The Daily Planet is no stranger to superheroes, and we appreciate fan-made projects inspired by the iconic comic book characters we all love and admire. In fact, this very website was born from one fan’s love for Lois Lane. (Surprise, that fan is me)
We frequently report on similar projects like ours, whether they are movies, series, or books. So, when Navid Haider, Co-Writer for “Wonder Boy,” reached out to me about their passion project, I was eager to listen.
Blending the spirit of 1970s superhero television with a contemporary twist, “The New Adventures of WonderBoy” (TNAOWB) emerges as both a tribute and a torchbearer.
Created by filmmaker and lifelong Wonder Woman fan Brian J. Patterson, the series draws direct inspiration from “Wonder Woman” no.188 by award-winning writer and artist Phil Jimenez. This groundbreaking 2003 issue introduced the character of Bobby Barnes, a young superfan whose admiration for Diana Prince became part of the DC canon.
“Like Bobby, I’m a lifelong super-fan of the Amazing Amazon,” Patterson said. “Lynda Carter’s example of grace, power, and compassion still inspires me daily. The New Adventures of WonderBoy is both a tribute and a continuation, a love letter to the past and a template for superheroic love and kindness.”
Haider, who initially reached out to the Daily Planet, said this project inspires him.
“Nearly all of my writing explores some aspect of ancient mythology and literature, and that is something I credit to Wonder Woman comics,” Haider said to me. “They have been the inspiration for why I personally pursued studying myths as an academic focus. When Brian shared his vision about exploring Bobby Barnes’ story, I knew we had the perfect opportunity to explore those subgenres of mythology and urban folklore that you can’t find anywhere else!”
Haider said that this series is part of the subgenres that only a spin-off or sidekick can do justice to.
“Plus, as a [Wonder Woman] fan, I wanted to see more corners of her world that you couldn’t see elsewhere,” Haider continued. “Brian brought such an original perspective and point of view to Diana’s world through Wonder Boy that I had to get involved, no matter what.”
The trailer, now available on the project’s YouTube channel, premiered alongside a red-carpet screening in Los Angeles yesterday, hosted by Anahata Studios. The Daily Planet was invited but was unable to attend. The event featured a live performance of “A New Hero,” an original pop-rock anthem by Justin Renaissance, whose message of courage and unity complements the show’s guiding mantra: #LeadWithLove.
Renaissance originally wrote the song about Patterson’s own life journey. When paired with footage from “The New Adventures of WonderBoy,” the collaboration became, in Patterson’s words, “seamless and effortless.” The single is available on iTunes and Spotify.
Honoring a legacy, inspiring a new one
TNAOWB is also making history by introducing the first live-action portrayal of Circe, portrayed by Katrina Sherwood, and a comic-accurate version of Veronica Cale, played by Nancy Nazari, both of which arrive ahead of any official DC Studios adaptations.
The cast also features cameos and callbacks recognizable to longtime fans, including the “Camaro Boys” from Patty Jenkins’ “Wonder Woman 1984,” characters from HBO Max’s “Titans,” and even nods to Superman’s 1970s cinematic era through Easter eggs, such as “Mr. Donner.”
Two fan-favorite characters from the original Lynda Carter series, Marion Mariposa and Formicida, also make a return in this reimagined universe. The series also introduces a new villain, Vanguard (played by Christopher J. Gannon), designed to bridge the Carter-era Wonder Woman with DC Studios’ modern continuity.
In a unique crossover moment, actor Rory Keane, who appeared in “Peacemaker” Season 2, also plays Mariposa in “WonderBoy,” a connection that Patterson describes as “a small but meaningful thread between fan and studio storytelling.”
A message that moves
Beyond nostalgia, “The New Adventures of WonderBoy” aims to carry forward Wonder Woman’s timeless ideals of love, truth, and compassion. The project’s creator says the story reflects a personal and collective desire to see heroism grounded in empathy.
“As the world feels increasingly divided, we need heroes who lead with love,” Patterson said. “That’s what this project is about.”
The web series’ pre-season launched December 18, 2024, introducing audiences to Bobby Barnes, the self-proclaimed Wonder Woman superfan turned unlikely hero. Through short previews and behind-the-scenes content, “WonderBoy” will explore how one fan’s devotion can become a mission to embody Diana’s message of love conquering hate.
Fans can follow updates and behind-the-scenes clips on the project’s social media platforms @WonderBoyTVShow and the official website.
