can you change that kind of iconic character so drastically forever? Could someone else really be Superman except Clark Kent?

Donna deserves her own place in the Wonder Woman family, just not as the Wonder Woman.

I agree. With all the people who love Donna, the best future they can imagine is her taking her sister's place? I think with all the work she's put into being her own person, that she should be allowed to be her own person. I mean, all the folks who have siblings-- think of what effort -conscious and otherwise-- that goes into making sure you're NOT cast in the mold of your older sibling.

Even if she was forced to assume the role again,, I think the same thing would happen. Consciously or otherwise it would become its own thing. I love that one thing has been consistent with Donna in recent years and months. She tried the superhero codename thing complete with secret identity. It didn't stick. Outgrew Wondergirl and happily gave it away to Cassie. Can we all agree that "Troia" was a half-hearted attempt at best?

She ditched that and went back to "Donna Troy." She takes on the mantle Wonder Woman. She shrinks away from that and admits it does not suit her at all. In her countdown adventures she whoops the ass of her evil duplicate with the line "I'm Donna Troy, Bitch. Donna. Troy."

She's pretty damn resolute and specific I think.

[BnL]

I think the whole relaunch was poorly handled in general, and this is just another example of why it missed the mark. It really felt like very little care or thought was put into it. As aegisbearer said, the title of Wonder Woman needs to be earned. I think it would have been brilliant if, in keeping with ceremony, Diana held a tournament between herself, Donna, and Cassie, as the last three remaining Amazons. Clearly, they all knew that Donna was meant to take over the mantle, but even Cassie would have to pick up a lot of the slack with Diana absent, and so they would play it that way, while still being respectful of the tradition. It would be Diana's way of passing the torch to her sisters, while giving them a hell of a workout, a final rigorous training session to let them know what they had to live up to, prepare them for what they would have to face. It would be a bittersweet moment for all three of them. Sad and frightening, yet exciting and inspiring. And it would cement the special bond they all share with one another.

Clearly, my disappointment in the story has resulted in my thinking about this kind of thing a LOT. :wink:

[ryerye17]

Well...isn't Robinson making Donna his Wonder Woman in JLA?

[MinaRho1]

Well...isn't Robinson making Donna his Wonder Woman in JLA?

Well I assume the female powerhouse of the team and Wonder Woman aren't necessarily interchangeable terms.

At least thats how I take it from the preview art I've seen.

[WorstThingUS]

Well...isn't Robinson making Donna his Wonder Woman in JLA?

Which is very sad given his current work on Cry For Justice. I'd rather she and Dick not be used at all than suffer that "I'm clueless about these characters, but I know that Hal is one badass ladykiller" treatment.

[Bound4olympus]

[QUOTE=shanealt;9574223]Unfortunately, I don't really see a way to organically put Donna in the mantle again--she had her shot here, and it was a huge thing (at least, theoretically, even if it didn't stick). To do it again would simply be mining the same well again, and repositioning Wonder Woman's place in the DCU to do so--she'd have to be "removed" from the role, one way or another. Infinite Crisis and One Year Later gave a great shot there, but doing it again anytime soon would seem...well, too soon.

The way to organically tell a story about Donna as Wonder Woman would be for DC to put out a story set in the missing year. It's something they should have done before the last crisis. If you ask me "Final Crisis" came way too early and didn't really fit the format of the previous crises and should have been called something else.

[aquiles]

I think Donna as Wonder Woman would be splendid. It is safe to assume that Wonder Woman has already become a Legacy since Polly, Donna, Artemis, Cassie and Diana have worn the mantle. Donna's role as Wonder Woman should be developed. Perhaps, Diana can be incapacited for a bit and Donna takes over. Especially now since Diana is no longer an Amazon, and the Amazons need a new representative and champion.

[MinaRho1]

I think Donna as Wonder Woman would be splendid. It is safe to assume that Wonder Woman has already become a Legacy since Polly, Donna, Artemis, Cassie and Diana have worn the mantle.

That's like saying such and such tv show has been throwing out bad episodes. Let's have another season of the same.

All those instances have been temporary. To make a believeable circumstance where Donna would have to be Wondie again would strain the audience's patience. And you know that sooner or later Diana would have to be Wonder Woman again. Donna would have to die or give it up. Again, straining the audience's patience. But instead you make them fed up with Donna as well as the shenanigans.

