DC This Week

Review – Wonder Woman: Evolution #1 – The Trials of Diana

Wonder Woman: Evolution variant cover, via DC Comics.

Wonder Woman: Evolution – Stephanie Phillips, Writer; Mike Hawthorne, Penciller, Adriano Di Benedetto, Inker; Jordie Bellaire, Colorist

Ray – 8.5/10

Ray: The main Wonder Woman title right now is part of an extended storyline taking Diana to the afterlife and beyond, and it may not be to everyone’s taste. So when DC announced an A-list new WW miniseries by Stephanie Phillips and Mike Hawthorne, it was hotly anticipated. But if you’re expecting something conventional here, you might be surprised. It opens with Diana at battle against a group of mysterious aliens as an unknown voice muses on the fate of humanity and its ability to evolve. But whatever that larger cosmic test for Diana is, it’s going to have to wait. Much of this first issue is devoted to a fairly routine hero vs. villain battle against Diana’s friend-turned-enemy Silver Swan—aka her former admirer Vanessa Kapetalis. I’ve never been a big fan of this version of the character but Phillips gives her some added nuance and pain here—along with a much-needed power upgrade.

Battlefield. Via DC Comics.

What Vanessa’s gained in power, she’s lost in sanity, and she takes a group of children at a museum hostage to lure Diana out of hiding. When Diana is forced to choose between saving a young hostage and capturing her former friend, she makes the only choice she can—and is haunted by guilt over the potential carnage Vanessa could cause on the loose. She and Superman have a compelling conversation about the thorny issues they face atop Mount Everest, but Diana doesn’t have time to reflect on it before she’s spirited away to the main plot of this series. Opening with essentially a full-length prologue issue before Diana’s big challenge begins is a big risk, but this issue sets up a very strong central character. This Diana feels unique, different from the other heroes with a different moral code. I’m excited to see it get tested in the coming issues.

Related Post

To find reviews of all the DC issues, visit DC This Week.

GeekDad received this comic for review purposes.

Liked it? Take a second to support GeekDad and GeekMom on Patreon!

This post was last modified on November 15, 2021 4:08 pm

Ray Goldfield

Ray Goldfield is a comics superfan going back almost thirty years. When he's not reading way too many comics a week, he is working on his own writing. The first installment in his young adult fantasy-adventure, "Alex Actonn, Son of Two Seas", is available in Amazon now.

Share
Published by

Recent Posts

Review – The Flash #8: Closing In

As the search for Wally continues, Amanda Waller sets her sights on the Flash Family.

April 23, 2024

Review – The Penguin #9: Family Business

Penguin has returned to Gotham—but his daughter intends him to have a short stay.

April 23, 2024

Review – Harley Quinn #39: The New Gig

Harley has a new purpose—and a first client, in the form of Maxie Zeus.

April 23, 2024

Review – Power Girl #8: Unlikely Allies

It's time for Power Girl to enter the House of Brainiac—for a team-up with Crush.

April 23, 2024

Review – Batman: Dark Age #2 – The Lost Boy

Bruce Wayne finds his escape from prison in the Army—but Vietnam proves to be more…

April 23, 2024

Review – Green Arrow #11: Reunions of Blood

Ollie has his family back—and he won't let Malcolm Merlyn tear them apart again.

April 23, 2024

This website uses cookies.