Customer Reviews

Wonder Woman: The Challenge of Artemis (Wonder Woman (Graphic Novels))

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is the conclusion piece to Wonder Woman: The Contest. If you enjoyed that great book, you are sure to enjoy this one as well. It immediately follows The Contest as we see the further adventures of Diana and Artemis in Patriarch's World as Artemis comes to understand exactly what it means to become a 'Wonder Woman'. This book if filled with emotionally charged moments and a large cast of interesting characters. Don't worry though, Messner-Loebs has a great way of weaving in characters into his stories without leaving the reader at a loss of who is who. Mike Deodato Jr. does an outstanding job as well depicting both beautiful characters and realistic expressions. I urge all Wonder Woman fans (and those not) to purchase this wonderful book as it shows many of Diana's and Artemis' trials and tribulations, and what it really means to be 'human'.

In "The Contest," Artemis made her debut as a fierce, competitive warrior who sought to gain respect for her tribe by competing in a contest held by Hippolyta to choose the new Wonder Woman. In an upset victory, Artemis triumphed as the victor and assumed her duties in the patriarch's world. In "The Challenge of Artemis," she vows to end the oppression of women and children, and to end the violence that corrupts society.

With her quick tongue and rash actions, Artemis makes headlines as she rubs people the wrong way, being viewed as opinionated, controversial, and arrogant. Diana dons a new costume and works to re-establish a new identity. It's not long before tension flares up between Artemis and Diana - Artemis accuses Diana of trying to interfere with Artemis' new role, but Diana will soon learn of a terrible prophecy that lies ahead for Wonder Woman. Tragedy looms in the near future for both Diana and Artemis with mayhem, murder, and ultimately ... betrayal.

The conclusion left me emotionally choked up as both women are heroes in their own right. This book is a turning point for both of them as the betrayal has ramifications that changes the course of future Wonder Woman issues. Their lives will never be the same again after this.

Continuing the saga begun in WONDER WOMAN: THE CONTEST, this graphic novel follows the exploits of two Amazons. One, the Princess Diana, used to hold the Wonder Woman title, but has relinquished it to another, a not-so-gentle Amazon named Artemis. The bulk of the story deals with both women as they struggle to come to grips with their new identities: Artemis tries to live up to the expectations of being Wonder Woman, while Diana tries to soldier on in a new, darker identity. Diana's new costume (designed by Brian Bolland) is something out of a biker queen's paradise; men who prefer their girls wild and dangerous will love it, longtime fans of the Amazon Princess will despise it. William Messner-Loebs keeps the story moving along at a crisp pace, as nearly all the villains from Wonder Woman's Rogues Gallery--and even the Joker--make an appearance. Mike Deodato's artwork, which was the primary reason for the WONDER WOMAN comic book's surge in popularity several years ago, is the best reason to buy THE CHALLANGE OF ARTEMIS. Although there's never any doubt as to which Amazon will have the Wonder Woman title by the end, Loebs and Deodato throw enough plot twists in the story to keep the reader hooked.

This story, now more than 15 years old, originally made me so angry. In the events of The Contest, Diana was replaced by the hot headed Artemis from the Bana-Mighdall tribe of Amazons. This graphic novel continues that story in an epic style, with Diana 'replaced' as Wonder Woman, and sporting a spiffy black spandex costume. Meanwhile, Artemis rubbed me the wrong way in nearly every encounter. And she was supposed to. The story is about a brash young woman, hot headed and tempermental, becoming Wonder Woman in more than just name alone. And oh my goodness does she ever, in a literally tearjerking fashion. Diana is still featured heavily in the story, so she's not gone. There's also a great appearance by the Cheetah, and quite a few other baddies. All in all, as a Wonder Woman fan I am delighted to add this to my collection. I am also delighted that as an initial protester to the idea of the changes, the writing was spectacular enough to draw me in and keep me there, and the art is fantastic too. If you're a Wonder Woman fan, then this is a must have item, and you won't be disappointed.

Thanks so much for your time folks.
Sincerely, R.A. McDowell

This was a great addition to my WW collection, I definitely recommend it to anyone who loves WW!

