From government espionage to battles with mythological creatures, the new Diana had a much larger range of evils to fight. But the move also opened up new lanes of creativity to explore. The transition was also financially motivated, as the book was in danger of cancellation at the time. A more humanized hero could allow for more interesting stories. The best answer lies in the reasoning behind the creation of the “New Wonder Woman” in the first place.
WONDER WOMAN TV PILOT 1974 SERIES
A depowered hero arguably makes for an easier, cheaper, production, but the success of the retooled Wonder Woman series that came after calls that into question. That should have been plenty of time for producers to realize what the Wonder Woman fan base wanted. So why go this route when trying to prove the commercial viability of arguably the most successful female-led comic series in a new medium? The “mod” experiment ended with much publicity two years before the film’s debut. With a grappling hook belt buckle in place of her trademark lasso. Running into battle in a proto-pantsuit was totally mod. A secret weapon of the American military posing as a CIA receptionist. This is the Wonder Woman with which audiences were faced. The result was a modernized, military-aligned blip on the comics radar that underwhelmed once the initial shine faded away. Left powerless, she trained extensively in martial arts with blind master I Ching (ages well…) to remain formidable. She discarded her iconic costume for the latest in late-’60s garb.
WONDER WOMAN TV PILOT 1974 MOD
The change saw Diana renounce her Amazonian powers and receive a mod makeover. The Crosby version of Diana was based on the “New Wonder Woman” run that lasted from 1968 through 1972. RELATED: New Teaser Posters For Wonder Woman 1984 And Birds of Prey Released But not in the form that most fans might recognize.
WONDER WOMAN TV PILOT 1974 PRO
Starring former tennis pro and infamous Wrestlemania 2 commentator Cathy Lee Crosby, the film marked the live-action debut of the most beloved super heroine in DC’s pantheon. This failed ABC pilot turned syndication staple pre-dates the well known Lynda Carter TV series of the same name by one year. However, there is one of these progenitors that stands out as perhaps the oddest of them all: 1974’s Wonder Woman TV movie. That being said, they aren’t that easy to watch knowing what’s now at our fingertips. These early attempts remain endearing despite their low budgets and DIY depictions of the characters and powers. The likes of Shazam, Superman and Spider-Man garnered adaptations decades before, making their mark on TV and film serials. But the genre’s jump to live-action has humble beginnings.
Even before those, we marveled at the glitz and polish of current comic book adaptations.
We don’t just have a glut of films that can seemingly turn the most fringe favorite into a household name, and intricately crafted universes. Let’s face it: we’re spoiled when it comes to comic book cinema.
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