GAIL SIMONE ON WONDER WOMAN: RISE OF THE OLYMPIAN

[MattBrady]

by Matt Brady

DC’s Dan DiDio has maintained that this summer, while Final Crisis is running, the “trinity,” that is, Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman will be seeing stories of equal magnitude in their own books. These stories, along the lines of the announced “Batman R.I.P.” and Brainiac’s return to bedevil Superman won’t be tied to Final Crisis, but will, reportedly, put their respective characters through their paces and result in some serious changes.

So – Batman may die, Superman runs into that guy with a thing for cities in bottles, and…what about Wonder Woman?

The Rise of the Olympian.

We spoke with Wonder Woman writer Gail Simone for more.

Newsarama: Gail - Dan has said that during the summer of Final Crisis, all of the "trinity's" titles will have major storylines running through them. Was that basically a mandate that was laid down for you as the writer on Wonder Woman, that is, "Summer of '08 - blow the doors off and turn the volume up to 11"?

Gail Simone: It really wasn't mandated at all. DC has been absolutely amazing about this run. I think they know that recent Wonder Woman events have been a bit shotgun, and they know the readers want a consistent, cohesive vision for the character that they can rally behind. I think Allan [Heinberg] and Jodi [Picoult] did amazing stuff, but both of those runs were brief by design, and I think everyone involved wants to see a nice long, meaty run. I know that there's a kind of inevitable cynicism sometimes on the message boards about this kind of thing, but Dan and DC really and truly want to have a Wonder Woman book that we can all be proud of, and they've gone out of their way to give us lots of room to breathe.

So there was no mandate and no demand to tie in with other books at all. I was the one who suggested this story, entirely. Dan has been relentlessly supportive of what we're doing, and editors Matt Idelson and Nachie Castro have been nothing short of amazing in their encouragement.

There's a lot I wanted to re-establish in the book...about Diana, certainly. Her grace, her power, her role as the DCU's best asskicker. But I also wanted to re-establish her supporting cast, and restore some glamour and impact to Hippolyta and the Amazons and the pantheon of related gods, as well. It's a lot to get in there, and no one wants the stories to merely be huge info-dumps. So we're starting off by telling very fast-paced stories that re-establish the vocabulary of Wonder Woman, you know? Why is Wonder Woman different from every other hero and heroine on the stands? They are awe-inspiring concepts, and I want to show that every time they appear.

And above all, it has to be entertaining. It has to be a fun and moving ride along the way. I think we came out of the gate good and hard, with our story of Alkyone and the Circle, and then we moved as far away as possible to a Green Lantern in space story. The next story shows another side of Wonder Woman entirely as she faces some of the great DC barbarian characters, face to face and sword to sword. One of the great things about Diana is that she's such a fascinating vehicle to use to observe the DCU's many characters and concepts. Seeing the Green Lantern Corps, for example, through Diana's eyes...for me, that stuff is magic.

This book is going to be a lot of things, but if I can help it, it will never be dull!

In any case, I felt it was crucial to do stories at first that rewarded the loyal Wonder Woman readers while being nice jumping on points for the curious novice. It's been a problem in the past that Wonder Woman is kind of Advanced Superhero. The backstory can be daunting and it can sometimes take a while to get to the thrilling adventure stuff. I want to focus on new things and high adventure for a while, so we can all discover the stories together, on equal footing.

But no one does epic better than Wonder Woman, and with her place and foundation firmly established, this will be time for our first epic story. Six issues, starting in issue #26, art by the amazing Aaron Lopresti. New characters, new villains, new threats, new everything! It's called Rise of the Olympian and it's one of my favorite story ideas ever. It's just oozing with blood and fire and all the stuff that makes Diana unique.

NRAMA: If you're talking about a big story with Wonder Woman...based on how you started your run as well as the title, I'd say that a safe guess would be that you're going to touch on Paradise Island and her roots a little?

GS: This story really isn't about the past...we touched on that some in the very well-received first arc, “The Circle.” This is very much a new story, a huge new chapter in the WW mythology, with some characters that are going to have a big impact on the DCU for a long time to come.

And one much-loved, much-feared character might be returning from the dead, just for a start!

Themyscira does play a role, and a lot of the stuff people have been dying to see, like the return of the Amazons, is going to happen right here in this story. We're going to again see why the Amazons are so *&^%ing cool. Artists, hunters, warriors, poets, lovers, the Amazons are one of the coolest concepts in the DCU and we're going to show every bit of that. I hope, after this story, skeptics will come to see what they are really capable of. It's just awesome good stuff.

