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.

Streets of Gotham 19 and 20

Batman: Streets of Gotham #19
Written by Paul Dini
Art by Dustin Nguyen

 

The House of Hush storyline seems all over the place here filled with time jumps but I don’t mind cause it has been a good story so far and I loved the Joker stuff in this.

Batman: Streets of Gotham #20
Written by Paul Dini
Art by Dustin Nguyen

This was even more flashback to the Waynes and this time includes the Justice Society with Hippolyta on the team!! Despite comments by Didio and DCU Legacies, I knew she was still the Golden Age Wonder Woman! It is weird how Nguyen draws her here though.

Wonder Woman Takes Flight

Wonder Woman #604
Written by J. Michael Straczynski
Art by Don Kramer and Eduardo Pansica

 

Okay the solicitations were wrong about this issue…we don’t find out why the timeline changed or anything and that is annoying as hell but whatever…I liked the issue. It wasn’t as crazy awesome as last but it was good. The guy we met last issue was a pawn, not the big bad and he is killed by Hippolyta’s ghost?? Interesting. Wonder Woman finally takes flight in this issue which is quicker then I thought she would. We learn the big baddie is called the Morrigan. I wonder what that means?

Still Willing To See Where This Is Going

Wonder Woman #601
Written by J. Michael Straczynski
Art by Don Kramer

 

JMS begins his run on Wonder Woman officially with this issue and I have to say the whole thing is interesting –  but still annoying as hell they the timeline has been fucked with I want answers as to how this effects the rest of the DCU for now. I am getting used to the new costume and it certainly looks better drawn by Kramer then by Jim Lee. I hope JMS doesn’t think this whole Themyscara is destroyed and sends away the princess first is the way Diana’s origin should be – it is basically a female version of Superman’s origin and she is not just a female verison of Superman. That being said, I am willing to see where this is going.

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.

Wonder Woman’s Extended Family

Wonder Woman (Volume 3) #43
Written by Gail Simone
Art by Nicola Scott and Fernando Dagnino

 

We learn the story about Astarte, Diana’s aunt. (Interesting from my knowledge Astarte is the name of both a demon from the Goetia and an ancient goddess) Apparently she was Hippolyta’s older sister who was taken instead of Hippolyta by aliens three thousand years ago. Seems strange considering Hippolyta was never a baby was she? Wasn’t she created from a woman who was murdered by a caveman or something? Maybe I am not understanding something I don’t know this was good I just wish it contained more Nicola Scott art. I wonder if this is Astarte’s first appearance. It seems to be so. I also like that Diana is going to be facing off against her cousin – the daughter of Astarte in the next issue.

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.

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.

No More Arena Fighting!

Wonder Woman (Volume 3) #34
Written by Gail Simone
Art by Aaron Lopresti

Yes because after a great storyline like “Rise of the Olympian” we really needed yet another metahuman fighting in arena storyline. This got old the second time DC did it, and they have done it 3,000 more times then that! I mean it is great to have Simone writing Black Canary again but this issue really didn’t do anything for me. I have seen this same situation too many times.

What A Great Storyline

Wonder Woman (Volume 3) #33
Written by Gail Simone
Art by Aaron Lopresti

The Rise of the Olypian comes to an end in this issue when Achilles takes over leadership of the Amazons and Wonder Woman rejects Zeus and says goodbye to her mother. I really enjoyed it and it was the perfect ending in that it was a true ending but left it open ended for Genocide’s eventual return. I think Simone has created a great new villain for Diana. I also like that Diana is not as loyal to the Gods as her mother is, probably because since she has lived so long in America she has taken on American ideals herself about blind loyalty. I am not sure where Simone will take Diana next, but I can’t way to see.

Lots of Revelations

Wonder Woman (Volume 3) #31
Written by Gail Simone
Art by Bernard Chang

Unfortunately, I had been spoiled that Genocide was truly the future Diana before I read this issue, but I was disappointed to hear that. I wish people had explained it to me further because this issue reveals that she is not the future Diana but the corpse of Diana possessed by the essence of Ares. I like that a lot better. This issue revealed a lot. Ares is behind basically everything from Genocide to Cheetah’s motivations to the rise of the Olympian. Awesome. I like how all of this is starting to fit together nicely. I wonder why the artist was changed this issue but it doesn’t really matter, Chang does a good fill-in. I really hope Etta Candy wakes up from her coma just in time to kick some ass. That will be an awesome moment.

