"We are each other's shelter from the storm."
SUPERMAN/WONDER WOMAN #6

One day I walked into a library and my eyes fell on a book called Kingdom Come. I picked it up and to my surprise it was a comic book...or rather as I later learned, a graphic novel. But I saw beautifully painted panels and heroes that I recognized from my childhood who seemed ...well, grown up. I borrowed that book and I was moved and fascinated by, not only the story of men and women who are great heroes, but by they way they showed their humanity. They suddenly were not two dimensional people who just fought bad guys. They were deeply complex. I love books and reading on the whole and I guess getting into the comic genre as an adult woman was a case of serendipity. It led me to finding DC comics and the heroes I grew up with on TV and saw in movies and newsprint. It led me to finding Clark Kent or as he is known by his other name, Kal-El, and Princess Diana. I fell in love with them and am obsessed with all things Amazonian and Kryptonian now. I love their relationship. I love what they stand for. I love the contrasts of the princess/farmer's son; reporter/ambassador; pragmatic warrior/idealistic protector and empathetic teacher/enforcer of justice. A girl born of the earth and a boy who fell from the sky. The first daughter of Themyscira and last son of Krypton. And it surprised me to find that there were many fans like me, who adore them too.

DC rebooted their universe in 2011 and my favorite pairing is now canon!!! Yay.



Disclaimer : Superman and Wonder Woman are the property of DC comics.

Monday, January 30, 2012

Wonder Woman #5 Review


We open with Diana, Zola and Hermes back home in London. They are sitting having breakfast in a pub and, I assume Diana is having a proper English breakfast And yes, it does include tomatoes, Zola. We are introduced to another player. A bull dog faced fellow calling himself Lennox, who knows a lot about Diana and her "family" and calls himself her brother.



Diana spends time bonding with Zola while Hermes leaves with Lennox. Lennox is trying get to the bottom of Zeus' disappearance. He lets Diana know that the rest of the family would be looking to stake a claim for what Zeus left behind. We see him enter a series of underground tunnels (almost looks like Traitor's Gate at the Tower of London)  and tell Hermes to be ready for whatever he is going to deliver.Diana and Zola hang around Tower Bridge because Lennox told her she needed to be there at six o'clock. The ladies seem to have forged a kind of easy rapport despite their differences in status and Diana corrects the idea that she is "perfect".



We see the appearance of Poseidon. And the lord of the oceans is majestic as he is whimsical to behold. The designs for all these Gods are really interesting. The creative team keeps surprising us by veering from the norm. Poseidon is a giant amalgam of a whale, walrus, octopus, barnacles and shell. And he is imperious and very grumpy. He calls Diana a mongrel and states his intent to claim the heavens.




Lennox tangles with a Cerberus and possibly a new God enters the stage. Who he is I am not sure. The Cerberus usually guards the gate to the Underworld. This guy is in armor and has a crown of candles burning on his head and melting wax hiding his eyes. Is this Hades? Anyway, Diana has a plan of her own. She realizes she is out of depth while dealing with these Gods and she decides on some  strategy. She informs Poseidon that Hera has claimed the heavens as her own. He is not happy.



And a rather fashionable looking Hera is astound and peeved Diana would have the gall to say this. Meanwhile, one wonders if this lie will be the thing that saves the innocent bystanders on the bridge. Those creepy centaurs are back.



I continue to enjoy this title. It was not as nail biting or emotional as the last issue and really a little lighter in tone and not much happens to propel the story forward. It's nice to see Diana is coping well and not moping and feeling sorry for herself. Lennox's role has yet to be "sussed" and we are left wondering how Hera will deal with Diana now. Chiang took a rest from interiors and Tony Atkins did a good job.

4 out of 5 stars.

Best Panel: Diana readying to meet Poseidon. She looks so regal and yet womanly. Did I mention I love her black dress and red scarf?


1 comment:

  1. I'm sure the bystanders enjoyed Diana's strip tease. ;)

    Poseidon makes me hungry for seafood. I would be full for year if I cook and ate him. I might even get some godlike powers, too.

    No offense to Hera but her hips and thighs look a little wide. Goddess gotta hit the gym. LOL! No, I didn't say that. It was Flash. :looks around nervously: I would never criticize a Goddess physique when she can turn me into garden furniture. No, not I.

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