Top 20: Best Wonder Woman Stories, Part 1

As far as superheroines go, no one is as iconic as Wonder Woman. Introduced in 1941, this Amazing Amazon has captured the hearts and imaginations of millions of people with her incredible adventures. Personally speaking, I've been reading Wonder Woman's comics since I was a kid and have devoured as many issues as I can. As such, I've developed an affection for the character.

Presented here are the 20 greatest Wonder Woman stories (that I've read). Whether you're a hardcore Wonder Woman fan or new to comics, there will be something for everyone here. 

Sit back and experience the wonder...

20. The Twelve Labors,

Wonder Woman v1 #212-222
Written by: Len Wein, Cary Bates, Robert Kanigher, Eliott S. Maggin, Martin Pasco
Illustrated by: Curt Swan, Irv Novick, John Rosenberger, Dick Giordano

Like Hercules before her, Wonder Woman undergoes a series of trials to prove her worth to the Justice League after an extended absence from the team.

This ten issue arc is a varied display of Wonder Woman at her finest. Over the course of this narrative, the members of the Justice League observe the Amazing Amazon as she takes down such threats as the nefarious Mars and the devious Dr. Cyber. While "The Twelve Labors" varies in quality, it features some beautiful art and does a great job of showcasing not only Wonder Woman, but the other members of the League as well.

19. The Wrath of Dr. Cyber,

Wonder Woman v1 #178-182
Written by: Dennis O'Neil
Illustrated by: Mike Sekowsky

When Wonder Woman's lover Steve Trevor is murdered, the Amazing Amazon must hunt down his killer. There's only one problem -- her fellow Amazons have left the mortal plane to replenish their magics, leaving Wonder Woman without her powers. Now fully mortal, Diana becomes a master martial artist and takes off in pursuit of Steve's murderer.

During the 1960s, sales for Wonder Woman's title plummeted and Dennis O'Neil was brought on to revitalize the comic. He brought the character into the mod era without her powers and transformed her into somewhat of a James Bond (in cuter outfits of course!). In this first arc, Diana proves just how badass she can be without powers and she comes up against one of the coolest villains from the Silver Age (Dr. Cyber). For fans of the Sean Connery 007, these issues should be right up your alley.

18. War of the Wonder Women,

Wonder Woman v1 #204-206

Written by: Robert Kanigher, Cary Bates

Illustrated by: Don Heck

After the death of her mentor I-Ching, Diana returns to Paradise Island. Before she can reclaim her title of Wonder Woman, she is challenged by the mysterious warrior Nubia. It is soon revealed that Nubia is Diana's twin, but was kidnapped by the God of War when she was an infant. Now an adult, Nubia has returned, but is she friend or foe?

The introduction of Nubia is fraught with a lot of problematic elements that come across as racist. This three issue arc should be picked apart and critiqued within an inch of its life. At the same time, it's an important and noteworthy arc due to the fact that it introduces (arguably) the first black superheroine in comics. Nubia establishes herself as a complex and conflicted character who is a worthy rival to Wonder Woman. This arc is notable for the beginning of Diana's career with the United Nations as well, which was a great way to bring the character into the Bronze Age of Comics.

17. The Queen of Fables,

JLA #47-49

Written by: Mark Waid

Illustrated by: Bryan Hitch

When the Queen of Fables is released from an ancient mystical tome, she comes to believe that Wonder Woman is her most hated foe -- Snow White. She puts the Amazing Amazon in a deep slumber and it is up to her teammates in the Justice League to save her.

Even though Wonder Woman is most closely associated with Greek mythology, the usage of fairytale lore works remarkably well within the context of a Wonder Woman story. It also brilliantly subverts the archetypes as well, proving that the Amazing Amazon doesn't truly need a bunch of white knights to protect her.

16. The Circle,

Wonder Woman v13 #14-17

Written by: Gail Simone

Illustrated by: Terry Dodson, Rachel Dodson, Ron Randall

With Themyscira left without Amazons following a war with America, the island is invaded by the forces of Captain Nazi. A newly resurrected Queen Hippolyta and her estranged daughter must fight them off, while also contending with the return of an Amazonian cabal that once plotted to kill Diana.

