One of the most important The Sandman characters, Wanda, finally graced the screens of season 2, but fans have mixed feelings over her treatment in Brief Feelings.
So, who exactly is she, and how does changing her favorite book to the Wizard of Oz change things? Here's what we found out!
SPOILER WARNING: This article contains MAJOR SPOILERS for The Sandman season 2 and its comic book counterpart, so proceed with caution!
Who is Wanda in The Sandman? How Different is She in the Comics?
In the world of The Sandman, Wanda is essential. Not just because of her gender identity, being the first transgender representation in the creator's comic books, but because of her prominent presence among longtime fans.
Wanda also happens to be the best friend of Barbie, someone who is connected to the dream realm that has started affecting the waking world (at least in the comics), with whom Wanda has grown close.
In the source material, Wanda was tasked to protect Barbie's vulnerable, slumbering body from any intrusion, to help her save the waking world.
Wanda's (played by Indya Moore) story in the Netflix series, however, is more akin to that of a minor side character, whom we only get to see in just two episodes of Season 2, Volume 1.
While fans feel that The Sandman botched her character, here's what made her memorable.
Why Did They Change Wanda's Favorite Book to the Marvelous World of Oz?
In the comic books, Wanda's favorite comic book was Hyperman, a reference to Superman, given that The Sandman is somewhat part of DC and that Wanda grew up in Kansas, similar to where Clark Kent was raised.
Season 2 told the story differently, using The Marvelous Land of Oz as Wanda's favorite, which was closely tied to the story they wanted to tell about her.
"I was obsessed with books growing up," Wanda told Dream and Delirium in episode 4, titled Brief Lives, before highlighting her fanatic side even more by mentioning she had a "beat-up, first edition" of The Marvelous Land of Oz.
During the discussion, Wanda described the land of Oz as "trans culture." Most notably, her attachment to a child named "Tip." That Tip, also known as Tippetarius, actually transforms into Princess Ozma of Oz, which underscores her point.
It isn't until episode 5, titled "The Song of Orpheus," that fans get to see a glimpse of how Wanda crossed into the underworld. When Dream visited her grave, things went differently in the comic books.
Instead of having Alvin (her dead name) crossed out with lipstick, Dream changed her headstone entirely, confirming to viewers that she was and always will be the woman she wanted to be.
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