Wonder Woman #71 – G. Willow Wilson, Writer; Xermanico, Artist; Romulo Fajardo Jr., Colorist
Ratings:
Ray – 8.5/10
Corrina: Mortals Confuse Greek Gods
Ray: The conclusion of the Atlantiades storyline in Wonder Woman #71 emphasizes the great strength of G. Willow Wilson’s take on Wonder Woman – she’s the first writer in a long time to really get across the concept of Diana as a pacifist hero. Even Greg Rucka’s compassionate, smart take still got into epic battles regularly. But as Diana tries to deal with a world spinning out of control as Gods enter the mortal realm and create chaos, it’s clear that fists-forward solutions aren’t going to do the job. Atlantiades’ decision to manipulate a town to embrace their base desires is rooted in their rage over being abandoned by their mother Aphrodite. Diana is able to quell the riot without hurting anyone and convince Atlantiades to withdraw their control over the town – and in the process, use their full powers of Godhood to enchant the town and leave the townspeople enthralled. It’s another form of mind control that leaves Diana more than a little uncomfortable, but it does the job.
I was a little puzzled by a few things to do with Atlantiades this issue – their fixation on seducing Diana seemed to come out of nowhere, and Xermanico’s art seemed to draw them looking a lot more typically female than the last issue. Maybe that’s a deliberate decision to emphasize the character’s gender-bending nature? I did enjoy this plot, but it seems to largely be a setup to discover the secret portal in their shrine – which sends Maggie on an epic quest to the underworld where she encounters a massive Minotaur. Maggie’s role in this series and her human POV has been a great counter to the epic supernatural affairs, and her introduction is likely to be the big lasting positive mark Wilson leaves on the franchise. Xermanico’s art on the underground segments is a highlight, and while I wish Diana didn’t take a backseat to the dealings of the Gods so much, this has been a highly entertaining arc.
Corrina: I love Wilson’s take on Atlantiades and the other Greek Gods she’d used: their reasoning is not our reasoning, and their solutions sometimes make the situation worse. They feel alien, even while they look mortal. I love the story question of whether it’s possible to put a genie back in the bottle once you’ve let people’s lust/love drive them to do anything they want.
Still, I was more focused this issue on Diana and Maggie’s encounter with the Minotaur and the Labyrinth. Finally, something that perhaps will provide answers to Diana and also tell the reader why Maggie was chosen to hold the sword of Antiope. The individual issues of this run have been good but it’s time for some payoff in this long-running plot of who released the gods and where the Amazons are. (I’m wondering if Circe won’t be revealed as the villain, tying into Justice League Dark? Possible but I’m not sure how closely connected these two series will be.)
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Disclaimer: GeekDad received this comic for review purposes.
