Brian Azzarello’s re-imagined “Wonder Woman” lost a little bit of steam in recent issues, shifting the setting to Hell in a dramatic fashion, but leaving too much unfinished business along the way. Issue #11 brings the cast back to the mortal coil, as it were, but can it bring the series back to being the fresh and modern take on the title character that it was early on?
There may be some light spoilers ahead, but rest assured that the true pleasures of this series lie in the little moments between the characters.
Written by Brian Azzarello
Illustrated by Cliff Chiang– A new story begins as APOLLO makes his play for ZEUS’s throne — and WONDER WOMAN is the last obstacle in his way!
– As ZOLA goes into labor, a hideous secret is revealed!
I’ve been describing Wonder Woman as the comic book version of an HBO drama. Game of Thrones seems the most timely comparison, but I have had Deadwood in my mind since the very first issue. If those comparisons mean nothing to you, then just understand that “Wonder Woman” contains a diverse cast, filled with everything from Gods and creatures, to Amazons and humans, whose unique motivations are creating an intricate web of drama between the principle characters.
Since the very first issue, a young woman named Zola has been carrying the child of Zeus in her womb. For 11 issues, we’ve watched this simple fact bring characters together for a common good and bring others to clash over it. Though this is Wonder Woman’s book and she is Zola’s protector, it is Zola who is at the center driving the story. One of the themes of Azzarello’s run has been “entitlement.” There is a prophecy that suggests that Zola’s child may be the one to take Zeus’ throne, which is currently vacant, but the gods have plans of their own. Apollo, for one, feels entitled to the throne of Zeus. Naturally, this puts Zola in very serious danger, never more so than near the very end of this issue when the unmerciful goddess Hera stacks the odds against her.
It is also through Zola that Azzarello has been careful to keep a very human thread going. Zola deals with the health issues involved in pregnancy, even prompting Wonder Woman and Hermes to accompany her to the doctor. Cliff Chiang puts unique touches into these potentially ordinary looking scenes, making them memorable. Hermes and Diana wear civilian clothes when they travel with Zola. Chiang has possessed a strong sense of fashion and style throughout the series; Diana hides her Amazonian frame inside a white pea coat, which is rendered simply and elegantly. In a way, it is as stunning as any royal or otherworldly uniform that an Amazonian or a god might wear.
But when it’s time for the gods to clash, Chiang’s designs are equally impressive in their fantastical nature. We get our first looks at Demeter and Artemis, who discuss the prophecy of Zeus’ throne and plot their intervention. Demeter represents nature, and has a leafy, organic look to her (definitely a turn-on for this vegetarian). Artemis is a glowing silhouette with antlers reaching out from her head. Chiang’s physical manifestations of Azzarello’s gods are elegant and memorable.
Azzarello and Chiang use their specific talents to craft a world that melds the humans and the gods together in a way that feels extraordinary but believable. Azzarello’s clever scripts are consistent whether the nefarious gods are interacting with the principle characters or plotting amongst themselves and Chiang’s modern, almost pop-art designs cause the world we know to be just as much fun to look at as a thunderous battle between gods.
Issue #11 is said to be the beginning of a new “arc”, but Azzarello is really creating one continuous story, in which every issue builds directly on what has come before it. It would be difficult for me to recommend this issue without advising you to go back to the beginning of Azzarello’s run, so I will do just that. It’s the type of story that is so much more rewarding if you’ve been on board from the start, and thankfully after a short lull in the story, the relationships are really starting to pay off. With Cliff Chiang back from a small break, this book is as much fun to look at as it is to read again.
Final Verdict: 9.0 – Buy. Even with 1-2 down issues, “Wonder Woman” has been one of the New 52’s best books.
