85 Years Later, Wonder Woman Gets a New First Costume in DC Lore Rewrite
Wonder Woman is one of the most, if not the most, iconic female hero of all time, standing alongside DC greats like Batman and Superman. Like the Dark Knight and the Man of Steel, her costume history is one of the most iconic aspects of her character, serving as a visual marker of her evolution over the years. Now, however, DC has embarked on the monumental task of reimagining Diana’s origin, and with this new interpretation has come a new first costume for the Amazon Princess.
Writer Tom King and artist Daniel Sampere have taken a break from their ongoing Wonder Woman title, with the creative team of Stephanie Williams, Clayton Henry, and Pedro Estoc taking over to retell Wonder Woman’s origin story through the eyes of her greatest love, Steve Trevor. In doing so, the series has introduced new aspects to the Amazons’ lore while rewriting others.
The recently released Wonder Woman #36 follows a young adult Diana as she enters and competes in the Contest to become the Champion of the Amazons, earning the right to enter Man’s World as Wonder Woman. The issue follows Diana through various trials, and unsurprisingly, she emerges victorious despite her participation going against her mother’s wishes.
Toward the end of the issue, we see Hippolyta finally accept her daughter’s decision to enter Man’s World and, keeping true to her word, gives Diana her blessing by bestowing the Wonder Woman armor upon her. This makes for a major rewrite of DC lore, as the outfit now serves as the very first Wonder Woman costume Diana wears, giving the Amazon Princess a debut look that is vastly different from her first appearance in the comics.
Wonder Woman’s First Costume Gets a Modern DC Redesign
Comic Pages Come from Stephanie Williams’ Wonder Woman #36 (2026) - Art by Clayton Henry & Pedro Estouco
Wonder Woman first appeared in All-Star Comics #8 (1941), originally wearing a costume that featured a star-spangled skirt, a red bustier emblazoned with a golden eagle, her iconic tiara, and red-and-white high-heeled boots. When most fans think of Wonder Woman’s very first costume, this is typically the look that comes to mind. However, with DC’s numerous reboots and reimaginings over the years, this original costume has not always remained canon.
Now, fans have gotten DC’s latest interpretation of Diana’s first Wonder Woman costume, given to her by her mother after winning the Contest. This costume is a far cry from her 1941 look and instead stays true to the more modern-day version of the character’s costume, while retaining a distinctly gladiatorial feel.
The costume in Wonder Woman #36 feels like a prototype for Diana’s present-day canon costume, as it is largely similar to the outfit she wears in DC’s present-day narratives, albeit somewhat simpler with a few notable design changes. For example, the placement of the stars on the skirt and the layering pattern are different. Beyond these slight differences, however, Diana’s current costume remains similar to what is now considered her first costume, making it the latest notable addition to Wonder Woman’s ever-growing costume history.
Themyscira · Amazonian Trial Edition
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01
Wonder Woman is an Amazonian princess who left her hidden island homeland to help humanity during a great conflict. What is the name of the island paradise where the Amazons live?
✓ Correct! Themyscira, also known as Paradise Island, is the hidden homeland of the Amazons — a race of immortal warrior women blessed by the Greek gods. Shielded from the outside world for millennia, it is where Diana was raised and trained before venturing into the world of men.
✗ The Lasso of Truth says that’s not quite right! The answer is Themyscira. Atlantis is the underwater kingdom of Aquaman, Asgard is Thor’s realm in Norse mythology, and Olympus is the home of the Greek gods. Themyscira is the hidden paradise where the Amazons have lived for thousands of years.
02
In DC Comics’ classic origin, Wonder Woman was formed from clay by her mother and given life by the Greek gods. Who is Wonder Woman’s mother, the Queen of the Amazons?
✓ Correct! Queen Hippolyta is Wonder Woman’s mother and the ruler of the Amazons. In the classic origin, she sculpted baby Diana from clay and the gods breathed life into her. Hippolyta is a fierce warrior and wise leader who has guided the Amazons for centuries.
✗ The Lasso of Truth says that’s not quite right! The answer is Hippolyta. Hera is the queen of the Olympian gods, Athena is the goddess of wisdom, and Artemis is a fellow Amazon warrior (and sometimes rival to Diana). Hippolyta is Diana’s mother and the beloved Queen of the Amazons.
03
Wonder Woman wields a magical golden weapon that forces anyone bound by it to tell the truth. This iconic weapon is one of the most recognizable in all of comics. What is it called?