NRAMA: And does Hippolyta play a role?

GS: Well, Hippolyta is a favorite of mine, as you might have seen from her single-handedly hunting Neo-Nazis in our first arc. But she has enemies, and her enemies are loathsome geniuses and jealous gods. It's kind of a measure of how awesome she is that she pisses people off so utterly and completely!

In our first arc, in desperation, Diana asked for the help of Kane, a Polynesian god, to return to Themyscira, from whence she had been banned. In return, she pledged her loyalty to him, to save her mother.

This story, we get to see the consequences of swearing loyalty to another god for her. It's not what people are expecting!

NRAMA: So what does Diana have going on in all of this? Is she on Themyscira, or is she away and dealing with her own stuff?

GS: Ack, has Diana ever got her hands full!

First, the Secret Society from the best-selling Villains United book has at last fully reformed, and all their best mad geniuses have been collecting soil from the sites of every genocidal act in Earth's recent history. What they do with that soil is going to become, no hype at all, possibly the worst thing Diana's ever faced. This thing is scary as hell, and Diana's going to learn of its existence in the worst way possible. I've written some brutal stuff before, but this scene really stands apart. It's a little bit terrifying.

Beyond that, we have a well-intentioned god who seeks to keep the promise of the Amazons by re-creating their entire ideal in his own image.

Lots of people have tried to be Wonder Woman, with varying degrees of success.

But this time?

Wonder Woman is a man.

I have the best job in the world.

NRAMA: Ho-kay. What about Diana’s budding relationship?

GS: We're only just now starting to see the man under the surface in Nemesis. One thing about this relationship, and it's not even a relationship yet, is that everything about Wonder Woman is about seeking the larger truth. Even the pettiest of deceptions, such as keeping a dual identity, are really hard and awkward for her. She's not good at them. And her powers and weapons are also all truth-based. Her culture is about truth of the heart.

While Nemesis, who is a great character with a lot of depth we haven't completely revisited yet, is all about lying. Lying for the greater good, for the most part, but still, his weapon, his gift, is all about deception. His power allows him to be someone he's not in the eyes of others. His background is all espionage, and even his closest friends don't know the whole truth about him. He often lies to spare the feelings of others, or to keep people at a distance to protect them, or simply because he enjoys being alone.

I find that a really fascinating mix, and we're going to see just how difficult it would actually be for them, if the courtship takes. There are no guarantees at all.

NRAMA: Let’s go back to touch upon the gods again…Diana has always been very close with her gods, understandably so, given her powers and heritage. But as you said, she swore an oath to Kane…

GS: One god in particular takes Diana's oath to Kane very hard indeed. The gods aren't used to being manhandled and imprisoned, and they don't frankly take it very well. To be blunt, they go a little mad, some of them. It's fun, big stuff for the book.

Part of the fun of this story is that even Diana's friends are split on the right course of action, and some even choose to side against her.

NRAMA: Any final teases?

GS: I think this is akin to something like Knightfall was for Batman. It's a big, big story, with huge consequences, and we get to the very core of what Wonder Woman is about. All our favorite Wonder-guests are in it, in all their splendor. The gods return. The Amazons return. There's lust and hate and greed and manipulation and honor and redemption and grief and sex and it starts with a brain-popping battle and ends with one twice as big. Something is stolen from Diana that she can't bear to lose. Friends are tested. The best creepy geniuses of the DCU tackle Diana's very existence as a problem to be solved. A new villain is made from an old villain/hero. Dr. Psycho gets a throne. A new bit of DC geography is created. Glass castles and mountains of gold. Steve Trevor returns. The JLA. Heroes from history and DC's past. And Diana's ax is broken. Plus a ton of stuff so cool I can't reveal it yet.

This thing is just overflowing. It's going to be a huge event. I hope even people who have drifted away show up to give it a try. Every once in a while, you get to write a big story that you just know is going to ripple throughout the character's tales for a long time to come. All I can say is, don't miss it. Seriously.

Seriously.

[Gwarite]

First for the win!

[Darquehex]

Originally Posted by Gwarite

First for the win!

Some people should have the life choked out of them by the golden lasso of truth...

