Another Nerd

I just read issue 1 and 2 back2back… I thought both issues were interesting reads. Not enthralling by any means but interesting. I always liked the mythology in MARVEL comics, Thor and Herc… etc… That being said, I am liking the direction of Wonder Woman overall in what I read. Kudos to Brian Azzarello for that. The story is very cloaked in ambiguity to an extent… but as I have seen the buzz and controversy surrounding Diana on social media… I know (spoiler) that apparently Zeus will turn out to be Diana’s father.  Therefore a bit of the story that is building is essentially ruined… but in the world of social media, that I choose to live in, it is just part of life. I am can’t be mad.

This comic was kind of billed as “dark” or even having a “horror” aspect to it by some… I guess I am missing the whole “horror” thing and while I do see the dark overtones -aren’t just about all comics “dark” to a certain extent these days? Okay, I guess some are just dimly lit.

I like the tone (I guess that goes back to the whole “dark” thing) of the book that is enhanced by the art of Cliff Chiang. Obviously, Mr. Chiang has a very stylized look to his work.  I wasn’t sure it would work for WW as I was used to some very clean art by George Perez the last time I read some WW (quite awhile ago).  I am still not sure the style totally lends itself to the character; it does totally works for the story being told, at least it feels right. Did I contradict myself? ha.

Wonder Woman by George Perez (above)

Gods and Amazons, I mean, what’s not to like? Oh yeah, there is the outcry against Diana getting a dad.  I really don’t know how I feel about that.  On one hand Superman’s parents have been messed with a bit through the years; on the other- Batman’s parents have never really been messed with… hmm… Well, I guess kinda, in Flashpoint, but obviously that shouldn’t count, I wouldn’t think. I will point out, and I think I am right, at times both Superman and Wonder Woman titles have had issues with not selling well.  Of course, the whole DC line has had issues selling well, hence, the NEW52.  Probably not Batman.  When these problems exist the character is open to be tinkered with more and more to try to find a paying audience but tinkering should have a limit… Wonder Woman’s birth was totally unique and therefore anyone that is a long time fan of her, I could see being upset.

What I like about the idea of the Zeus/father story is connecting the Amazons more directly to Olympian gods and mythology.  Of course, I could be wrong but I never thought there was a strong connection before.  I envision lots of story opportunities for WW with the entire Olympian mythology there to be “tinkered” with… Of course, this is all conjecture until I read the actual story.  For all we know Zeus might just say the clay was his DNA and no actual sex involved? haha… Nah, with all the shock value the DCNEW52 has been trying to dole out I am sure it will go beyond that.  Regardless I will be reading to find out (for now).

So what did you think of Wonder Woman issue 1 and/or 2?