Wonder Woman: The Circle [Paperback]

Gail Simone (Author), Terry Dodson (Illustrator), Bernard Chang (Illustrator)

Book Description

Release date: September 29, 2009

An army of foes called the Olympians have risen to begin their all-out assault on war across the globe and only Wonder Woman can stop them! One particular attack could spell the end of the Department of Metahuman Affairs and end WW's secret identity of Diana Prince. And Wonder Woman's life is changed forever when she faces a monster named Genocide who easily goes toe to- toe with the comic book icon...and beats her! Don't miss this crucial arc in Wonder Woman's history!

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Gail Simone is the fan-favourite writer of Secret Six, Superman: Action Comics, Rose & Thorn, Deadpool, The Simpsons, Gen 13 and Welcome to Tranquility. Terry and Rachel Dodson are a fan-favourite penciller and inker team (respectively) whose work includes Generation X, Pryde and Wisdom, Spider-Man, Storm, Teen Titans, Trouble and Star Wars. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: DC Comics (September 29, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1401220118
• ISBN-13: 978-1401220112
• Product Dimensions: 0.2 x 6.6 x 10 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #477,165 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Are Diana's trials at an end? October 6, 2008

By Sean Curley

Format:Hardcover

It is hard to imagine a much more wretched year for Wonder Woman than 2007; the year began with Allan Heinberg's perenially delayed and sadly misguided opening arc still struggling to get out; intermixed with these issues we got Jodi Picoult's equally off-base offering, and then "Amazons Attack", an atrocity that seemed almost tailor-made to destroy the character's history. By story's end, Diana's people were turned into a bunch of barbarous morons responsible for gleeful mass-murder. With issue fourteen, Gail Simone, the industry's preeminent female writer (not a particularly wide field, to be sure) and a great writer in general, took over the the title; this volume collects her first six issues, #14-19. What can she make out of this car wreck of a relaunch?

This trade contains two stories. The first, Simone's opening arc, is 'The Circle' (which lends its name to the hardcover as a whole), which, to a certain extent, addresses the fallout of "Amazons Attack", mainly concerning the fate of Diana's mother Hippolyta. As well, Simone introduces a new wrinkle into Wonder Woman's origin, the idea that her birth on Themyscira was not as universally welcomed as previous stories have had it. The challenge of writing imperfection into paradise is a difficult line to walk, but Simone pulls it off quite well. Alkyone's imperial guard are well-realized characters. The art is mainly by Terry Dodson, with some fill-in pages from Ron Randall after Dodson hurt his hand. The book looks quite good, although their action sequences are not that dynamic. Less enjoyable is Simone's attempt to make Heinberg's idiotic new "Diana Prince" status quo work; it still doesn't. I read "Wonder Woman" for Diana of Themyscira, not her pretending to be someone she isn't to hide from the world....

The concluding two-parter, "Ex-Patriate", sees Diana go into space, recruited by the Klingon-esque Khund race to deal with an alien menace that is destroying their civilization. This arc is much less successful then the first one. It begins with an incredibly annoying scene between Diana and Nemesis, the stupid love interest introduced in the Heinberg run, who is totally incompatible with Diana (it doesn't help that the first two arcs portrayed him as a complete sexist idiot; Simone gets him better, but this relationship has no foundation). More broadly, the plot really doesn't make much sense when you think about it. There are some great scenes, such as a fight between Diana and a Green Lantern that effectively captures the power of both characters. Bernard Chang's artwork is very good.

By far the biggest plus in this collection is Diana herself, as a character. For someone who is often maligned as being a dull protagonist, Simone infuses Diana with appropriate personality; she is wise, courageous, devout, competent, and funny (funny in a way appropriate to her, unlike the humour attempts in Picoult's run). Even when the plot is subpar, Diana herself is entertaining to read. Supporting characters like Hippolyta (inexplicably a queen again) and Etta Candy (reintroduced as a competent secret agent-type) are similarly well-done.

The first story would earn perhaps 4 or 4.5 stars, while the second maybe a 2.5-3. I will give this four stars overall; whatever its flaws, it is the best Wonder Woman story since Greg Rucka was forced off, and I believe that if anyone can make Diana worthwhile again, it is Gail Simone. Read more ›

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars a 5 star golden tiara read January 18, 2009

By Fr_E

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is a story about Diana after she has searched for who she is and is going back on her heroic journeys as Wonder Woman. But sometimes going back to the beginning of a story is what is needed to propel it forward.
The first arc in the book is about 4 renegade Amazons who take the shadowside of Athena to a chilling conclusion. These 4 will do anything to defend the Amazon civilization from what they see as its greatest fear, a child. But strangely, because human they be, they yearn for a baby girl themselves.

This is a story that tells of a daughter and how far she will go to help her mother and her land. This is a story that shows the power of Mercy and Diana at her finest as warrior and diplomatic. A top notch story and very worth picking up for your shelves.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding! August 22, 2010

By Steven J. Bell

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is a truly wonderful story. After the disaster that was Amazons Attack, it is really nice to see Wonder Woman headed back in the right direction. I always thought Gail Simone did a great job with Birds of Prey- I think she is even better writing Wonder Woman. The artwork is also topnotch.

