Archive for November 17th, 2011


Comic of the Week: Wonder Woman #3

I have never been a huge Wonder Woman fan. The first issues I ever read were the post-Crisis George Perez series and then some of the John Byrne run years later. While I always thought the character and concept had tons of potential, I just never thought anyone came close to realizing it (except maybe for Phil Jimenez’s brilliant run. It’s just a stack of one incredible comic book after another). Now Brian Azzarello and Cliff Chiang have given Wonder Woman a makeover thanks to DC Comics New 52. And after just three issues, I am totally and completely hooked.

This book flat out rocks. Azzarello has taken everything about Wonder Woman, kept what he liked, discarded what he didn’t and what we are left with is a horror story about vengeful Gods and the consequences of their actions. It’s certainly a different approach to the character and maybe just what was needed.

In issue #3, Azzarello begins making some major changes to Wonder Woman and her world, and I mean major. This a status quo altering comic and possibly one of the biggest changes wrought by the New 52. I won’t spoil it for you, but if you’re a fan you need this comic book in your collection. Azzarello’s reinterpretation of Wonder Woman’s supporting cast is also a big plus here. Hippolyta is more in charge, the Amazons are complete badasses and the Gods are just nuts.

Complimenting Azzarello on the artwork is Chiang. His Wonder Woman in strong, feminine and totally in charge. Most artists have a hard time with the character, either making her too girly or too butch. Chiang has found a nice balance that works and fills the rest of the issue with gorgeous backgrounds and fully developed characters.

Wonder Woman, along with Swamp Thing and Animal Man, has been one of the biggest surprises of the New 52. I’m really looking forward to every issue and honestly have no clue what’s going to happen next. It’s been way too long since I felt that way about a comic book series and I like it.

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