HEROES CON/WW PHILLY '07: J. TORRES ON WONDER GIRL: CHAMPION

**MattBrady** · 06-16-2007, 09:12 AM

by J. Caleb Mozzocco

There was about a decade or so in which sidekicks seemed to be out of fashion among DC’s superheroes. And then Batman went and got himself a new Robin, in the person of Tim Drake. And Superman came back to life to find a teenaged clone of himself, one he had to convince to go by the name Superboyinstead of Superman. And the Flash found himself all too often reluctantly paired with Barry Allen’s grandson from the future, who went by the name Impulse…and, later, Kid Flash (And later still just plain Flash).

And then in 1996, we finally got a new Wonder Girl, the second or third heroine to go by that name (Depending on whether you want to include Pre-Crisis Wonder Woman’s adventures when she was a girl).

Robin, Superboy, Impulse and Wonder Girl formed the core group of the next generation of DC’s heroes, the teen heroes at the center of first Young Justice and then the latest volume of Teen Titans. During that time, the three boys all had their own long-running solo titles, so why not Wonder Girl?

Perhaps the timing just hasn’t been right. But maybe it will be soon. Say, September? That’s when six-issue miniseries Wonder Girl: Champion is set to launch.

The scripts will come courtesy of J. Torres, who’s written about another Wonder Girl in Teen Titans Go and will write the original Amazon heroine herself in Wonder Woman #11-#12. Artist Sanford Greene will be drawing, and, according to Torres, the art is going to be “hot.”

So, what’s Cassie Sandsmark’s first solo series going to be about, exactly?

“She's been through a lot in the last year or so and we get to bring it all together in this mini,” Torres said. “She's cleaning up after the Amazons, she gets roped into some Countdown related stuff, and all at the same time wrestling with her own demons…when she's not wrestling chimera and hydra and other demigods.”

Speaking of roping and wrestling, we roped Torres into telling us a little more about the upcoming series, and luckily we didn’t exactly have to twist his arm to get him to talk.

Newsarama: As you mentioned, Wonder Girl has had a pretty rough year, and has exhibited some pretty erratic behavior since Infinite Crisis. Like, oh, I don’t know, joining a cult devoted to resurrecting her dead boyfriend, for example. Can you get us in her head a little bit? Where is she at mentally? Has she accepted what happened to Superboy, and whether or not she belongs with the Teen Titans?

J. Torres: Well, without spoiling other peoples' upcoming stories, let's just say that we'll see her moving on a bit, but things in that department get more complicated before they're resolved. We're talking about teenage dramarama after all. It's not easy getting over your first love under any circumstances.

Cassie's got issues and we'll see her work through them in Champion, as well as Sean McKeever's Titans. Both Sean and I are inheriting some plots and story elements from other writers and books and we're trying to respect what they set up but at the same try out some new stuff. He's also been very gracious about letting me run with this ball and coordinating things with his plans for Titans.

NRAMA: Wonder Girl’s long been a prominent member of ensembles like Young Justice and Teen Titans, and an on-again, off-again supporting character in Wonder Woman’s monthly. DC apparently thinks she can be a star character, and you obviously agree. What makes Wonder Girl a hero who can carry her own title…even if it’s only a miniseries?

JT: I think you said it right there. She's been in all these other big storylines and has all of these relationships and drama that's happened to her that's hard to contain in any one book not exclusively about her or give her the attention she deserves or needs to fully tell her story. Of Sean's Titans you've got Robin, Supergirl, and Blue Beetle with their own books, so why not Wonder Girl, right?

NRAMA: And if she’s the star here, will we be seeing other Titans or Wonder Woman popping up in a supporting or guest-star capacity?

JT: Yes, friends like Wonder Woman and one or two Titans will definitely show up. But even though this is Wonder Girl's book, a lot of other cool characters will be there to either challenge her or help her. I'm really excited about the toys I've been allowed to play with here.

NRAMA: When you started writing, did you find other story ideas popping up? If this is successful, could you see a sequel miniseries, or a Wonder Girl monthly?

JT: Actually, some stuff has already ended up on the cutting room floor, plot elements that I'd love to be able to flesh out someday. So, hopefully fans pickup the book and if they like it enough, let us know if they'd like to see more. I'd love to write a Wonder Girl ongoing.

NRAMA: You’ve written some other Wonder Women, including Wonder Woman for an upcoming stint on her title, and a different Wonder Girl in Teen Titans Go. How does this Wonder Girl compare to the other two?

JT: I see the Wonders as a model of the evolution of the female superhero. With each generation, we've seen less conservative, less stoic, and arguably more modern portrayals.

It's almost like looking at the women in my family and how different my mom is from my sister and my nieces. But there are also consistent qualities, which is what creates the legacy, and universal themes that stand the test of time and continue to attract comic book fans to the Sisterhood of the Star Spangled Pants.

NRAMA: Which isn’t a bad title for a comic book right there. So what is it that attracts you to the “Wonder” characters?

JT: The star spangled bottoms. But seriously, for me, I love the Wonders' connections to myth and legend. And I love the family and generational aspect of their history.

NRAMA: And who’s your favorite Wonder Girl, Cassie, Donna or Diana (when she was a girl)?

JT: If you're asking me right now, I'd have to say Diana. But a year or so ago as I brought Donna into the Teen Titans Go comics, I would have said her. I suspect I'm going to say Cassie when Championis out there. I tend to pick what I'm working on at the moment as my favorite when asked this kind of question.