I won't give the story away. I'll just say that most of it takes place on Themiscira and Queen Hypolyta has a large part and guess what? She is actually written in character this time (will wonders never cease?)! Princess Diana also seems to have returned to her roots, finding ways to be compassionate and loving and also a kick ass warrior when the need arises. This story marks the return of a familiar and much missed vulnerability to the character but also never-dying courage and strength, which is the way it ought to be. Thanks to Gail Simone for knowing the characters and keeping them true!

There is one part of the story that surprised me- again, I do not want to give too much away but at one point Diana decides to forgo her allegiance to Athena and dedicate herself to a god from a different pantheon. At first, I was a bit shocked by this but considering everything that has happened to the Greek gods of late I eventually decided that, yes, it made absolute sense for her to do it. Once again, I give a lot of credit to Simone for understanding the character and her motivations.

This is Wonder Woman at her best and I recommend it.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars wonder woman adventure. November 23, 2010

By JFL

Format:Paperback

Fighting genetically enchanted Gorillas, Traveling through time to meets gods, Sword fights, Giant sharks, fighting Nazi!!

this is a wonder woman stories.

there is a second story in there is very good. A great fun for any green lantern fans.

Dodson and Chang do great job on the art.

Gail Simone like always does a great job.

the four guards are sad to read about and great to watch them fight. they both love and hate Wonder woman.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Yes! January 2, 2010

By E L-G

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I am so excited by Gail Simone's ideas for Wonder Woman. She opens up some intriguing doors on Themyscira that have been begging to be opened, and gives Wonder Woman a chance to really express her humanity.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best WW stories ever... December 14, 2009

By J. Giampietro

Format:Hardcover

Honestly, this is one of the best WW stories in years. Gail Simone writes a great story that adds an element to Diana's origin as well as introduce a brand new (frightening) villian.

The art is spectacular and the story is very strong and tight. I can't recommend this enough.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Are Diana's trials at an end? October 26, 2009

By Sean Curley

Format:Paperback

It is hard to imagine a much more wretched year for Wonder Woman than 2007; the year began with Allan Heinberg's perenially delayed and sadly misguided opening arc still struggling to get out; intermixed with these issues we got Jodi Picoult's equally off-base offering, and then "Amazons Attack", an atrocity that seemed almost tailor-made to destroy the character's history. By story's end, Diana's people were turned into a bunch of barbarous morons responsible for gleeful mass-murder. With issue fourteen, Gail Simone, the industry's preeminent female writer (not a particularly wide field, to be sure) and a great writer in general, took over the the title; this volume collects her first six issues, #14-19. What can she make out of this car wreck of a relaunch?

This trade contains two stories. The first, Simone's opening arc, is 'The Circle' (which lends its name to the hardcover as a whole), which, to a certain extent, addresses the fallout of "Amazons Attack", mainly concerning the fate of Diana's mother Hippolyta. As well, Simone introduces a new wrinkle into Wonder Woman's origin, the idea that her birth on Themyscira was not as universally welcomed as previous stories have had it. The challenge of writing imperfection into paradise is a difficult line to walk, but Simone pulls it off quite well. Alkyone's imperial guard are well-realized characters. The art is mainly by Terry Dodson, with some fill-in pages from Ron Randall after Dodson hurt his hand. The book looks quite good, although their action sequences are not that dynamic. Less enjoyable is Simone's attempt to make Heinberg's idiotic new "Diana Prince" status quo work; it still doesn't. I read "Wonder Woman" for Diana of Themyscira, not her pretending to be someone she isn't to hide from the world....

The concluding two-parter, "Ex-Patriate", sees Diana go into space, recruited by the Klingon-esque Khund race to deal with an alien menace that is destroying their civilization. This arc is much less successful then the first one. It begins with an incredibly annoying scene between Diana and Nemesis, the stupid love interest introduced in the Heinberg run, who is totally incompatible with Diana (it doesn't help that the first two arcs portrayed him as a complete sexist idiot; Simone gets him better, but this relationship has no foundation). More broadly, the plot really doesn't make much sense when you think about it. There are some great scenes, such as a fight between Diana and a Green Lantern that effectively captures the power of both characters. Bernard Chang's artwork is very good.

By far the biggest plus in this collection is Diana herself, as a character. For someone who is often maligned as being a dull protagonist, Simone infuses Diana with appropriate personality; she is wise, courageous, devout, competent, and funny (funny in a way appropriate to her, unlike the humour attempts in Picoult's run). Even when the plot is subpar, Diana herself is entertaining to read. Supporting characters like Hippolyta (inexplicably a queen again) and Etta Candy (reintroduced as a competent secret agent-type) are similarly well-done.

The first story would earn perhaps 4 or 4.5 stars, while the second maybe a 2.5-3. I will give this four stars overall; whatever its flaws, it is the best Wonder Woman story since Greg Rucka was forced off, and I believe that if anyone can make Diana worthwhile again, it is Gail Simone. Read more ›