I came into JMS’ new take on Wonder Woman with reservations. The new costume was better than some Diana has worn. But I still preferred the classic look. And the idea that Wonder Woman’s back story had to be retooled in order to make her relevant was somewhat insulting. Despite my concerns, I tried to approach the book with an open mind.
Three issues in, I’m glad I gave this book the benefit of the doubt. While I don’t think rebooting Diana’s history was necessary per se, there’s no doubt it has allowed JMS to really hone in on his version of the character.
As much as I love Wonder Woman, it seems that few writers really know what to do with her. I think that’s because she is so multi-faceted. And many of her defining traits seem at odds. She is an ambassador and a warrior. A symbol of feminism and a sex symbol. She is all things to all people and that makes her a tough character to find a voice for.
By stripping Diana of all of her history (at least for now) JMS has simplified the character. She is a warrior on the run. Her motivation is clearer than it has ever been. She seeks to save her people and avenge her mother.
The story JMS is telling is a classic “hero’s quest”. His Diana is inexperienced and has to complete the tasks her gods have set before her in order to be worthy of the mantle of Wonder Woman. It’s a simple tale that’s been told a million times over. But so far, JMS and Don Kramer have been telling it well. And these stories are all about execution.
As befits a “hero’s quest”, the story has its roots in Greek mythology. This issue sees Diana fighting off harpies the rest of the Amazons can’t see. The harpies drag her soul to Tartarus for yet another trial. In Tartarus, Diana discovers that Hades has gone missing which I can only assume is a piece of the larger puzzle in the story of how her history has changed.
Don Kramer really rises to the challenge here. He tackles the big mythology stuff like hordes of damned souls awaiting passage across the River Styx, caverns full of bat-like harpies and of course the three-headed guard dog, Cerberus. He also manages the tricky task of making Diana a strong, beautiful warrior without turning her into a pin-up.
The final page sets up a show-down I can’t wait to see play out. I don’t know how long this storyline can hold my interest before I will tire of the mystery, but for now I am hooked.
oh man I could not disagree with you more. Sorry I’ve already read this story and hated it with Winick’s Shazam. The only thing i can say about JMS’ Wonderwoman is that it is slightly less abysmal that his Superman. I wish i could really defend my position better than the common troll but really it comes down to what you call “classic,” I see as cliche and boring. Given that this character has over 70 years of history to mine, this is how things are brought back to basics?
I totally agree.
I see what you’re saying. I actually thought about Winick’s Shazam too. Funny story: I liked that too.
I think I’d be more bothered if I thought this backstory was going to stick. But it’s pretty clear in the first issue that someone messed with time. I expect that things will be more or less back to normal by the end of JMS’ first arc.
In the meanwhile, this is a pretty good, bare bones take on Wonder Woman. Nothing earth shattering. Definitely mining the cliches. But like I said, it’s all in the execution. In this case, I found myself sucked in.
If this stretches out too long, I can easily see myself losing interest. But for now, I’m happy to play along.
Its not the worse thing in the world. Nor was Trials Of Shazam. However it suffers from the same faults, when you arrogant cast out a characters mythology in order to modernize them you will alienate that characters fan base who loves the things you just threw out. I am not really a fan of Wonder Woman (I do love me some big red cheese) but I don’t like this treatment on principle. I get what your saying about its temporariness but I fear that the genius at DC won’t know the differences between playing along and a mandate to keep the changes.
With Shazam, I would have preferred a more traditional take on things. But since DC can’t seem to get that right, I enjoyed Winick’s take while it lasted. The odds it would catch on were slim to none and we all know how that played out.
With WW, I got the feeling in the very first issue that JMS was saying “relax, this isn’t going to last”. He out and out said the time line had been messed with. And Diana had a vision of herself in the classic costume. So I feel pretty safe in the assumption that he doesn’t want this to be permanent.
If DC decides to extend this, I’m fairly certain it can’t last any longer that Worlds of New Krypton before someone at WB demands that they bring back the star-spangled tights used on all the merch.
If it turns out I’m wrong, I’ll be the first one to fire up a rant!
I think this may be a new take on the contest done by the gods to test Diana and see if she is still worthy of the mantle of Wonder Woman.It also,with an altered timeline,be a way of cleaning up continuity a bit when Diana fixes things.I hope we get the classic back,revitalizrd for the future,for 2011,her 70th anniversary and that this new costume goes away except maybe for deep undercover missions on occasion.
JMS is the same person who gave us the “Diana Went Dancing the Night Babs Got Shot” story. What other male superhero would do that if he knew a friend of his was going to have a cap busted on him?
That’s right. None. Not one.
But Diana is a girl so, yeah, she goes dancing. And, no, I never bought JMS’s “you can’t cross the streams” BS. Again. How many male superheros would be written that way? That’s right. None.
JMS has no idea how to write WW. There’s nothing “New” here by any stretch of the imagination. WW has become a JMS-inspired parody of Trinity from the Matrix. Point in fact: now she packs heat.
Before we know it we’ll find out Diana had an illicit affair with the Joker and gave birth to twins.
Those are the “tools” JMS brings to his work. Sorry, but there’s nothing really to see here other than the same old hackery we’ve come to expect.
Totally respect your impassioned and well-argued reaction. I never did read the BatB story you’re referring to, so I can’t speak to that. I’m not sure I get how Diana is anything like Trinity from the Matrix, however.
I do agree he’s not bringing anything new here. In fact, he’s repackaging a lot of stuff that is very, very old. I understand why this wouldn’t sit well with many readers. I didn’t expect to like it. But to my surprise, I found myself entertained.
Different strokes for different folks, I guess.