Reviewed By: Frosty McKenzie
Publisher: DC Comics
Writer: Brian Azzarello
Artist: Cliff Chiang
Colorist: Matthew Wilson
Genre: Comic Book
MSRP: $2.99 USA
Rating: T (Teen)
Release Date: Available Now
We have seen Wonder Woman in a number of unusual predicaments and thanks to a certain blockbuster summer comic book event we have seen her in a very unlikely role but a new beginning is something else altogether. As it turns out, though, Wonder Woman #1 is a new beginning that is every bit as epic as her fantastic beginning so long ago. Wonder Woman fans, you really do need to pick this one up no matter what.
On the top floor of a penthouse building in Singapore, a mysterious man of obvious wealth and power who tells three striking human girls that he considers himself the rightful heir to a throne that should be his despite the fact that his father has other children since the king does get around. The trouble is that the mystery man’s father is missing and he intends on find them using his power that transforms the three women into some form of all-seeing oracles.
Meanwhile, in a farm in Virginia, a mysterious figure slices the heads off a pair of horses as something grows out of the bloody stumps. On the other side of the farm, a young woman named Zola is holding a shotgun on a very unusual home intruder. This mystery man seems to know Zola by name and tells her that assassins are after her. Unfortunately, it’s too late because centaur assassins suddenly appear and injures the mystery messenger who has come to help Zola.
It is then that Zola obtains a special key from the one who tried to warn her and said key instantly whisks the young woman to a bedroom in London, England where she awakens a statuesque beauty who just so happens to be Princess Diana … better known to the world as Wonder Woman. It is our favorite Amazonian who takes it upon herself to see what went down back in Virginia clad in her new costume (more on that later). Obviously, the key is magical and belongs to a world more familiar to Princess Diana.
The problem is that Zola also grabs a hold of Wonder Woman as they are both teleported back to Zola’s farm only to find the centaur assassins still there. It is Wonder Woman who identifies the unusual man that tried warning Zola as none other than Hermes himself. It is Hermes that brings Wonder Woman up to speed and tells her the reason she has come to warn Zola. I won’t reveal what it is because this surprise is a big one.
Meanwhile, Wonder Woman deals with the centaurs that will stop at nothing to slay Zola and it’s quite an exciting fight. This leads us to the end that is but just the beginning to what is already shaping out to be something quite extraordinary. Brian Azzarello certainly knows how to tell an interesting story and he manages to capture our attention immediately with this story so we are certainly looking forward to what he has in store for us in future installments.
Then there’s the art by Cliff Chiang whose original artwork is perfect for the series. He manages to take Wonder Woman’s new costume and make it even better and yes, she looks amazing in battle. Adding Matthew Wilson’s coloring to the artwork definitely makes for a book that is easily a great-looking one for a first issue.
Without a doubt, Wonder Woman #1 is a stellar first issue that doesn’t fail to surprise and live up to the expectations that fans of the series have been anticipating since the announcement of this intriguing “reboot.” Brian Azzarello and Cliff Chiang make a brilliant team and, as a result, the book ends up being everything you can want in a Wonder Woman series. I am definitely considering myself a new fan and will most definitely keep my eye on this woman of wonder.
COMIC REVOLUTION RATING BREAKDOWN
STORY: A+
A mystery man sets the wheels in motion as he looks into his future to discover the identity of the person who can stop him from becoming king. Meanwhile, a pair of centaur assassins is sent to kill a young woman named Zola who is carrying an important child. By way of a magic key, Zola is transported to London where she finds Wonder Woman who defends her against their attackers.
ART: A
We’ve been in love with Cliff Chiang’s artwork for a long time now and is definitely the right choice to kick off this series. Even the cover is unique and easy on the eyes.
OVERALL: A+
A surprising and monumental first issue, Wonder Woman deserves a title that is as impressive as her Wonder Woman #1 is just that title to live up to the hype. Magnificently executed by both Brian Azzarello and Cliff Chiang, this is already turning out to be a series that all Wonder Woman fans new and returning should pick up right away.
Review copy provided by DC Comics
