Review: Wonder Woman Volume 6 - Bones

With the First Born sending his forces of darkness to Paradise Island to slay the Amazons, Wonder Woman must unite her people as their new queen in order to survive this onslaught. Meanwhile, the Olympian Gods are in danger as the First Born makes it his mission to eliminate all immortals. As time begins running out, it becomes clear that the key to his defeat may be Zola and her child.

Wonder Woman Volume 6: Bones collects Wonder Woman #30-35 and material from Secret Origins #6, written by Brian Azzarello and with art by Cliff Chiang and Goran Sudzuka.

After nearly three years on Wonder Woman, Brian Azzarello concludes his critically-acclaimed (and often divisive) run in Bones. It’s an action-packed finale that features a bloodied battle on Paradise Island as the Amazons fight off an assault by the First Born’s forces while Wonder Woman herself faces off against her wayward brother. It’s a satisfying way to end a run that had its ups and downs, thus tying up all the loose ends and even making strides in giving the Amazons a chance at redemption for their past indiscretions. There’s also a rather brilliant twist towards the end that feels right at home with Azzarello’s penchant for playing with Greek mythology’s more twisted elements.

What is crucial about Bones is that it brings back the focus to the star of the book. Despite being the headliner in the title, Wonder Woman has at times not seemed as important or as interesting as her supporting cast. She’s vacillated between being Zola’s bodyguard and being a pawn in the games of the Gods. This trade paints a much clearer portrait of who she is. She is a leader capable of inspiring others and uniting a divided nation, she is a loyal friend who will do anything to protect those she loves most, and she will fight for the greater good even when it means she must take a life to do so. All of this character exploration is done by spending less time with Wonder Woman in action and more time with her actually talking or having others talk about her. It's refreshing and it helps to remind readers that Wonder Woman isn't and should never be defined solely as a warrior. She does more than just swing a sword around.

Brian Azzarello, Cliff Chiang, and Goran Sudzuka’s tenure on Wonder Woman is a rare gem in the landscape that is mainstream comics. It’s uncommon to get a series that is as cohesive narratively and aesthetically as this one, telling an epic story from start to finish with artwork that is unique to this world. It’s not interrupted by rotating artists nor is the story derailed by crossovers or events. If anything, Azzarello and co.’s Wonder Woman reads like a comic book from outside of the Big Two and this works to its advantage. For those who stuck with these series, Bones should be a thrilling (and slightly bizarre) conclusion that does everything it needs to. It’s unlikely to sway any naysayers, but there at least seems to be an effort made to address the criticisms of Azzarello’s characterization of Wonder Woman and the Amazons. As a whole, this creative team and their run is worthy of being considered one of the best.

RATING: A-

Review: Wonder Woman Volume 5 - Flesh

Having bested the deadly First Born in battle, Wonder Woman is crowned as the new God of War. While she’s expected to take up her rightful place on Mount Olympus, it’s clear that the Amazon Princess has no intention of doing so. Meanwhile, the nefarious Cassandra is hellbent on rescuing the First Born after he is captured by Apollo. As the First Born’s most devoted (and demented) follower, she will stop at nothing to find him.

Wonder Woman Volume 5: Flesh collects issues 24-29 of Wonder Woman and Wonder Woman #23.2, written by Brian Azzarello and illustrated by Cliff Chiang and Goran Sudzuka.

As Azzarello’s run on Wonder Woman hurtles towards it conclusion, Flesh serves as a brilliant reminder of where we are in this epic and how far these characters have come. This volume, on the surface, appears transitional. It serves a bridge towards the climax of Azzarello’s tenure on the book, functioning as the set-up for Wonder Woman’s final fight against the First Born. Of course, this is nothing new for the New 52 Wonder Woman title. From the get-go, it has unfolded like an ancient Greek epic – expansive and never-ending, consistently building towards and hinting at something bigger and badder for the Amazon Princess. Where the preceding volume suffered from the transitive nature of Azzarello’s storytelling, Flesh is so much more layered and exciting.

The overall themes of this collection are rebirth and redemption. Azzarello hones in on his characters, catching them at a distinctive moment of change for each of them. Wonder Woman is the new God of War, Hermes is actively seeking forgiveness for his past indiscretions, Zola seeks her independence, and Hera’s role within the Wonder Woman family shifts drastically. The interplay between Wonder Woman and the Gods is really interesting, particularly since we’re getting to see the different facets of Diana’s personality. She toys with Artemis, consoles Hera and rebels against Apollo. Most fascinating, however, may be her relationship with Hermes. Despite all Hera has done, Diana has forgiven her – but she has not extended the same privilege to the messenger god. It shows that our titular heroine is not without flaws or beyond holding grudges.

