CBR: Azzarello & Chiang Discuss Icons and "Wonder Woman"

**CBR News** · 08-25-2011, 01:58 PM

In a CBR exclusive interview, writer Brian Azzarello and artist Cliff Chiang talk about their goals for "Wonder Woman" and the challenge of redefining such an iconic character.

Full article here.

**Nyssane** · 08-25-2011, 02:24 PM

That was a good interview, though I'm left wondering what is always left to wonder when a new writer takes over: what's going to happen to her supporting cast and villains?

We know the Gods will play a large role, and a new female character, but what about Etta, Steve, Cheetah, etc.?

**Flamebird** · 08-25-2011, 02:30 PM

Azzarello: Yeah. You mentioned the pants -- that's not what it's about. This is about the story; this is about redefining this character and looking at her in a way that hasn't been looked at before. That's our goal. She could put on Batman's costume, I don't care. Or Superman's!

Gee why couldn't the couldn't the last five writers think of that?

**jamie23m** · 08-25-2011, 02:32 PM

I just hope they go away feeling like they read a good story and that they can talk about it. My ambition is so small. You mentioned redefining the character -- we don't want to redefine the character, we want to tell a good story.

I like this part. All i want is a good WW story.

**PA_Kid** · 08-25-2011, 02:35 PM

The more I hear the more I think that WW is going to be that character that stands between us and all those characters in American Gods and Fables - and I think that's a good thing.

It's oversimplifying, but I always thought that the role WW should play in the trinity is similar to Buffy - an exemplar of the magical, fantastic, and mythic - but guarding us from the dark side of it.

This may be the one character who benefits most from the reboot - the greek god stuff can work, but it's kind of been painted into a corner in the old universe. With the relaunch the old gods and their place in the world can be reframed along with how WW interacts with them.

If you had told me months ago the thing I would be most excited about is WW I'd say you're crazy, but I'm really looking forward to this one.

**Ari Gold** · 08-25-2011, 02:37 PM

This has disaster written all over it.

Azzarello: But it has been pretty enjoyable coming up with the dialogue and the cadence of these characters that are larger than life, the way that they speak

[/sarcasm & WW-"fan" impression]

**Comics_Addict** · 08-25-2011, 02:44 PM

While I am hopeful about this book (the few that I'll actually be buying in September) it strike me contradictory that in on answer to a question Azzarello says that he's trying to redefine the character and on another he says that its not about redefining her but in telling a engaging story with her. Mind you, I have never read WW and have no idea about her mythology beyond the costume, the magic lasso & the greek mythos but its kind of worrisome for someone know know what it feels like to have every writer come and want to reinvent the character over and over (cough*Superman*cough).

**RandomFalls** · 08-25-2011, 02:48 PM

Azzarello: Not with her. Definitely the world around her and the Gods, I'm definitely bringing that take to the pantheon. And it's been a blast getting rid of those damn togas!

This has me fairly excited. I never got why the Greek Gods were always hidden away on Olympus so that WW was the only character in DC that intereacted with them. If I were writing this I'd have those guys down among the humans and running casinos, corperations and being crime lords or whatever. Positions of power and influence and exactly where they need to be to mess with humans. I'm really hoping that their going down this route.

Also love:

Azzarello: No, I just hope they go away feeling like they read a good story and that they can talk about it. My ambition is so small. You mentioned redefining the character -- we don't want to redefine the character, we want to tell a good story.

It should always be about telling a good story.

Consider me thoroughly excited for this.

**Flying Saucers Over Oz** · 08-25-2011, 02:55 PM

Well, they've already gotten the hang of the 'Wonder-Spin'...

Seriously, again it doesn't sound like the kind of thing that'll have me turning cartwheels. I don't mind the 'horror' quote, a lot of classic Wonder Woman stuff has horrific overtones; Her arch-enemies include a witch, a were-woman, a mad scientist, and an evil hypnotic dwarf, for chrissakes. But the notion of still another 'god' story has me weary. We'll see what they come up with.

**Donna M.** · 08-25-2011, 02:58 PM

In this article the creative team states that the reason Wonder Woman isn't wearing a pants outfit in this version is because sooooooo many people reacted badly to said pants.
Now if anything can be counted on in this life, its that comic book fans will complain. Sometimes they'll complain about stupid stuff, other times they'll complain about important stuff. So tell me my fellow Wonder-fans, were we REALLY complaining so much about the pants? And why are they choosing to listen to us now? And on something so trivial?

**Ari Gold** · 08-25-2011, 03:04 PM

Originally Posted by Donna M.

So tell me my fellow Wonder-fans, were we REALLY complaining so much about the pants? And why are they choosing to listen to us now? And on something so trivial?

I think it's because it was something so trivial that it was easier to listen.

For example, if a writer has a "direction" or a story that they want to tell and the fans complain, DC or the writer still believes in that story.
But when it's something as trivial as wearing pants which DC obviously doesn't feel is of the utmost importance, they can oblige the fans complaints and remove them.

**WonderCubb** · 08-25-2011, 03:05 PM

Super Excited about this!

(but then again I was when the team was first announced!)

Pants/shorts/choker/bare/armband whatever.

Papa wants good story. story. story.