Wonder Woman's 75th Anniversary Celebrated on Fore

NEW YORK, Oct. 7, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The U.S. Postal Service, in conjunction with DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Consumer Products, dedicated four Forever stamps today that commemorate the 75th anniversary of one of the most iconic Super Heroes of all time — Wonder Woman. The first-day-of-issue dedication ceremony took place in the DC Entertainment booth at New York Comic Con . Fans are encouraged to share the news on social media using the hashtags #WonderWomanForever and #WonderWoman75.   "Wonder Woman was one of the first female Super Heroes that inspired countless young girls over the past three quarters of a century," said U.S. Postal Service Chief Information Officer and Executive Vice President Kristin Seaver. "We salute this heroic role model and her legacy that is sure to continue to span another 75 years."   Joining Seaver in dedicating the stamps were: DC Entertainment's Senior Vice President of Franchise Management Sandy Yi; Modern Age Wonder Woman artist Cliff Chiang; Bronze Age Wonder Woman artist José Luis García-López; DC Entertainment Publishers Dan DiDio and Jim Lee; "DC All Access" host Tiffany Smith; and Wonder Woman Forever stamps art director Greg Breeding.   "It's been an honor to work on an iconic character like Wonder Woman for the past 40 years," said García-López. "She is the ultimate female Super Hero, a true symbol of equality and justice, and it's thrilling to see my Wonder Woman included in the 75th anniversary celebration in such a prominent way."   "As an artist you hope that your work might endure, like the character of Wonder Woman herself," added Chiang. "To see something I drew immortalized on a U.S. Postal Service stamp is really an incredible honor, and hopefully a fitting tribute to 75 years of strength and imagination."   Wonder Woman's Evolution First seen in October 1941 in a back-up story for "All Star Comics #8," meant to test her appeal at a time when female Super Heroes were rare, Wonder Woman quickly broke out and headlined her own title by the next year. Subsequent generations came to know the star-spangled heroine with metal bracelets on her wrists and a magic lasso by her waist via her hit 1975–79 television series and roles in animated shows and movies, as well as her historic appearance on the cover "Ms. Magazine" #1 in 1972. This past March, Wonder Woman was seen for the first time in a live action motion picture with her introduction in the movie "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice."   The U.S. Postal Service celebrates Wonder Woman's diamond anniversary by chronicling her evolution on Forever stamps from her World War II origins to today. This new issuance showcases four different stamp designs on a sheet of 20 stamps depicting Wonder Woman during four eras of comic book history: Golden Age (1941–55), Silver Age (1956–72), Bronze Age (1973–86) and Modern Age (1987–present). The selvage, or text outside of the stamp images, features the current block-letter Wonder Woman logo in white against a comic book style power burst rendered in shades of blue.

Art by Cliff Chiang On the first row of stamps, Wonder Woman of the Modern Age wields a hammer with a power and determination befitting her roots in the heroic world of Greek mythology.

Art by José Luis García-López The Bronze Age Wonder Woman's bold stance empowers the second row of stamps. With her fist held high and bulletproof bracelets gleaming, the Amazon princess leads the charge against injustice.

Art by Irving Novick The third row of stamps depicts Wonder Woman during the Silver Age. Although she possesses great strength and speed, the world's favorite Super Heroine prefers compassion to the use of brute force. With her golden lasso of truth close at hand, she compels honesty from her foes.

Art by Jon L Blummer In the last row of stamps, Wonder Woman from the Golden Age bursts onto the scene as originally envisioned by creator William Moulton Marston.   Art director Greg Breeding of Charlottesville, VA, designed the stamp pane. The Wonder Woman stamps will be issued as Forever stamps and always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce price.   In 2006, Wonder Woman was part of the Postal Service's first stamp pane honoring comic book Super Heroes. Half of the stamps on the DC Super Heroes pane depicted portraits of the characters; the others highlighted covers of individual comic books devoted to their exploits. Wonder Woman was joined by Aquaman, Batman, The Flash, Green Arrow, Green Lantern, Hawkman, Plastic Man, Supergirl and Superman. The first-day-of-issuance ceremony took place at Comic-Con in San Diego.

Wonder Woman Art by Ross Andru & Mike Esposito Wonder Woman has been an iconic inspiration for countless women and men since her debut in All Star Comics #8 in December 1941. The most recognizable female character in comics, created by William Moulton Marston, she remains a figure of strength, beauty and courage.

Wonder Woman #22 (2nd series) Nov. 1988 Art by George Pérez As a worldwide ambassador of justice, equality and peace, Wonder Woman soared to new heights in the late 1980s. The character returned to her roots as an Amazon warrior from Paradise Island, land of heroic women. Her special powers were gifts from the Olympians.   Visit this link for news on upcoming stamp events.   Ordering First-Day-of-Issue Postmarks Customers have 60 days to obtain the first-day-of-issue postmark by mail. They may purchase new stamps at local Post Offices, at The Postal Store website at usps.com⁄shop or by calling 800-782-6724. They should affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes to themselves or others and place them in a larger envelope addressed to:   Wonder Woman Stamps Stamp Fulfillment Services Cancellation Services 8300 NE Underground Drive, Pillar 210 Kansas City, MO 64144-9998   After applying the first-day-of-issue postmark, the Postal Service will return the envelopes through the mail. There is no charge for the postmark up to a quantity of 50. There is a 5-cent charge for each additional postmark over 50. All orders must be postmarked by Dec. 7, 2016.   Ordering First-Day Covers The Postal Service also offers first-day covers for new stamp issues and Postal Service stationery items postmarked with the official first-day-of-issue cancellation. Each item has an individual catalog number and is offered in the quarterly USA Philatelic catalog, online at usps.com⁄shop or by calling 800-782-6724. Customers may request a free catalog by calling 800-782-6724 or writing to:   U.S. Postal Service Catalog Request PO Box 219014 Kansas City, MO 64121-9014   Visit this link for information on upcoming stamp events.   The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.   WONDER WOMAN and all related characters and elements © and & ™ DC Comics. DC LOGO: ™ & © DC. (s16) "Wonder Woman created by William Moulton Marston."   About DC Entertainment DC Entertainment, home to iconic brands DC (Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, The Flash, etc.), Vertigo (Sandman, Fables, etc.) and MAD, is the creative division charged with strategically integrating across Warner Bros. and Time Warner. DC Entertainment works in concert with many key Warner Bros. divisions to unleash its stories and characters across all media, including but not limited to film, television, consumer products, home entertainment and interactive games. Publishing thousands of comic books, graphic novels and magazines each year, DC Entertainment is one of the largest English-language publishers of comics in the world.   About Warner Bros. Consumer Products Warner Bros. Consumer Products, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, is one of the leading licensing and retail merchandising organizations in the world.

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New York City: George Flood 212.330.5141 National: Mark Saunders 202.268.6524 usps.com/news