Volume after volume, Azzarello continues to make me love and care for these characters. They grow and evolve, especially in Flesh. Once again, I find myself drawn to Hera. She’s been a source of comedic relief, particularly when played against Zola. Here, she’s given even more dimensions. We see Hera mourning her former life more seriously, as well as embracing her new life as a mortal. She provides readers with an interesting commentary on what it means to be human.

Wonder Woman Volume 5: Flesh is yet another exciting entry into Azzarello’s impeccable take on the Amazon Princess. Chiang and Sudzuka’s art work in tandem to create a stylish and cohesive aesthetic for this world, something which has been consistent across the entirety of Azzarello’s tenure on Wonder Woman. The changes made to the characters in this volume are intriguing and breathe new life into this series. Unlike most other writers who write for the Big Two, Azzarello proves how rewarding and engaging a comic book can be when you abandon the six-part storyline format. By the end of this collection, you realize that you’ve been reading a seamless continuous story not contrived solely for the purpose of being sold as a trade paperback. Above all else, you’re left loving Wonder Woman and waiting with bated breath for what’s going to happen next.

RATING: A-

Review: Wonder Woman Vol. 4 - War

After a brief jaunt to New Genesis, Wonder Woman is forced to face off against the merciless First Born in order to protect the life of her infant half-brother Zeke. Things get complicated when the God of War intervenes, lending his support to the Amazon Princess. Even still, the aging God's diminished power may not be enough to defeat the First Born once and for all.

Wonder Woman Volume 4: War collects issues 19-23 of Wonder Woman, written by Brian Azzarello and art by Cliff Chiang and Goran Sudzuka.

For roughly 18 issues, writer Brian Azzarello has been on point with delivering an incredibly satisfying and epic run on Wonder Woman. He has a firm grasp on the character and has thus far created a very unique world for the titular heroine, with a whole lot of aesthetic help from artist Cliff Chiang. By issue 19, it becomes clear that a plateau may have been reached for the duo.

War details Wonder Woman's continued battle for the safety of her baby half-brother from the clutches of the Olympians, as well as from the villainous First Born. Key word here being "continued." For two years, readers have been following Diana's struggles against the Greek Gods and by this point it's become a little monotonous. The Gods' continued scheming and Wonder Woman's rematch with Artemis are too familiar. Unfortunately, when Azzarello gives us a break from this we end up with a filler issue that does absolutely nothing to move the plot forward (namely, Diana and her allies get stuck on New Genesis for an issue - yawn). By the time Diana finally defeats the First Born, it's not as satisfying as it needs to be because we've been seeing these characters for so long. This arc would have been better served giving Wonder Woman some new baddies and exploring new storylines.

That's not to say everything about War is bad. In fact, there are quite a few stellar moments that showcase just how talented Azzarello is as a writer. The scene in which Zola picks the name of her baby is absolutely adorable, Diana teaching Orion a lesson in respecting women is hilarious, and the scenes in general between Zola and Hera are both humorous and touching. There's really no denying here that Azzarello knows these characters like the back of his hand and utilizes each one flawlessly.

Unlike previous volumes, War is arguably the least nuanced and most straightforward of the arcs within Azzarello's run thus far. Aside from the clumsily written twist at the end of issue 23, the plot moves in a linear fashion without any major surprises. While it may lack subtlety and mystery, War is heavy on the action and engaging dialogue. As such, it's punchy and extremely fast-paced. It's a slight step down in terms of quality in comparison to the previous volumes, but War is satisfying nonetheless.

RATING: B-

Review: Wonder Woman Volume 3, Iron

When Zola's baby is kidnapped, Wonder Woman embarks on a quest to rescue her friend's child. On her journey, the Amazing Amazon must seek out her fellow demigod brothers and sisters for assistance. Unfortunately, not all of her siblings are eager to help.

Wonder Woman Volume 3: Iron collects Wonder Woman #0, 13-18 written by Brian Azzarello, with art by Cliff Chiang and Tony Akins.

Proceeding the events of the previous issues, Hera has been stripped of her powers and Zola's child has been taken from her care. This creates a new dynamic for the title and sees Wonder Woman's supporting cast growing to include the disgraced goddess, as well as the siblings Diana meets in her quest to save Zola's baby. As always, Azzarello's dedication to developing his characters is incredibly strong and we get to see quite a few interesting creations show up because of this. That said, the true scene stealer ends up being Hera. Her interactions with Zola are hilarious to say the least. This new dimension to Hera is fantastic and the goddess among men bit is quite effective. The inclusion of Orion is also a smart move on Azzarello's part. He acts as a great foil for Wonder Woman and his love interest potential is a bonus.

