Wonder Woman #11 Review

Strife goes to regale Hera with Diana's exploits in Hell. Hera is not impressed and reveals she has struck a bargain with Apollo for the throne. Strife is often portrayed as frivolous and just someone who enjoys the chaos but I wonder if she is just a spectator in all this. We get to meet other deities in this issue. One is Demeter and the other, Apollo's sister, Artemis.

There is a prophecy that the Gods will be beaten by one of their own.Is it Diana or Zola's child? In any case some Gods do not want that to happen.

Hermes, Diana,and Lennox are with Zola. Diana wants to protect her but she also wants her to at least be allowed to make a decison or two herself. It's a nice touch to see Diana's desire to not treat Zola like a helpless child or object. Hermes is very concerned about Zola too and they seem to have some underlying chemistry. Be a shame if Hermes turns out to be a double-crosser.

We have the inevitable confrontation with Apollo and Artemis who have come for Zola.It is a demi-goddess facing Gods. It is a tough battle. Artemis and Apollo are powerful and take down Lennox and Hermes easily. We learn Diana is only 23 years old. It is why Apollo spares her. Her youth equals indiscretion.

They get Zola and take her to Hera. In return for the throne.

But of course, we know Diana will not have any of that. She follows and challenges them in Hera's house.

I enjoyed this issue. We got new gods, we had humor, very good character moments, action, suspense and the story moving along at a nice pace while still this new world unfolds before us.

4.5 out of 5 stars.

Best Panel. Diana, Lennox and Hermes prepare for battle with Apollo and Artemis

Action Comics #11 Review

Superman is fighting in his t-shirt and jeans in his city. He takes down a Metalek,another alien that has shown up who seems to have the intention of conquest.

Inevitably in the battle property is destroyed and Superman helps rebuild homes in record time. Grant weaves in important things like Superman being accepted by people in need, or even feared by the likes of construction bosses who see him as competition. We also have the question of the value of the homes he builds. While it all seems insignificant against big robots and invasions, these are the human/moral aspects of being Superman that often get shoved aside. Superman no longer has the Clark persona to worry about because he has supposedly "died".

But he has taken on the persona of fire fighter, Johnny Clark. This allows him to be a "loner" while saving lives and going "home" to be Superman. It's weird to me no one looks at Johnny's face and not connect it to Superman. Are people really that oblivious? Does a beanie and no history really make a man that less recognizable?

Superman remains with doubts;whether he made the right decision by giving up on Clark. He asks Batman for help. We also see his naive idealism when Batman tells him to eradicate poverty in Somalia by selling the space station. It's pretty evident that our Superman needs to learn some tough lessons about what being Superman means. Batman is more worldy and experienced in this reboot but the World's Finest dynamic has clearly not been forgotten. Superman also seems to wear the armor and the jeans and t-shirt when the occasion calls for it.

We then cut to Lois and her niece, Suzie, who we learn is being tracked by the Blaker Farm ghost Lois had thought was Superman. Turns out he is a mutant with ESP powers and he is there to take Suzie while the earth faces extinction from the "Multitude." Of course Lois is in the thick of things and gets hit by an out of control fire engine and Superman will have to do the inevitable save Lois Lane next issue.

The back up was a nice little story how Clark came up with his everyman Superman outfit and the t-shirts.

I will give this issue 3.5 out of 5. It has some nice moments for our young and growing Superman but I am not sure about the Johnny Clark thing especially if he is going to suddenly go back to Clark in a few issues. The Lois in peril side-plot is oft trod but I get so tired of it.It's like his job in as much as fighting threats and helping people build.

Best Panel: Superman's almost shy look when he is clearly being adored by men and women.

Young Justice Superman and Wonder Woman

I will never get tired of this image.

Kingdom Come Superman and Wonder Woman

Artist Samuel Hunter has done some Kingdom Come art in animation style. Like most sm/ww fans Sam wishes to see an animated feature. But we know KC might be best in CGI and we don't trust the team, led by Bruce Timm to be faithful to the story expecially the sm/ww angle. This might be the closest we ever get to seeing anything like it. Darn DCAU! But bravo, Sam!

Sam's work can be seen here

michel1977

Justice League Pages

I'm not sure if these were test pages done for the rebooted Justice League first arc or another storyline but it's great stuff! Especially Superman kicking ass. Art by Tom Derenick.