Review: Wonder Woman v2 #170

After an epic crossover with the Batman family in Gotham City and a bloody civil war on her home turf of Themyscira, Wonder Woman takes a break from the drama in the one-off “She's a Wonder” story in issue #170 of her second series. The issue itself is a beautiful summation of who Wonder Woman is and offers a multi-faceted view of the character that has largely been ignored by most writers.

Told from the perspective of intrepid reporter Lois Lane, “She's a Wonder” sees Lois spending the day with Wonder Woman as she performs her duties as hero and ambassador. Far from being objective, Lois is looking for the cracks in Wonder Woman’s metaphorical armour from the get-go. Her slightly icy reception of the Amazing Amazon offers a fresh perspective and heightens the tension between the characters. Phil Jimenez writes Lois impeccably and her wittiness is on full display in this issue. Additionally, he takes advantage of Wonder Woman’s role as an ambassador to explore the Amazon’s life outside of superheroics. We see Diana meeting with dignitaries, devoting time to charities and giving speeches on her beliefs. Diana is met with antagonism wherever she goes. People are suspicious of her beliefs and she is unfairly criticized for desiring peace. The issue, in essence, holds up a mirror to society and highlights the cynicism with which people lead their lives. Also on display is her intelligence and generosity. Lois observes Diana as she familiarizes herself with alien technology that could lead to curing diabetes and Diana later spends time stuffing envelopes for a charity. Highlights from this issue include a brief sojourn at the Trevor household where Lois interviews Steve and Etta as well as the scene in which Diana meets with Lex Luthor, who was President at the time, after which Diana is notably upset. The most heartrending scene of the issue, however, features Diana lending her aid to an orphanage in Africa where she cradles the ailing infants until they pass away. Phil Jimenez truly paints Wonder Woman as someone who is a relatable role model. She acknowledges her imperfections and embraces her flaws. As can be expected, his art is just as fabulous as his writing. The characters are vividly depicted within a certain realm of realism and the expressiveness he uses is near unmatched. He also flexes his style muscles by depicting various characters in an array of casual and professional attire. Bravo, Mr. Jimenez!

For those interested in familiarizing themselves with Wonder Woman, they need look no further than Wonder Woman #170. It is an accessible story that provides a well-rounded cross-section of the character and effectively answers the question of “Who is Wonder Woman?” For fans of Lois Lane, this is a must-have issue as well. She is at the top of her game and her narration throughout is flawlessly rendered. The best thing about issue 170 is that it is a comic that has something to say. It leaves room for discussion and clearly shows that Diana is unique in her pursuit of peace in that she’s not just about busting bad guys but about inspiring change with her words. If anything can be learned from this issue it is that Diana of Themyscira is a true Wonder Woman.

Grade: A+