I find it fitting that for my 400th book review, I'd praise a 'Wonder Woman' graphic novel.
I've now read over 20 comics about the powerful, beloved Amazon princess - the good, the bad, and the epically diverse, in the many ways her story and character can be interpreted, nearly 80 years since her creation.
'Wonder Woman, Volume 2: Year One' is one of the newest and best editions to her run, and it's yet another origin story. It's somewhat of an homage to George Pérez's 'Gods and Mortals' origin way back in the eighties. But 'Year One', as part of the DC Rebirth line, feels fresh and relevant; an update for its time, in terms of modern sensibilities and issues, and feminism. It depicts Diana as how she should be: compassionate, free-loving, optimistic, intuitive, strong-willed, and vulnerable enough to appear human and sympathetic to those around her.
Wonder Woman is a goddess. An admired goddess finding her place in man's world after leaving her island of Themyscira and her Amazon mother and sisters, presumably forever. She is not an ambassador for her people yet, but a confused alien in the outside world torn apart by terrorism, where she speaks no one's language and doesn't fully understand what is going on. But with the help of Greek gods in the form of animals, her gifts will come to her gradually. Her strength grows as she learns more about the best (love) and worst (hate) of humanity, never letting herself lose her way in the path to truth.
I can't really add anything new here that I haven't already talked about in all the other reviews of 'Wonder Woman' comics that I've done. Those reviews, including this one, add up to the reasons explained in the past for why I adore Wonder Woman so much.
I'll just mention that Greg Rucka really does understand the character - he does seem to understand and respect women all; for a male writer to actually achieve this, to treat it like it isn't a difficulty or an issue at all, and rightly so, it is something worth noting nowadays, sadly. There's no fanservice in this comic, and whaddaya know, it's so much better without it. Diana's relationship with her mother Queen Hippolyta is touching and very well done. Steve Trevor is a good man as he is in the previous volume. There is a small attraction between Lieutenant Etta Candy and Doctor Barbara Ann Minerva, so the LBGT content isn't limited to Diana's own relationships with her fellow Amazons (which there could have been more of, other than a couple of wink-winks on the side. Oh well). Barbara Ann is given a great focus and development in the comic, as an archaeologist, linguist and explorer worthy of Indiana Jones' fame. The art is some of the best I've ever seen; Diana's facial expressions are gold, human. It is bright and beautiful. Her ability to talk to animals is charming, funny and even important to the plot (an owl uses a smartphone at one point. Nuff said). And Wondy's Lasso of Truth is literally named "Perfect" here. Okay, whatever.
Wonder Woman - what a human! For a princess, goddess and icon. She is a very well-rounded, smart, compassionate, excitable, homesick but assertive hero. No character overshadows another in 'Wonder Woman, Volume 2: Year One': it is cleverly written in that regard. Each character is great. And what a beautiful, charming, dramatic, action-packed story.
I will add one thing I want to say about Wonder Woman that I haven't before: To me she has always represented feminism in that there are no limitations placed on anyone just because of one's gender. Being a woman, being feminine, should not be considered a weakness. A woman is strength - in her own abilities and against adversity and oppression - but she can use that strength, plus her own certain privileges, to help others, to share, to spread love all around, and expose truths the patriarchy is not comfortable with. Wonder Woman embodies feminism as it is meant to be - equality for absolutely everybody, and that nothing good, healthy or productive comes out of hatred and ignorance. She is the light in a world full of and yet torn apart by its own divisiveness and diversity, caused by the cruel, the selfish, the lying, and the over-privileged. Wonder Woman may be fictional, but her staying power cannot be ignored and underestimated. People have loved her enough to want to keep seeing her again and again these 75 years. And when she is portrayed poorly, up to thousands of fans' voices will be heard. She is an inspiration. She is an icon. With her first ever feature-length blockbuster movie being one of the greatest successes of this year - a triumph for both female superhero films and female directors - her popularity and influential power has been greater than it has in decades, perhaps since Lynda Carter's famous spin on the character in the seventies.
So 'Year One', written in time for the movie but is its own separate, unique origin story, is special. It may well remain relevant in years to come. In the name of Wonder Woman, feminism and the world and its social and political climates and cultures.
Happy 400th review!!!
Final Score: 4.5/5
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