The DC Bombshells line introduced fans to reinvented versions of their favorite characters from the middle of one of history's most tumultuous periods. Wonder Woman is just one of the many characters reinvented in this alternate reality -- though she also happens to be one of the most iconic characters, with her serving as in many ways the face of this alternate history saga.
But while there are many similarities between the mainstream Diana of Themyscira and the DC Bombshells version of her, the differences are profound. Who is this alternate version of Wonder Woman? Why should she stand out? To answer those questions, CBR is digging into the DC Bombshells universe to see how it differs from the mainstream DC continuity and how Wonder Woman fits into all of it.
WHAT IS DC BOMBSHELLS?
The DC Bombshells continuity takes place in an alternate version of World War II, where every mainstream superhero and super villain from that continuity emerged around 1939 or 1940. With the sudden emergence of super heroines, Amanda Waller sets up the Bombshells Project, where several female heroes guard the American and British home front while the war in Europe and Japan rages on.
The continuity started as pin-up art and figure diesel-punk redesigns of several DC characters, but its popularity resulted in the launch of a series of comics outlining the story surrounding these redesigned characters.
WHO IS DC BOMBSHELLS WONDER WOMAN?
In some regards, Wonder Woman's origin isn't too unlike her mainstream history or even her DC Extended Universe origin in the World War I era film, Wonder Woman. After Steve Trevor crashes on Themyscira. Diana breaks Trevor free, only here she has the help of her friend Mera of Atlantis.
Once she reaches Europe,General Lane encounters Diana as she fights the German and Italian forces. Thanks to him, she becomes something of a symbol for the war, nicknamed Wonder Woman. However, Diana objects to many of the acts of violence committed on the war front, aiming to solve problems with as little death as possible.
While that makes her a fugitive from Lane, she and Trevor wander across Europe and Britain, taking part in several battles, fighting Nazis, and ultimately, attempting to turn the tide of the war.
HOW THE DC BOMBSHELLS ENDED WWII
Diana eventually travels to America after being contacted by Donna Troy. Troy and fellow Bombshell Cassie Sandsmark are profoundly disturbed by the internment camps trapping Japanese-Americans within US borders, which Wonder Woman also finds horrific.
The three of them set out to free the prisoners trapped within the camps, but Wonder Woman is attacked by Clayface, who swallows her up whole. Diana seemingly dies here, but re-emerges years later when Apokolips invades. While she fights valiantly, Steve Trevor is ultimately slain by Parallax. Wonder Woman doesn't stop fighting crime after this, however. She continues to wander the Earth, putting a stop to crime as she sees it occur.
Costume Differences
Beyond her story, the most overt difference between the DC Bombshells version of Wonder Woman and her mainstream counterpart is her costume. While its now one of Wonder Woman's more famous alternate looks, the Bombshells Diana of Themyscira wears an outfit more inspired by Rosie the Riveter.
Diana wears an unbuttoned red top with short sleeves and short skirt lined with white stars atop a navy blue background. Her iconic symbol is sewn to the front of her unbuttoned top. Her likeness in continuity serves as a sort of Rosie the Riveter equivalent in the DC Bombshells continuity, with her image being utilized to inspire more young heroes to action.
In this respect, Diana is most important character in the Bombshells universe. She serves as an ideal to strive for in the story. Her role as a source of inspiration is far more central to this continuity than arguably in any other. This very cool costume highlighted the inspirational qualities that Wonder Woman already has and makes them even more overt in the Bombshells universe.