Well, after a tremendously long wait, last week we finally got to see the end of Allan Heinburg’s OYL storyarc, “Who Is Wonder Woman?”
So was it worth it?
Rachelle Goguen of Living Between the Wednesdays enjoyed the issue:
I forget most of the details of the original story on the Heinberg/Dodson run, but I do know that I liked it. And this Annual made me remember why. Heinberg just writes a really fantastic Wonder Woman. And it’s a shame that this story couldn’t have finished on schedule because this issue gives us a really great plot development that probably would have helped with the Picoult storyline a lot.
Heidi Meeley of Comics Fairplay was less enthused though optimistic:
While I have many quibbles with the story itself, I do appreciate the art stylings of the Dodsons. I also feel Allan Heinberg is a talented writer. His intentions were good, but the follow up never gelled into the greatness I had so hoped for. The “Who is Wonder Woman” story was just alright for me.
That being said, I am very eager to see what Gail Simone will do on the book. I am already missing her desperately on Birds of Prey, and think that it will be hard for anyone to follow her there. Simone is extremely gifted with characterization, and from interviews I have read, she is ready to focus on Wonder Woman as a hero to be reckoned with. I am ready for a solid creative team to bring the book back into focus and give Wonder Woman a cohesiveness she has been lacking since Greg Rucka wrote the title.
Brent of About Heroes found it disappointing:
Gee, thanks DC for that lack-luster conclusion to what had been a pretty-good arc. Following Dodson’s part is Gary Franks who goes through the motions and gives us a quick backstory of all the characters in Wonder Woman’s world, Diana, Donna, Cassie, Sarge Steel, and Nemesis. It’s kind of informative, but all of this would have been more helpful in the back of Wonder Woman #1 when I was asking these questions. Gah. This issue is not worth it’s $3.99, so read it in the shop if you want to read the conclusion of a story that started more than a year ago.
Finally, livejournalist nkaray was distinctly unhappy with it:
I have no problem with Diana being powerless as Diana Prince. Just because she doesn’t have her gods given powers doesn’t mean she can’t fight or use her brains (if the writer chooses to actually give her brains, which worries me about some of DC’s writers). Plus, this differentiates her further from Superman and enables a number of new storytelling opportunities if the writer is up to the task. However, the identity of Diana Prince was an idea spawned by Superman, created by Batman, and adopted by Diana. Diana could have EASILY done this all herself by prompting Oracle to create the necessary history for the identity and then used her own contacts (anyone remember Steve Trevor and Etta Candy?) to help her get a job. There was no need for Superman and Batman to be in on this. Now, Circe has removed Diana’s powers in that guise, so this “gift” was also handed to her. Damn, this Wonder Woman is a dumbass. What an inspiration to young girls everywhere. She can’t, and won’t, do anything for herself! While this idea of no powers as Diana P. is a nod to the TV show, and I see what Heinberg was trying to do, it just reeks the way it was executed. Reeks horribly. This took him over a year and a half to write?! Come on.
So what do you think?
October 6th, 2007 at 8:39 pm
I’m not sure I understand nkaray’s point. Superman’s costume was sewn for him by his mother. The only reason he has his current Fortress of Solitude is because of Lex Luthor.
Batman didn’t become rich himself, he inherited it from his mother. And in Batman Begins he didn’t invent most of his toys, Fox gathered them all and Bruce just picked out the ones he wanted.
Just because Wonder Woman gets help from others doesn’t mean she can’t do anything for herself.
I’m not sure nkaray even understands what nkaray is asking for. Suggesting that Wonder Woman get Oracle to do stuff for her isn’t any better than Batman doing stuff for her.
October 6th, 2007 at 11:31 pm
Well, I found it completely pointless.
Actually, it eerily remined me of my time spent/wasted reading the Harley Quinn solo series.
Not because of any similarities in the plot, or dialogue, or what-have-you, but because I was just sitting there saying to myself:
“Great, they’ve put one of their best characters in the hands of a writer that Just. Doesn’t. Get. Her. At. All. It’s MILDLY amusing for the way the writer handles some of the OTHER characters, I guess… OH, AND BOY!! Is this Dodson art pretty, or what?”
(Um, the Dodsons are staying on board when Gail comes on to WW, right? Oh I hope so… Then I can just enjoy my good comix… )
October 7th, 2007 at 3:27 am
How is getting Oracle to do it for her “doing it for herself”?
October 8th, 2007 at 6:02 pm
I really wouldn’t be surprised if Batman didn’t get Oracle to sort it out anyway, he has been reliant on her for a long time.