I'm loving Gail's Wonder Woman and I can't wait to meet her this weekend!

[SpyGuy]

Originally Posted by Gwarite

First for the win!

No one wins when people declare they're "First" on a message board...No one.

[Equinox]

I'd never read a book by Gail Simone until I read Wonder Woman. Her writing is easily the most charming narrative I've ever read, and is so easy to pick up and just enjoy. Her confidence and enthusiasm for Wonder Woman has got me excited.

I never thought I'd be reading Wonder Woman---but hell, in Gail I trust!

[SpyGuy]

(DELETED FOR SUPERFLUOUS POSTING)

[aric_dacia]

I haven't been following this book since maybe the second issue or so... but this interview made me really curious. I don't really like the sound of the "man-azons" or whatever but everything else is cool.

[Korvac]

I'm surprised that The Olympian (one-time Global Guardian) isn't involved ... he's around in the DCU these days, after all.

[God-Man]

Starting with #26? That's too far away!!

[LikeaPhoenix]

I was really upset when it was announced that Lopresti was leaving Ms. Marvel for DC. But I'm glad he's working on Wonder Woman with Simone. Wondy is in desperate need of some major loving and respect!

[artiepants]

wow, lopresti's really rockin' all this art.

[Binker]

Diana literally earns the "Amazing" in her nickname: the Amazing Amazon!

[munniec]

Sounds great!
I can't wait

[Will44]

Why am I not reading this book? I may have to correct that.

[tlspark]

I love Wonder Woman. I LOVE Gail. I can't say I'm blown over by her run thus far. It's
DEFINITELY better than it was. But still not great. Gail obviously has a grip on the character. There is just something lacking. Birds of Prey was by FAR one of the best
written books on the market, in a very long time. I was expecting the same level of writing here. Having said that, I am NOT giving up on Diana OR Gail. I am going to hang in there, because I am POSITIVE, that my opinions will change greatly. I sill worship you Gail!

[adama]

I think this might be it. You know Wondy's SCW.

Six issues, starting in issue #26, art by the amazing Aaron Lopresti

Is this a typo? I thought Lopresti starts on #20.

[registers]

Is she exclusive to DC? I don't think I've ever seen a Marvel book by her.

[TheNoirPI]

"But no one does epic better than Wonder Woman"

Really? It's funny because absolutely zero Wonder Woman stories stick out in my mind.

[leahcim]

SELL IT, SISTER!! ......please put Diana in heels at some point for all the gays who love and support you.

[Ace]

Male Amazons is a really tough concept to take seriously.

That said, I think she can probably pull it off, if only becasue it sounds like there will be so much going on too. And most of the rest sounds really cool.

But "Ta Da! A male Wonder Woman!" isn't really a great selling point.

[ElijahSnowFan]

i sure hope the reason Diana's axe gets broken is because she freaking cracks it over the head of some dumbass who needs a good Amazonian ass-kicking.

i love this direction for Wonder Woman -- no crying. no debating. no hesitation.

identify the idiots, then give 'em a swift kick in the ass. repeatedly.

[holtom2000]

sounds like she is full of enthusiasm, but I really don't care about this character any more. any momentum this character had spinning out of Infinite Crisis is long gone.
best of luck. hope the people who enjoy this title enjoy this arc

[I-Ching]

H
O
L
Y

H
O
T

C
R
A
P

Steve Trevor RETURNS!?

yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes

Gail's run has been so satisfying and it's AMAZING all of the groundwork and small touches she's been adding with her arcs...all leading to this!...so so sooooo excited!

Gail GETS Wonder Woman and it's great too see as a fan but it gives me hope that other writers who don't exactly get Diana will see her work and better understand who Diana is and how she should be written.

Amazons coming back, Hippolyta is a warrior AND a noble queen, the Gods are returning...villains are coming after Diana....so much wondery goodnees!!

Thanks Gail!

[CaptainCanad]

Originally Posted by registers

Is she exclusive to DC? I don't think I've ever seen a Marvel book by her.

Her first Big Two work (as far as I can recall) was at Marvel, most notably a famous run on Deadpool, but she's been DC-exclusive since maybe 2003, I think.

[KoozyK]

Originally Posted by registers

Is she exclusive to DC? I don't think I've ever seen a Marvel book by her.

gail wrote some deadpool solo stuff. later, she wrote agent x.

and that art is awesome.

keep up the good work gail.