Beyond the wonderful dialogue and the stellar character development, this collection features a sweeping narrative that takes Wonder Woman around the world. From Palestine to Antarctica, Azzarelo takes his readers on an epic adventure befitting of the Amazing Amazon. The story itself is splintered between the squabbling amongst the Greek Gods following Apollo's usurpation of the throne, the introduction of the villain known as the First Born, and Wonder Woman's search for Zola's child. It's an incredibly complex narrative that is chalk full of tension and conflict. Aside from the fights against insect creatures and ice monsters, it is Wonder Woman's dispute against Hermes that stands as the most memorable fight. Beyond its fantastic choreography, the battle is bittersweet due to the trust Wonder Woman once placed in the messenger god.

Wonder Woman: Iron does not disappoint. It is a brilliant continuation of Brian Azzarello's run, featuring stunning character designs and impeccable characterization. He has such a firm grasp on the character and his quirky supporting cast works to endear readers to his unique take on the Amazing Amazon. For fans of Wonder Woman, this is one collection you won't want to pass up. Cliff Chiang and Tony Akin's art is great, while Azzarello's writing is both cohesive and engaging.

Rating: A

Review: Wonder Woman Volume 2, Guts

Continuing his blockbuster run on Wonder Woman, Brian Azzarello takes the Amazon Princess into the depths of hell in Wonder Woman Volume 2: Guts. This action-packed collection is stylish, dark, and full of surprises.

After the events of the preceding issues, Wonder Woman travels to the underworld to rescue her friend Zola from Hades. Along the way, there are a handful of unexpected twists and turns. Azzarello maintains a firm grip on Wonder Woman's character, depicting her as compassionate and unyieldingly determined to protect her allies. The other characters in this collection have tremendous depth and Azzarello manages to weave their narratives all into one intricate web of intrigue. He makes it easy for readers to care about these individuals. At the same time, he cleverly throws in shocking plot twists you won't see coming. Know this: no one is safe.

Once again, Cliff Chiang and Tony Akins share art duties. Chiang continues to impress with his character designs. From Artemis to Demeter, they are brilliantly designed to be both modern and wickedly strange. Additionally, his depiction of Diana's initial trip into hell is nothing short of horrific yet brilliantly stunning. Similarly, Akins excels in the macabre with his pencils. His work is sure to make your skin crawl (in the best possible way).

Where the first six issues of Wonder Woman saw Azzarello getting his feet wet, here he hits his stride. The consistent tone present in this book is incredible, while the depth of the characters is commendable. Above all else, he manages to pull of some amazing surprises that are sure to impress even the most infallible of comic book readers.

Rating: A

Review: Wonder Woman Volume 1, Blood

After 70 years of saving the world, Wonder Woman was taken in a bold new direction when DC Comics rebooted its universe in 2011. Written by Brian Azzarello and illustrated by Cliff Chiang, Wonder Woman became a stylish and gritty series that forever changed the status quo for the Amazon Princess. Wonder Woman Volume 1: Blood collects the first six issues of this title and throws the reader into the world of Gods, Goddesses, and monsters.

When Zeus disappears from Mount Olympus, the Greek Gods begin plotting their individual schemes to claim his throne. Caught in the crosshairs are the Amazon Princess known as Wonder Woman and an unsuspecting mortal named Zola. Azzarello crafts a unique narrative that stays true to the tone of the original Greek myths. There are creatures galore and plenty of Gods behaving badly. Besides that, his treatment of Wonder Woman is to be commended. She is not some man-hating she-devil with a sword, but a compassionate and emotional young woman with unyielding willpower. Her willingness to help Zola demonstrates her instinctive desire to protect innocent people. There’s also an edge to her that previous incarnations did not possess. She is willing to defy the Gods. This rebellious attitude works in her favour and shows that she is more than just a dutiful servant to the Gods.

Cliff Chiang’s art is nothing short of brilliant. He adapts his style to match the tone of the writing. It is dark and, at times, bloody. The scenes set on Paradise Island, for instance, are torch-lit and seem lifted out of ancient times. His designs for the characters are equally as impressive. The Gods are distinctive. From Hades’ head of candles to Strife’s waifish figure, each one stands out on the page. However, it is Wonder Woman who truly commands this book. Chiang draws her with such presence and grace. She appears tall and strong, proving that she is every bit the Amazon she is supposed to be. As such, it’s not hard to imagine this woman warrior being able to defeat her enemies with relative ease. It’s also worth noting that Tony Akins takes over the art chores for the last two issues in this collection. He does an admirable job of mimicking Chiang’s style.

Wonder Woman Volume 1: Blood has everything you could be looking for in an epic tale of the Gods behaving badly. Brian Azzarello weaves in a complex tapestry in this collection, sewing in bombshell revelations about Wonder Woman’s heritage with the heartless machinations of the Greek Gods. Azzarello and Chiang make an excellent team. Together, they craft a narrative that is cohesive and palpable in its tone. For fans of mythology and of Wonder Woman, this is a must-have book to add to your collection. It’s also one of the most accessible titles currently being published by DC Comics. Go ahead and pick this up, you’ll wonder why you hadn’t been reading it sooner. 

Rating: A