AARON LOPRESTI NAMED AS WONDER WOMAN ARTIST

[MattBrady]

Back in November, we brought you word that artist Aaron Lopresti would soon be trading in his then-current gig as Ms. Marvel penciler for Marvel for something at DC, as he had signed an exclusive contract with the publisher. When we asked what, if anything he had his sights set on, Lopresti played coy – but now, he’s a little more willing to talk.

Following a fill-in on May’s Legion of Super-Heroes #41, Lopresti will be taking over as regular artist on Wonder Woman with issue #20, with Gail Simone writing.

We spoke with the artist about his upcoming gig on the Amazon Princess.

Newsarama: Aaron, back in November when we talked to you about signing your exclusive, you mentioned a lot of projects and characters that you'd like to draw, but Wonder Woman wasn't on the list. A little misdirection, or did this offer come in later?

Aaron Lopresti: Heh, heh. Well, I wouldn't necessarily say misdirection, but I didn't want to throw her in there and have someone figure it out. How about purposeful omission? But it is true that Wonder Woman was not what I signed up to originally draw. The offer came about two weeks later and I just could not turn down working on not only one of the DC icons but a pop culture icon as well. Now I can actually have a conversation with someone outside of comics and they will actually have heard of the character I’m drawing.

NRAMA: Just to clarify, picking up the art reins on Wonder Woman isn't your first DC work under your exclusive, right? You're doing a Legion issue first?

AL: Although, I realize that there is a strong following for the Legion and that there always has been, it was not a book that I had ever really read. There was a gap in my schedule while I was waiting on the first Wonder Woman script, so Dan DiDio and Mike Marts contacted me about helping on the book. I was very excited to get the opportunity to work with the legend that is Jim Shooter on a series that is very popular.

I discovered very quickly why the book is so popular! It has great characters and the charm of a classic comic. It is so refreshing to work on a book that has superheroes being superheroes. The experience really energized me and got me ready for Wonder Woman. It is only one issue, but I am really glad I got the opportunity to do it.

NRAMA: Back to Wonder Woman, what went into your decision making for saying yes? Was there any hesitation at all?

AL: Actually, I did originally turn it down. I was looking forward to launching a new book that I could establish without any pre-existing expectations from the readers. However, the more I thought about it and the more people said "Are you crazy? Take it!" the more it became apparent that it was an unbelievable opportunity. Now I am excited beyond belief! I am drawing one of the big three!

NRAMA: What are your views on Wonder Woman - what is she to you? She seems to have this continuum of meaning and everyone has one or two places upon it that resonate with them...

AL: For me she is the perfect embodiment of what it means to be a super hero, male or female. In some ways she is like Superman or Captain America (when he was alive). She is a character that has character and it makes her stand head and shoulders above the rest of female
super hero community.

Most importantly, I don't feel I am drawing sexually exploitive material when I am working on Wonder Woman. Somehow she seems to be above all of that. At least in my mind.

NRAMA: That said, what are some of the keys to portraying Wonder Woman in the new century?

AL: I don't know that I will approach it any differently. I think Wonder Woman is timeless. I think Allan and Terry did a great job of establishing a "hipper" or perhaps more modern Wonder Woman but I still don't see her all that differently than I ever did. If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

NRAMA: Have you been following what Gail's been doing? Thoughts on it and
you fitting in with it?

AL: I'm afraid I haven't read any of Gail's stuff on Wonder Woman - yet. Everyone I have talked to says it is great, so I am really looking forward to diving in. Which by the time this is published, I will have.

NRAMA: Anything you can offer as a tease as to what’s coming up in your issues that has you jazzed?

AL: I believe it may involve swords, which I am really looking forward to!

[Xomrub]

That's great news!!

er... First post? wow.

[rodolfo leon]

Wonder Woman is finally getting all the love.

'bout @%!#$%! time.

[marco19]

looks like Terry Dodson will be coming back to marvel now....

[Comic-Reader]

Sorry to see the Dodsons go, but Lopresti's a good replacement.

I see by that sketch he's planning to keep the costume the same as the Dodson version, but I hope he goes back to the regular belt instead of the W-belt. Also, lose the seams on the bustier. Simpler is better.

Of course, if DC would ever let him change the costume, I'd much prefer that (like to the version that Nathan photoshopped based on my suggestions).