If your only exposure to the woman in the red, white and blue Spandex is the endearingly kitchy 70's TV series starring Lynda Carter or any of her series up until artist Mike Deodato's arrival in Volume 2, Issue 89, you're in for a shock--albeit a pleasant one. This is a Wonder Woman that represents the sensibilities of mid-nineties banal pop-culture alongside current feminist thinking: a volumptuous woman who could put Pamela Lee to shame taking on organized crime, family deceits, and the Joker. There's even a nod or two to the complexities of socio-political systems, like the surprising and devastating plight of villages within the Amazon rainforest, and ripped-from-the-headlines issues such as human rights abuses of illegal immigrants. An odd delight in its schizophrenic appeal to lusty teenage boys and purveyers of Wendy Wasserstein plays. Wonder Woman, you're still a wonder. (Or in 90s vernacular: you go girl!

In the 90s DC comics discovered a surefire formula for sales success. They would kill, maim, drive mad their aging characters then replace them with younger, hipper versions but eventually return things to normal.

So Superman 'died' and was replaced by 4 alternate versions, Batman was crippled and replaced with a more violent version, Green Lantern went insane and was replaced with a Gen X slacker and so on. Eventually everything was returned to normal but in the meantime lots of comics were sold.

Then it was Wonder Woman's turn. In the previous volume (Wonder Woman the Contest) Princess Diana lost her title to an even bustier, violent redhead named Artemis.

Artemis sets about fixing the problems of the world by saving the rain forest, ending sweatshops and protecting women from domestic violence. Meanwhile Diana is forced to make a living as a PI. By the end of the book Artemis dies tragically and everything returns to normal.

It's clear that no one took this too seriously. William Messner-Loebs has Artemis fight cardboard villains like 'The Chauvinist', 'The Exploiter' and 'Involute the Conqueror!' who all have the ridiculous muscles and over sized guns of the worst 90s comics. Meanwhile the characters around her shake their heads in disbelief. Denied her usual costume Diana chooses an even skimpier and less practical outfit the even other characters in the book call S&M wear.

The examples of bad 90s cliches are too frequent and too terrible for this to be anything but a deliberate satire and a pretty good one at that.

I see the book is out of print right now but if you can find an affordable copy it's worth picking up for a laugh.

This book, Wonder Woman: Challenge of Artemis is the sequel to the other DC comics Trade paperback, Wonder Woman: The Contest! This book was written by William Messner Loebs with supurb art work by Mike Deodato Jr. this book continues the story left off in the Contest. Wonder Woman (Diana) is now a private detective working Freelance while her Amazon sister, Artemis is fighting crime as the new Wonder Woman in New York city. Princess Dina squares off against many DC villians in this book including a funny issue with the Joker! As Dina travels to Paradise Island she finds out the real reason why Artemis took her mantle sd wonderwoman. When her Amazon mother confesses that Diana might have died if she had the mantle so they picked artemis to win the Amazon games! Dina rushes to save Artemis's life and Artemis learns her listen about crime in American society. Will Diana be able to save Artemis from dying? Will Diana be able to become Wonder Woman again?! Great artwork by Mike Deodato Jr! He knows how to draw women superheros in comics! a must read!

I read Wonder Woman as a kid, since she was at the time the only female heroine girls looked up to, and recently got into collecting all of her books. I searched far and wide to find a copy of "The Callenge of Artemis", but Amazon.com was the only site in which I was able to find a dealer to make a purchase. The dealer was great and knew they possessed a diamond in the rough. The cost didin't compare to the enjoyment I received from every minute I sat reading the comic book from cover to cover. Now, it shall always be a part of my nearly completed set, but also my most cherished copy.

If you liked The Contest, you'll love this. The story is much better and much more exciting. We see Artimis fighting the evils of the world directly (at least it appears until...), and we see Princess Diana punching first and asking questions later--a very different side of her. The art is still very good. The action is exciting between normal people, super heroes, and mythical monsters. The end is really sad, yet appropriate. It was a great way to end this chapter of Diana's life and start the next.