'Wonder Woman' #750 Review: A look at the many facets of the Amazon princess and what makes her an icon
Following the trend of restoring legacy numbering after 'Action Comics' #1000 and 'Detective Comics' #1000, it's now Wonder Woman's turn for a celebration of her long history. Returning to legacy numbering with the landmark 'Wonder Woman' #750, this 96-page special celebrates everything that makes Wonder Woman who she is, and what continues to make her one of DC's most iconic characters. The issue features 9.
Opening the issue is the conclusion to the Steve Orlando-penned ‘Wild Hunt’ storyline, with Jesus Merino on pencils, Vicente Cifuentes on inks and Romulo Fajardo Jr on colors. Though it’s a strong conclusion to the arc, where it works best is in its epilogue. Cheetah, in her own twisted way, has convinced Wonder Woman to take a step back from the gods’ demands, and chart her own destiny.
Diana and her mother, Hippolyta, reforge Hippolyta’s shattered bracelets to create new ones for Wonder Woman. In addition, Wonder Woman’s sword and shield are no longer gifts from the gods, but the Amazonian artifacts of her ancestors. Wonder Woman’s costume now is more than just a look now. Everything she wears and wields is steeped in history and the culture of her people. It’s a new origin for Wonder Woman, and even if you haven’t been following the previous issues, the story makes for a great read.
A strong companion piece to this story is "Never Change," written by Greg Rucka, drawn by Nicola Scott and colored by Romulo Fajardo Jr that sees Wonder Woman make a bargain with Circe. Without spoiling too much, it is a heartbreaking illustration of just how hard Wonder Woman will fight for those that she loves, and what she will give up without hesitation to save them. Wonder Woman's endless compassion will see her hold on to hope despite all evidence to the contrary, where anyone else would give up. It's a painful, but inspiring read.
On a more cheerful side, exploring Wonder Woman's familial ties is the delightful "Emergency Visit," written by Shannon & Dean Hale with Riley Rossmo on pencils and inks and Ivan Plascencia on colors. It is a joyful romp featuring the Amazons and an over-mothering Hippolyta that just begs for a 'Wonder Woman & The Amazons' animated series in the same vein. The bright, vivid colors combined with the tall, muscled warrior cartoony look that Wonder Woman dance right off the page.
A quieter tone that continues to flesh out Paradise Island is found in "To Leave Paradise..." written by Kami Garcia with Phil Hester on pencils, Ande Parks on inks and Trish Mulvihill on colors. It's a gentle story about a young Diana wondering about the world outside, seeking a sign from the gods that would permit her to go to "man's world." The art makes it a beautiful addition to Wonder Woman's origin story, building a gorgeous Island that feels lived in, that feels like a home. The story is placed just before Steve Travor's fateful plane crash, and it really highlights all that Diana gave up to become a savior to the world outside paradise.
One of the special's strongest stories is undoubtedly Gail Simone (writer) and Collen Doran's (penciler & inker) 'From Small Things, Mama' featuring the return of Star Blossom. Star Blossom is such a joyfully optimistic child, filled with potential, and after being fleshed out more in this story will doubtless be soon be seen more often in the DC Universe. Pairing her with Diana brings out Wonder Woman's gentler, more welcoming side. There is perhaps no mainstream superhero who opens their heart up as much as Diana, no matter how much that open heart might hurt her sometimes. The strength Wonder Woman and Star Blossom find in each other is heartwarming, and an inspiration.
'A Brave New World,' written by Scott Snyder, penciled and inked by Bryan Hitch and colored by Mike Spicer deserves a mention more for the continuity it establishes more than anything else. It's a straightforward tale with big implications for the new DC Universe timeline. It firmly establishes Wonder Woman as Earth's first official superhero, way back in 1939. The tease of Alan Scott at its end brings up more questions than it answers. And with 'The Flash' #750 set to continue the establishing of this new timeline, it feels like this story would be better served in its own special that streamlines the new timeline once and for all (or, at least, until the next crisis shows up).
The issue's art offers varied interpretations of Wonder Woman, ranging from highlighting her muscled, Greek warrior look to a soft-skinned fashion model in a superhero costume, but perhaps the most striking image is the pin-up by Bilquis Evely on pencils and inks, with Mat Lopes on colors. It is a stunning encapsulation of all the different facets of Wonder Woman, from a warrior to a diplomat to superhero to most importantly an inspiration to countless young girls everywhere. Evely excels at packing pages in with detail, and if you have to take one page from the 96-page special, this would be it.
Wonder Woman is often seen as one of the trickier of DC's characters to write. It can be easy to lean into the superheroics of her, playing up her badassery, focusing on the warrior over everything else. This issue is a reminder of just how much more Diana is than just a warrior. It emphasizes her compassion, her strength both within and without, her long history and her faith in the goodness of people that outshines even Superman's. For any fan who needs a refresher on just what makes Wonder Woman tick, there might be no better single issue to go back to than this one.
'Wonder Woman' #750 is on sale now, wherever comics are sold.