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.

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.

Snake Amazons From Space!

Wonder Woman (Volume 3) #42
Written by Gail Simone
Art by Nicola Scott

 

Who was expecting that?! Crazy Amazon-like Aliens from Space are attacking Washington D.C. and they are led by Wonder Woman’s Aunt! That is Simone at her finest, she knows how to write great Wonder Woman tales. It is too bad she is leaving the book. I hope JMS is as good as she is because this is just too much fun. I love it! Etta Candy is such a great sidekick for Diana, all she needs is her gun and she is ready to go straight to battle. I hope she stays around with the writer change. I also hope that Diana doesn’t rejoin the DMA – I never really liked that idea.

Peace And Love

Wonder Woman (Volume 3) #41
Written by Gail Simone
Art by Chris Batista and Fernando Dagnino

 

Can I just say that Gail Simone should stay on Wonder Woman, give Morrison or Rucka a new Wonder Book and keep Simone here. She understands the character tremendously. Power Girl’s inner dialogue about Diana pretty much showed that. Wonder Woman is more then fighting (although she is a great fighter) she is inspirational and full of love. Power Girl needed to channel Diana in order to stop the hatred consuming Washington D.C. I hope these Crow Children come back soem day because they were some damn scary Wonder Woman villains. The scenes with Etta and Steve Trevor were very suspenseful and Diana saves the day once again! Great issue! Plus The Olympian finding the reincarnation of his lover again warmed by big gay heart.

I’m Wonder Woman!

Wonder Woman (Volume 3) #40
Written by Gail Simone
Art by Aaron Lopresti

 

The Crows are a group of seemingly small boys who inspire hatred in people. They have turned Washington DC into a city of race riots in this issue. This is an intriguing villain and certainly one that can be used to explore current affairs. Etta Candy is revealed to be a Checkmate agent which was pretty cool use of continuity. It has been a while since we have seen Checkmate. I can’t say that I am looking forward to the Power Girl – Wonder Woman fight. I have never liked heroes vs. hero fight and I am pretty sure this one was done before in Brave and the Bold. Wonder Woman’s “I’m Wonder Woman” line to Power Girl was pretty badass though.

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.