What’s Not To Love About This?

Wonder Woman (Volume 3) #35
Written by Gail Simone
Art by Aaron Lopresti

Does Simone know how to write some great dialogue or what? James Robinson could learn a thing or two from her. I love the balance between action and dialogue in this series, it is damn perfect! Seriously anyone who has been hating on the character of Wonder Woman or Simone’s run in general are idiotic. What is not to love here! Romance, action, drama…it’s all here. I like how Gail portrays a friendship between Dinah and Diana. It is something that Diana really needs. I am looking forward to seeing how Black Canary “fixes” Wonder Woman’s life. Because she does need a new personal life since the Department of Metahuman Affairds is no more. The commentary on the action figures was hilarious. And I am glad that Nemesis is breaking up with Wonder Woman, I have never been a big fan of their relationship and she doesn’t love him anyway.

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.

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.

Atom 15 – 25

All-New Atom #15
Written by Gail Simone
Art By Mike Norton

OMG! I forgot how much fun this series was! This is a countdown tie-in that ties in for about five seconds and then Simone takes it in a hilarious direction where we end up seeing the mating of two Japanese movie monsters…..crazy but hilarious stuff. It’s sad that this series got canceled.

All-New Atom #16
Written by Roger Stern
Art By Mike Norton

Roger Stern guest writes this issue which sees Ivy Town turned into sixties flower children community. It is a lot of fun, and actually include robots who mimic popular singing groups of choice!

All-New Atom #17
Written by Gail Simone
Art By Mike Norton

Another fun issue where The Atom and Giganta go out on a date – she is a real psychopath. I question why Wonder Woman would reveal her identity to Ryan so quickly but – er – well it’s not like she’s Batman.

All-New Atom #18
Written by Gail Simone
Art by Mike Norton and Andy Smith

Haha I love the dialogue between Wonder Woman and the Atom in this issue….and I especially love the idea that the DCU has its own Ted Grant version of the George Foreman grill. But I get the feeling Ryan will not accept the Justice League invitation.

All-New Atom #19
Written by Keith Champaigne
Art by Jerry Ordway

This fill-in issue didn’t seem like filler at all and was really well-done. It was like The Atom meets the Descent meets Seven Soldiers. How many underground villages are there in the DCU?

All-New Atom #20
Written By Gail Simone
Art By Mike Norton

Simone’s final issue on this series wraps up a lot of plot elements from the last 20 issues including the discovery that Chronos being behind why Ivy Town is so weird. Simone did great work on this series, if only more people read it. I look forward to seeing what the new creative team is like.

All-New Atom #21
Written by Rick Remender

Art by Pat Olliffe

Remender begins his run with this issue, and so far, so good. At first I was kinda bored with just the Atom solo act but it got better in the second half when Panda and Head came in. This made me happy cause I hate when new writers just throw away the old supporting cast.

All-New Atom #22
Written by Rick Remender

Art by Pat Olliffe

This was an action-packed creepy but awesome issue with The Atom fighting the monster that he found in his bloodstream. I find it hard to believe that Panda is actually dead (apparently I missed that last issue) but if he is, I am not too upset. It is sad though. At least we still have Head.

All-New Atom #23
Written by Rick Remender
Art by Pat Olliffe

I was right and Panda is still alive! Despite this fluke, the series is still completely unpredictable and awesome. I love the idea that they are now inside the monster where there is a whole another world where time moves faster. I wonder if Panda will somehow go back to looking like he used to though.

All-New Atom #24
Written by Rick Remender

Art by Pat Olliffe

Shit is hitting the Fan and Ray Palmer is back. I like the idea that the relationship between Ryan Choi and Ray Palmer was all a set up by Chronos, but do you think that was the original intent of Simone and Morrison? I doubt it but I like it a lot.

All-New Atom #25
Written by Rick Remender

Art by Pat Olliffe

Well, Panda sadly dies after all. At least he died a hero. I really liked that Ryan is going to continue on as the Atom and I look forward to seeing him around the DCU. This was a great series and I really encourage people to check out the back issues and trades.

Wonder Woman 6 – 9

Wonder Woman (Volume 3) #6
Written by Jodi Picoult
Art by Drew Johnson

Ya this issue has gotten a lot of crap all over the blogosphere. Wonder Woman acts like a total dumbass here. She has been in man’s world for a long time now. How does she not know about credit cards and pumping gas?!!!! Picoult is new to comics so you can’t really slight her for it but this was bad. Really bad. Oh and Circe is overused at this point.

Wonder Woman (Volume 3) #7
Written by Jodi Picoult
Art by Drew Johnson

While this issue was loads better than Picoult’s first issue, I still find the whole emo “Who am I?” thing going on with Wonder Woman so annoying. Shouldn’t she have figured all this stuff out during the missing year. I am intrigued about what is going on with Themyscira though and the villains bar was kinda cool.

