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WONDER GIRL
FIRST COSTUME |
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WONDER GIRL
SECOND COSTUME |
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WONDER GIRL
THIRD COSTUME |
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WONDER GIRL
FOURTH COSTUME |
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| Cassie's first appearance as Wonder Girl from WONDER WOMAN #111 [1997] |
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New Wonder Girl
| Cassie's first appearance from WONDER WOMAN #105 [1996] |
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Wonder Girl is a precocious and outgoing girl named Cassandra "Cassie" Sandsmark - the precocious daughter of noted archaeologist Helena Sandsmark - became a super-hero over her mother's objections.
During a battle with a clone of Doomsday, Cassie "borrowed" the Sandals of Hermes and the Gauntlet of Atlas from Wonder Woman (who was not using them at the time), which imbued her with super-powers. Donning a wig and goggles, Cassie became "Wonder Girl" twice this way, helping Wonder Woman defeat the Doomsday clone and other menaces. Her mother learned of her adventures and was very disapproving.
Great Zeus
Later, having been summoned to Mount Olympus by the gods themselves, Cassie boldly stole a moment of Zeus's time and asked him to give her super-powers of her own. Zeus was so impressed by the girl's courage and brashness that he did just that - granting Cassie her "fondest wish." Returned to Earth with incredible super-strength and the power of flight, Cassie permanently assumed the role of Wonder Girl. The gift came with one drawback: Due to her mother's disapproval, Helena Sandsmark had the ability to cancel out Cassie's powers.
Begrudgingly, Helena allowed Cassie to continue adventuring, and Cassie receiving training from Wonder Woman, Artemis and Donna Troy (the first Wonder Girl). As a sign of her support, Donna gave Cassie her old Wonder Girl outfit. Cassie doesn't feel she has earned the honor to wear it quite yet.
As Wonder Girl, Cassie soon joined the group of heroic sidekicks nicknamed Young Justice. It was there that Cassie developed a deep, unrequited crush on Superboy, who was at first oblivious to her affections. A natural leader, the members of Young Justice often deferred to Cassie's judgment. And as Cassie matured, she blossomed into an attractive young lady, finally catching the eye of Superboy.
When Silver Swan attacked Cassie at her high school, she was forced into battle, thus exposing her dual identity to the world.
| Cassie pleads Zeus for super powers in WONDER WOMAN #122 [1997] |
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Wonder Girl tells the Titans about her gift from Ares
in TEEN TITANS
(third series) #23 [2005] |
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Shortly afterwards, Cassie searched for her biological father. Cassie immediately confronted Zeus, believing the Greek God was her sire, but Zeus denied the allegations. Cassie eventually located her father, who appeared to be a normal man living a somewhat mundane life. Cassie never suspected that the man was Zeus himself in mortal disguise.
Teen Titans
A conglomerate known as Optitron later offered to sponsor the Titans and Young Justice after summoning them to San Francisco. Before any decisions could be made, a mysterious cybernetic girl known as Indigo emerged from the future. Unwittingly, she somehow activated a rogue Superman android, resulting in the apparent deaths of Troia and Omen. At Troia's funeral, Nightwing disbanded the Titans.
Meanwhile, members of Young Justice, especially Wonder Girl, felt responsible for the tragic deaths. This led Wonder Girl, Robin, Impulse and Superboy to form a new group of Teen Titans under the guidance of the more experienced Cyborg, Starfire and Beast Boy.
Wonder Girl continued to grow into her role, discovering new limits to her powers and finding new allies and enemies lurking among Ancient Myth, such as Ares, who bestowed her with an unexpected gift: a lasso imbued with a lightning charge fueled by anger. This was a secret plan of Ares to enlist Cassie as his champion.
Wonder Girl's adventures also led her on a mission to Hades itself, where Cassie discovered her true lineage as the daughter of the Greek God, Zeus. It was a fact her mother had long concealed from her.
Super Sacrifice
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Superboy and Wonder Girl share an intimate
moment - unaware of the tragedy that awaits - in
TEEN TITANS (third series) ANNUAL #1 [2006]. |
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After Superboy was mind-controlled by Lex Luthor, he took a leave of absence from the team. In their time together as Titans, Cassie and Conner had grown closer than ever before. As the cosmic threat of the Infinite Crisis loomed, the two super-teens took their relationship to the next level.
When the Greek Gods were about to retreat from this plane of existence with the denizens of Paradise Island, Wonder Girl felt her powers waning. Before the gods disappeared, Ares appeared to Wonder Girl and gave her a fraction of his godlike powers. Ares claimed the powers were a gift to to half-sister, in exchange for accepting him as her brother.
Superboy was summoned back into battle when the misguided Superboy-Prime attacked him. Nightwing and Superboy later teamed up to ambush Alexander Luthor's cosmic tower, the source of of Luthor's twisted plan that created a multi-universal cataclysm.
