Wonder Woman and MAC lasso a cosmetics deal

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

We were barely back stateside from the men’s European runway shows earlier this month when news broke that DC Comics’ Wonder Woman would be getting a wardrobe makeover for issue No. 600, so the recent announcement that MAC Cosmetics was partnering with DC for a limited-edition color cosmetics line due out for spring 2011 gives us a chance to circle back to our favorite Amazon.

The super heroine, who hails from the island of Themyscira (when I was growing up, it was Paradise Island), made her debut in All Star Comics No. 8 in December 1941, and has been fighting evil and injustice pretty much ever since.

In addition to her golden tiara and bullet-deflecting bracelets, Wonder Woman circa 1941 did battle in a red bustier with a yellow eagle breastplate design, red boots and a blue star-spangled miniskirt. That skirt eventually shrank to become something more akin to hot pants -- a version of that outfit, designed by Oscar-nominated costume designer Donfeld and worn by Lynda Carter for the live-action 1975-1979 TV series, that was burned so vividly into so many young male brains of the time (current company included).

Her new look, which coincides with a reboot of her mythology, finally gives the gal some pants -- or at least some black, stretchy leggings -- after nearly seven decades of bare-legged crime-fighting, molds her accessories a bit and throws a hip-looking motorcycle jacket over a toned-down version of the bustier.

A bit jarring to those who remember the old outfit fondly, but a smart move in updating the look -- especially if the long-rumored Wonder Woman movie ever does make it to the big screen. Wearing what’s essentially a bathing suit might cut it for crime-fighting on the comic book page, but would look mighty campy writ large in the multiplex.

As for the collaboration with MAC Cosmetics -- first reported by fashion industry trade paper WWD late last week -- and subsequently confirmed with MAC representatives -- details are about as hard to find as Wonder Woman’s invisible airplane. All we know at this point is that the limited-edition line will roll out to all MAC stores worldwide for spring 2011 and the line, with pieces ranging in price from $13 to $49.50, is expected to include blush, eye shadow, nail polish and lipstick.

Because neither MAC nor DC is providing any additional information or images of said product until closer to launch, we decided to offer a few suggestions of our own. How about a pair of chunky wrist bands that double as compacts, an ‘Invisible Plain’ clear nail polish, ‘Pucker Up (Diana) Prince’ lip gloss, and ‘Golden Lash-o’ gold-flecked mascara (‘Bat your eyes and no man can lie to you ...’)?

If you have any suggestions -- or thoughts on the Wonder Woman wardrobe makeover -- we’d love to hear them, so feel free to post them in the comments section.

-- Adam Tschorn

RELATED:

MAC Cosmetics unveils Disney-inspired Venomous Villains collectionMore Wonder Woman at Hero Complex

Left photo: Wonder Woman wearing the star-spangled outfit she’s traditionally worn, in an illustration by artist Nicola Scott. Credit: Associated Press

Right photo: Wonder Woman’s new look, designed by DC Comics co-publisher Jim Lee, includes black leggings and a motorcycle jacket. Credit: DC Comics