Wonder Woman Historia: the Amazons #1
B. Radtz
Recap
The wait is over, and the entire story of the Amazons can finally be told! Millennia ago, Queen Hera and the goddesses of the Olympian pantheon grew greatly dissatisfied with their male counterparts…and far from their sight, they put a plan into action. A new society was born, one never before seen on Earth, capable of wondrous and terrible things…but their existence could not stay secret for long. When a despairing woman named Hippolyta crossed the Amazons’ path, a series of events was set in motion that would lead to an outright war in heaven—and the creation of the Earth’s greatest guardian!
Legendary talents Kelly Sue DeConnick and Phil Jimenez unleash a reading experience the likes of which you’ve never seen, with unbelievably sumptuous art and a story that will haunt you—with subsequent issues featuring art by modern masters Gene Ha and Nicola Scott! One of the most unforgettable DC tales of all time begins here!
Review
The first issue of the Black Label series Kelly Sue DeConnick and Phil Jimenez’s Wonder Woman Historia: Amazons has finally arrived, after years of production delays that have plagued this book, and was it worth it? The short answer is yes. YESSSSSSSSSSSSSS. Kelly Sue is doing things with the origin of Themyscira, and amping it up beyond what we’re used to. The gods and goddesses evoke regality, and are just abstract enough to make them eclipse all of their other iterations from the DC continuity.
Kelly Sue is mining deep into they mythology of these characters, and portraying them more like they were in the myths, as opposed to the benevolent beings who are only used sparingly in the WW mythos, or straight up nemeses, or used as plot devices to create conflict or in need of rescuing, and it’s much applauded. Kelly Sue really wants to show the enormity of the situation that causes the goddesses to unite to create this utopia for the women who have always remained loyal to them.
It’s absolutely epic from cover to cover, and the art by Jimenez might be career defining. I’ve always loved Phil’s art since his run on Team Titans from the 90’s, and it’s just gotten better. His growth has fully transformed, and I’m more in love with it today than I was then. He’s grown into something more than the George Perez loyal acolyte, into a true craftsman. The designs for all of the different gods and goddesses are utterly immaculate, and the world of both Olympus and that of Earth are both beautiful, and frightening at the same time. I can’t wait to see the rest of this. You also get the character sheets that Jimenez used to create these masterpieces. Jaw dropping stuff here.
The biggest issue I had with the issue was the lack of Amazons. I mean, I understand that it’s about the process that led to the goddesses creating a paradise for the women, but I was hoping they’d at least show up. Fortunately the world Kelly and Phil created here is lush, poetic, breathtaking, honestly I can’t state how much I loved this book enough. If this is just the first issue, I hope that my body is ready for the rest.
Final Thoughts
The wait for this book is finally over, and the final product is a lush, chaotic, staggering, and horrifying at the same time. Kelly Sue’s vision for the gods are very loyal to their mythological counterparts, combined with Phil Jimenez’s art, it’s a book I couldn’t stop looking at. I immersed myself into this world fully, and each page was more impressive than the last. If you’re a fan of Wonder Woman, Greek mythology, or new to comics, be prepared to be dazzled.
Wonder Woman Historia: the Amazons #1: I would do anything for love
- Writing - 10/1010/10
- Storyline - 10/1010/10
- Art - 10/1010/10
- Color - 10/1010/10
- Cover Art - 10/1010/10