The newest 'Wonder Woman' comic from the DC Universe Rebirth launch, and it is truly a relief how impressed I am.
Greg Rucka is brought in to write Wonder Woman once again. Despite the concern that yes, male writers keep getting work for writing her character as opposed to female writers who are just as capable and talented, Rucka doesn't disappoint.
The plot of 'Wonder Woman, Volume 1: The Lies' is a mysterious journey of literal self-discovery, and full of spoilers, so I won't reveal much. Only that its themes of truth, unraveling lies and deceit, dismantling the patriarchy, and helping others find their true selves and potential despite what oppressive leaders tell them - what Wonder Woman is about as a feminist icon - are all here. It's so gratifying in modern times to see the Amazon princess as what she was originally intended: a peace-keeping symbol of freedom for women everywhere. Her purpose involves love, community and protection for the vulnerable.
Diana is determined to find out just what the hell is going on in her life, as she feels her story "keeps changing". Meta-awareness of retcons is the starting point of 'The Lies'. Clever. In Rebirth Diana is a warrior, but only as a last resort will she use violence to overcome her obstacles. She is a kind, compassionate, selfless and intelligent teacher and diplomat, with a bit of an awkward, shy side to her that makes her more human than I've seen her in years in DC's shifting canon continuity.
There is also Wonder Woman's long-time foe Cheetah, aka Barbara Ann Minerva, who is given the chance to switch sides and overcome her curse as a prisoner of the Madonna/Whore-shaming and male entitlement. This comic is probably the best I've ever seen of Steve Trevor, a great, heroic soldier who treats Diana as an individual human being, and is aware of the terms "entitlement" and "toxic masculinity". Though admittedly his role does reinforce the blond White Saviour image in a foreign country. Steve ends up a damsel in distress whom Wonder Woman rescues, so no big change there. Him being eye candy as a beefcake for the heterosexual female gaze has nothing to do with my praise (honest). Etta Candy is Steve's commander, a black woman and an ops leader, fully in charge.
Well-known characters are treated with respect; close friendships and acquaintances abound. Everyone's a team player in each other's lives, earned through their long history together. Greg Rucka also brings back characters from his previous run of 'Wonder Woman'. Read on to find out who they are.
'Wonder Woman, Volume 1: The Lies' is solid and well-written, however it isn't a complete story by any stretch, nor a reboot. Basic knowledge of Wonder Woman is required to understand the situations going on. There is a White Saviour presence with Wondy saving indigenous women from slavery in a jungle setting, and then helping them help themselves against a product of their own misogynistic culture; apparently it didn't occur to them to try that in the first place. Not even in captivity. The action sequences happen either too quickly or off-panel, and while this does showcase Diana in a more peaceful light, weapons are still used for bloody mutilations, so it looks dishonest.
Footnote: I really don't like the pairing of Superman (mentioned in passing) and Wonder Woman. Even she acknowledges how it doesn't make sense. It just doesn't work; never has and never will.
But I really like how there is little dialogue in the whole volume; with less telling than showing, the reader can further appreciate Diana's identity crisis plight, the dark atmosphere and fitting artwork. The ending panels, the last page, are devastatingly tragic for her. 'The Lies' is a perfect title for the volume, since lies have always been the heroine's poignant enemy. And, really, anything that tries to undo Brian Azzarello's New 52 bastardization of her is an instant win in my book. It's nonsensical, misguided, disrespectful, and a horrific misunderstanding of Wonder Woman's character for her to be the God of War, whose merits and approval revolve entirely around the men in her life, and for her home of Themyscira to be a shithole.
That's it for now, on reading my first DC Rebirth title. All I have left to say is:
Welcome back, Wonder Woman. Welcome back.
Final Score: 4/5
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