A Wondrous Anniversary: Warner Bros. Entertainment and DC Entertainment Celebrate 75 Years of Wonder Woman
New Commemorative Logo Kicks Off Festivities Leading to First Solo
Film in 2017
Hashtag: #WonderWoman75
BURBANK, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–To mark the 75th anniversary of one of the world’s best-known Super
Heroes, Warner Bros. Entertainment and DC Entertainment today unveiled
plans for a year-long celebration of Wonder Woman. The character has
transcended the pages of comics to become a powerful global symbol of
justice, equality and peace.
Beginning with a new commemorative logo honoring the Amazon Princess’s
legacy, highlights of the year will include the relaunch of her comic
book series; new graphic novels; convention panels; and consumer
products, including apparel, toys and other exclusive merchandise. These
and further anniversary events will culminate in the release of the very
first “Wonder Woman” feature film on June 2, 2017.
First seen in October 1941 in All-Star Comics #8 in a back-up
story meant to test her appeal at a time when female superheroes were
rare, Wonder Woman quickly broke out and headlined her own title by the
next year. Subsequent generations came to know the star-spangled heroine
with metal bracelets on her wrists and a magic lasso by her waist via
her hit 1975-79 television series and roles in animated shows and
movies, as well as her historic appearance on the cover Ms. Magazine
#1 in 1972. This past March, Wonder Woman was seen for the first time in
a live action motion picture with her introduction in the global
blockbuster “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.”
“Wonder Woman is a legend around the world and one of the most valuable
franchises at our studio, and we’re thrilled to celebrate this
anniversary,” said Kevin Tsujihara, Chief Executive Officer, Warner
Bros. “Millions of fans already know her from comic books, television,
and her big screen debut in ‘Batman v Superman,’ but the upcoming year
building to her first solo film will be the most dynamic and exciting in
the character’s history.”
Over the decades, Wonder Woman has run for president, organized a union,
flown an invisible plane, lost and regained her powers, studied martial
arts, battled Ares, the God of War, worked at a fast food chain, and had
a romantic relationship with Superman. Her diverse history will be
integrated and celebrated in a new comic book series launching this
month as part of DC Universe: Rebirth that honors what fans love
most about the character.
Written by fan favorite Greg Rucka and on sale June 22nd, Wonder
Woman #1 will be the first print debut of the new Wonder Woman 75th
commemorative logo. Other variations of the new logo created for various
products merge the character’s name and traditional “W” symbols with the
number 75, set alongside a striking blue silhouette of the iconic
character in a warrior stance.
“Wonder Woman has long stood with Batman and Superman in the trinity of
DC’s most iconic Super Heroes, but she also stands alone as a symbol of
equality, justice and female empowerment and is more relevant today than
ever,” said Diane Nelson, President of DC Entertainment, President of
Warner Bros. Consumer Products, and President and Chief Content Officer
of Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. “With her roots in Greek
mythology and American feminism, Wonder Woman is one of the most unique
and compelling characters in comic book history; her longevity is a
testament to her global appeal and the special place she holds in the
hearts of generations of girls who have imagined wielding their own
lassos of truth.”
Created by William Moulton Marston, a psychologist who invented the
lie-detecting polygraph machine, Wonder Woman was conceived as a new
type of superhero who used wisdom and compassion, not just her fists, to
triumph over evil. Daughter of the queen of the all-female Amazon tribe
from Greek mythology, Wonder Woman was imbued by the gods with powers,
including super-strength and a lasso that compels anyone it surrounds to
tell the truth. Wearing a costume inspired by the flag of a downed
American pilot, she travelled to “patriarch’s world” to fight for such
values as peace and equality. She is the only female comic book
character to have her own stories continuously published for the past
three quarters of a century.
