DC Gives Wonder Woman a Golden Mask in Her Most Radical Redesign Ever


DC has officially shared the first image of Wonder Woman’s most radical costume change to date, with the Amazon Warrior donning a mask, something extremely rare throughout her 85-year history in comics. While the mask may be an obvious eyesore, fans need not worry that DC is “ruining” Wonder Woman’s iconic design, thanks to one important detail.

DC has recently dropped its solicitations for August, including a preview for writer Stephanie Williams and artist Clayton Henry’s Wonder Woman #36, which continues the duo’s retelling of the Amazon Princess’s origin story through the eyes of the love of her life, Steve Trevor.

This issue will specifically revolve around Diana as she enters “the Contest, where only one Amazon emerges victorious and is granted passage to Man’s World as Wonder Woman.” In addition to this tantalizing teaser, the preview for the issue, which will fully release on August 19, 2026, has also revealed the main cover and several variant covers. The main cover by artist Jeffrey Spokes is of particular note, as it depicts a dramatic redesign of Wonder Woman in which she wears a golden mask.

Wonder Woman Dons Ancient Greek Mask For Origin Retelling

Main Cover by Jeffrey Spokes for Wonder Woman #36 (2026)

Wonder Woman #36 main cover

Spokes’ main cover for Wonder Woman #36 shows Diana in what has become her character-defining gladiator-style skirt and red bustier, accented with gold detailing. However, this outfit differs from her present-day mainstream continuity costume in several ways, including the absence of her double “W” insignia, the addition of armor elements she doesn’t typically wear, such as a silver shoulder pauldron, and, most notably, a golden mask.

This golden mask is a bit of an eyesore, especially for a character who is famous for going bare-faced for most of her 80-plus-year history. However, the mask’s style makes more sense when considering how closely Wonder Woman is linked to Greek mythology. The mask Diana dons is a somewhat accurate representation of ancient Greek theatrical masks.



















Themyscira · Amazonian Trial Edition
How Well Do You Know
Wonder Woman?

🌏OriginsParadise

PowersTruth

VillainsWar!

🎥FilmsDCEU

💫LegacyIcon

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.

Trial Complete
Your Amazonian Rank

/ 8

Are you worthy of the Lasso of Truth — or still in training on Themyscira?

This particular design reflects the three-quarter masks often worn by performers in open-air amphitheaters, as this style allowed actors to project their voices without hindrance. However, where Diana’s mask deviates from historically accurate ancient masks is that it appears to be made of solid gold, whereas such masks were typically crafted from perishable materials such as stiffened linen, cork, or wood.

While the material and use may not align with historical accuracy, it is clear that Spokes drew inspiration from authentic ancient design elements when creating Diana’s mask. There is certainly reason to appreciate the concept, but there is also no denying that the look doesn’t fully feel like Wonder Woman, and that is for good reason, because technically this is a mask for Diana of Themyscira, not Wonder Woman.

Don’t Worry, Wonder Woman’s Golden Mask Isn’t Here to Stay

Cover D ACO Variant for Wonder Woman #36 (2026)

Wonder Woman #36 variant cover
Wonder Woman #36 variant cover

As previously mentioned, despite being a canon story, this takes place in the past, before Diana officially becomes Wonder Woman. As the synopsis for the issue makes clear, Diana is still fighting for the right to claim the Wonder Woman mantle and venture into Man’s World. As such, this mask is not expected to be part of her present-day continuity design. Fans should therefore enjoy this design change for the hero, as it is likely to be only temporary while Wonder Woman’s origin story is being reexplored.

The 32-page Wonder Woman #36 will be available at local comic shops for $5.99.

Wonder Woman #36 from DC Comics will be available to read on August 19, 2026!



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