If the mantel kept going back and forth between Clark and Conner like ping pong, people would be like "wtf?"

[WorstThingUS]

That's like saying such and such tv show has been throwing out bad episodes. Let's have another season of the same.

I don't understand that comparison at all. What bad episodes of WW were there with someone else with the mantle? Donna barely had it an issue and Artemis was part of a great storyline.


All those instances have been temporary. To make a believeable circumstance where Donna would have to be Wondie again would strain the audience's patience. And you know that sooner or later Diana would have to be Wonder Woman again. Donna would have to die or give it up. Again, straining the audience's patience. But instead you make them fed up with Donna as well as the shenanigans.

If the mantel kept going back and forth between Clark and Conner like ping pong, people would be like "wtf?"

People weren't exactly strained when Superman was replaced by four and in fact two of them spun off into successful titles of their own. As did Azrael with his own title after his run as Batman. John Fox was part of a successful storyline where he replaced Wally as the Flash and the success of Batman & Robin right now speaks for itself, not to mention Bucky's run as Captain America over at Marvel. So people are quite capable of accepting a "quarterback controversy" when it comes to superheroes. It's not the idea, but the execution.

[shanealt]

The way to organically tell a story about Donna as Wonder Woman would be for DC to put out a story set in the missing year.
But how is this organic? There'd need to be a real reason for DC to put out a story like this, and the longer they wait, the more unusual it would be. Right away, maybe, sure--I could see that (in fact, a few titles did just that). But now? There's no reason for it.

That's not even counting the fact that Donna Troy didn't even pick up the costume until the last two weeks of the missing year, so there really isn't much of a timeframe to tell a story in, even if there was a reason to do so.

[RealWonderman]

Well I assume the female powerhouse of the team and Wonder Woman aren't necessarily interchangeable terms.

At least thats how I take it from the preview art I've seen.

Preview art? Can you share?

[Gail Simone]

I think this is a really interesting point. I would love to see Donna take up the mantle for a while but for a lot of reasons, it just isn't very likely.

But it'd be good fun!

But she's NOT the one I would most like to see replace Diana for a while... ;)

[4PointOh]

I think this is a really interesting point. I would love to see Donna take up the mantle for a while but for a lot of reasons, it just isn't very likely.

But it'd be good fun!

But she's NOT the one I would most like to see replace Diana for a while... ;)

I bet you'd rather see Artemis or Hippolyta.

[Gail Simone]

Can't say.

But no. :)

[shanejayell]

Being a little odd I would have loved seeing them SHARE the identity. TWO WWs are better than one, right? ^_~

[MinaRho1]

I don't understand that comparison at all. What bad episodes of WW were there with someone else with the mantle? Donna barely had it an issue and Artemis was part of a great storyline.


You mean "The curse of the Wondie suit," as Carol Strickland puts it, that was basically a rehash of Orana's plotline?

I love Artemis and will always think she's awesome, but as a storyline I think she deserved better. But to each their own. I fully admit that my stance on this may be more than a little unkind.

[DanCMH]

Donna went from barely tolerated replacement to victim within one issue. Whether you like the character or not, she's been a presence in the DCU for decades and her fans deserved better.

She was rocking that costume though...

[LittleMissVixen]

I would love to see a mini series based on Donna's year spent as Wonder Woman. Hopefully it could make up for her ending her run with the mantle on such a low, low note, (Thanks Allan!).

[AaronJ]

Wally replaced Barry because Barry was dead.

Dick has replaced Bruce because everyone in the DCU *thinks* he's dead.

Donna taking over for Diana wouldn't make any sense, at least to me.


ETA: OH, and no, Donna will not be WW in JLA. She will just be a member of the team, as Donna.

[Bound4olympus]

I'm going to guess Alkyone.

[scary harpy]

I think so.

Of all the frustrating results from "One Year Later" none was as great to me than Donna taking over the Wonder Woman title in Diana's absence. This should have been the equal of Wally taking over for Barry or Dick taking over for Bruce. The disciple takes over for the master. Especially given the public relations nightmare Donna inherited. Like Wally and Dick, Donna comes equipped with lifetime of experience making her a seasoned veteran. How would/did she handle it? All of Diana's old villains? But instead of an entirely new look at Wonder Woman it was over before it began with Donna needing to be rescued. Wally got 20 years. Dick initially got at least one storyline the first time in "Prodigal." But Donna got nothing. I was incredibly disappointed, especially given the delayed mess that Allan Heinberg's run was. I dropped the book, sold off what I had on eBay and didn't come back until Gail's run started.

