Wonder Woman #771: It’s 10:30! Diana! Diana! Why Isn’t the Egg Man Here?

We continue Diana’s mission in Valhalla, as she meets a Thor who doesn’t look anything like Chris Hemsworth, faces some murk elves, is visited by the mysterious stranger trying to wake her up from this state she’s in, finds one of her classic rogues mysteriously in Asgard making weapons with the dwarves, strikes a deal with Naghini–I mean the World Serpent, climbs Yggdrasil, hangs with Odin, and poaches an egg from a giant eagle atop the world tree. 

So there’s a lot that happens in this issue. Diana still isn’t sure what’s going on, but continues on her quest to save Yggdrasil, find the missing Valkyrior, and save the souls of the dead heroes who are wandering around in the mists of oblivion, unable to find their way back to the halls of Valhalla, possibly being lost forever. Cloonan and Conrad are on fire here. They’ve taken Diana out of her comfort zone by putting her into a mystery involving a pantheon of gods that aren’t her own, and given her some fun characters to work off of with Ratatosk. We also get another hint at who the mysterious stranger who’s trying to wake her up from whatever is happening to her before it’s too late, and has a cameo from classic Wonder Woman rogue Dr. Cizko (aka Dr. Psycho). 

There’s not a lot of action here, which works for this arc, because instead of padding the book with needless fight scenes, Cloonan and Conrad have given us a real quest that traverses through many locales in Asgard. They nail the characterization of the mythological Thor. He’s a pompous, misogynist drunk, who dismisses Diana’s concerns, and just paints a picture of how mythological gods were really portrayed in stories.  They’re not here to address our concerns, they’re here to celebrate their godliness, and have us sing their praises. Cloonan and Conrad have given us a Diana who is a lot less formal when speaking, which is a welcome throwback to her Golden and Bronze Age roots, where Diana isn’t above throwing a quip, and doesn’t have her using a Shakespearean patois. It’s really a breath of fresh air.

Travis Moore and Tamara Bonvillain create a world of majesty, and horror effortlessly, and it’s truly something beautiful to behold. Moore’s Diana is both beautiful, and divine, while the colors of Bonvillain creates an atmosphere that compliments and enhances the environment that Moore creates with his pencils that is just a treat to hold. I have nothing really negative to say regarding this run so far, except it’s killing me that they’ve gone back to a monthly release schedule as opposed to the bi-weekly release schedule DC had pre-Future State. 

After the main story we’re treated to another chapter of Young Diana by Jordie Bellaire and Paulina Ganucheau, which is a fun little tale that gives us a peak at what Diana was like growing up. Jordie and Paulina have Clio take Diana through a history lesson of the Amazons and Themyscira. The art is playful, and reminds me of Steven Universe, while the colors are bright and vibrant. I’m not sure if this story is in continuity or not, but it has already returned some of the Golden Age fantasy elements, like Jumpa and Flicka, the flying Kangas, and reintroduced Dooms Doorways with this issue. Just really fun stuff all around.