Wonder Woman #14 Review (spoilers!)

Warning, spoilers ahead - fair notice to readers.

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I have been eagerly awaiting this issue ever since I first heard Gail Simone was shifting over as writer. So eager in fact that I started seeing patterns with numbers that didn't have any connection to reality. So gleeful that I actually thanks Dan Didio in person earlier in the year for the move, and we had a brief chat about it (and Amazons Attack, but that's a different story).

So here we are, issue 14 (ruining my numerology).

I first have to say that I really enjoyed the issue. As a baseline it is far above what the title had been suffering through. Heinberg's arch wasn't bad, except where deadlines were concerned. The whole lead into, conflict, and aftermath of Amazons Attacked felt really arbitrary, coerced, and simply pointless. The only good thing I think to come out of it was the resurrection of Hyppolyta, which didn’t require all the bloodshed and mayhem – in character or not.

This new start is the beginning of a new title, but keeping the name. Simone barely gives any nod to the previous 13 issues, in fact only a few plot points are touched upon or carried over. I’m also glad she has kept her sense of wit she had on Birds of Prey.

I’m sure the albino apes will play into the future issues. Can anyone say “gorilla warfare” with the Nazi’s on Paradise Island? You know Simone would consider it. It’s just too good to ignore.

Also, Captain Nazi’s new outfit looks menacing. I sort of miss his old horrible green and yellow outfit, but this new one actually makes him look like a potent foe. Black looks good in an outfit anyway.

The art was fantastic. Nothing much else I can say.

I’m also glad the title will be in sets of four issues per story. That just feels like the right number for any ongoing story arch. Intro, buildup, peak, fallout. It’s also a bit kinder to those jumping into a title after having it suggested.

I feel like maybe I’m cheating myself by giving such glowing remarks on this book, but let’s face it. It’s about time.

Highly recommended.

Wonder Woman casting possibility.

Katie Holmes as Wonder Woman.

I have two words:

NO THANKS.

It's not that I dislike her, even if I didn't like her in Batman Begins. It's that her acting ability is kind of...I don't know...flat I guess. She doesn't have enough on screen power to pull off a strong role in my mind, and this is the freaking most powerful female in DC we're talking about.

I know I'm being premptive in my ranting and I admit I haven't seen but the one movie with her in it, but this is just bad casting in my mind.

Countdown issues

Is it just me, or does it feel like the writers of Countdown are not communicating with the other writing teams?

Personally, I find it annoying that the monitors are showing up everywhere with conflicting agendas. Maybe that's on purpose, but it isn't very smooth in any case. Nevermind the obviously inconsistancies with Black Adam.

Personally I would have taken him off the radar for several years, only to make a brief appearance during this new crisis - and then only after his upcoming miniseries. I mean, come on, I would have saved the return of his powerword to be the surprise twist ending of the mini. Here we are, spoiled as a silly plot device. I think it would have been better to bring out Eclipse, rather than have Mary joyride with Black Adam's lightning...

With 52 universes to watch over, the Monitors seem to be overly concerned with this earth. Why are they so worried about this Earth? Is Earth1 the hotspot for the multiverse's spring break and we need additional law enforcement or something?

Still, I can't be totally annoyed with DC over Countdown. I'm just annoyed that they seem to be in perpetual balance over what is good and bad. They let promising titles slide indo mediocrity, while the titles we like to laugh about actually gain promise - and the cycle repeats usually.

Justice League is actually decent now that it is crossing over with an already great title (Justice Society). 52 gave way to Countdown and lacks power, even with the awesome Dini driving it. Donner's Superman has practically vanished, while all-star batman is actually seen a new issue appear. Simone is moving from Birds of Prey to Wonder Woman, to bring that title out of a horrible slump - and hopefully BoP won't fall in quality...

At least I'm happy to say I'm through with Marvel. Only one thing could have tempted me back, but after hearing that DC maybe starting a norse comic I feel safe in saying Thor will not bring me back.

Norse Gods should not wear dinner plates as armor, nor should they be well groomed.

Simone on Birds of Prey, a conspiracy?

I think so many people are going to post about the obvious, I'll think I'll go a little conspiracy theory-ish.

Gail Simone was announced as the ongoing writer for Wonder Woman today.
She takes over on issue #13.
Today is Friday the 13th, of April.
April is the fourth month of the year.
There will be four writers on the WW relaunch before Simone.
This is 2007.
Two issues before Simone will be part of Amazons Attack.
The seventh issue of WW came out this week.

Sometimes suffering from apophenia is fun!

I think I'll post again

I have two things to say that bear mentioning, in my opinion.

1) It would have been far more interesting for the "twice named daughter of Cain" to be Cassandra Cain. I liked Kate Kane well enough to think she didn't deserve that. Instead she deserved a little something called character development.

