The Spirit Of Wonder Woman

Wonder Woman #609
Written by J. Michael Straczynski and Phil Hester
Art by Don Kramer

 

Wow Hester really manages to show us the spirit of who Wonder Woman is – not only in her various incarnations – but within people who embodies her ideals and characterization through time. It was really a great issue. And the way he showed this – through her enemy Doctor Psycho who only wants things to return to normal so that he could be close to her in some way again. It was great. I really did not expect this to be that good.

A Villain Returns

Wonder Woman #608
Written by J. Michael Straczynski and Phil Hester
Art by Don Kramer

 

Yay! The last page reveals………………….Dian is saved by Doctor Psycho. I missed that creepy little guy! He is definitely my favorite Wonder Woman villain and we haven’t really seen much of him since One Year Later. I wonder if he remembers the Old Diana or not? Should be interesting. This whole issue was basically a big fight scene but still good.

Forever Wonder Woman

Wonder Woman #607
Written by J. Michael Straczynski and Phil Hester
Art by Don Kramer

 

It looks like that is Cheetah and Giganta with Artemis – so they don’t remember their old lives either? Wonder Woman is a real heroine here – choosing mercy over death for the minotaur and doing all she can to save the boy. I like that this is an alternate history Diana – but she is still our Wonder Woman.

Enthusiasm

Wonder Woman #606
Written by J. Michael Straczynski and Phil Hester
Art by Eduardo Pansica

 

Things are heating up as the Morrigan have created villains from dead Amazons including Artemis. One of them is called the Cheetah – hmmm?? I love how Diana is so troubled by the dolls she finds and perhaps has residual memories of her old life. I am definitely enjoying the ride and I have to say Hester has improved this book tremendously since he took over from JMS’s plot. JMS never seemed to give a crap about Wonder Woman in interviews – it was always a backseat to his Superman stories – Hester seems enthusiastic about this and I am right there with him.

Solid Conclusion

Wonder Woman (Volume 3) #44
Written by Gail Simone
Art by Nicola Scott and Travis Moore

Gail Simone concludes her run on Wonder Woman with this issue and while it was a quick ending, I like the concept of the Citizenry and I love the idea that the Amazons are helping rebuild Washington DC, it really is a great way of ending the current numbering because of Amazons Attack and how awful all that was. I will miss Simone on this book – she has proven time and time again that she gets the character of Wonder Woman.

Always and Forever Princess Diana

Wonder Woman (Volume 3) #39
Written by Gail Simone
Art by Aaron Lopresti

Everyone rattles behind Wonder Woman in the conclusion of this story arc. Alkyone is defeated by Hippolyta and Achilles, we learn why the Gods changed after Countdown, and what “The Olympian” meant. There were a lot of great moments that showed how kick ass Wonder Woman is including her stealing the bracelets back and declaring herself always and forever Princess Diana. That being said, I am ready for a Wonder Woman as superhero story, I always liked her best outside of Themyscara.

Wonder Man?

Wonder Woman (Volume 3) #38
Written by Gail Simone
Art by Aaron Lopresti

While this was better then last issue, I still can not say that this storyline excited me. I always like Wonder Woman outside of Themyscara then on the island, and this is a very Themyscaran story. It is great to see Donna Troy involved and Alkyone is a real bitch. I like that The Olympian – Achilles – is being set up as a sort of Wonder Man, even wearing a costume similar to Diana here. The cliffhanger ending was….interesting? I don’t really know what to make of it.

Brought Back Too Soon

Adventure Comics #507
Written by Geoff Johns and Sterling Gates
Art by Jerry Ordway
Co-Feature by Johns and Michael Shoemaker
Art by Clayton Henry

If it weren’t for the fact that I know Johns is leaving this book after issue six, I would be okay with this Blackest Night interlude focusing on Superboy-Prime versus Black Lantern Alex Luthor but with this interlude, it means we are only getting one more issue of Superboy and that just sucks. Oh well. This was still good. It was great to see Earth-Prime comic shops and Superboy-Prime reading them to find out what happens next. And of course it was just awesome to see my  favorite Legion (The Legion of Earth-Prime) back! But I got to say that we just saw Superboy-Prime in Legion of Three Worlds and I think he is being brought back way too soon. The Legion back-up was probably the best it has been yet with a sweet story about Blok and White Witch.

