Spinning Swords & Mythological Horrors
Overview
Wonder Woman makes her debut into the new DCnU, reboot, revitalization, re... something. I didn't wish to get my hopes up for this series too much, so I really, really enjoyed this issue. This book was accessible, and it presented Wonder Woman as strong, proud, interesting and confident, and it had her being a hero and protecter of mortals. Which is why she is iconic yes? So two pluses.
Diana is also one of the characters that this tends to have make overs and retcon's a bit more than most. There is a really unfortunate disparity between how many people are aware of the character versus how many people actually buy her comics. To this issue specifically? Well its a new volume, a new number one, and things are fresh and well its exciting but scary. We are getting to see old characters though new lens, and we are first introduced to Apollo and he is a god, but he appears well modernized and integrated into modern society, with his swanky clothes, high end room on the top of a Singapore skyscraper (a new building if it really is the tallest in the world), and pretty girls in pretty clothes. He sort of looks like Sunspot here (the New Mutants character) There are other characters introduced for the first time as well naturally, and they each have some sort of unique and interesting introduction. Brief, and mysterious all the same as well. Hera, Zola, and Hermes. Just enough to leave you wanting more, but enough as to appear not to cliche.
Then of course Wonder Woman herself. We met Diana half way though the issue, and her introduction is laid back and cool, enigmatic and confident and maybe a touch tad gratuitous? She is sleeping and then is rudely interrupted but only momentarily. I know Wonder Woman is at ease with all aspects of herself including her body but maybe perhaps moments such as the ones in this issue where she is implied as being nude preparing to dress in her super heroic garb is to establish to new readers that she is comfortable in this sense, and more concerned about readying for battle? Still, I think this could be accomplished in a dozen other ways. A far as characterization, well the issue wasn't dialogue heavy and Wondy was only in about half of the issue, and so what we got was good, just the real test will be how things progress. I otherwise liked her characterization. Calm, confident, sure, relaxed. Powerful. i feel her defining characteristics have been established and that is what we need instead of. Who she is, rather than how she got here. This book is a little violent, there are some grisly and brutal moments, severing of limbs, but nothing too graphic, it fits the tone established. Such an angle was hinted at earlier in interviews, horror elements suggested by Azzarello do bear fruition. Am looking forward to see how following issues will do.
Writing & Plot
Writing is strong, not too overdone, its simple but smart as well, concise. There is an element of prophetic duality running though the issue with side narration which is an interesting writing technique, I am not entirely convinced worked as well as it could have. There are many greek mythological undertones running though out the issue, of course a young woman in need, who needs aid from a divine source, and then much more obvious signals like centaurs and say Hera identified by her cloak of peacock feathers. Writing is solid and hints at a larger more complex story, which is great to know, such things have been planned. Azzarello does really well at making this issue feel very modern, and edgy without being cliche or betraying Diana's character. Art & Visuals
This is classic Greek geometry mixed with Eastern influences and curves. I actually really liked the art even though its not typically the sort of art I enjoy, but it was simple and clean and allowed for some great moments and beautiful and a seamless action/fight sequence, Cliff Chiang will be one of my favorite artists if he can maintain such a strong and aesthetically pleasing style. Choreography, movement, consistency, its all very well done. Scale was an issue though for me at times, it I felt being the only real flaw. I like a tall and muscular Wonder Woman, but the character of Zola just seemed tiny at times.
Moment Of Chakram Spinning and Alalalalalala
Sorry, I just got a Xena vibe from this moment... plus wanted to highlight a moment from the awesome action sequence.
Sorry, I just got a Scorpion vibe from this moment... plus I wanted to highlight a moment (another) from the awesome action sequence.
Who Should Read This?
Everybody. No, yeah I think everybody should. Wonder Woman is one of comics biggest characters, and this was a decent book, and I think this is one of those books that if supported sort of grow into the types of books that are self sustaining to such a level that they can support other books. Sort of healthy for the industry. Definitely Wonder Woman fans though too, and fans of mythology, and any DC fans who want to one up Marvel... (and Marvel fans that want to try something new) this has been one of the best of the new 52. Overall I give this issue a 4/5
