Customer Reviews

Wonder Woman Vol. 3: Beauty and the Beasts

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

 

 

I have read this in their original comic format, in fact, I have read all four voulumes. RUN, don't walk, to get these.

Wonder Woman: Beauty and the Beasts is the third volume reprinting the George Perez run as both writer and artist for the Amazonian Princess and covers issues 15-19 as well as Action Comics 600. The scenes from Action involve an attempt at romance between Wonder Woman and Superman that detours into a fight with Darkseid and his minions. While the two seem well matched as mates based on power levels, it's becomes obvious that they have very different views of both the world and their respective roles in it. This leads to some friction and without giving away too much, I wouldn't look for the two to exactly walk down the aisle any time soon.

As for the stories from Wonder Woman's book, they focus on a trip to Greece where Diana meets a new villain, namely Circe. Circe is the sorceress of ancient legend and she decrees that Wonder Woman must die if she is to live. Unfortunately, some of Circe's actions are just stupid and inexplicable. For example, after Circe's attacks Diana with a powerful mystic bolt as a "warning" to stay away. Yet, Diana was completely unaware of her at the time and was likely to remain so if she hadn't been attacked so what was the point of this warning? It only served to alert Diana to danger and cause her to investigate.

The worst part of this collection is the inordinate amount of time Wonder Woman spends with her adopted family. There are Kodak moments galore as Diana makes sure they know how much she loves them, and they let her know that she is loved, and then they have some more heartfelt exchanges... and then more still. Seriously, it's nice that George wanted to show a human side but so much time is spent on these sticky sweet conversations and they add nothing to the story and really don't add much of any characterization. They just sit there like big unreadable lumps.

Overall, this volume is much weaker than the first two. The Perez art is as gorgeous as ever but the writing is dull and plodding. By the time it was over, I honestly couldn't wait to just be done with it so I didn't have to read any more and I definitely won't be buying the fourth and final volume after toughing my way through this fiasco.

It was so sweet to see WW and SM together, even if only for a few panels before a crisis interrupted their date. Perez did a fantastic job with the storyline and the art was adorable as always.

I was quite pleased with not only the book , but by the how quickly it had come to my house. Both were beyond expectations!