With all the insanity surrounding her debut as a character, DC really jumped off the bridge when it had the chance to bring a little more diversity to the crime fighting side of the batclan. It would have been hilarious/awesome to see Bruce's reaction to her.

To think it could be considered a trade off for Montoya becoming the Question. Sadly, all she ever amounted to in a weekly comic was a plot device.

A high heeled, red headed, lesbian plot device.
Good job, DC.

2) Gail Simone leaving Birds of Prey? To think the end of the world shall arrive so soon...

Seriously though, as much love as she seemed to have for the title and the characters she is allowed to play with and fans to torment playfully she must have been offered a huge title.

People have been suggesting and hoping she will shift over to Wonder Woman. Simone has in the past said that her dream job would be a Blackhawks title, but for her to drop Birds of Prey for that doesn't make sense. That's something to start off with as a miniseries to test the waters or as a little treat for genre fans - like the recent Sgt Rock mini. I don't think she would drop an ongoing for a mini.

I honestly hope she has been offered Wonder Woman. First, DC reps have often claimed they want the title to be seen as an equal to Batman and Superman - and hasn't. It has a terrible reputation due to its reboot, and its no lie how it has been handled. It needs the type of talent Simone can bring to have it become a serious contender as one of the leading DC properties.

Simone consistantly brought BoP from mediocrity, despite Benes' art, to become an absolutely solid title that didn't need constant Batman or Superman cameos to make it sell. She made it sell by quality, and that's what a comic like Wonder Woman needs. It needs quality writing, by a person who knows what a monthly deadline is.

What I don't understand is why she dropped Birds of Prey and not Gen13...

DC Movies and their slow collapse

WB and DC seem to be fracturing at the seems when it comes to movies now.

Joss Whedon off Wonder Woman - It would have had great pacing and good dialogue, but I always felt his take might not have been the one non-whedon groupies would have liked on the whole. I do approve of who he had it might for Diana visually at least. It would have done well in any case.

Now there's the confirmed word that David Goyer is off the Flash - This is something I would normally slam my head on my keyboard for, because knocking him off that title after all I have read is a very very stupid move. I was really looking forward to this movie, even though I don't know a whole lot about the character. He's got great villains from what I've seen and read, even if much of them come across as less able Batman rogues.

Both of those moves toss both properties back into development hell. Afterall let's face it, who cares about those two when you have Batman and Superman?

What's next? James Cameron off Aquaman? To bad that was only a rumor spun out from a tv show's subplot. It would have been awesome.

Green Arrow will never have a movie, and let's just forget about Steel, shall we?

It's been a month now...

...since I've posted here. What's new? Well, I've been sick this week - on top of fatigue and exhaustion from work. I haven't been getting much done lately, and have barely written 2 pages on my novel.

Yes, I have been reading comics, and wondering if DC has noticed a slip in the quality of their print. The main titles barely stick to schedules, and the side titles are very average at best. I'm put off from Batman thanks to that Grotesk storyline and confedential fels very cookie-cutter and I dislike the art in it. Manhunter's been recanceled, Green Lantern and Wonder Woman might come out in a month. Where's Action Comics? Is Legends of the Dark Knight really ending?

Spawn wasn't too great this past week either, retconning in a craptastic reason why Al can't go home after remaking the world at his command.

Don't even get me started on Marvel...

Maybe I'm just in a bad mood, but seriously, things are not looking too bright this year. There's possible hope for Cassandra Cain, but with some of the choices DC's made recently have not reflected too well.

Comics: week of 08.23.2006

Justice League of America #1
So far from just this first issue, and taking #0 into account, it really does feel like this is written for a trade. I'm not sure I like this just yet. On one hand it does make for a good story when they are all pulled together, but on the whole it makes the issue feel broken. It isn't that I dislike Meltzer's writing style, it is just that I wished the issue felt a little more enclosed. I should also note that Turner's cover has Wonder Woman looking a little blown up and Superman looks starved. He draws a good Batman, however.

The story continues from #0 with DC's holy trinity discussing who they think is good enough to join them in the new league. I really like Batman speaking up first for Captain Marvel. There are a lot of reasons why, but my favorite is he can potentially take out Superman if need be.

The story seemed to focus the most on Red Tornado. I suppose he was the member selected to be the binding plot device. Afterall, there is only so much potential angst that can be pulled from the other characters.

People have made comments on not liking Platinum's new look. My take is that she's a robot - a shape changing robot. Who ever is behind the art makes her look how they want. Rivets don't fit her very well, however, I do like the long hair. She seems to be the female half of the robot angst plot, to counter balance Red Tornado's quest for humanity.

