By J. Michael Straczynski(writer), Don Kramer, Eduardo Pansica and Allan Goldman (pencils), Jay Leisten and Scott Koblish (inks), Alex Sinclair (colors), Travis Lanham (letters)
The Story: While trying to escort the Amazon refugees to safety, Diana is attacked by the Keres—evil spirits of death—and is dragged down to the Underworld. She escapes with the help of Charon, the one-time Ferryman who is ruling the Underworld in Hades’ absence. Upon returning to her refugees though, Diana finds that she’s gone straight from the frying pan and into the fire.
What’s Good: While I’m still not…really…sure…where they’re going with this story (it’s been three issues; we should have at least some idea by now, right?) I still really enjoyed this issue. The combination of Greek mythology and Wonder Woman mythology is pretty damned inspired. I find it strange that this storyline has added so much of the Greek mythology back into Wonder Woman–she was fighting space aliens before this arc–while simultaneously divesting her of so many of her personal mythological elements. It’s an odd dichotomy, but it works well. Watching a “normal” human working their way through the creatures of Greek mythology while attempting to realize their godly potential is compelling stuff. It’s what makes all of the original tales of demigods so timeless, and it’s a very effective device here as well.
The artwork does an excellent job of handling a very tall order. These are no mere capes, tights and baddies that Don Kramer and company have been asked to create; their pencils are required to bring to life everything from standard military action to refugees in a desert, to the Greek Underworld and the legions of damned souls that inhabit it. While some detail does get lost in the big shots that this art team seems to favor, the overall effect is quite epic, and lends itself to this tale very well.
What’s Not So Good: I like this book. I like the art, and I’m really starting to get into a groove with the story. I’m just still not sure I like it as a story about Wonder Woman. Her characterization seems to get farther and farther away from what made me love her with every new issue. Don’t get me wrong, I quite like this tough-as-nails warrior…it just doesn’t feel like the Diana I know. Which is part of the point I suppose; perhaps part of this warrior’s journey will be finding her way back into the caring, compassionate hero she once was. I hope so.
Conclusion: A very solid story, with a ton of potential for future development. Exciting and fun read, and as long as they keep Wonder Woman moving forward—both as a character and in the physical sense—I’m sticking with it.
Grade: B
-SoldierHawk