Wonder Woman #58
Christina Hamlet
Recap
This issue starts with a new creative team and a new direction for Wonder Woman and friends. We catch up on the happenings on Themyscira and learn that at least one person has found a use for Grail -- Ares. The god of war has had an epiphany of late, spelling disaster for the island and major trouble for Diana.
Back in the States, the events of the last few arcs seem to have been left behind. Diana and Steve have gotten a little R&R and downtime with each other. A bit into things Diana has a premonition that sends her into the heart of battle to rescue someone dear to her heart. Etta Candy makes reappears as a support character trying to keep everything (including Diana) under control in a war-torn situation.
We get an inkling that the events on Themyscira at the beginning have bled into the "mainland" with the appearance of some mythological creatures in the middle of an action-filled struggle, leading up to a last page confrontation that leaves readers wondering if this story is going to end in more major heartbreak for Diana.
Review
This issue has a feel of getting back to business so to speak after the interlude of the Witching Hour crossover. There aren’t really any new players playing prominent roles, at least not yet, but we catch up on several of the old guard like Trevor and Candy, and we see others like Grail adjusting to their new realities. Grail makes a fairly brief appearance, but it’s likely she will play more of a role as the story progresses.
Wilson establishes the story pretty quickly and appears comfortable writing the characters she’s lined up and their roles in the story. This arc looks to focus primarily on Ares, though his intentions are still unknown. Historically, gods who suddenly find new purpose tend to spell major disaster for Wonder Wonder. We’re heading into yet another god arc, which has been fairly non-stop since Rucka’s run ended (and even before), but this one has a bit more of a personal feel to it.
Cary Nord and Mick Gray serve up a different style of art, a bit sketchier than the highly-detailed work of the last arc major arc or the classic style of the ones before it. But the art fits in well with the constantly-moving action of the story. From the first page the story never stops moving but doesn’t ever feel rushed all the way to the full-stop of the final page. And what a stop it is. Diana is going to have to step carefully to emerge unscathed on this one.
Final Thoughts
A new story starts with some literal earth-shaking and ends with some figurative heart-stopping. This story assumes some knowledge of Wonder Woman's world, but pretty basic knowledge, so it's a great jumping in point for new readers or a way back for people that are returning to the book. Overall a highly enjoyable issue and a great start for the new team.
Wonder Woman #58: Let loose the dogs of…..Justice?
- Writing - 10/1010/10
- Storyline - 9/109/10
- Art - 8/108/10
- Color - 8/108/10
- Cover Art - 10/1010/10