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.

Wonder Woman 20 – 23

Wonder Woman (Volume 5) #20
Written by Greg Rucka
Art by Bilquis Evely

Circe finally arrives in this volume of Wonder Woman. In the past, I would have rolled my eyes. There was a time where it seemed like she was in every other Wonder Woman comic. But as Rucka tends to do, he reinvents Circe here with a new look and a more interesting attitude. He even tells the story of how Wonder Woman and Circe first encounter eachother in this issue. The 5-year-timeline for the character is essentially gone. The caption at the beginning says it takes place in Diana’s seventh year away from Themyscara. Thanks the Gods! The real DCU timeline is coming back.

Wonder Woman (Volume 5) #21
Written by Greg Rucka
Art by Liam Sharp

While searching for the gateway to Themyscira, Veronica Cale looks to have found both her daughter and Ares in some mystical dark tree prison. Ares is looking SEXY as hell. Thanks Liam Sharp. This is a much more interesting look for Ares than he ever had before. I am sad that Rucka is leaving this comic again soon.

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.

The Origin of Cheetah

Wonder Woman (Volume 5) #18
Written by Greg Rucka
Art by Bilquis Evely

In these early days of Wonder Woman as shown in this book, Diana is wearing her current costume almost. Does this mean that this is kind of retconning away the Geoff Johns New 52 Justice League origin? I sure hope so because she wore a different outfit in that I have seen. Maybe that means we get Martian Manhunter as JLA-founder again! I won’t hold my breath but that would be great. Anyways, this is another issue of the best series DC is putting out currently outside of Detective Comics. In this issue, we focus on Cheetah’s origin as Wonder Woman is stopped from helping Dr. Minerva when she transforms into Cheetah by Veronica Cale and Dr. Cyber. I like how Rucka portrays Veronica Cale as being so conflicted about this. She has clearly not turned into the villain she will later become. I suspect something may happen to her daughter that puts her over the edge. Rucka’s work on this series continues to impress me. It is the best Wonder Woman has been…well…since his last run on the title.

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.

North Korea Chainsaw Massacre

Doom Patrol (Volume 5) #18
Written by Keith Giffen
Art by Matthew Clark

 

There is something very “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” about the Aristocrats aka the Boswicks in that they are like a rich immortal british version of the twisted family from that film series and they also have a house of horrors to go along with it. Luckily, the Doom Patrol manages to escape that house and get the hell out of Dodge er well North Korea. It was a good issue, not as great as last but still I am loving this book more and more with each issue.

Introducing The Aristocrats

Doom Patrol (Volume 5) #17
Written by Keith Giffen
Art by Matthew Clark and Ron Randall

 

Giffen has created some of the creepiest yet fascinating villains in this issue called the Aristocrats. Immortal Aristocrats who murder people – not sure if that is what keeps them alive or not or why they have captured Veronic Cale but they are some awesome villains for the Doom Patrol and this was one of if not the best issue of this series yet. Cale being the new Chief is also a great idea and definitely creates an exciting new dynamic for the Doom Patrol. I also like that Giffen is finally utilizing Bumblebee more.

Chief Robotman

Doom Patrol (Volume 5) #16
Written by Brian Keene and Keith Giffen
Art by Giffen

 

Former Doom Patrol member Fast Forward shows up and accidentally brings evil alternate version of the team into this reality causing all kinds of craziness meanwhile Robotman wonders if he is the same as Niles Caulder was now that he is leader of the team. It was a decent issue. This is actually my first exposure to Giffen’s art I think and it wasn’t bad. I still like how Giffen is pulling from the while spectrum of Doom Patrol history.

Pelican On Panel

Doom Patrol (Volume 5) #15
Written by Keith Giffen
Art by Matthew Clark

 

The Doom Patrol defeats the Kryptonian powered Chief. I am not sure what exactly happened in the final pages? Did the science squad just send Caulder’s body adrift in space? What is going on with Negative Man? And we finally see the Pelican he is always talking about? Crazy stuff but this is the Doom Patrol so what do you expect.

