Little Wonders

Wonder Woman (Volume 5) #26
Written by Shea Fontana
Art by Mirka Andolfo

I was prepared to dislike this comic book. I think Greg Ruck’s run was tremendous and I was sad to see him leaving so I didn’t come into reading this with any hope but I am happy to say Shea Fontana did a good job of keeping me interested. In fact, the stuff with Hippolyta and Wonder Woman as a little girl reminds me so much of the movie that it brought a smile to my face. Wonder Woman rarely interacts with little girls or children, so it was a lot of fun to read her talking to the little girl at the wedding. The girl reminded me so much of my nieces. I also like that Fontana actually uses the supporting cast that Rucka has built up. I hope James Robinson does the same when he comes on board. I especially hope we get to see Ferdinand again.

Rucka Will Be Missed

Wonder Woman (Volume 5) #25
Written by Greg Rucka
Art by Nicola Sharp and Bilquis Evely

I am sad to write this is the final issue of Greg Rucka’s triumphant Rebirth run on Wonder Woman. Rucka’s run was my favorite run on the character ever before Rebirth and he impressed me even more this time around. I wish he was staying on this book. I have one complaint – why the hell would Diana call Superman Kal-El? She isn’t Kryptonian and it seems out of character. That being said, as usual this issue was amazing and showed how fascinating Rucka makes the character of Wonder Woman. He Rucka shows her strength, her beauty, her love, her dedication to justice, her vulnerability, and even her sexuality (tastefully) in one issue. Steve and Diana are back together and he even had a house built for her, Veronica Cale refuses to help Cheetah, and a lot is left over for the next creative team to build upon. My biggest fear is that they won’t. Rucka’s last run ended with a great supporting cast just like this one ended and it wasn’t followed up on. DC dropped the ball. I sincerely hope that mistake is not made again.

Cheetah’s Violence

Wonder Woman (Volume 5) #24
Written by Greg Rucka
Art by Bilquis Evely

This series has had top notch artists since Rucka came on board and Bilquis Evely is no exception. I mean look at the smile she draws on Cheetah when Veronic Cale tells her in this issue that she is suffering from guilty and Cheetah says Good. It is perfect. Speaking of Cheetah, she really does some damage to Veronica Cale. This is violence I have never seen her due before and I think it makes her seem like a formidable foe to Wonder Woman – the kind of foe she needs to be to make her terrifying – and Evely draws the wounds Cheetah inflicts so realistically it is disturbing. It is unclear to me if Diana just knocked out Cheetah at the end or did she actually kill her? I sure hope not.

Green Lanterns 1 – 19

Green Lanterns #1
Written by Sam Humphries
Art by Robson Rocha

As happy as I am to have a new Green Lantern book that is not starring boring old Hal Jordan, I can’t say I was excited to read this. Simon Baz and Jessica Cruz have not interested me one bit in the Justice League book. Simon just seems like a jerk and Jessica is so unsure of herself it becomes not sweet, but annoying. I was hoping under a different write I would feel differently. This issue did not win me over, but maybe future issues will because the art was good and I am interested in the Red Lantern sub-plot. Oh and Dex-Starr!

Green Lanterns #2
Written by Sam Humphries
Art by Robson Rocha

Now this was more like it! By focusing on Jessica learning about her ring with her sister, Humphries made me actually understand her character better and what she is going through. Hopefully we will get a similar focus on Simon. This series just got good.

Rucka Better Stay For A Long Time

Wonder Woman (Volume 5) #19
Written by Greg Rucka
Art by Liam Sharp

One of DC’s best series continues this week as Wonder Woman comes closer to unraveling the mystery of where is the real Themyscira. Diana leaves the mental institution in better shape thanks to one of my favorite characters, Ferdinand! I am still so happy he is back. Doctor Cyber reveals that Veronica Cale and Cheetah are heading to Themyscira – the real Themyscara somehow but when Diana goes after them she is shot by Doctor Poison’s people. I imagine she will be okay but I am surprised they got the shot in. Liam Sharp’s art was hit or miss depending on the page and this is not like him. I guess you can’t be perfect every time. I can’t wait to see where this goes. Will  Wonder Woman remember her whole history just like Superman now does? One of the best parts of this comic is that Rucka has built a strong supporting cast for Wonder Woman. Whoever follows better keep it around unlike what they did last time Rucka left a book. That being said, I sure hope Rucka stays for a long time to come.

Wonder Woman 1-17

Wonder Woman (Volume 5) #1
Written by Greg Rucka
Art by Liam Sharp

This was one of the books I was most excited to read when Rebirth was announced because I have extremely fond memories of Rucka’s original Wonder Woman run from the early 2000s. I wonder if he will bring back Ferdinand the cook?! I sure hope so. First of all, the art in this first issue is downright breathtaking. In this issue, it seems that Wonder Woman is having trouble remembering her past with all the changes in history and all that and seeks out Cheetah to help her find her way back to Themyscara. Etta Candy is now African-American which I am not sure…maybe that is the new 52 change. I like it. And I like that Steve Trevor is now younger even though I am not a big fan of his character. I look forward to seeing where this is going. I trust Rucka to come up with a new back story for Wonder Woman that respects her entire history and her status as a feminist icon.

Wonder Woman (Volume 5) #2
Written by Greg Rucka
Art by Nicola Scott

This issue begins the new Wonder Woman: Year One story – her true origin story I assume. Hippolyta is back to her dark hair – I had heard she was blonde during the new 52 – I always liked the idea that Hippolyta went back in time to be the golden age Wonder Woman and I hope that this is restored to continuity so this makes me happy. The issue is also beautifully drawn by the ever talented Nicola Scott. We see Diana’s life before Steve crashes on the island (Although her birth and childhood is not touched upon) and the issue ends with the crash. I never saw Steve’s crash quite as tragic as he loses a friend who he is the Godfather of his baby in the crash. This is a good start.

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.

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.

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?