Written By Gail Simone
Art by Aaron Lopresti and Matt Ryan
“In her satin tights, fighting for our rights and the Ole Red White and Blue”
That line from the 1970s Wonder Woman television show starring Linda Carter encompasses what most people think about Wonder Woman. If not that, we get the whole cheesecake idea of a sexy woman with a lasso. Thankfully, Gail Simone, the second female author to tackle the character in a monthly book since its inception, understands Wonder Woman and how great she can be as a third in DC’s Trinity of greats along with Superman and Batman. With this current storyline, Simone is exploring how bad and possibly Wonder Woman can be. Interested?
The Book
Wonder Woman #22 is the third installment in the story “Ends of the Earth. Before this issue Wonder Woman has been fighting alongside Beowulf of literature and Freshmen English fame. Stay with me. However, she is exploring some sort of curse and Diana’s right hand is possessed by some evil entity. The evil is so pronounced that she cannot respond to her truth lasso.
This book has one of the best openings I have seen in a while in a monthly book. The reader sees how bad the world can be if Wonder Woman is indeed evil. Here is a hint, Darkseid’s head on a spit in a throne room. The rest of the book is really good too. However, that opening is wonderful.
Gail Simone gives us a Wonder Woman that is equal parts Diana and Wonder Woman. Since her start on the book, Simone has made Wonder Woman a relatable character. We understand why she does the things she does.
Simone’s run is comparable to the reintroduction of the character in the 1980s by George Perez and Len Wein. The characters are well rounded and Simone is a great storyteller. The only problem I have with this series arc is that I want more marquee villains for Wonder Woman. I would love to see a Cheetah or Circe story. However, I’m sure they will make their way into this fine book soon.
8/10
The Artwork
Aaron Lopresti’s take on Wonder Woman is more of a simplified George Perez type style but I love it. Thankfully, Lopresti gives Wonder Woman a noble look instead of the cheesecake art that plagued the 1990s and still plagues many art tables at cons. That’s right guys you are on notice! Lopresti fills each panel with action that you must really look over to enjoy fully. I honestly put him in the same category as George Perez and John Byrne. Read this book for its great writing and enjoy the great art too.
9/10
Overall ( Not an Average) 8.5/10
The Review
The Story 8/10
The Artwork 9/10
Overall (Not an Average) 8.5/10