Gail Simone was joined by superstar artist Terry Dodson for this opening arc to her impressive run on Wonder Woman. This tale adds layers to the Wonder Woman's backstory without compromising what makes it so unique. It's also got a lot of action with the right amount of humour and heart that has become a trademark for Simone's work.

15. Chalk Drawings,

Wonder Woman v2 #46

Written by: George Perez, Mindy Newell

Illustrated by: Jill Thompson

In this sobering one-off issue, George Perez and Mindy Newell explore suicide and the emotional impact it leaves behind. While Wonder Woman may be used to battling demons and super villains, the idea of someone taking their own life leaves the Amazon with a much different perspective on human life.

During the Perez era, Wonder Woman faced many real world issues and saw first-hand how self-destructive people could be. While he'd dealt with abuse and drug addiction in previous story lines, this issue in particular remains especially relevant in today's climate of high suicide rates among teenagers.

14. A Star in the Heavens,

Wonder Woman v3 #24-25

Written by: Gail Simone

Illustrated by: Bernard Chang

In this two-parter, Wonder Woman heads to Hollywood in order to act as a consultant for a movie based on her life. Things go from bad to worse when the Queen of Fables shows up to sabotage the production.

It's been a long-standing joke that Wonder Woman had never had a live-action theatrical film of her own. Writer Gail Simone takes that head on and uses these two issues to explore the very real problems of the depiction of women on film. It's clever and witty, while still being quite critical of the film industry. At its core, this two-parter is Simone giving the middle-finger to every film exec who thinks Wonder Woman needs to be changed in order for audiences to love her.

13. Strangers in Paradise,

Wonder Woman v2 #37-40

Written by: George Perez, Mindy Newell

Illustrated by: Chris Marrinan

When the Amazons open their island paradise to outsiders for the very first time in centuries, the Goddess of Discord uses her Golden Apples to turn everyone against each other. It's up to Wonder Woman and intrepid reporter Lois Lane to stop this Goddess from behaving badly.

If there's one thing that Perez did well, it was incorporating Greek mythology into Wonder Woman's stories in a seamless way. He did so impeccably in this four-parter, as the Goddess Eris unleashed her fury upon the Amazons and their mortal guests. It was also a chance to see Lois Lane outside of her role as Superman's love interest.

12. The Serpent and the Amazon,

Wonder Woman v1 #274-278

Written by: Gerry Conway

Illustrated by: Jose Delbo

On a day like any other, Wonder Woman meets an environmental activist named Debbie Domaine. This meeting proves fateful as Debbie is subsequently kidnapped and transformed into the evil Cheetah in order to kill the Amazing Amazon. The terrorist organization known as Kobra is revealed to be behind this plot and Wonder Woman must do everything within her power to stop them.

The Golden Age and Silver Age weren't terribly friendly to Wonder Woman. The thinly plotted stories often featured goofy villains and woefully racist caricatures, while the character herself got tied up or bound in nearly every issue. Thankfully, the Bronze Age brought on a tougher and more competent Wonder Woman. These four issues demonstrate that perfectly and serve to introduce a much more interesting Cheetah to readers. These issues also get props for addressing environmental concerns.

11. The Savage Moon,

Wonder Woman v2 #28-35

Written by: George Perez

Illustrated by: Chris Marrinan

When the Cheetah pilfers Wonder Woman's golden lasso, the Amazing Amazon embarks on a globe-trotting adventure to recover her stolen weapon. In the process, she stumbles upon a long lost tribe of Amazons… and they're none too happy to see her.

One of the most fascinating things George Perez did during his time on Wonder Woman was introduce the Bana-Mighdall faction of Amazons. They were a splinter group of Amazons who chose the way of war instead of peace, living in the sand-swept deserts of east Africa. Their contrast to the Amazons on Diana's homeland was fantastic and it served to really give the character further perspective into her heritage.

Part two can be found here: https://divas-femmes-fatales.blogspot.ca/2014/07/top-20-best-wonder-woman-stories-part-2.html