I guess it’s true what they say about the squeaky wheel getting the grease. In this case the squeaky wheel is fanboy whining, and the grease is a possible sartorial concession.

The first pictures from the set of David E. Kelley’s Wonder Woman have surfaced, showing some changes to the costume depicted in the publicity image, which was originally met with a cavalcade of lambasting from the internet, including yours truly, when it was released last week.

Perhaps listening to the feedback, the designers have darkened the pants to a calmer shade of blue, changed the material to something less shiny and leathery, and switched the blue high-heeled boots to flatter red ones, matching her top, which seems unchanged. The red boots seem to bookend the outfit more effectively, if that’s the right term, but what do I know? Dammit, Jim, I’m a geek, not a tailor!

Of course, now that we see the costume in action, as it were, a new question of practicality seems to present itself. Or rather, two of them do. They rhyme with “boobs.” Is this really the outfit to be jumping around the town, chasing criminals with? Despite the furor surrounding the recent costume redesign in the comics where she got a short jacket to go over her top, I’m wondering if that actually wouldn’t be more appropriate here. Maybe practicality is taking a backseat to pulling in an ogling male demographic who might otherwise run away from what could sound like Ally McBeal: Superhero.

Producers of the show would do well to listen to the (reasonable) concerns of their fan base, especially given that DC’s plans for their characters might be a little more long-term than originally thought. In keeping spirit with the comic book trope that nothing stays dead forever, Warner Bros. just announced its Justice League movie is back in development and slated for a 2013 opening.

But don’t expect to see Adrianne Palicki, Ryan Reynolds, Henry Cavill, or Christian Bale donning their suits again, CG or otherwise. Whether for practical reasons, or to thumb their noses at Marvel Studios, or both, DC is opting to not create an interconnected movieverse. They’ve stated that Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Rises will be the filmic end of this incarnation of Batman. In an unprecedented move, they’ve announced what I can only call a “pre-boot” ™ (2011, It’s All Geek To Me [pending]): the intention to recast and revamp the character immediately following the release of TDKR, with that Batman being the one who presumably winds up in the Justice League film, if not more films of his own. Zack Snyder has also confirmed his Superman will be set in an independent universe unconnected to the JLA.

It’s an interesting strategy, and one that banks on the public not getting tired of the superhero genre anytime soon. You like Batman? How about three of them? Hell, let’s have a different one every year! While all the characters being part of one continuity is pretty damn cool, as a trade-off we might wind up with more films made, and more interpretations, with the freedom for directors to experiment. Who knows what’s going to happen in Nolan’s last Bat-movie, now that he has free reign to do anything and kill anyone with no repercussions?

Putting aside the fact that a number of their characters are in their own individual movieverses anyway, I’m sure it’s a strategy Marvel will have to contend with at some point post-Avengers. Only time will tell if some twenty years from now Iron Man 8, starring Robert Downey Jr., Jr., will still have box office draw, and still be connected to Captain America 6 and Hulk Smash Puny Pension.

Related posts on 30ninjas.com:

• It’s All Geek To Me — Whither Goest DC?
• It’s All Geek To Me — What Not to Wear: Amazon Edition
• It’s All Geek To Me — The Dark Knight Rises and Returns
• It’s All Geek To Me — Trying on The Cape
• It’s All Geek To Me — Scott Pilgrim vs. The Box Office
• It’s All Geek To Me — Superhero Show and Tell!