In the adaptation of The Sandman Season 2, significant changes were made to the trans character Wanda Mann’s storyline, including the removal of Superman references originally present in the comic. These adjustments highlight the challenges of translating comic book material into live-action formats while respecting character narratives.
Wanda Mann’s Trans Storyline Revised in The Sandman Season 2 Adaptation
Wanda Mann first appeared in 1991’s The Sandman #32, the opening chapter of “A Game of You.” In the comics, Wanda is a Kansas native who enjoys reading comics, particularly a hero named Hyperman—a clear parody of Superman. The story also includes the Weirdzo aliens, resembling Hyperman and his love interest, Lila Lake. A notable dream sequence features these aliens performing gender-affirming surgery, underscoring Wanda’s trans identity.
Removal of Superman Parodies Due to DC Comics’ Restrictions
The characters Hyperman, Lila Lake, and the Weirdzo serve as satirical nods to Superman, Lois Lane, and the Bizarros. According to sources, DC Comics was hesitant to allow its Vertigo imprint to utilize its flagship superheroes, leading to the exclusion of Superman references in the Netflix adaptation. This corporate decision directly influenced how Wanda’s backstory was portrayed on screen.
Changes in Wanda’s Role and Characterization in the Netflix Series
The Sandman Season 2 chose not to adapt “A Game of You” fully, which originally centered on Wanda and minimally featured Dream. Instead, the show integrated Wanda, portrayed by trans actor Indya Moore, by replacing a minor character, Ruby DeLonge, who was Dream and Delirium’s driver in “Brief Lives.” This shift repositioned Wanda within the series’ narrative framework while maintaining her significance.
Adjustments to Wanda’s Background and Interests
In the television series, Wanda’s surname was changed to Mannering, likely to avoid the insensitive pun present in her comic book deadname. Additionally, the show recharacterized Wanda as an admirer of L. Frank Baum’s Oz series rather than a comic book enthusiast. Her favorite character is Tip, the boy who discovers he is Ozma, the lost Princess of Oz—a figure embraced in queer culture and resonant with many trans individuals.
Depiction of Wanda’s Funeral in The Sandman Season 2
The episode “The Song of Orpheus” adapts Wanda’s funeral from the original comic. However, instead of Wanda’s friend Barbie leaving a Hyperman comic at the grave and marking her tombstone with lipstick, the series has Dream attend the funeral. Dream places Wanda’s cherished copy of The Marvelous Land of Oz by her grave and magically alters her tombstone to remove her deadname, reflecting a sensitive and respectful portrayal of her identity.