Locked in savage combat, Superboy and Superboy-Prime collided into Luthor's tower, creating a huge explosion. When the smoke cleared, the tower was destroyed, but Superboy was suffering critical wounds. As Wonder Girl rushed to his side, Superboy died in her arms, having sacrificed his own life to save the universe.
Shaken from these events, Wonder Girl left the Titans and joined a cult with the hopes of resurrecting Superboy. When that fell in ruins, Cassie struck out on her own for a time, believing the Titans had abandoned her. A mission involving the Brotherhood of Evil reunited her with a new Titans group, prompting her to rejoin the team.
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Wonder Girl defeats Lycus by at last
claiming her own gods-given powers in
TEEN TITANS (third series) #65 [2008]. |
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Gods-Given Birthright
So, for the first time, Cassandra called upon the strength that was her gods-given birthright, and banished Lycus with her newly self-powered lariat.
Wonder Girl possesses enhanced strength, speed and durability as well as the ability to fly.
At one time she also possessed a mystic lasso given to her by Ares. The lasso was indestructible and emitted a lightning backlash. Wonder Girl's new lariat is fueled by her own abilities, which she is still learning to explore.
DC Universe Role-Playing Games: Sourcebooks and Manuals [ West End Games], DC Secret Files, supplemented by titanstower.com
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Wonder Woman #105 [1996]: Diana applies for a job as a visiting lecturer at the Gateway City Museum of Cultural Antiquities... and proves her knowledge of the subject matter when an ancient Grecian artifact is brought to life. Diana meets museum curator Helena Sandsmark and her feisty daughter, Cassie. First appearance of Cassie Sandsmark and Helena Sandsmark.
Wonder Woman #111 [1996]: During a battle with a clone of Doomsday, Cassie "borrows" the Sandals of Hermes and the Gauntlet of Atlas from Wonder Woman (who was not using them at the time), which imbues her with super-powers. Donning a wig and goggles, Cassie becomes "Wonder Girl." First appearance of Cassie as Wonder Girl.
Wonder Woman #111-112 [1996]: During a battle with a clone of Doomsday, Cassie "borrows" the Sandals of Hermes and the Gauntlet of Atlas from Wonder Woman (who was not using them at the time), which imbues her with super-powers. Donning a wig and goggles, Cassie becomes "Wonder Girl." First appearance of Cassie as Wonder Girl in issue #111.
Wonder Woman #113 [1996]: Cassie begs Diana to train her as the second Wonder Girl; She later "borrows" the Sandals of Hermes and the Gauntlet of Atlas to battle Decay.
Wonder Woman #122-123 [1997]: Having been summoned to Mount Olympus by the gods themselves, Cassie boldly steals a moment of Zeus's time and asks him to give her super-powers of her own. Zeus is so impressed by the girl's courage and brashness that he does just that - granting Cassie her "fondest wish."
Young Justice #4 [1999]: Young Justice just a boys' club? Not any more! This issue, the girls - the Secret, Wonder Girl and Arrowette - join the team, but it's not the usual fun and games. There's a new baddie in town and he's targeting DC's teen heroes... and he's starting with Arrowette!
Wonder Woman #153 [2000]: Written by Mark Millar; art by Georges Jeanty and Rob Stull; cover by Adam Hughes. Guest-writer Mark Millar (ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN) joins guest-artists Georges Jeanty (TEAM SUPERMAN, Bishop) and Rob Stull (GREEN LANTERN Secret Files) for a special issue starring Wonder Girl and guest-starring Superboy! In her efforts to get the Kid to notice her, Cassie gets a new look and a bit of a new attitude before she discovers that it's not the clothes that make the hero, the friend, or the person who can beat a flock of harpies into the ground!
Wonder Woman #178-183 [2002]: Cassie searches for her biological father and believes it is Zeus. He denies this and Cass eventually finds her real father is an unassuming man living a normal life. But the presence of a specific gift Cassie gave Zeus suggests her father is Zeus, who took mortal form and fathered Cassie years ago.
Teen Titans #1 [2003]: What do teenage super-heroes do on the weekends? They hang with the Teen Titans! The invitations go out to a handful of reluctant heroes: Superboy, Robin, Impulse and Wonder Girl. Walk into the new Titans Tower with Cyborg and Starfire as they gather together the next generation of Titans. First Wonder Girl as a Teen Titan.
Teen Titans #4 [2004]: Ares gives Wonder Girl a gift: a magic lasso with a lightning charge.
Teen Titans #15 [2004]: Ares reveals to Wonder Girl an impending battle that will cause a schism within her life.
Teen Titans (third series) Annual #1 [2006]: Having narrowly survived the death and destruction of the Infinite Crisis, Superboy and Wonder Girl find some time alone in Smallville. Superboy and Wonder Girl take their relationship to the next level.
Infinite Crisis #6, [2006]: Nightwing and Superboy team up to ambush Alexander Luthor's cosmic tower. Locked in savage combat, Superboy and Superboy-Prime collide into Luthor's tower, creating a huge explosion. When the smoke clears, Superboy lay dead, having sacrificed his own life to save the universe. Death of Superboy in Infinite Crisis #6.
