#cassandra s

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Wonder Girls

Wonder Woman is one of the most powerful intellectual properties of all time.  She is a strong and powerful female character, and a role model to both women and men.  She is instantly recognized the world over, and has become a symbol of feminism to many.  Unfortunately, she has often been underutilized and neglected.  By the end of this year, Batman will have roughly 200 ongoing monthly comic book series at one time, while Wonder Woman still only has one.  Instead of placing blame, I decided to be part of the solution and humbly suggest my idea for a second ongoing title in the Wonder Woman universe: Wonder Girls.

The series begins with Wonder Woman calling a press conference in Washington D.C. to announce her replacement as the Amazonian Ambassador to the United States.  Several heroes and Amazon Women are in attendance, including Queen Hippolyta and Artemis.  The event is widely expected to be a coronation for the current Wonder Girl, Cassandra Sandsmark.  Everyone views her as the most deserving candidate, given how hard she has worked to promote understanding between humans and Amazons, being a child of both worlds.  However, to the surprise of all, Wonder Woman nominates Donna Troy as her replacement.  Donna is shocked and gratified by this, and humbly accepts.

The global reception of Donna Troy as the new Ambassador is largely one of distaste, as she has often been dismissed as a "Celebrity Hero" and not a woman of substance in the public eye.  However, Donna dives in to the world of diplomacy with strong resolve.

Later on, Artemis finds Cassandra angrily defacing a Donna Troy "Troia" perfume billboard ad.  Cassandra explains that she has never felt a sense of belonging in the world, and filling Wonder Woman's role would have helped her find her place.  Artemis explains to Cassie that she understands the feeling of being in another sister's shadow, however it gives one an opportunity to become their own person.  She offers to take Cassandra as her protege if Cassandra is willing to come and live on Themyscira.

Meanwhile, Donna Troy is struggling to stay afloat in the political waters.  She is being dragged through the press for her unintentionally controversial responses to questions, her convoluted past is being called into question, and there is public outcry over an attempt by the Amazonian Women to build a Women's Shelter nearby the area where the Amazon's Attacked.  On top of this, she begins to suspect that several of the more malignant gods are masquerading as US Senators in order to push a sinister agenda.

That night, Cassandra visits Donna to offer her congratulations, only to find her crying at her desk in an empty office.  Donna confesses to Cassandra that she never expected to be put in such an important position, and always felt that Cassandra deserved it more than she.  Cassandra points out to Donna that she has always been a role model, and that if there is one woman that can handle being a full time ambassador and member of the Justice League it is her.  She also points out that typically a political figure has an entire staff to support them, and doesn't usually try to manage all by herself.  Donna laughs at this simple realization and immediately offers Cassandra a position.  Specifically, she asks Cassandra to be her lieutenant, and the US Ambassador to Themyscira.  This way, the two of them can work together to promote a back and forth dialogue and understanding between the two cultures.  Being human by birth, and eager to move to Themyscira and train with Artemis, Cassandra is perfect for the job, and she gladly accepts.  Thus begins the continuing adventures of the Wonder Girls.

The series would deal with many important issues, primarily sisterhood, feminism, politics, and the pressure of the media on women and celebrity.  The majority of issues would focus on the relationship and adventures of Cassandra and Donna as a team, but occasionally issues would spotlight the characters individually.  Donna issues would deal with her complicated political life, while Cassandra issues would deal with her training under Artemis on Paradise Island.  The first overarching narrative of the series would be Donna and Cassandra's quest to uncover the malignant gods plans to subvert America into a dogmatic, war-mongering society so that they may extend and regain their power in the world.

Some of the antagonists in the series would include: A Sarah Palin-esque conservative celebrity who serves as an ideological foil for Donna.  A new Silver Swan as a Lady Gaga style bizarro-feminist who uses her celebrity, and social media, to promote violence and chaos.  Senator John Sera, who may or may not be the god Ares promoting a secret and dangerous agenda.  And every media outlet in existence (specifically one very similar to Fox News).

The series would NOT be simply "Gilmore Girls" with superpowers, nor would it be a heavy handed satire of modern society (well not HEAVY handed).  At it's core the book would be about the trials and tribulations of sisterhood and the difficulty of growing up with celebrity in our media saturated environment, with superpowers.  I interpret Cassandra as a strong, intelligent, and beautiful young girl, who lacks the self confidence to believe in herself.  I see Donna as a self-assured, beautiful woman who has trouble relying on others.  In simple terms, Donna is the prom queen, and Cassandra is the valedictorian, however in reality they are both so much more than that.  They both need one another to grow and develop into the women they are destined to become.

Wonder Woman has such a rich mythology, with such a fantastic and under-appreciated cast of characters, that it is truly amazing that they could even FIT into a single series.  Specifically, the characters Donna Troy and Cassandra Sandsmark have deserved their own stage for a long time.  These are the Wonder Girls.