Among the events and products Wonder Woman fans can look forward to over
the next year from Warner Bros. and DC Entertainment are:
-
At long last, June 2, 2017, will see the long-held hopes of millions
of fans fulfilled as the first “Wonder Woman” movie is released in
cinemas worldwide, starring Gal Gadot in the title role, Chris Pine as
Captain Steve Trevor, Robin Wright as the Amazonian General Antiope
and Connie Nielsen as Queen Hippolyta, directed by Patty Jenkins. -
A “Wonder Woman 75” panel at San Diego Comic-Con International in July
2016 will celebrate the history and future of the Super Hero, along
with displays at DC’s booth of Lynda Carter’s original costume from
the 1970s television series and numerous additional costumes,
including the one worn by star Gal Gadot in the upcoming film. -
A commemorative box set of Wonder Woman’s greatest stories to be
released by DC in July, as well as a hardcover special edition
celebrating her 75th anniversary to be released in October and
available through the holidays. -
A life-size Wonder Woman invisible jet will be on display at San Diego
Comic-Con and the rare plane will illuminate at night for fan photos,
along with one-of-a-kind Wonder Woman-inspired graffiti-art pieces.
WBCP and Mattel will offer an exclusive anniversary DC Multiverse™
Wonder Woman Action Figure and Invisible Jet combo set (available
exclusively on Mattycollector.com beginning June 17) designed
especially for the 75th celebration. -
A wide range of new Warner Bros. Consumer Products licensed
merchandise, including The Barbie™ Collection Amazon Princess Wonder
Woman™ Barbie® Doll (available exclusively on Mattycollector.com
beginning June 17), fashion and accessories from partners such as
Valentino, Under Armour and Converse, luggage and backpacks from
Pottery Barn, and a line of Wonder Woman-inspired beauty products
available exclusively at Walgreens. -
New toys and webisodes from the recently launched DC Super Hero Girls
line prominently featuring Wonder Woman, as well as an original
animated movie, “DC Super Hero Girls: Hero of the Year,” coming to
Digital HD on August 9 and DVD on August 23. -
Included on the home entertainment release of “Batman v Superman: Dawn
of Justice,” coming to Digital HD on June 28th and Blu-ray
Combo Pack on July 19th, is a 22-minute featurette called
“The Warrior, The Myth, The Wonder” which explores Wonder Woman’s
history, origin, evolution and powerful impact on popular culture. -
Curated Spotify playlists from top female talent in music, film, TV,
sports, and more. WaterTower Music and DC’s weekly playlists showcase
the music that inspires these ladies to be Wonder Women in their daily
lives. Listen to the first curated list from musician Brandy Clark here and
follow the WW75 playlist to receive weekly updates. -
Wonder Woman returns as a major player in the upcoming video game
“Injustice 2,” the highly anticipated sequel in development by
NetherRealm Studios to be published by Warner Bros. Interactive
Entertainment in 2017.
About DC Entertainment
DC Entertainment, home to iconic brands DC (Superman, Batman, Green
Lantern, Wonder Woman, The Flash, etc.), Vertigo (Sandman, Fables, etc.)
and MAD, is the creative division charged with strategically integrating
its brands across Warner Bros. and Time Warner. DC Entertainment works
in concert with many key Warner Bros. divisions to unleash its stories
and characters across all media, including but not limited to film,
television, consumer products, home entertainment, and interactive
games. Publishing thousands of comic books, graphic novels and magazines
each year, DC Entertainment is one of the largest English-language
publishers of comics in the world.
About Warner Bros.
Warner Bros. Entertainment is a global leader in all forms of
entertainment and their related businesses across all current and
emerging media and platforms. A Time Warner Company, the Studio stands
at the forefront of every aspect of the entertainment industry from
feature film, television and home entertainment production and worldwide
distribution to DVD and Blu-ray, digital distribution, animation, comic
books, video games, product and brand licensing, and broadcasting.
Contacts
DC Entertainment
Brandy Phillips, (818) 954-3325
brandy.phillips@dcentertainment.com
or
Warner
Bros. Pictures
Jan Craft, (818) 954-2279
jan.craft@warnerbros.com