Hope the Dodsons stay at DC, though.

[Astro]

This explains the "young x-men" preview art we saw from the Dodsons.

Surely they are Marvel exclusive now.

Good replacement, though. And a timely one, which will be nice.

[RolandGunner]

Lopresti's work has certainly improved over the years but he's a pretty uninspiring choice for a book with Wonder Woman's profile. I appreciate DC working to get faster artists on books but having the Dodsons do alternating arcs with someone like Bernard Chang seemed to be the best way to get the book out monthly and deliver the highest level of quality.

[aceatkins]

Lopresti is a great artist, and totally worthy of a high-profile book (which WW should be, and I think is becoming with Gail at the helm). But I will miss the Dodsons terribly. They've done a lot of good work over the years, but if there was ever a character in which they could make a career-defining mark on, it was Wonder Woman. An on-again, off-again 20-issue run isn't quite one for the record books, I don't think.

[Vyper]

Well, I guess I'll start picking up WW again

[boeram]

Finally an artist who is known for being on time. Can draw great and doesn't "oversex" Wonder Woman (based on the pic provided)

I've noticed in the past artist who normally have been fill in artist on such titles tend to give Wonder Woman an custom that just physically does not make sense. They will give her over extended breasts pouring over her bustier and have half her ass sticking out of her pants.

I can look at my wife if I wanted that. George Perez, Phil Jimenez, Terry Dodson are just a few artist who could make Wonder Woman look great without making her perverse. Unfortunately, deadlines are not the strong suit of these guys. Lopresti is poised to make this comic not only exciting to look at, but current enough for us to remember the story month to month.

[thew40]

Lopresti is one of those artists that has always deserved to make it big. Seeing him on an A-list book is quite satisfying for those of us that have wished he could do better than "Excalibur" volume 2.

[Ron Marz]

Great fit all the way around. Congrats, A-Lo! Well deserved!

[caats19]

nice. marvel can have the dodsons, i dont' understand the hubbub about them

[leahcim]

OKay that's cool but her briefs need to be bigger, like full briefs! None of that thong action from Ms. Marvel please!

[DaVeO]

Sad to see the Dodsons go but Aaron looks to be a fine replacement. I also like his views on Wonder Woman.

[boeram]

Yeah, based on the pic above it's better than it's been in the past. I hate the thong with the belt or sash crossing over. Oy Vey!

Perhaps he can fix Power Girl.

[Snowspinner]

Good good. The Dodsons are fine storytellers, but their cheesecake style is a poor match for Simone's writing.

[Snowspinner]

Originally Posted by caats19

nice. marvel can have the dodsons, i dont' understand the hubbub about them

Indeed. They've always felt to me much like Mark Bagley's art, only with bigger breasts and done half as fast.

They're fine storytellers, and don't throw me out of the story with impenetrable or poor art, but they're not a reason to pick up a book.

[Reliant]

Originally Posted by leahcim

OKay that's cool but her briefs need to be bigger, like full briefs!

Granny panties...ew.


Seriously, though, I knew that Lopresti was going to be drawing a book with a female lead, but I thought it would be Catwoman rather than Wonder Woman. Still, it's a good call...

[caats19]

yaah, the dodsons looked like suped up disney cartoonists. ick

[kcekada]

I'll miss the Dobsons, but Lopresti is a good replacement. I don't think the material over on Ms. Marvel is as good as it could be under Brian Reed, but Gail should enable Aaron to bring his A game.

[CATMAN3]

Aaron has done some nice Red Sonja covers recently.
Didn't he work on a comic book called SLUDGE(Malibu Comics?) back in the early 90's?

[K-DoG7p7]

i'm.... confused about this,,,

anyone have any sampel art from him?

and i like "the dodsons" .. and i'm still hoping for a Nicola Scott fill in issue :P

[artiepants]

Congrats to Aaron, he's a great artist who deserves to be on an A-list book.

[ryan alex]

Being a very new fan to WW, I really enjoyed the Dodson's work on the title. They seemed like a good fit and accenutated Gail's story telling very well. Hopefully Gail and Aaron will make a good fit and the quality of the book won't drop off in any one department. WW has so much potential. Gail is a terrific story teller.

Good luck to the Dodson's and hopefully we'll see their work again on another title. Good luck Gail and Aaron.