Gamenomics & Comicology

At San Diego Comic-Con on Saturday, director Zack Snyder shared the first photos of Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman. Finally getting some much deserved screen time in Batman v. Superman, Wonder Woman is one of many comic woman who takes being a heroine to the next level.

Fans have mixed opinions about the new outfit, spanning from loving it to thinking Snyder “butchered” the costume. The familiar red, blue and gold costume is traded for a bronzed outfit with matching thigh-high boots. Personally, I do see the Xena Warrior Princess comparison and sense the Lady Sif vibe. I believe the colors are too muted and I can see the attempt to pull her through the main stream filter. There is always going to be altercations with the modern adaptation of favored characters. With Wonder Woman incorporating metals and gritty coloring shakes lose the previous “campy” quality.

As for the mainstream news articles, some are praising the new “gritty look” of Wonder Woman while others are questioning “is she too sexy?” Other fans complain that Gadot is “too small” and doesn’t “look like she can embody the true Diana Prince.” In the comics, Wonder Woman is often seen with a more muscular body shape.

But a problem I have with this picture includes more than the costume. It’s a common marketing brand to have woman look off to the side, rather than staring down the camera and defying the authority of the typical gaze. Even take a gander at Black Widow’s character photo for Winter Solider and her distant gaze. Although Gadot does have a determined fiery expression, I’d much rather seen her face first staring down the audience like Diana Prince is known for.

It may be rather trivial but being the embodiment of kick-ass feminine power, I expected her to look more fierce. I can also attribute this being home grown on Lynda Carter with her hands on her hips and head held high. Lynda Carter hasn’t voiced her opinion to new costume despite her previous contribute in the iconic role.

Gadot is also gaining mixed fan reactions recently with her recent Facebook post supporting fellow Israeli citizens during the Gaza conflict. Gadot is Israeli and previously served in the Israel Defense Forces.

Although the love message to Israelis included a picture of her and her young daughter, there is a backlash of some fans taken aback by her political stance on the issue. There are tweets about boycotting Batman vs. Superman and even Change.org has a petition to remove her from the film (although I don’t think the all of ten signatures will get much traction).

There is a lot of press circling around Gadot so far but keep in mind the negative press for Avengers actor Mark Ruffalo as the Hulk before he blew fans away. All in all, there is a major amount of potential for Wonder Woman on the big screen and I do believe Gadot will do the part justice (*There’s a wonder woman joke in there somewhere).

And if her Wonder Woman attire channels other killer ladies who kick ass, who am I to complain? Since 1941, Wonder Woman’s rocked beauty, brawn and brains and I don’t see her stopping anytime soon.

Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice will open May 6th 2016.