Personal style always changes. Superheroes like Diana go through many changes the longer they exist. Since her first appearance in All-Star Comics #8 in 1941, Wonder Woman's costume and its evolution are unending.
Symbols that identify Diana as Wonder Woman persist. Over the decades, things have changed. A plethora of variations is the one constant in the process. Examples exist in comics, animated programs, and movies like Wonder Woman 1984. But do movie fans really know what the details of her costume actually mean?
10 Her 1984 Costume Is A Compilation Of Movies, Television, Animation, and Comics
The first thing about Diana's costume is that it is not just one costume. It is a tapestry. A composite. Elements from comics, television, and animation are detectable. But the viewer must possess an eye for details. From the predatory bird-shaped design atop her armor's torso to the boots on her feet, Wonder Woman's 1984 costume is a collage.
In the movie, Diana wears a molded armor that hugs her hips and thighs like a skirt. The design closely resembles a Greek leather tunic called a chitoniskos. The comics alternated between a short skirt, longer bike shorts, or a bikini brief bottom that made the Wonder Woman costume look more like a one-piece bathing suit or leotard. The leather segments attached to her waist resemble the layered weaving of a linothorax.
9 Asteria's Armor First Appeared In Kingdom Come
The golden armor costume in Wonder Woman 1984 debuted appeared in comics. Fans of the seminal work Kingdom Come saw this golden-winged suit gleaming within its pages. Unlike the movie, in Kingdom Come Diana is preparing to lead a cadre of superheroes into a battle. The decision necessitates a suit of armor.
In the movie, the golden suit is given a new history. A history born in courage. The legend of Asteria is a powerful reflection of a culture's fighting spirit. The armor first appears as a statue in the center of an arena during an opening scene with young Diana. Participants in the Amazon games dance in celebration around the statue. In flashbacks telling the legend of Asteria, only her eyes are seen. This decision sets up the cameo appearance of legendary Wonder Woman star Lynda Carter.
8 Diana's New Footwear Is Sandals
Wonder Woman beats up bad guys barefooted if she wants. But the armored heels recently featured in Wonder Woman 1984 are original, designer, and one-of-a-kind. The red and gold pieces are blood and glory. In addition, they are authentic.
In the first Wonder Woman movie, Diana wears boots. In the comics, Theyscira time is not the same as time for the rest of the planet. By eschewing man's world the Amazons have not needed to advance their technology to keep pace with the world. Wonder Woman might live in 1984 and decades to follow, but her fashion is grounded in the timelessness of her people.
7 The Golden Lasso Does More Than Tell The Truth
Diana's lasso is full of surprises. Long-time fans know of its legendary prowess. It can compel the truth with one touch. In Wonder Woman 1984 it does so much more. Like many of the items she carries, Diana's lasso is a tool gifted by her gods. Wonder Woman uses it for good. Its powers are both subtle and explicit.
First, it can show the past by revealing to Steve Trevor the story of Asteria. Next, it can grow in length and shape and stretch to the needs of its user. This means it can lasso structures, a flying plane, and even streaking bolts of lightning.
6 Wonder Woman's Headband Is A Boomerang
Diana's headband is a boomerang. Fans of comics and the Lynda Carter television show Wonder Woman, remember that Princess Diana can throw her tiara with the same efficiency of Captain America's shield. Both objects also defy physics shamelessly.
When Diana and Steve Trevor attempt to stop Pedro Pascal's Maxwell Lord at the White House they are attacked by Secret Service agents. Diana's tiara comes in handy and takes out multiple threats with one throw. The added advantage allows her to compensate for the growing loss of her powers following the return of Steve Rogers.
5 Diana's Original Bracelets Become Gauntlets in 1984
When Diana first appeared in comics she reimagined the superhero costume. Among its distinguishing features were bands of metal around her wrists. The bands could deflect projectiles. They were incorrectly called bracelets. This extended to the Wonder Woman television show where Diana also wore metal bands endowed with magic.
In the movie Wonder Woman, the bands resemble gauntlets. The style is akin to armor. They serve multiple defensive purposes. Diana's gauntlets can create a sonic force when they're struck against each other. The power of the blow can drive back attackers like a wave.
4 Diana's Sword First Belonged To Hippolyta
The sword Wonder Woman carries belongs to her mother Hippolyta. The Greek gods forged Hippolyta's sword. They forged it for Hippolyta, not Diana. When Diana first leaves Themyscira she takes the elements of her costume without permission. Her mother's sword is among them.
Lon- time fans know Hippolyta was a warrior before her daughter Diana was born. DC Comics has shown recently in its Endless Winter storyline that Hippolyta teamed with other powered heroes like Black Adam to save the ancient world from threats. Now her daughter Diana carries the sword in man's world
3 The Colors Are Brighter in Wonder Woman 1984
Sometimes the future really is brighter. This is especially true in Wonder Woman 1984. This costume, compared to be first Wonder Woman movie is demonstrably more vibrant.
The first film featured a color scheme that resembled aged armor. That decision made sense in the World War 1 setting the movie explores. Since the year 1984 was a time of glittering excess and compulsive uses of neon it makes sense that the colors she wears would reflect that brighter time.
2 The Design On Her Torso Is Avian
Diana's torso is covered by armor that is red in the middle. It features a gold emblem that begins at the sternum and spreads outward towards the shoulders. It is in the shape of a bird. Scholars and experts claim it is an eagle. Others only describe it as avian or bird-shaped.
The eagle and certainly the bald eagle are most commonly associated with the United States of America. They are also symbols of power with a history. The Roman Empire used the eagle as the standard of its authority. Many countries have since embraced the eagle for its representations of power and freedom.
1 Layered W's From Top To Bottom
One letter is featured everywhere. It starts with the headband or tiara which dips in the middle at the center of Diana's forehead. The wings of the bird atop her torso are next. Layers of lines fork out from the center of her armor's torso and echo the shape.
But wait, there's more. The golden band around her waist at the center of her abdomen is three layers of the same letter. Wonder Woman is a hero who wears the colors and symbols of what she represents. They reveal what she stands for, who she fights for, and the ideals she strives to model every time she suits up.