http://fanartexhibit.wordpress.com/characters/

Darwyn Cook had some nice WW designs in New Frontier -

There is nothing wrong with bringing these characters into the modern age.  But there is a right way and a wrong way, and from what I have seen this is indeed the wrong way.

As mentioned in this thread, Harry Potter is the perfect example.  They translated those books into films, and while they have made changes in story for time and plot constraints, the characters and settings are very on model.  Rowling is very involved and would not be quiet if they messed up her world.  And her fans would hate any director that tried to get Harry Potter "right" in a way that wasn't Potter.

Look at the Byrne/Claremont X-Men, or Perez/Wolfman Teen Titans.  Both modern takes on classic characters, both very creative runs that are well regarded today and were successful in their time (although as JB has said many times on this forum, the X-Men did not skyrocket for a few years after him, but in my opinion, the foundation and style of storytelling for the book was set there).  There is a way to bring these characters forward without losing what they are supposed to be.

And as a fan who is 32 in age, I am not wanting these characters to look, sound and act like they did when they were created.  But they should be updated versions of who they are, not unrecognizable and someone's idea of cool taking everything about them and removing it.  This isn't just a costume here, it's the whole idea.  If you do not want to write SUPERMAN or WONDER WOMAN, than someone else should get the job.

And you can do it without a major reboot.  Look at JB's FF run.  Right there from the first issue.  Look at the New Look Batman.  It just happened, and houndreds of thousands of readers were fine with it.  And if they weren't, enough were there to replace them.  That sure isn't the case now is it.

This reminds me so much of what has happened to Soap Operas.  Once mighty in viewers, they are all limping to death, because people can get that type of thing in pretty much all shows now, even CSI has storylines and romances that carry over.  And instead of embracing what they are supposed to be, they keep being ashamed of what they are, and try to be like programming they can't compete with.  And they die.

If anyone had said a soap like General Hospital could be canceled, even as little as 5 to 10 years ago, fans of that show would claim it would be one of the last ones standing, and for a long time still.  I can't say I think it will last another 5 years.  I look at comics more and more the same way.  Ashamed of what they are, and willing to die trying to be what they are not.

Sophistication is what creators should be trying for, not edge, not modern, but sophisticated.

I agree. If they had just updated her costume a bit ala Neal Adams-designed Tim Drake's Robin costume, then I bet much less people would have an issue with it.