✓ Correct! The Lasso of Truth (also known as the Golden Perfect) was forged by the god Hephaestus from the Golden Girdle of Gaea. Anyone bound by it is compelled to speak only the truth. It is virtually indestructible and can also restore lost memories and dispel illusions.
✗ The Lasso of Truth says that’s not quite right! The answer is the Lasso of Truth. While the lasso is sometimes connected to Hestia in certain continuities, its official and iconic name is the Lasso of Truth — Wonder Woman’s most signature weapon and a symbol of her commitment to honesty and justice.
04
Wonder Woman’s most iconic arch-nemesis is a powerful figure from Greek mythology who represents war and conflict. In many storylines, this villain is the god of war himself. Who is Wonder Woman’s greatest enemy?
✓ Correct! Ares, the Greek god of war, is Wonder Woman’s most mythologically significant foe. As a champion of peace, Diana stands in direct opposition to everything Ares represents. Their conflict is the eternal struggle between peace and war, compassion and destruction.
✗ The Lasso of Truth says that’s not quite right! The answer is Ares. Circe is a powerful sorceress and recurring villain, Cheetah is one of Diana’s most personal enemies, and Hades is the god of the underworld. But Ares — the god of war — is Wonder Woman’s ultimate mythological nemesis.
05
Gal Gadot portrayed Wonder Woman in the DC Extended Universe films starting in 2016. In her first solo film, Wonder Woman (2017), Diana travels to the world of men during which historical conflict?
✓ Correct! The 2017 Wonder Woman film set Diana’s first adventure during World War I, a deliberate departure from her comic book origins which were tied to World War II. Director Patty Jenkins chose WWI to emphasize the senseless horror of war and Diana’s idealistic belief that humanity is worth saving.
✗ The Lasso of Truth says that’s not quite right! The answer is World War I. While Wonder Woman’s original 1941 comic debut was set during WWII, the 2017 film moved the timeline back to WWI. Diana leaves Themyscira with pilot Steve Trevor to fight in “the war to end all wars,” believing Ares is behind the conflict.
06
Wonder Woman wears a pair of iconic silver accessories on her wrists that can deflect bullets, energy blasts, and virtually any projectile. What are these indestructible accessories called?
✓ Correct! The Bracelets of Submission are indestructible gauntlets worn by all Amazons as a reminder of their past enslavement by Hercules. Wonder Woman’s pair are particularly powerful — forged from the remnants of Zeus’s Aegis shield in some versions — and she uses them to deflect virtually any attack.
✗ The Lasso of Truth says that’s not quite right! The answer is the Bracelets of Submission. The Gauntlets of Atlas grant super strength in some storylines but are a different item. Wonder Woman’s iconic silver wrist guards — the Bracelets of Submission — are among the most recognizable accessories in comic book history.
07
Wonder Woman first appeared in DC Comics in 1941, created by a psychologist who was also the inventor of a real-world device. Who created Wonder Woman?
✓ Correct! William Moulton Marston, a psychologist who also invented an early form of the lie detector (polygraph), created Wonder Woman. He designed her as a feminist icon — a hero who would triumph through love and truth rather than violence. The Lasso of Truth was directly inspired by his polygraph work.
✗ The Lasso of Truth says that’s not quite right! The answer is William Moulton Marston. Stan Lee co-created Marvel heroes like Spider-Man, Bob Kane co-created Batman, and Jack Kirby co-created many Marvel and DC characters. Marston, a Harvard-trained psychologist and lie detector inventor, created Wonder Woman in 1941.
08
The Cheetah is one of Wonder Woman’s most enduring villains — a woman who transforms into a powerful cheetah-like being. In the DCEU film Wonder Woman 1984, which actress portrayed Barbara Minerva/Cheetah?
✓ Correct! Kristen Wiig, best known for comedy roles in Bridesmaids and Saturday Night Live, took on the dramatic role of Barbara Minerva in Wonder Woman 1984 (2020). Her character starts as a shy, overlooked archaeologist who gradually transforms into the savage Cheetah after wishing for Diana’s power.
✗ The Lasso of Truth says that’s not quite right! The answer is Kristen Wiig. Robin Wright played Antiope (Diana’s aunt and training mentor), Connie Nielsen played Queen Hippolyta, and Lucy Davis played Etta Candy (Steve Trevor’s secretary). Kristen Wiig portrayed the villainous Cheetah in Wonder Woman 1984.
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Are you worthy of the Lasso of Truth — or still in training on Themyscira?
Wonder Woman #36 from DC Comics is now available to read!