By: Brian Azzarello (story), Tony Akins (pencils), Dan Green (inks), Matthew Wilson (colors)
The Story: Not even the god of death can keep crashers from his wedding.
The Review: As I read this month’s issue of Wonder Woman, I suddenly thought about All-Star Superman and what made it such a great, timeless story for the Man of Steel. Writers tend to pay attention to superheroes for their power sets and fantastical backgrounds, but in All-Star, Grant Morrison managed to craft tales which got to the very essence of what made Superman beloved in the first place: a character who makes you believe anything is possible.
The reason why any of this is relevant to Wonder Woman is because Azzarello is attempting the same feat with comics’ leading lady. We haven’t seen a lot of physical challenges for our heroine, which at first seems a waste of her strengths, but now I begin to think Azzarello wants us to put her bodily gifts aside. The obstacles he’s set in her path may not require outstanding bouts of warrior prowess, but they’ve been no less demanding on her.
So far, every conflict Diana’s had to face has tested her will in some way. I realize this isn’t the most astute observation; every superhero has to put their will to use no matter what problem they have to deal with. But Wonder Woman’s problems are of mythic proportions, and the strength of will she must bring to bear necessarily is of that scale. Whether she defies the scorn of her sisters, the wrath of the queen of gods, the threats of the lord of death, or possibly the binding love induced by Eros’ bullets, you plainly see her determination to stand for what is right.
Perhaps that’s what gains her the loyalty of Hephaestus, Hermes, and Eros. They may be her siblings, but as we’ve seen, that lone doesn’t inspire much devotion among divinities. In fact, it’s been downright odd that they’ve been as helpful to her as we’ve seen. Every god seems to have some kind of agenda, however inscrutable to us mortals; what do these three hope to get out of aiding Diana against their fellow Olympians?
And while we’re on the topic of shady gods, how about that Strife? True, you can say she’s simply living up to her name and nature when she shows up, wily-nily, instilling doubt and dropping truth-bombs as she goes. But that seems too neat an explanation for her behavior. Perhaps her actions are malicious; it could be she hasn’t forgotten the injury she received from Diana in #4. There seems little other reason for her to mess with her uncle.
As for Hades, who can tell what he wants, since he doesn’t know himself? Strife observes his taste in women lean towards the “hard-to-get,” but is his desire for Diana just that—wanting to attain the unattainable? He claims at first he’s “incapable of love,” then expresses a strangely vulnerable uncertainty the next moment, saying he’s “not entirely sure” of that claim. Strife mentions he’s been “disappointed” by love, which certainly indicates he can be affected by love, and from what we see of how he treated his first wife, his emotions run pretty deep, I’d say. So there’s a lot more than pride at stake in this question of whether Diana has truly fallen for him.
I continue to believe Akins is not an appropriate fit for this title, and this issue offers some good reasons why. His cartoonish approach to emotion feels too exaggerated for the script Azzarello wants to go for. Strife’s expressions are almost comically pronounced, making you wonder how anyone falls for her mind games. When Wonder Woman weeps, the tears puddle in a very un-Diana-like way.
Conclusion: Definitely not your typical Wonder Woman story, but a hugely fascinating one nonetheless.
Grade: B
– Minhquan Nguyen
Some Musings: – Using your father as a throne, his belly gutted so you can more comfortably lean back? I think it’s safe to say Hades has more than just issues—he’s got problems.
– Considering Hades’ daughters are snake-headed dog women, is it okay to conclude that Diana’s future sisters-in-law will be venomous bitches?
Grade
Conclusion