Newsarama's coverage of the 2007 Heroes Con & Wizardworld: Philadelphia is brought to you by GameAlmighty.com - "Truth, Justice, and Videogames by the only website run by superheroes"...

Twigglet · 06-16-2007, 01:37 PM

I'm down for this.

I like Torres

Mundungus · 06-16-2007, 01:41 PM

He seems enthusiastic.

I don't know anything about Cassie or much about Wonder Woman. Just the basic stuff that most people know. Invisible jets, lots of estrogen flying about, etc.

I've been on a real binge lately where I've been trying out new books, looking into things I wouldn't have otherwise, so I definitely wouldn't mind giving this mini a shot, just to have some fun and maybe fall in love with a new character along the way.

BornToRun · 06-16-2007, 01:51 PM

I'll check out the first issue. I'm always inclined to give these things a read, but I never liked Cassie. I was reading the Byrne Wonder Woman book back when she first appeared and I never liked her even back then.

CYOTI · 06-16-2007, 01:55 PM

Finally a Wonder Girl mini. Guess DC does listen to the fans.

ElijahSnowFan · 06-16-2007, 01:57 PM

hmmm. going to have to see how McKeever plays her in Titans before i commit to this, but there's potential there.

1logan · 06-16-2007, 01:58 PM

Funny how DC can get around the name Champions but Marvel can't without getting sued.

Instead they call it the New Order....yuck.

sweetmisery · 06-16-2007, 02:01 PM

Im onboard.

Kebab Gud · 06-16-2007, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CYOTI

Finally a Wonder Girl mini. Guess DC does listen to the fans.

No they dont! we! (my and a buddy) want a Speedy mini or better yet ongoing! :P

flamebird867 · 06-16-2007, 02:05 PM

I might have to get this...

AdamYJ · 06-16-2007, 02:26 PM

I'll give this a try. However, I would have been more eager to try it if it had happened back during her YJ days. I miss the old "tomboy next door with superpowers" Cassie. She kind of went from being this average tomboy everygirl to the blond, curvy cheerleader type. Also, her whole lofe lately seems to revolve around the fact that she hasn't gotten over Superboy's death yet. Maybe this mini will serve to defuse that part a little and make her issues a little more balanced at least.

diana_fan · 06-16-2007, 02:28 PM

I really like Cassie.

This sounds ... well, at least there's a Cassie mini. The art doesn't do anything for me. The interview was ok.

Poe · 06-16-2007, 02:32 PM

This is a character I've liked ever since the relaunch of Teen Titans under Geoff Johns. Nice to see she's finally getting some spotlight. I've never read anything by Torres, but I understand he's got quite a few fans so presumably he's pretty good as a writer.

Yeah, I think I'll be picking this up.

neodragzero · 06-16-2007, 02:48 PM

There's no way I'm going to even give this a chance. It's been a long time since a mini has been announced that I can easily decide not to even touch with a ten foot poll. I can't really stand Cassie and find her the part of Teen Titans that I don't care to see.

AdamYJ · 06-16-2007, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neodragzero

There's no way I'm going to even give this a chance. It's been a long time since a mini has been announced that I can easily decide not to even touch with a ten foot poll. I can't really stand Cassie and find her the part of Teen Titans that I don't care to see.

Well, that leaves one more copy for someone else, then.

leahcim · 06-16-2007, 03:28 PM

Sisterhood of the Star Spangled Pants sounds so awesome!!

J. Torres · 06-16-2007, 03:50 PM

Thanks for the press Caleb and Matt!

I hope people check the book out when it hits...

Kent Horton · 06-16-2007, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1logan

Funny how DC can get around the name Champions but Marvel can't without getting sued.

Instead they call it the New Order....yuck.

Well, Marvel tried making a team book called Champions. DC is doing a solo character book called Champion, no S. Two very different things as far as trademarks go.

Action Ace · 06-16-2007, 04:11 PM

I've enjoyed Torres' work in Teen Titans Go, I'll give this one a shot.

Xanrn · 06-16-2007, 05:31 PM

Great sounds like another kick in the pants for Conner fans coming up.

On the other hand Cassie is getting a mini, so yay.

Moonbeam · 06-16-2007, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattBrady

Artist Sanford Greene will be drawing

I love Cassie have enjoyed other work by J. Torres, so I would have checked this out regardless, but Sanford on art??? Rock on. I'm all over it!!

- Vaneta

philippos42 · 06-16-2007, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leahcim

Sisterhood of the Star Spangled Pants sounds so awesome!!

Doesn't it, though? New mini name!

I think the art is interesting. Simonson-esque, perhaps?

Indef · 06-16-2007, 10:11 PM

I had a huge crush on Cassie in YJ. Still do, though I don't think she's been all that interesting since YJ (And I like Teen Titans a lot).

O.J. Flow · 06-16-2007, 10:45 PM

...wondering if this is the Wonder Girl who DC Direct is going to do based off the designs of Terry Dodson for the "Women of the DC Universe" statue series.
Sorry if that was remotely off topic, but I wonder that as a consumer.

J. Torres · 06-17-2007, 01:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moonbeam

I love Cassie have enjoyed other work by J. Torres, so I would have checked this out regardless, but Sanford on art??? Rock on. I'm all over it!!

I knew there were fellow Sanford Greene fans out there!

Everyone should check out his website:

http://www.sanfordgreene.com/

Lotsa sweet eye candy in the "Artwork" section. My faves are in the "Prints" and "Trading Card" sections but there are some killer illos in "Covers" too.