Customer Reviews

Wonder Woman Vol. 1: Gods and Mortals

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

 

 

Decades before Xena: Warrior Princess was even a twinkle in Sam Raimi's eye, there was Wonder Woman. Created in 1940 by Dr. William Moulton Marston (a Harvard-trained psychologist with a law degree and a PhD who also invented the lie detector) to be an inspiration for women everywhere, Wonder Woman remains the world's most recognizable female superhero, thanks largely to Lynda Carter's humorous but respectful portrayal of this feminist (and gay) icon in the 1976-1979 hit TV series. Together with Superman and Batman, Wonder Woman has retained her iconic status as one of DC Comics' three flagship characters through much of the 20th century. However, as a monthly comic, Wonder Woman had become something of a joke by the 1980s - no one really knew how to handle such a strong female character that Dr. Marston had intended to inspire women. In fact, Wonder Woman was treated with much indignity when she was first made a secretary(?!?) in the Justice League of America in the 1960s, stripped of her powers in the 1970s, and increasingly had her character defined by her on again, off again relationship with air force pilot Steve Trevor. Something had to be done, and one of the most acclaimed comic book artists alive today, George Perez, volunteered his services. Wonder Woman was spectacularly relaunched in 1987. "Wonder Woman: Gods and Mortals" collects the first seven issues of George Perez?s work on Wonder Woman and retells the origin of the princess of the Amazons, drawing inspiration from the rich fountainhead of fantasy that is Greek mythology. Born to the Queen of the Amazons, granted superhuman powers by their patron goddesses, and trained to be a warrior from childhood, Diana of Themyscira uses all her skills to promote the peaceful ideals of Gaia, the Earth Goddess, and to protect the innocent. In her first adventure away from her sheltered existence on Paradise Island, Diana must stop the mad war god Ares and his sons, Deimos and Phobos, from starting a nuclear holocaust that threatens to destroy all of earth. For someone like me who had loved Greek mythology from a very young age, George Perez's Wonder Woman was an absolute joy to read. Five stars and two thumbs up from me.

Relaunching a series is one tough job. And I have to say that George Perez singlehandedly took a brave step in making Wonder Woman relevant to the 1980s. It isn't easy to relaunch an established character. Particularly a female character.

The best thing about the collection, aside from the art is the premise of the story. "What do gods do with all that power they amass?" And more importantly, "What do gods do, when there is no one left to worship them?"

These are piviotal questions in the collection, that George and Co. have answered brilliantly.

The thrilling modern age retelling of the world's first and arguably still greatest superheroine, Wonder Woman, born Princess Diana to Queen Hippolyta of the Amazons on Paradise Island, chosen to go to "Man's World" to stop the mad war god Ares from destroying the world.

Dated though it may be, George Perez's writing in collaboration with Len Wein, Greg Potter and Bruce Patterson helped redefine Wonder Woman for a new era, and it remains some of the best stuff to ever come from Wonder Woman's adventures.

I wish I could do it more justice than that. A must read for all fan boys and fan girls.

Since I am not such a fan of Madureira or guys who followed his half manga style (although I like Japanese Manga), I'd reccomend this for fans of realistic and detailed artword. Perez never fails.

If you buy stuff for art, it is a must. If you buy it for story, you won't be dissapointed either.

This is the most beautiful cover I have ever seen and the price is the best. This book is wonderful and I recommend it. Amazon.com is the best!!!!!