Along with artist Christopher Eliopoulos, celebrated writer Brad Meltzer has written over twenty picture books in the “Ordinary People Change the World” series for kids. These books tell young readers about inspirational heroes in real life like Malala Yousafzai, George Washington and Rosa Parks. Meltzer has also, as you’re probably aware, written some of the most impactful DC comic books of the past thirty years, from his defining run on Justice League of America to his harrowing work on Identity Crisis.

So, it’s not all that surprising to see both of these interests combining in three of the newer additions to his children’s series. Rebranded slightly under the name “Stories Change the World,” these books focusing on Batman, Superman and, most recently, Wonder Woman condense their heroes’ iconic pasts from comics, TV and film into fun fictional biographies for all ages.

We recently chatted with Meltzer about writing Wonder Woman’s story, the delightful cameos in the book and the reason why she flies her iconic, but head-scratching, invisible jet. Read on for an exclusive Q&A!

Adapting eighty years of stories into one picture book couldn’t have been easy! How did you approach writing I am Wonder Woman?

You go to the core of the character. That means reading through the best stories and pulling out the essential truths that the character stands for—finding the iconic version. Then I got on the phone with my pal [and Wonder Woman comic and film screenwriter] Allan Heinberg to make sure there was nothing I was missing. And, really, just to talk about which stories we love best.

These books are for my daughter and my sons. So, in the end, what I’m really asking is: What are the lessons from Wonder Woman that I want for my own kids?

One theme of this picture book is that Wonder Woman is constantly underestimated. Do you feel that’s true in the real world as well?

Everyone was so excited that we were starting with I am Batman and I am Superman, as if those were the two kings. But I was like, it’s a trinity! I begged for all three books to be published together, but it would’ve killed artist Chris Eliopoulos to make all those deadlines for three books at once. (laughs)

I loved your explanation for the invisible jet—that she wants everyone to see a powerful woman. Why did you want to include that detail?

Because the invisible jet rules. And, when you really think about it, it makes no sense. If you can see her coming, she’s not very invisible, right? But then, I realized…it’s not a bug, it’s a feature. Diana likes being seen—so everyone gets to see the powerful woman. It’s the first question kids ask, so I wanted them to have a real answer.

The Star-Blossom cameo was such a nice surprise! Can you tell me why you chose that moment in comics history?

Comics have always been a beautiful tapestry built on other people’s work. So when we did I am Superman, we used scenes from Superman for All Seasons. In I am Batman, we used scenes from Year One.

Here, Gail and Colleen gave us one of my absolute favorite moments in Wonder Woman history—a scene that only Diana can have. It doesn’t work with Bruce or Clark. I wanted my own kids to see Diana’s compassion and love on display.

The last page has cameos from creators (including Star-Blossom’s creator Gail Simone) who have shaped Wonder Woman over the years. Can you shout out a few of them?

Oh, it’s a list. I’ll give you some, but we need a prize if you can find them all: Lynda Carter, Allan Heinberg, Trina Robbins, Phil Jimenez, Gail Simone, Colleen Doran, Adam Hughes, Greg Rucka, Kelly Sue DeConnick, Susan Eisenberg and of course, George Perez, among many others. You’ll never find them all.

Your other books in this amazing series highlight real-life heroes like Amelia Earhart. Why do you feel it’s important for kids to have fictional heroes like Wonder Woman to aspire to as well?

My life was changed by reading comics. They gave me my values and taught me right from wrong. And I’m not the only one. A recent study found that people are more likely to change their own decision-making based on fictional characters rather than real people. That means characters like Atticus Finch, Harry Potter, and yes, Wonder Woman, Superman and Batman absolutely impact how we live, making us the people we want to be.

I am Amelia Earhart is a beautiful book for kids. But so is I am Wonder Woman.
 

I am Wonder Woman by Brad Meltzer and Christopher Eliopoulos is now available in bookstores, libraries and online retailers in print and as an e-book.