Review: Wonder Woman #39
There is a responsibility of being a hero. There is also a responsibility of being a human being. It seems that in this issue, Wonder Woman has failed at both.
Failure to others, or at least the perception of failure, has been a bit of a theme for writer James Robinson, what with Jason feeling more than a little slighted in the last arc. A feeling, it has to be said, that hasn’t completely been resolved. Now, Vanessa is feeling forgotten about following her mom’s death despite, or maybe because of, all the help and attention that Diana lavished upon Vanessa following a battle with Major Disaster. Was it concern for Vanessa or was it guilt that forced Diana’s hand?
James Robinson has a reputation of handling classic characters well. This reputation has been on full show since he took over this book. Under Robinson’s care, Diana has been both majestic as well a little arrogant. It’s not the sort of arrogance that is ugly, but it seems that her attention is always needed elsewhere. Of course, in real life we end up letting people down, due to work load or some other element of focus. Does that mean we are arrogant? Not at all. In Diana’s case she has essentially set herself up to fail. Robinson’s dialogue works well in the book, clearly defining both points of view well. Also thrown in for good measure is another episode of “Darkseid – The Wonder Years”.
One of my bugbears is creating by committee. Now I realise that creating comic books is a collaborative affair, but is there any need for two pencilers? The question is mooted a tad when you look at the fact that the artists aren’t given page credit. I am unsure why Emanuela Lupacchino and Carmen Carnero were given this task; was it deadline based? Whatever the reason the book at first glance looks great. It’s only upon close examination that cracks begin to show in the consistency of both framework and facial elements. Also, what the hell has happened to Lashina? Thank Hera there was a character there who is able to tell the reader who we were looking at! Inker Ray McCarthy is on hand to smooth out the pencils, perhaps, with Carnero providing her own embellishments. Colors are provided by Romulo Fajardo Jr. with a darker tinge that suits the mood of the book well.
If there is a moral to this arc, it’s that your perceptions can become your reality, and if your viewpoint is focussed through a prism of pain and hurt, potentially that is all that you will see. In Silver Swan’s case, she is looking to take out that hurt on the one person who would have ideally been there to help. With the separate viewpoints in play, both of which are valid to the respective characters, Robinson has cleverly given us an issue where there is no clear villain.
Writing – 4.5 Stars
Art – 4 Stars
Colors – 4 Stars
[yasr_overall_rating size=”large”]
Written by; James Robinson
Art by; Emanuela Lupacchino & Carmen Careno
Colors by; Romulo Fajardo Jr
Published by; DC Comics
Author Profile
- I am a long time comic book fan, being first introduced to Batman in the mid to late 70's. This led to a appreciation of classic artists like Neal Adams and Jim Aparo. Moving through the decades that followed, I have a working knowledge of a huge raft of characters with a fondness for old school characters like JSA and The Shadow
Currently reading a slew of Bat Books, enjoying a mini Marvel revival, and the host of The Definative Crusade and Outside the Panels whilst also appearing on No-Prize Podcast on the Undercover Capes Podcast Network
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