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-