Pitch a Direction: Cassie Sandmark

[Timothy Hunter]

This type of thread has been made prevalent in the Batman and DC - general forums. So I thought the same idea of thinking of ways of reinvigorating a sidelined character would work even greater in the context of the Wonder Woman franchise.

So let's get straight to it: what direction would you like Cassie Sandmark to take in the comics? If you were to pitch a solo series starring her -- Who would write? Who would draw?

[kjn]

I have far too little knowledge of artists and writers to give really good proposals, but I like Patrick Gleason's way of drawing her in Young Justice.

I'd make her a grandchild of one of the Olympian goddesses, either Hera or Demeter. The reason her father is absent is because he was killed by Zeus, and Zeus definitely doesn't think nicely of Cassie either. I might look into having some side effect of her father's murder was the unlocking of divine powers in Cassie, but how and why bears thinking about.

In raw power, I'd put her close to Wonder Woman, but Cassie would lack the specialised and structured training that Diana and Donna has. A lot would focus on making things up and discovering things as she goes along, with learning by mistakes. Really friendly and charismatic, but with a temper worthy of her heritage, and suspicious of any divine powers. Her receiving the gauntlets of submission from Diana would probably be the conclusion of a rather long story arc, and signify that Diana is one person touched by divinity that she is willing to trust.

[Digifiend]

G Willow Wilson should include her in the Wonder Woman book (I think she'd write a good Cassie, considering she's spent the last five years writing teenage Ms Marvel Kamala Khan). She could have Diana mentor Cassie (which would be a different approach from Kamala and Carol, Carol didn't do much mentoring at all).

[LordUltimus]

G Willow Wilson should include her in the Wonder Woman book (I think she'd write a good Cassie, considering she's spent the last five years writing teenage Ms Marvel Kamala Khan). She could have Diana mentor Cassie (which would be a different approach from Kamala and Carol, Carol didn't do much mentoring at all).

In fairness, that's mostly because sidekicks outside of Robin have mostly fallen out of fashion. Basically the only time you'll see a teenage hero getting mentored by an older hero is when the older hero is retired/playing mission control or the teen is their child.

[Agent 86]

Young, overly enthusiastic about embarking on superheroic adventures, optimistic, not ideally skilled as she's still learning how to control her various abilities and someone who focuses more on punching than making strategic decisions or diplomacy at this early stage of her career.

Adores Wonder Woman as a role model and will benefit from Diana's friendship, guidance and mentoring over the course of her career.

Basically, a really positive character who is prone to making mistakes and getting into trouble, despite her best intentions, because she's just starting out as a superhero. But, she'll look at each mistake as a learning opportunity and grow from it, without becoming disillusioned and pessimistic about superheroics or the state of humanity.

I wouldn't mind a hint of sarcasm as well, especially when Wonder Woman starts waxing poetically about "peace and love". Cassie didn't grown up in a literal paradise, so she's going to challenge Diana's perception of humanity as inherently good from time to time. She may also lash-out if she feels that she's being coddled or wrapped up in cotton wool by Diana. But, their sisterhood will always shine through, despite their occasional tiffs!

[lucius121]

In terms of origin I would make her the daughter of Aries and give them a good relationship, while making Diana and Aries enemies giving Cassie some conflict as to what side she chooses to side with her good to her but evil father or with her strict but good aunt.

[Agent Z]

I have far too little knowledge of artists and writers to give really good proposals, but I like Patrick Gleason's way of drawing her in Young Justice.

I'd make her a grandchild of one of the Olympian goddesses, either Hera or Demeter. The reason her father is absent is because he was killed by Zeus, and Zeus definitely doesn't think nicely of Cassie either. I might look into having some side effect of her father's murder was the unlocking of divine powers in Cassie, but how and why bears thinking about.

In raw power, I'd put her close to Wonder Woman, but Cassie would lack the specialised and structured training that Diana and Donna has. A lot would focus on making things up and discovering things as she goes along, with learning by mistakes. Really friendly and charismatic, but with a temper worthy of her heritage, and suspicious of any divine powers. Her receiving the gauntlets of submission from Diana would probably be the conclusion of a rather long story arc, and signify that Diana is one person touched by divinity that she is willing to trust.

May I ask why Zeus would kill her father?

[kjn]

May I ask why Zeus would kill her father?

Because he's Zeus, and Zeus is an ass who doesn't like "his" goddesses making love with anyone but himself. It also reverses the idea that Hera is the jealous one who pursues and curses Zeus's byblows.

[LordUltimus]

What about making her the daughter of Heracles/Hercules?

[kjn]

What about making her the daughter of Heracles/Hercules?

Why?

Now, if one has a story about Cassie that is based on her being the daughter of Heracles, then I can see it, but I think you need some better hook than "daughter of X".

[LordUltimus]

Why?

Now, if one has a story about Cassie that is based on her being the daughter of Heracles, then I can see it, but I think you need some better hook than "daughter of X".

Tension between Cassie and some of the Amazons as she's the daughter of their first enemy.

[kjn]

Tension between Cassie and some of the Amazons as she's the daughter of their first enemy.

That would set up the Amazons to act like they do in Earth One by Morrison, and with Cassie (the kid outsider) as the vehicle to make them learn better. Thank you, I think I'll pass that one.

[LordUltimus]

That would set up the Amazons to act like they do in Earth One by Morrison, and with Cassie (the kid outsider) as the vehicle to make them learn better. Thank you, I think I'll pass that one.

Not all the Amazons, just a vocal minority. I think it's okay for some bad behavior so long as it's clear that it's not standard behavior.

[Timothy Hunter]

What about making her the daughter of Heracles/Hercules?

Interesting idea, however I'm sure there is some contradictory moment in DCU continuity that would make this retcon fall apart.

[Incognito]

I would go back to Cassie's pre-new 52 origin of being a demigoddess daughter of Zeus, I kinda prefer her being a demi-goddess rather than a quarter-goddess. Zeus has lots of demigod childrens anyway.

For a direction, I would have Cassie go to a private school where there are students who are also half-bloods (humans with a supernatural/mythical parentage - whether its divine, demonic, angelic, vampire, etc.) and teachers who are either hybrids or full supernaturals.

I think she should have a Anti-Villian/Villian who is a demigod daughter of Nemesis, she wanted to kill Cassie because there is a prophecy that a child of Zeus will kill the old gods with the Godkiller sword, and be replaced with a new generations of gods. Only to find out that the prophecy was fake, and that Zeus wants to get rid of the Godkiller sword because he sees it as a threat, and only he should be the ruler of Olympus.