Is anyone else curious to see how Donna would have done as WW?

Yes.

Sadly, Donna has a long history of missed opportunities. Her powers, her origin, her personal life are always in a constant state of flux.

[MinaRho1]

Yes.

Sadly, Donna has a long history of missed opportunities. Her powers, her origin, her personal life are always in a constant state of flux.

I don't think this line of reasoning applies. Donna has never really shown much interest in "the mission" per se. She's more about vanquishing individual baddies as they come to her. Just because they're family doesn't mean that Donna is going to be a good fit for the role, like she's a spare tire.

[CarolStrick]

As per too much usual in the DCU, the handing of the mantle from Diana to Donna came without the pomp and emotion needed. It didn't help that at that same moment in time Donna was "leading" a group at the center of the universe to, uh, do something important. Can't recall what, but it had something to do with a hand or finger or something.

We should have gotten a couple of panels of Donna vowing to uphold the sacred mission, of Diana telling her that she had complete faith in her. We should have gotten a page's worth (AT LEAST!) of montage about Donna worthily wearing the uniform during Diana's Year Mope, despite the power level difference between herself and her big sis.

And of course Donna should never have been shown to hand her lasso over to the Cheetah. (It was the Cheetah, wasn't it? Well, whoever.)

Someone in this thread (sorry) mentioned the Curse of the Wondie Suit. This came about for Donna when she impersonated Diana in front of Clayface. That was enough to set off the curse, and she died soon afterward. I don't think you can be hit twice by the CWS.

How did Donna feel about being given the responsibility of being Wonder Woman? We never saw. How did she feel when she had to hand it back? Never saw, not really. Does she have regrets? Is she proud of herself? Never saw.

A great disservice to such a long-running character!

[Shurato2099]

Now, see, that would have been perfect to slip into 52 as setup for her role as WW later. Now, well, that ship has flown. At the present time Diana would most likely be replaced by either an empowered Alkyone or for one issue by Etta Candy-Trevor.

[Vic Vega]

Wally replaced Barry because Barry was dead.

Dick has replaced Bruce because everyone in the DCU *thinks* he's dead.

Donna taking over for Diana wouldn't make any sense, at least to me.


ETA: OH, and no, Donna will not be WW in JLA. She will just be a member of the team, as Donna.

Hey D.F.!

Long time no hear.:biggrin:

You could make a case that Wonder Woman is an office that has been held by various Amazons such as Artemis and 'Polly herself.

In that case Diana would not necessary have to be six feet under to take on the role.

The interesting implcation of Donna OYL tenure as Wonder Woman was that Cassie was her active sidekick/partner.

For quite a while now its read to me like Donna and Cassie are lots closer than Diana and Cassie are.

Though I am not sure why.

[Mr Prince]

My issue with the story is that it wasn't about Donna being Wonder Woman, but a way for Diana to come back.

I'm looking forward to Donna getting some spotlight in the Justice League... At least she better! The focal point she was supposed to be in Countdown didn't really pay off.

[Red Mask]

It would have worked if the point really was about Donna taking up the mantle after Countdown. I can understand that happening if Diana did turn herself in to face a trial over Max Lord's death. But then Hippolyta's resurrection could have served that purpose too. I could buy into Donna and Hippolyta teaming up for a while.

Personally, after Identity Crisis and Countdown, a lot of J'La's should have been kicked out of the team for what they did. Hal and friends, and Superman included, should have had their memberships revoked indefinitely over the memory wipe incidents. Batman's membership should also have been revoked after the Brother I revelation. They didn't deserve to have any voting rights after that. Wonder Woman, Martian Manhunter, and Aquaman should have been the only charter members left to reform the team unless Diana turned herself in to face a trial. In that case, Donna, Nightwing, Arsenal, John Stewart, and others could easily have taken their place. Veteran Titans and JSA members could have filled in the gap. I can't believe it took DC this long to implement those changes.