Another one I picked up on a whim. It was OK, the art was nice, and the story - apparently shenanigans are occurring among the Olympians and a mortal woman has gotten herself caught up in them - is entertaining enough. I think I would've liked it a little more if they'd've done more with the character of Wonder Woman herself. They never really address what her current status quo is or who her supporting cast is these days.
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This is one of my favorites of the bunch, so far. Wonder Woman seems recognizable, but is seen with Zola's fresh eyes, and certainly things of great portent are about to go down. The gods are mysterious and dreadful, and Chiang's art is clean and sharp. I want more immediately.
I enjoyed this one a lot. It's not uncommon to see Wonder Woman kicking butt, but this butt-kicking didn't involve people being stunned by her good looks first (or much of the "male gaze"). She was strong, confident and extremely skilled. I think this will appeal to a lot of people.
Cliff Chiang is a fantastic comics artist. I don't know why he's had to serve his time up til now doing things like the DiDio-mandated Green Arrow/Black Canary comics and such. He knows his onions. Although the art here is more 'rough-hewn' than the GA/BC stuff that made me an instant convert to the artist, there's a lot to recommend it.
As John says, Wonder Woman is depicted as gorgeous and strong and heroic, without just being there to please the male gaze. Her new costume really works under Chiang's pen. You wouldn't be embarassed showing this to a female friend as the kind of thing you read, if you see what I mean...
There's a Hollywood style chase scene with a mad superhero comic twist that Chiang breaks down very clearly, despite the speed and complexity of the events.
Chiang is just as much a cartoonist as an illustrator, by which I mean he can exagerate expressions and body language so that eveything comes alive on the page. This is a GOOD THING, even if it isn't very fashinable these days.
As Rob says the Gods here are scary and alien and very removed from us little folk, and its obviously not recommended to become involved in their machinations. It seems the most 'realistic' and entertaining way to present them. I hope they keep it up.
It's a first issue that isn't an origin. We just see WW jump out of bed, kit up and 'go do some good'. She's Wonder Woman, that's all we need to know.
That I haven't mentioned Azerello's writing up to now is probably a good thing. There is nothing between the story he wants to tell and the telling of it, which can be the case with more self-conscious writers.
This is a very very very very good comic, without perhaps being a GREAT one, but these days, that's to be highly praised.
Okay, I'm almost sold, but ... what about Diana Prince? Is she around, or is this one of those books where the hero is a superhero all the time? That's not a deal-breaker, but it could be a point for or against the book ...
The fact that "it's a first issue that isn't an origin" is a point in its favor, as I see it.
Well she just gets out of bed and kicks some A in this one, so we don't know anything about another life. She does insist her new charge calls her Diana straight off the bat though, which probably indicates that her secret identity isn't a big secret as far as she's concerned....
There's no indication for or against a Diana Prince in the book. An interview with Azzarello on CBR seems to indicate she doesn't feel the need for a secret ID, though. I wouldn't expect a lot of the human cast trappings of previous WW runs, though he does mention that Steve Trevor will eventually show up.
Oh, and every word Figs says is so, so true. Chiang on his own is worth checking out a book for -- but with a confident, outside-the-box storyteller like Azzarello providing the scripts, I think this will be one of the most special books of the new DCU.
If I might go on, this is exactly how a first issue should be done.
We jump in right in the middle of exciting events. We don't get any backstory for the heroine, but we know in a couple of panels exactly what she's about. (In this case, being wonderful!)
There are mysteries aplenty, so I am intrigued enough to keep reading, but we are told just enough so that we aren't competely lost.
I have to say, I don't see how the following words of the Baron are a criticism at all:
"I think I would've liked it a little more if they'd've done more with the character of Wonder Woman herself. They never really address what her current status quo is or who her supporting cast is these days."
That's all meat and drink to a good longform story. I don't see why that stuff has to be in a reader-grabbing first issue.
I have seen it argued about other recent first issues though, that it's ok if they don't grab the reader, or set up what the drama is going to be, or show us what's on the cover (or even are any good), as later issues will provide the interest and thrills! Now that is madness!
Speaking of the Male Gaze after I wrote that, I read "Red Lanterns" No. 1, which included one shot of a Red whose ass was hanging between her thong, and and jutted out to the reader.
And, just so you know, the book stunk on ice.
One step forward (Wonder Woman), two steps back (Red Lanterns).
Replies
Well, here goes:
Cliff Chiang is a fantastic comics artist. I don't know why he's had to serve his time up til now doing things like the DiDio-mandated Green Arrow/Black Canary comics and such. He knows his onions. Although the art here is more 'rough-hewn' than the GA/BC stuff that made me an instant convert to the artist, there's a lot to recommend it.
As John says, Wonder Woman is depicted as gorgeous and strong and heroic, without just being there to please the male gaze. Her new costume really works under Chiang's pen. You wouldn't be embarassed showing this to a female friend as the kind of thing you read, if you see what I mean...
There's a Hollywood style chase scene with a mad superhero comic twist that Chiang breaks down very clearly, despite the speed and complexity of the events.
Chiang is just as much a cartoonist as an illustrator, by which I mean he can exagerate expressions and body language so that eveything comes alive on the page. This is a GOOD THING, even if it isn't very fashinable these days.
As Rob says the Gods here are scary and alien and very removed from us little folk, and its obviously not recommended to become involved in their machinations. It seems the most 'realistic' and entertaining way to present them. I hope they keep it up.
It's a first issue that isn't an origin. We just see WW jump out of bed, kit up and 'go do some good'. She's Wonder Woman, that's all we need to know.
That I haven't mentioned Azerello's writing up to now is probably a good thing. There is nothing between the story he wants to tell and the telling of it, which can be the case with more self-conscious writers.
This is a very very very very good comic, without perhaps being a GREAT one, but these days, that's to be highly praised.
Okay, I'm almost sold, but ... what about Diana Prince? Is she around, or is this one of those books where the hero is a superhero all the time? That's not a deal-breaker, but it could be a point for or against the book ...
If I might go on, this is exactly how a first issue should be done.
We jump in right in the middle of exciting events. We don't get any backstory for the heroine, but we know in a couple of panels exactly what she's about. (In this case, being wonderful!)
There are mysteries aplenty, so I am intrigued enough to keep reading, but we are told just enough so that we aren't competely lost.
I have to say, I don't see how the following words of the Baron are a criticism at all:
That's all meat and drink to a good longform story. I don't see why that stuff has to be in a reader-grabbing first issue.
I have seen it argued about other recent first issues though, that it's ok if they don't grab the reader, or set up what the drama is going to be, or show us what's on the cover (or even are any good), as later issues will provide the interest and thrills! Now that is madness!
Speaking of the Male Gaze after I wrote that, I read "Red Lanterns" No. 1, which included one shot of a Red whose ass was hanging between her thong, and and jutted out to the reader.
And, just so you know, the book stunk on ice.One step forward (Wonder Woman), two steps back (Red Lanterns).
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