A Pissed Off Blood Thirsty Diana

Wonder Woman (Volume 3) #30
Written by Gail Simone
Art by Aaron Lopresti

Wonder Woman gets really pissed off this issue and rightfully so. I love myself a pissed off blood thirsty Diana so I really enjoyed this. After Etta Candy is captured and tortured by Genocide, Wonder Woman single-handedly dismantles the society. I love how the usually frightening Phobia is even afraid of Diana here. Wonder Woman truly is a powerhouse in the DCU and a force to be reckoned with and Simone really portrays this well in this issue. I am sure some people will not like that Diana has resorted to killing Genocide but with a creature like this, she has no choice. She is not Superman and Batman, she is her own character and is willing to do what she believes is necessary. It is for this same reason that I have never had a problem with the murder of Maxwell Lord. As for the Olympian, his creation seems to be an after though in this story and not really something I am overly excited about right now. I thought he was going to be the male version of Diana, not Achilles. Unless he just has Achilles’s name and like Diana, is not the Achilles of myth. I don’t know.

Getting Good

Wonder Woman (Volume 3) #29
Written by Gail Simone
Art by Aaron Lopestri

After Diana’s defeat by Genocide again, everything has gone to hell. Genocide has kidnapped Etta Candy, Zeus is killing gods, and it looks like Athena may have died. Oh and Steve Trevor is back, looking for his wife. I always thought he was older then that? Maybe I am just thinking of something else. Cheetah is pretty powerful in this issue and Diana says so herself. I can’t really remember her being this powerful before? I am not sure. This is an action-packed arc and if you have never tried Wonder Woman before, this is really the time to start. This is getting good.

The Glasses And The Bun Don’t Work…Go Figure

Wonder Woman (Volume 3) #28
Written by Gail Simone
Art by Aaron Lopestri

The battle against Genocide continues here and we even get the return of the creepiest Wonder Woman villain: Dr. Psycho! He hasn’t been seen much since Infinite Crisis and I am glad to have him back. Even if he has switched bodies with Sarge Steel. Genocide’s eyes apparently show one the end of their life. I still have to wonder who created her. The society couldn’t have created a god, could they? As for Wonder Woman, she is vicious and kicks some major ass this issue. The hardened warrior in her really shows. I loved Nemesis’s comment about her secret identity. I am glad he knows. Oh and it looks like Cheetah is behind something bigger then we though. Great stuff.

Immortal No More

Wonder Woman (Volume 3) #27
Written by Gail Simone
Art by Aaron Lopestri

Despite emphasis put on other members of the trinity’s storylines right now, this is really the one everyone should be looking at. Genocide defeated Wonder Woman in battle, and has not only stolen her lasso, but wove it into her body! Now that’s creepy. As for Genocide herself, I have read a lot of people saying she is poorly designed, but I really like her look. I loved Donna and Wonder Girl’s reaction to the news of Wonder Woman’s death, but they do seem a little quick to assume Wonder Woman’s dead. I mean Diana has died before, and has come back. And here she isn’t even dead, so what are they worried about exactly? Sarge Steel is still acting crazy and I have no idea why. And Zeus’s proclamation of what is to happen to the Amazon’s is EXACTLY something the Greek God would do. I wonder how Wonder Girl will react to her own father taking away the immortality of the amazons?

The Rise of Genocide

Wonder Woman (Volume 3) #26
Written by Gail Simone
Art by Aaron Lopestri

Just like over in Secret Six, Gail Simone creates an incredibly creepy villain. People who don’t like violence in their comics beware, although everything is done off-panel, this villain murders a little girl and many civilians at a shopping mall in cold blood. I don’t mind it and it makes the character all the more credible. Interviews have called Genocide the ultimate villain for Wonder Woman and I have to say so far, it looks like she might be. The coloring of this issue was a little off, Nemesis’s uniform switched from Red to Black back to red but otherwise the art was pretty decent. I am not sure what is going on with the Greek Gods, but I like they were wearing modern (futuristic?) looking clothes like when Rucka was on the book. I am sure we will learn more about what is going on with these Gods eventually. This storyline looks to be the best of Simone’s run yet and probably the best arc since Rucka left the character. I think everyone should check this out, you won’t be dissapointed.

Wonder Woman 12 – 25

Wonder Woman (Volume 3) #12
Written by J. Torres
Art by Paco Diaz

Oh will Amazons Attack never end. The god-awful mini-series spills over into this issue as Wonder Woman and Nemesis look for the missing Sarge Steel. Of course this issue wasn’t bad though, Everyman is always a fun villain.