Teen Titans #33 [2006]: Ares appears to Wonder Girl and gives her a fraction of his powers before the Greek Gods retreat from this plane of existence.
Teen Titans #34-37 [2006]: One Year Later, it's "The New Teen Titans!" A new year of exciting adventures begins with the "new" Teen Titans, the bizarre Doom Patrol and the mysterious and secretive Titans East! Wonder Girl rejoins the team.
Teen Titans (third series) #64-65 [2008]: Wonder Girl is confronted by King Lycus, who seeks to siphon her Ares-given powers. After creating a deadly hellhound to keep the rest of the Teen Titans busy, Wonder Girl's new enemy challenges her in open combat.Wonder Girl defeats Lycus by at last claiming her own gods-given powers.
Wonder Girl Timeline: Closing the “One Year Later” Gap
DC's "One Year Later" event occurred March of 2006. In Teen Titans #33, Superboy and Nightwing are in the thick of the Infinite Crisis world-shattering event. With Teen Titans #34, a full year has passed since the Crisis. The events of that "missing year" were revealed in various DC books throughout 2006-2007. Here’s a list of major events revealed during the “Missing Year:”
The Titans aid the heroes during the Infinite Crisis. While saving the universe from Superboy-Prime and Alexander Luthor, Superboy is killed in battle. [IC #1-7]
Taking leave from the Titans, Wonder Girl becomes involved with the "Cult of Conner" in an effort to bring back Superboy. [52w2, 52w4, 52w11-12]
Elongated Man and a group of heroes expose the "Cult of Conner" during a ceremony intended to bring back Sue Dibny and Superboy. As the cult falls in ruins, its leader Devem swears altruistic intentions. Wonder Girl is angered by the heroes' interference. [52w13]
Wonder Girl meets Supernova and believes he is Superboy in disguise. [52w19]
Wonder Girl relates to Elongated Man that the leader of the "Cult of Conner" had a history of mental instability. Even after accepting the cult as a scam, Cassie remains convinced that Supernova is secretly Superboy. [52w31]
Raven mentions that Cassie is "still looking for Superboy." [52w32]
Wonder Girl adapts a new costume. [52w50] She starts operating as a solo hero in California. [TT #34-35]
Black Adam ignites World War III. [52w49]
The Titans gather with Donna Troy, Arsenal and all the heroes to battle Black Adam. [WWIIIp4: UNITED WE STAND, 52w50]
A large group of heroes - including a powerless Bart Allen, Donna Troy (as Wonder Woman), Wonder Girl, Robin, Ravager and Kid Devil - gather to mourn Superboy, Terra and Young Frankenstein. Donna comforts Wonder Girl. Robin reaches out to Wonder Girl, but she either ignores him or doesn't hear him. Ravager meets Kid Devil for the first time. Kid Devil is anxious to meet Robin. [52w51]
Robin invites Wonder Girl to rejoin the team several times, but she refuses. [TT #34]
"One Year Later" begins. A rebuilt Cyborg awakens. The only active Titans members are Robin, Ravager and Kid Devil. Wendy and Marvin have become caretakers of Titans Tower. The team encounters the new Brotherhood of Evil. Wonder Girl is angered at Robin for abandoning his friends after Superboy’s death. [TT #34]
For a complete timeline of the "one year gap," click here.
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John Byrne on Creating the New Wonder Girl
DCU:NG Email Interview with John Byrne (1999)
from DCU: Next Generation at http://come.to/dcteens
Sean: Let's get into your addition to the Wonder Woman mythos -- Cassie, the new Wonder Girl. What were your intentions in creating a new Wonder Girl? Had you stayed on the book, what were your plans for her? How do you feel about her portrayal in Young Justice?
John: Working backwards, I have not looked at Young Justice, but Cassie being in the team/book is a complete violation of what I intended for her character, no matter what they do with her there. She was not meant to be a "team player". She was, in fact, a very conscious attempt on my part to do what I intended for Kitty Pryde, but which, because of how Chris chose to script the character, never had a chance to happen. I wanted Cassie to be a perfectly normal, perfectly ordinary teenage girl who, one day, happens to gain superpowers. Because of this the dynamic of her life is changed considerably, but she still has all the responsibilities imposed on a normal kid by her day to day home life. A friend of mind summed it up very well -- "Here to save the world, but first she has to finish her homework." Impossible to play her that way, of course, if she is running off to be in a super-team. The dynamic is destroyed.
from AOL Message Boards
Q: Why isn't Wonder Girl a part of JLA jr.?
John: Cuz I don't want her there. The Whole Point of Cassie is to portray a normal kid reacting to having super powers. Nothing "denormalizes" a character faster than hanging out with other super-powered folk -- especially kids. Instantly we underline the fact that Cassie is in no way "special" -- since she has no hope of being "unique" -- in the DCU. By keeping her strictly in WONDER WOMAN, at least I can guarantee that she will be "special" there!
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