Written by G. Willow Wilson
Art by Jesus Merino
Published by DC Comics
Spoiler Review!
Steve Trevor attempts to spare Diana and Atlantiades from the sight of a fallen god in the latest Wonder Woman #77. His human compassion is at loggerheads with the mighty Amazonian and Aphrodite’s offspring as Aphrodite lay slain in Steve and Diana’s home.
An emotional Diana seeks to hunt “Year of the Villain” guest star Cheetah for the murder under her own roof, but Atlantiades requests arrangement to return to Themyscira for a proper funeral pyre.
Emotions run high after the funeral, Diana swearing to exact justice on her feline antagonist.
Steve is a bit put out that Diana is out on a hunt with rage in her eyes, But dutifully awaits to block Atlantiades from also heading out on this mission to avenge their mother.
Cheetah gloats with her glowing video game sword, wet with the goddesses’ blood.
This arc, starting this issue, is ‘Loveless Part 1’. Now that the goddess of love is literally dead, Wilson means to explore both the physical and metaphysical ramifications of this new world, without Love.
Cheetah and Grail are on the warpath indeed, and Atlantiades and Steve get to the bottom of their own unique relationship as well as reveal a new prophecy.
Please allow me to delve into the particulars of what I liked about this issue, because there was a lot.
Merino continues to be one of the best DC artists on their roster, and him drawing sexy and powerful goth girl villains only sweetens the deal for me. A group of wraiths appear at the end and regrettably I’m not familiar with these sisters. Are they even sisters? I hope so, that would make it easier to explain!
With the trip back to Themyscira and then a montage of Wonder Woman suiting up, I was genuinely excited to flip to the next page of the book. How many comics these days remain page-turners? I call this the Classic Comic Excitement, that lightning in a bottle that you got when reading Batman: Year One for the first time.
I like Wonder Woman, her important place in the DC Trinity, the movie version, etc. BUT I’m not a super fan. Wilson has me praising the book twice a month. I’ll follow her to any property, though to be honest, I’m not all that versed in her Ms. Marvel work.
I would urge DC to move her up to the same level that King, Bendis and Snyder have gotten. Please let her shape the DC universe into a more interesting line wide alignment to her vision. It would be interesting to me to see her able to have a lasting impression on the world like Johns did with his Blackest Night storyline. Have her and Simone craft the next Crisis. Please, more books like Wonder Woman!
Conveniently, I believe on the secondary trade paperback market that these story chunks for Wonder Woman will read as well as the single issues have been. Perhaps trade sales will warrant her taking on some more of the DC toys. At the very least, in the books I’m reading with this ‘Year of the Villain’ banner, Wonder Woman is the most enjoyable to read.