Wonder Woman (Volume 3) #8
Written by Jodi Picoult
Art by Terry Dodson and Rachel Dodson

So Hypolytta’s alive and kicking now. Circe brought her back from the dead, but it seems Circe is working both sides. This is getting interesting. I am beginning to actually like the relationship between Nemesis and Wonder Woman. I wonder where he think Diana Prince is all this time? I have to say Picoult’s script is much better now.

Wonder Woman (Volume 3) #9
Written by Jodi Picoult
Art by Terry Dodson and Rachel Dodson

Wow I really loved this action-packed issue. It certainly got me excited about Amazons Attack which is something I was not excited for before reading this. This was pretty cool. Picoult has really upped her game in four issues. I am not sad that she is leaving the book (because GAIL SIMON IS TAKING OVER) but still, she should be given another chance to show her stuff in the future because she clearly has great potential. I don’t know if this is really Hipollyta or who Everyman is working for but I look forward to finding out.

Wonder Woman 4 and 5

Wonder Woman (Volume 3) #4
Written by Allan Heinberg
Art and Cover by Terry Dodson and Rachel Dodson

Okay so yes this was a good issue. It just was definitely not worth the long ass wait. Heinberg has proven with this book that he is just not up to the task of being a monthly comic book writer. This was just too long of a delay and this story isn’t going to be finished for a while because of him. Anyways, the art was gorgeous and the story is still compelling. Circe has one badass Wonder Woman costume but by the end of this issue you really get the feeling that Diana deserves to be the one true Wonder Woman.

Wonder Woman (Volume 3) #5
Written by Will Pfeifer
Art by Jean Diaz, Geraldo Borges and Wellington Diaz

Pfeifer writes a spectacular little fill-in this issue. It is a heartwarming story showing how Wonder Woman inspires Women all over the DCU to stand up for their rights and not let themselves get abused. Pfeifer would make a great regualar writer of this title if he was given the chance. This was a real good issue. Reminds me of Rucka’s run sort of.

Checkmate 9 and 10

Checkmate (Volume 2) #9
Written by Greg Rucka
Art and Cover by Jesus Saiz

This series is brutal and can be incredibly confusing, but it sure is good. Especially this issue, which unexpectedly guest starred the Shadowpact (Who I love). I love how the Checkmate is really no-holds-barred and they do things the JLA or any superhero team wouldn’t be caught dead doing. I am not sure why Sarge Steel and Sasha are so pissed at eachother this issue, but they are at odds through the whole thing. The introduction of the Thinker to the cast is a great move by Rucka, I like the character already even though I am barely familiar with him.

Checkmate (Volume 2) #10
Written by Greg Rucka
Art and Cover by Jesus Saiz

The pulled it off! They got a mole into Kobra! I was worried through the whole issue. This was certainly suspenseful and hats off to Rucka for creating that suspense. I really liked this issue. Maybe it was the magic I don’t know, but it was really cool. Both Shadowpact and Checkmate kicked ass this issue and there was a lot of tension and surprise. The only thing I am worried about is did Sasha say that the Thinker could not be the White King’s bishop? That would suck if he got kicked out just as I was starting to like him. Anyways, great issue. Highly reccomended.

Loving the New Roster

Teen Titans (Volume 3) #41
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Paco Diaz and Ryan Benjamin

Teen Titans never fails to excite me. Every panel is just filled with comic goodness and this issue is no exception. I love the new line-up of the team (which is spotlighted by Tony Daniel’s great cover). Wonder Girl and Robin…These two have to be on the Titans and for good reason. Cyborg….he is the heart and soul. Raven….Love the character. Miss Martian…Probably the best new character of this year. The Ravager…..I am really starting to like her. Kid Devil…Ditto. Jericho…Much better costume than his old one. The only thing wrong with this issue is I wish Tony Daniel would drawn it. But the guest artists were pretty good. I can’t wait to see the new roster when they get more settled and become more of a team than they are now. Highly Reccomended.

Wonder Woman 2 and 3

Wonder Woman (Volume 3) #2
Written by Allan Heinberg
Art and Cover by Terry Dodson and Rachel Dodson

Heinberg continues this series’ debut arc this issue, a little, but it does not matter because he certainly deliver this issue. This was more fun super-hero action. This issue we find out that Bruce Wayne set Wonder Woman up with the Diana Prince ID. It is hard to accept the idea that no one recognizes Wonder Woman because she has glasses on and her hair is up, but I suppose if it works for Superman, it can work for Wonder Woman. Great issue.

Wonder Woman (Volume 3) #3
Written by Allan Heinberg
Art and Cover by Terry Dodson and Rachel Dodson

This issue was fun, just like the last two, but I have to say that the lateness of this book is getting rudiculous. I know Allan has other things to do but if you sign on to write a comic book, in my opinion, you should be ready to have it on time. End of rant. Besides that, the art in this is wonderful and the story is fun. I am not that familiar with Circe as a character but she seems like a cool villain, it interesting to find out she is the reason why Wonder Woman’s villains are getting upgrades. Wasn’t Cheetah a regular woman last issue. Why does she look all Cheetah-like again? Is that Circe’s doing, I am not sure.