Wonder Woman #3
By Zak Edwards
November 21, 2011 - 12:24
DC Comics
Writer(s): Brian Azzarello
Penciller(s): Cliff Chiang
Colourist(s): Matt Wilson
Letterer(s): Jared K. Fletcher
Cover Artist(s): Cliff Chiang
$2.99 US
Be sure to read Koppy McFad's review of this very issue, the link's to the right!
One thing I love about Brian Azzarello’s take on Wonder Woman, even though I've never really read anything starring the character before, is his obvious commitment to the long-haul. Where plenty of people are attempting to kick the waiting for the trade habit, which sees writers plan monthly comics to be collected and read as a whole, Azzarello gives an obvious counterpoint. As a serial, Wonder Woman is keeping things entertaining and consistent, as a trade-waiter, the title is still setting up on the third issue, making these three issues feel like the opening rather than already being halfway through a story. As a person willing to engage with this book for a while, it’s nice to see a plan for a long story rather than a series of loosely connected short stories. The latter is entertaining in itself, I certainly enjoy that extremely frequently, but the long-term approach can be so much more rewarding. It’s why 100 Bullets became what it is.
For an issue almost exclusively being a series of conversations, artist Cliff Chiang manages to keep an action feel without feeling out of place. Characters get in each others' faces, fight, take out their anger, and much more in melodramatic ways (Diana spends a page knocking over trees) but without becoming eye-rolling. There’s a strange balance of restraint and hyperbole, much like the influences on the book, that play out nicely. Chiang, just like Azzarello, can also handle female characters, having more than two body shapes and making characters look believable. Diana is a warrior, after all, so why wouldn’t she look like she has some muscle on her? The book continues to look amazing as Chiang still handles everything with grace and poise.
Grade: A Still an amazing read, can’t wait for the next issue.
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