Comics / Comic Reviews / DC Comics

Wonder Woman #2

By Zak Edwards
October 20, 2011 - 14:56

Brian Azzarello’s first issue of Wonder Woman convinced me to pay attention to a character I had never wanted to read before, which I guess was one of the major points of DC Comics reboot.  I was entranced, the issue was layered and wove together classic mythology with DC’s contemporary mythos for a story, though very reminiscent of Neil Gaiman’s Sandman, is unlike much of what I have seen before.  Azzarello’s Wonder Woman has me convinced there is some amazing storytelling ahead and this issue is absolutely no different.

Taking place directly after the last issue, this installment explores the world of myths and monsters a little more, bringing more gods and goddesses into the story to the point where Princess Diana herself is simply part of an ensemble cast.  The issue is essentially a common motif in Greek mythology: Zeus’ wife Hera is attempting to punish the woman he impregnated rather than taking out her rage on Zeus himself.  The latent misogyny of these myths is played with a little, not in ways that sound like soapbox speeches on patriarchy and feminism (although I enjoy those too), but in a very quick and easy form, establishing an argument clearly an concisely and not dwelling.  Hermes asks the woman in question what Zeus appeared to her as in order to seduce her, citing Zeus mostly takes the shape of animals.  She responds simply: “I like men, Hermes, and I am not going to apologize for that.”  These myths that Azzarello is retelling and modernizing assume certain things I never thought about before, but in a single sentence he gets readers to think about issues other than the plot.  The rest of the issue deals with the beginning of Hera’s vengeance, for which she has recruited her daughter Eris and is less action-focused than last week, instead deepening the world and even manages to put forward some questions about the titular character.  Princess Diana herself is more a common thread in the story than protagonist, something I believe the book benefits from considering the cast of characters Azzarello has.  Yes, she is a little flat, a confident character who enjoys fighting and friendly chastising in equal measure, but the book can make a more rounded protagonist when that becomes important, and the final page suggests Diana is going to become more integral very soon.  But for now, there are much more interesting things going on and the book doesn’t suffer from its ensemble approach.

Cliff Chiang proved last issue that he is capable of much in the story, stringing together action sequences and horrific imagery while also making the more talking heads moments interesting as well.  This all continues here: the action sequences, while condensed, are fun to look at and convey more than just fighting, they speak to the characters involved.  Compared to other action sequences that may exist as spectacle, Chiang adds depth through these sequences.  The main action sequence, a sort of gladiatorial fight between Diana and another Amazon, doesn’t so much flow as seem to happen simultaneously, which actually works out much better in its own way.  His character designs are varied as well, with the gods and goddesses having a vaguely Sandman take to them, looking like outsiders owing their looks to prominent subcultures.  Thankfully, Chiang has avoided the hipster look, going instead for more goth and aristocratic looks, but his blend of contemporary and classic in his designs enhances Azzarello’s approach.

Grade: A    Continues to entrance and entice.  Excellent work.

Last Updated: August 31, 2023 - 08:12