Wonder Woman #12 – Tom King, Writer; Tony S. Daniel, Belen Ortega, Artists; Leonardo Paciarotti, Tamra Bonvillain, Colorists
Ray – 9.5/10
Ray: Tom King tying into an event comic is a rare sight, so it’s no surprise that he does something a little different with every issue. This story finds Wonder Woman teaming up with an unlikely partner – Damian Wayne – to get some critical information out of Captain Boomerang. The longtime rogue and Suicide Squad member has key information on Waller’s secret prison, and the heroes need it – but they’re underestimating just how stubborn and spiteful he is. Diana tries her best to break him down through persuasion, reason, and manipulation, while Damian has exactly one tactic to try – dangling Boomerang off tall things and threatening to drop him. It’s a funny contrast, but it also reveals some interesting details about both the heroes.
Diana’s belief in people’s better nature seems to be bearing some fruit – but she can’t quite understand how toxic Digger is, including when she tries to arrange a reunion between him and his son only for it to go horribly wrong. Damian, meanwhile, is chasing his father’s legacy, trying to use his techniques – while lacking something that makes Batman so effective. This leads to some surprisingly emotional moments between Damian and Diana – who it’s clear Damian admires, even if he’ll never admit it. Then we get to the end of the issue, which has a great punchline that shows just how good King is at comedy when you don’t see it coming. It’s a strong Absolute Power tie-in, but also very much a pure Tom King story.
The backup continues to prove that the team of King and Ortega is magic together, as we get a story where Damian, Jon, and a teenage Lizzie wind up on a long-term mission – very long term, as it’ll take them 73 days to get to their destination and fight the new Mongul. That means sharing a close living space in a spaceship and driving each other completely insane. Damian’s hygiene is lacking, Lizzie snores, and Jon is a bit of a micromanager. It all comes together into a recipe for insanity – and the eight-page story is pretty much note-perfect.
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GeekDad received this comic for review purposes.
