I remember as a kid those long, in-depth discussions I had with friends regarding the differences (and the elusive similarities) between the two superheroine shows that aired at such time: "The Bionic Woman" and "Wonder Woman". Was a team-up justified, and if so, would it jive?
"Wonder Woman" was breezier than "Bionic Woman", with a camp component that was more in tune with Adam West's "Batman", even when it included those far-too-real Nazis. When Wonder Woman's exploits jumped to the hip, cool '70s, the tongue-in-cheek element rose even higher. Nonetheless, no matter what the time frame or outlandishness of the situation, Diana Prince/Wonder Woman used ethereal powers to thwart her enemies, which required viewers to accept the show's fanciful nature and simply go along for the ride.
"Bionic Woman" held a more earnest execution: an espionage extension of "The Six Million Dollar Man", where our attractive cyborg, Jaime Sommers, used her inconspicuous, physical alterations to unveil various villains tier by tier. "Bionic Woman" felt reality-based (i.e., something that we could verify if only we were allowed to peer behind governmental lines). With this came sensible limitations to what our heroine could and couldn't do, though when push came to shove, Jaime always came through.
Though none of us would have turned our noses to seeing these two extraordinary ladies team up, it never seemed (if only based on their contexts' contrasts) a practical possibility, but thanks to DC and Dynamite Entertainment, we've been blessed with an unlikely alternate-reality crossover which, against the odds, runs as smooth as silk.
The dynamic, dream project stems from author Andy Mangels, with accompanying artwork by Judit Tondora (assisted by Michael Bartolo; Stuart Chaifetz; Roland Pilcz; Cat Staggs; among other talents). The story features Jaime's old opponents, the fembots (introduced in the "Six Million Dollar Man"/"Bionic Woman" crossover, "Kill Oscar"), abetting a scheme to seize experimental missiles: familiar action/adventure turf, but the character interaction gives the premise respectable spunk. For the record, Jessica Walter's Dr. Cyber, aka Gloria Marquez, head of the terrorist group CASTRA (ouch!), is the prime catalyst behind the caper.
Adding further nostalgia to the plot are appearances by Lee Major's Steve Austin; Richard Anderson's Oscar Goldman; Martin E. Brook's Rudy Wells; Lyle Waggoner's Steve Trevor; Jack Ging's Inspector Jack Hanson; Fritz Weaver's Dr. Thiago Solano; Lloyd Bochner's Ivan Karp; Debra Winger's Wonder Girl; and John Houseman's Dr. Franklin, fembot creator. Diana's Paradise Island also becomes an ideal stomping ground for Jaime, who as one might presume, fits right in with the Amazons. (At one point, Jaime even flies Diana's invisible plane. Dig it!)
As a good-beats-bad allegory, Mangel's story is a joy to read, being predominately bionic-based in tone, so that even Wonder Woman's flamboyance comes across as more science-fiction and spy oriented than magical. This works for both characters, making their backgrounds seamlessly merge. In fact, there isn't one awkward interlude within the lengthy, serialized stretch.
Tondora artwork is terrific throughout, though there are times when, as attractive as Diana and Jaime are rendered, they waver in their resemblances to the actresses who made them so memorable. This is by no means a serious set-back, but it seems a trifle jarring when the male leads look more consistently in sync to those who portrayed them.
With that quibble aside, this ebullient team-up proves that these superheroines could have meshed without much a snag on the television screen, as long Mangel's script (or something akin to it) had been utilized.
All six issues of "Wonder Woman Meets Bionic Woman" can now be purchased in one (softback) volume. For the $20 price, it's a reasonable means for fans of both series to gaze into a parallel realm where these amazing women not only get to save the day, but the whole, wide world, to boot!!!
Say, how 'bout getting Jaime and Diana to team with Charlie's Angels!?! Now, wouldn't that prove a mighty fine, action-packed sight for sore eyes!?!
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