Carlo Pagulayan on ‘Wonder Woman': “She’s a Model for Equality and Tolerance”

Wonder Woman #31 marks the start of a new creative team in James Robinson and Carlo Pagulayan. And so, we caught up with artist Carlo Pagulayan to talk about Wonder Woman, and his experience working on the title.

Flipgeeks: How did you get to be the artist of Wonder Woman?

Carlo Pagulayan: It happened while I was finishing Deathstroke #25. I was caught a bit off guard when they decided to put me on the book.

Wonder Woman has such a rich history, and the character is part of the trinity in DC Comics. With the recent blockbuster of the Wonder Woman film, do you feel intimidated doing art for the series?

Yes, especially with how well the film was received, it is scary. What’s intimidating is how our take on her stacks up or honors how people perceive her after the film.

What is your definition of Wonder Woman when you draw the character?

She’s not a damsel in distress and if you piss her off she’ll cause you distress. On the other hand she’s a model for equality and tolerance, balanced with power.

For the past couple of years, you’ve been drawing Batman, Telos, Deathstroke – all of which are strong male characters. What are the challenges, if any, in drawing a strong female character like Wonder Woman?

I guess my approach with her is kind of the same with the males; portray her as heroic as I can make her. She’s pretty much as athletic or probably more agile than those you’ve mentioned, and anatomical differences aside she’s bound to act or react as any male character. However, in some instances I would tend to be more expressive in her gestures and have more grace in her movement.

You’ve drawn scripts from very good writers in your career. With James Robinson as the writer for Wonder Woman, how is his scripting like?

So far his story feels more character driven, and he is very particular how the characters are to be perceived. As with my previous collaborations, it takes time to get used to his writing. There’s enough direction in there but isn’t too controlling that I can’t put in what I want to show or how I see it. I learn along the way.

Was it DC or Robinson who chose you to be the artist?

I don’t know who chose me, but I remember saying to editors that if I were to choose to draw one of the Trinity, it would be Wonder Woman.

Wonder Woman #31 is the first issue on the title. What was your experience like drawing the issue?

A bit hectic, started late in the book as I still had to finish Deathstroke, but it is fun to again be drawing a female lead.

Will readers of the Wonder Woman series, new and old, like Wonder Woman #31?

I think they’ll like how James will take the story, and I do hope it holds true to all ages.

Wonder Woman #31 is now available from DC Comics.