Wonder Woman (Volume 3) #13
Written by J. Torres
Art by Julian Lopez

Now this was more like it. A very sweet issue that while still dealing with the Amazons Attack aftermath, it is not burdened by it one bit. I liked seeing the JSA wondering about Hippolyta, it’s easy to forget that she was once a member of their team and they WOULD react to her coming back from the dead.

Wonder Woman (Volume 3) #14
Written by Gail Simone
Art by Terry Dodson

Gail Simone’s first issue may not have completely blown me away, but it was pretty damn good…especially when compared to the previous runs on this series. Bringing back Etta Candy is genius, having female gorillas live in Diana’s apartment is genius, and Nazis attacking Themyscira is genius. I think we can say Simone is a genius.

Wonder Woman (Volume
3) #15
Written by Gail Simone
Art by Terry Dodson

I like the idea of Wonder Woman going to the different Pantheons of Gods seeking help and I especially like that she ended up receiving that help from an obscure pantheon – the Hawaiian Gods. Very awesome. Oh and can I saw Diana’s transformation into Wonder Woman at the beginning was beautiful. Go Dodsons!

Wonder Woman (Volume
3) #16
Written by Gail Simone
Art by Terry Dodson and Ron Randall

This issue was sligtly decompressed as it was essentially just one big battle between Wonder Woman and her gorillas, and the Nazi on Themyscara. Although it wasn’t bad, I was kinda expecting more.

Wonder Woman (Volume
3) #17
Written by Gail Simone
Art by Terry Dodson and Ron Randall

This concludes Simone’s first story arc on this title and I must say it was a great ending. The entire thing could have been an issue less but it was still a good arc. And Simone had Plastic Man in it! Yay! I also like how Simone is setting up these mysteries in advance…effectively creating a slow build that a long term writer should do.

Wonder Woman (Volume
3) #18
Written by Gail Simone
Art by Bernard Chang

Haha I did not know this but Etta Candy’s catchphrase is Woo Woo and Simone uses it in the final page of this issue in a very modern and hilarious way. The art took some getting used to after the Dodsons but it wasn’t bad. I am not sure how I feel about Diana courting Nemesis, we will see how it goes I guess.

Wonder Woman (Volume
3) #19
Written by Gail Simone
Art by Bernard Chang

This short story arc was very good. I liked how the Ichor is set up to be threats in the future and Etta Candy is a great sidekick for Diana. I am not sure how they made the Khund girl a Green Lantern, did one of the GLs die. I thought someone only becomes a GL when a previous one dies? And doesn’t the ring choose the person?

Wonder Woman (Volume
3) #20
Written by Gail Simone
Art by Aaron Lopestri

Eh…I can’t really get excited about this arc. Wonder Woman in a sword and sorcery world does nothing for me. The only moments I really enjoyed were the stuff with Etta Candy.

Wonder Woman (Volume
3) #21
Written by Gail Simone
Art by Aaron Lopestri

Other then the scenes outside of the otherworldly plane (the stuff with Nemsis and the stuff with Hippolyta), I found this pretty boring. Which isn’t Simone’s fault as much as I am just uninterested in this kind of story.

Wonder Woman (Volume
3) #22
Written by Gail Simone
Art by Aaron Lopestri

Ditto, but it is good to see Donna again in this title.

Wonder Woman (Volume
3) #23
Written by Gail Simone
Art by Aaron Lopestri

The moments between Donna and Nemsis were fantastic this issue but I am still glad this arc is over.

Wonder Woman (Volume
3) #24
Written by Gail Simone
Art by Bernard Chang

Now this is more like it. Nemesis meets with Hippolyta who acts like a typical mother meeting her daughter’s new boyfriend, including asking him if they have had sex and when they plan on having babies! Fantastic! The movie stuff was cool especially since we get to see some of Diana’s past reenacted innacurately. I look forward to seeing Wonder Woman kick the Queen of Fables’ ass. And having Diana say she no longer has self-doubts just shows how far she has come since the beginning of this series when she was annoyingly full of self-doubts. Thanks Gail! (:

Wonder Woman (Volume
3) #25
Written by Gail Simone
Art by Bernard Chang

This was a pretty good issue…I especially liked the end with the little girls. I think more little girls should be looking up to Wonder Woman….we need a good Wonder Woman movie soon. I like how Simone really expressed her opinion about the Wonder Woman movie in this issue….that we should wait for a really good one instead of getting a crappy one now and I agree with that but it would be nice to have a good one soon. I guess you can’t get your cake and eat it too.