Doom Patrol 10 – 12

Doom Patrol (Volume 5) #10
Written by Keith Giffen
Art by Matthew Clark and Ron Randall

Jost is planning something against the Doom Patrol and has added Animal-Vegetable-Mineral Man and this crazy Porcelain Doll woman to his roster of villains. Crazy Jane is back for good I guess and that is a good thing! I definitely like the character.

Doom Patrol (Volume 5) #11
Written by Keith Giffen
Art by Matthew Clark and Ron Randall

 

Um…what the hell happend at the end of this issue! Jost just took “Toy’s” head and crushed it with his bear hands and something came out of his back!!! What! This is crazy and I love it. Adding Ambush Bug to the cast of this was also brilliant as he is as hilarious as always. This book is getting pretty good all of a sudden.

Doom Patrol (Volume 5) #12
Written by Keith Giffen
Art by Matthew Clark and Ron Randall

So Jost was being controlled by a guy from the Brotherhood of Dada I guess? It isn’t really explained very well. A lot of the confusion in this comic seems to come from Clark’s art, I really think things would make more sense if he actually drew faces to fit the expression of what the characters are saying. That being said Giffen is writing a pretty nice little epic here – weaving in the Doom Patrol’s history with new concepts and creations and I am enjoying it finally.

What Will Happen Next?

Detective Comics #863
Written by Greg Rucka
Art by Jock and Scott Kolins
Co-Feature by Rucka
Art by Cully Hamner

 

The main story has Batwoman defeat the Cutter and it is perfectly juxtaposed against the flashback with Batman. The art team did a great job of making sure that it was no confusing with the red versus blue colors. In the end, Bette reveals her Flamebird costume to Kate. I wonder what will come of this? I can’t wait to see but we may have to wait a bit considering Batwoman is taking a break from the title and Rucka is leaving DC. Darn. The Question back-up was good as Huntress and Renee find themselves facing Veronica Cale who leads them to Vandal Savage.

Doom Patrol 7 and 8

Doom Patrol (Volume 5) #7
Written by Keith Giffen
Art by Matthew Clark
Co-Feature by Giffen and J.M. Dematteis
Art by Joe Mcguire

 

The main story was all set up and I am not really sure if I completely got what was going on. Is someone assembling a team to fight the Doom Patrol? It was cool to see Crazy Jane back, I hope she stays with the team, This issue featured the last time the Metal Men will co-feature and while it was funny, I can’t say that I will exactly miss it.

Doom Patrol (Volume 5) #8
Written by Keith Giffen
Art by Matthew Clarke and Ron Randall

Clarke’s art is still not to my taste and this issue seemed a little…well…wordy. But I liked the idea of Danny the Street coming back. I love that Giffen’s not afraid to play with Morrison Doom Patrollers.

The History of Negative Man

Doom Patrol (Volume 5) #6
Written by Keith Giffen
Art by Matthew Clark
Co-Feature by Giffen and J.M. Demateis
Art by Kevin MaGuire

 

This issue was basically a crash-course in the history of Negative Man through his own words. I wonder if it was done in a narrator style if it would have been easier to follow. I think so. Giffen definitely made the wrong choice there but what can I say, maybe it’s the artist. I enjoyed it none-the-less. I love continuity as you all know! The Metal Men back-up was amusing as always and still loving all the Chicagoland references.

Attack of the Hole

Doom Patrol (Volume 5) #2
Written by Keith Giffen
Art by Matthew Clark
Co-Feature by Giffen and J.M. Dematteis
Art by Kevin Maguire

Giffen’s writing is really good. I love the idea of a sentient black hole only interested in writing an encyclopedia. But this issue is really hurt by Clark’s art. He makes everything confusing in the way he draws. I do not like it at all. DC needs to either fire him or he needs to change his style because he is making a good book unreadable. That may sound harsh but it is true. Anyways, it looks like Vox and Bumblebee are now divorced which is sad but I look forward to looking more into Bumblebee’s psyche. The Metal Men back-up was entertaining and funny and I love how the Metal Men’s new headquaters are in Glenview, near where I grew up! And I am still loving how nobody remembers who Copper is – not even Will Magnus.