Wonder Woman 80th Anniversary: “Saturn Rising”

It is evident, as it was during Steve Orlando’s Wonder Woman run, that he is very much a fan. That much is obvious from his deeply researched stories and his ability to draw from things that may or may not be no longer canon or things that simply everyone else had forgotten about.

“Saturn Rising” takes inspiration from Wonder Woman #10 which was first published in 1944. During a time of political unrest and the churning war against the Nazis in Europe and amassing tensions between the USA and Japan it wasn’t uncommon for comics to rely on themes of foreign invaders controlled by unimaginable dictators.

Fast forward to 2021 and sadly the theme of fighting evil oppressors who persecute the very people they have sworn to protect is still all to relevant.

What begins as a discussion of duels ends in a way that is true to the very message Wonder Woman encompasses. Compassion and looking towards the future for the greater good. A way to bring peace, discussion and understanding to the table. A trait that Orlando understands well in the way that he writes Diana.

Laura Braga is personally one of my favourite comic book artists and it pains me that there are no long standing runs of her work on DC comics with only stand-in issues or shorts here and there but still her work is always an absolute delight to see. Braga has a knack for capturing beauty from the detail in the eyes, the subtlety of character’s noses and the softness of their lips Braga always brings the eye candy and this is no exception and mixed with Fajardo Jr.’s exquisite colours make for one heck of a feast.