Wonder Woman's New Prehistoric Costume Just Launched 1000 Cosplays
Warning: contains spoilers for Wonder Woman #778!
When it comes to superhero fashion, Wonder Woman is an icon. She has gone through numerous outfits over the years, but her latest in Wonder Woman #778 might be the next big cosplay sensation, especially as it seems she's taken a few notes from the X-Men and their time in the Savage Land.
Wonder Woman's current series has had her traveling through the multiverse and through multiple dimensions. She began in Valhalla and has since gone through Elfhame, Olympus, and the Phantom Zone, chasing after Janus - a villain reflecting an evil side of her. Now, she has gone to prehistoric times, reminiscent of the dinosaur-infested Savage Land from Marvel Comics. The Savage Land is a tropical reserve for prehistoric life hidden in Antarctica. In Uncanny X-Men #269 from 1990, Rogue ended up in the Savage Land, her clothes becoming tattered and worn in a look that has since become iconic and inspired countless cosplays. Of course, Wonder Woman has inspired numerous cosplays also, but her newest outfit taps into the same aesthetic that made Rogue's so incredibly popular.
Throughout her ongoing series, the titular heroine has seen her costume transform to match each different realm. The same is true in Wonder Woman #778's 'Afterworlds - Part 9,' which has the creative team of Michael W. Conrad, Becky Cloonan, Travis Moore, Tamra Bonvillain, and Pat Brosseau. In this issue, Wonder Woman goes through a few variations of her usual costume while in the Phantom Zone and in Gemworld. Her attire undergoes a major shift once she and her companions - Siegfried and Ratatosk - are sent to a prehistoric world.
In this world (or time period), the company of heroes have to outrun giant bugs to reach yet another portal. Even without dinosaur foes, the overall vibe is very reminiscent of the Savage Land which the X-Men frequent. Wonder Woman's new outfit, like Rogue's, has an asymmetrical cut at the shoulder. It is ragged, befitting the wear it would take if she had spent a lot of time in this world. Like Rogue, Wonder Woman is also equipped with a sharp weapon, although Diana's is significantly larger and better secured. Diana also shares an accessory with Rogue - a thin, side-tied headband - though hers actually has a central stone loop evocative of her traditional tiara. Wonder Woman also wears the luminous purple lasso she gained from the Valkyries of Valhalla, adding some much-needed color to the ensemble.
Thanks to her attire worn prior to her arrival in the Savage Land, Rogue was able to maintain her own color scheme - a feat which Wonder Woman doesn't manage. Her outfit has a mind of its own and fails to carry over her signature colors. However, it does keep her iconic bracelets, which in their own way mirror Rogue's gloves as a reminder of their powers and abilities. These comic heroines also wear their hair loose, in similar fashion, instead of tying it back. The major differences - colors aside - lie in the cut of their bottoms, with Diana's being much longer and draped, and in their footwear, as Wonder Woman's long boots match her surroundings far better than Rogue's.
Considering the popularity of Rogue's Savage Land outfit, it wouldn't be surprising to see Wonder Woman fans take Diana's latest outfit and give it similar attention. Aside from cosplays, 'Savage Land Rogue' has inspired variant covers, toys, figurines, trading cards and more. With six costumes in this issue alone - including one from Jordie Bellaire and Paulina Ganucheau's 'Stronger Together' story from Diana's youth - this series is throwing out lots of inspiration for any fan planning future cosplay. Wonder Woman is on a mission to explore the many different facets of Diana before bringing her fully back to life in DC Comics, and thankfully that includes an ever-changing aesthetic perfect for fans who can't get enough superhero fashion.