Civilian Life

Wonder Woman (Volume 3) #37
Written by Gail Simone
Art by Bernard Chang

 

Chang’s artwork isn’t bad by any means – but Lopresti was so perfect for this book that he is truly missed by me this issue. Story-wise, this was an okay issue. Donna and Diana fight – apparently Donna is still under Genocide’s spell. I liked that Diana was proud of how much of a warrior Donna has become. This issue focuses far too on Diana’s relationship with the amazons – I want to see Wonder Woman being a superhero and see a supporting cast in her life as Diana Price and all that. I guess we will have to wait for that. I trust Simone has something in mind for Wonder Woman’s civilian life now that the DMA is no more.

You Sir…Are Not A Nice Man

Secret Six (Volume 3) #14
Written by Gail Simone
Art by Nicola Scott

If you are not reading Secret Six, if not just for the fact that Ragdoll says that (title of my post) to Mr. Smythe as he bashes his head in with a wrench. I can’t say that I didn’t cheer while reading that. Not to mention the perfect ending where Deadshot kills the bastard. Simone shows how great she is at writing Wonder Woman here by showing what kick ass fighter and leader Diana is. Bane takes over the team and kicks Scandal off in a surprise move. This was an action-packed, beautifully drawn, and fun issue. By far the best thing DC is putting out right now.

Secret Six 12 and 13

Secret Six (Volume 3) #12
Written by Gail Simone
Art by Nicola Scott

I like how Wonder Woman can take Deadshot down by swatting her fingers but Jeanette punches her and Diana actually bleeds. This shows how powerful Jeanette is. Jeanette is revealed to be a banshee in this issue and even looks like the Silver Banshee but I have no idea how people become banshees in the DC Universe. I suppose I will look that up. This was another great issue.

Secret Six (Volume 3) #13
Written by Gail Simone
Art by Nicola Scott

All of the Secret Six are so messed up it’s great. Ragdoll desperately wants to look good in Wonder Woman’s boots and tiara, Bane thinks prison would be the perfect way to live, Scandal being trained in horrific violence by her own father…I love it! Oh and they are all very willing to kill each other. This was a violent issue so once again I have to say this series is not for the squemish, but it sure is great!

Diana Is Not Going To Put Up With This

Secret Six (Volume 3) #11
Written by Gail Simone
Art by Nicola Scott

This book consistently hits it out of the park month-by-month and this issue was no different. This is some dark and violent story-telling and that is what makes the humor all the more welcome. Slavery is one of the worst or the worst of all crimes. It is a really horrible thing. I like that the Six are fighting over it and I find it amusing this is the second time in this series that they have brutally mutilated each other because they disagreed on something. These are some bad mother fuckers, even if they make you laugh once in a while. I am really starting to like Jeannette as a character and I enjoyed her moments with Artemis. Of course the Amazing Amazon showed up in the final page and made me all the more exciting for the next issue. Diana is not going to put up with this shit.

I Hate Mr. Smythe

Secret Six (Volume 3) #10
Written by Gail Simone
Art by Nicola Scott

Like usual, this issue of Secret Six was disturbing as all hell. The opening scene made me cringe and that is exactly what I expect from this book so that is not a bad thing. I really despise this Mr. Smythe and the slavers. They are sick and evil men. Unlike the Secret Six, there isn’t one redeemable quality about them, and that will make it fun when the Six eventually turn on them. Simone know how to create some evil villains. Scott’s art is perfect as usual as well. This was another fantastic issue. If you don’t mind the sickening violence, you should be reading this series so it doesn’t get cancelled! It is a great book!

Teen Titans 48 and 49

Teen Titans (Volume 3) #48
Written by Adam Beechen
Art by Al Barrionuevo

This Amazons Attack issue was just okay. It focuses on Wonder Girl and Supergirl trying to break Wonder Girl’s mom out of one of the internment camps. It had a lot of politcal stuff in it, which I like, but I don’t know. It kinda feels forced. I really hope they don’t go any further with the WG/Robin relationship than that one kiss. That would be weird. I did like the Supergirl/Miss Martian fight though.

Teen Titans (Volume 3) #49
Written by Adam Beechen
Art by Al Barrionuevo

Ew! They kissed again. Their relationship is just wrong in so many ways but whatever, this felt like filler before McKeever takes over which is what it was. The art here was really odd at some parts. The first time we see Robin and the last time we see Kid Devil, they both look like girls. Something about their lips. Anyway, I can’t wait for next issue.