Like most pop-culture artifacts, comic books have a history of sexism. Yesterday, in an attempt to end the stereotypical portrayal of women with exposed legs and low-cut tops, DC Comics gave Wonder Woman a makeover. The 69-year-old superhero debuted her new outfit in issue number 600 of her monthly series. Writer J. Michael Straczynski, who recently took control of the series, told The New York Times why he felt the wardrobe update was needed:
She’s been locked into pretty much the exact same outfit since her debut in 1941. If you’re going to make a statement about bringing Wonder Woman into the 21st century, you need to be bold and you need to make it visual. I wanted to toughen her up, and give her a modern sensibility.
View 10 other comic book heroes who have undergone costume changes, though perhaps not for such a noble cause. There’s a surprise ending.
1. Storm
In the mid-’80s, one of the X-Men’s most most powerful mutants went from Goddess of Thunder to gutter punk. All that lovely white hair was shaved into a Mohawk and the cape was swapped for a leather jacket.
2. Spider-Man
Perhaps the most well-known costume change occurred in 1984 when Peter Parker exchanged his blue-and-red tights for an amorphous alien organism, also known as a symbiote.
3. Superman
First they killed They Last Son of Krypton, then they changed him into electronic particles. We’re not sure which event did more damage to the iconic hero’s reputation.
4. Iron Man
It should come as no surprise that a superhero dependent on technological innovation would keep up with the times. Clunky and rigid eventually evolved into sleek and supple.
5. Rogue
The older-looking Rogue with loose clothing has been replaced by her opposite. The only continuity seems to be the white-streaked hair.
6. Cosmic Boy
Although Cosmic Boy, aka Rokk Krinn of the DC Universe, is not an A-list superhero, his custom change into something a bit skimpier is definitely worthy of this list.
7. Daredevil
Just because the Daredevil’s blind doesn’t mean he’s unable to coordinate a fear-inducing costume. It just took him some time to get the colors right. After all, he’s known as The Man Without Fear, not The Man Without Fashion.
8. The Wasp
Short skirts and funny hats may have been all the rage at one point, but it’s not quite the look these days. This superhero has been around since the early ’60s, and she’s seen a lot of changes. The only constant in her look is the set of wings.
9. Namor the Sub-Mariner
Needing a change, the Monarch of Atlantis ditched his reliable green speedos for a black bodysuit, which is a more suitable choice given his esteemed status.
10. Wonder Woman
It turns out that 2010 wasn’t the only year Wonder Woman decided to wear pants.