Speaking of becoming human, I think it's not such a good thing for Red to become human. Still, I bet Deadman will find the outcome of self sacrifice this time around interesting. I like Deadman, but he seemed rather pushy. Wait, was that really him or an illusion by the bad guys? It wasn't very clear...

I have really taken a liking to Green Arrow these last few months. It feels like they are breaking tradition by not seeking him out this early, but I have to admit it was fun to see him pushed off to the side as a babysitter. It sort of sets the tone that this new Justice League will be the league handed down to the next generation, like how the Teen Titans has become.

I'm rather neutral to the story so far. It is focusing on characters I know little about, which will help me learn about the characters. The problem is what I have read isn't snagging my interest very much.

The biggest thing about this issue that I hate is the 'bonus' this issue of the written pages of Meltzer's upcoming book. Words cannot full explain why this does not belong in the comic. I didn't read them, because frankly I was completely turned off when I discovered what they had slipped in.
7/10

Batman #656
I had problems with the issue before this one, because of continuity issues I was unsure of that prevented me from really enjoying that issue. Those have been cleared up now, and I can really get into this issue.

The visual play in this issue is amazing. I loved the Lichtenstein references everywhere, which were made ever greater by ninja man-bats. I think this issue was created for Chris Sims in mind, and anyone else that likes over the top craziness. Very enjoyable.
8/10

Batman and the Mad Monk #1
I vote that Batman and the Monster Men be accepted as canon, and seeing as how this looks like a direct follow up I will likely be viewed the same way. This issue felt like it was mostly a transition issue, following characters from the last arch and laying the groundwork for this new story.

Needless to say it felt very much like classic Batman, and I'm curious as to where this will go. I also really like the art style, which is always a bonus.
8/10

Wonder Woman #2
About time this came out. I was starting to worry a little if it was ever going to continue this year. I'm enjoying the title so far, but Robin looked really off model.

After introducing Nemesis last issue I would have liked a little more of him in the issue as backup, but then again he isn't the one who the comic is named for.
7.5/10

Xena #2
Issue 2 of the title, and the title is still rather good. In fact, the banter between the characters was enjoyable this go around. The flow also feels very much in line with the show. It may also help that Bruce Campbell's character has more focus in this issue.

The art is still rather decent though there are moments where mouths don't quite look right, but that is a minor point. I'm enjoying this title.
7.5/10

Supergirl #9
Oh dear. Do you hear that? That is the sound of respect being broken like a worn out Bruce Wayne over the knee of Bane. Seriously, this single issue has turned Supergirl into a character I don't like very much into a character I absolutely loath. What happened anyway? Did DC finally decide to drive off every reader?

First of all the last plot arch was wrapped up like someone thought it would be ok to just jump to a new story. No ending, just a horrible jump cut with occasional random flashbacks that explain nothing. Oh yeah, and the 'current' story involves Supergirl acting like a whore and stealing Superboy's iconic shirt. No respect for the chief casualty of Infinite Crisis.

There is still potential for Wonder Girl to flip out completely and beat the crap out of Supergirl. It'd be awesome if Power Girl joined in too. I think that would be the best way to end this title. Maybe then Supergirl's bones will heal in a way that will put her back into a more typical body shape.
3/10

Battlestar Galactica #0

I figured this issue needed some special attention. I am a big fan of the current series, eagerly awaiting season 3, and find the original a fun distraction. When I found out about this comic several months ago from a random news post I became a little excited about it, but I didn't give it much thought. I figured it was too big of a title to really pull off considering how tight and complicated the show is.

Last week I read that issue 0 was coming out this week, and once again I became excited. Then I read the publisher was Dynamite Entertainment. I haven't bought comics from them before, but I've heard things. I flipped through Red Sonja early on hoping for a female version of Conan given the history, but what I saw wasn't pretty. I don't know about the writing, but the art seemed solely on showing her body off. Maybe that's what the series is about, but it turned me off of the title.

Behold, a highly critical review.

First off, check the cover out. I mean the drawn one, not the photo. Photo covers I don't mind, as it automatically catches a new reader's eye. The drawn cover sums up basically the show, especially the second season. Can you identify everyone? Baltar is drawn and colored pretty well, capturing his madness as it should. Adama is the old guy with glasses in the center, also easy to identify but not quite looking like him. Starbuck essentially looks like herself, but her face looks like a formula drawn face with the 'Starbuck' pieces tagged on.

Now ask yourself, who is that woman in the red dress holding the arrow? Someone walking up to the shelf will hopefully connect her with the photo cover, but if not you have to rely on show knowledge to know who she is. She's the Cylon that Baltar is obsessed with, Six. Well, at least one of her model. At least that's what I think, because if you think about it that woman looks almost nothing like her aside from her hair color. Again, the face looks like a standard woman face in comics, and a lot like Starbuck if you ignore the different coloring (also, eyebrows are thinner but that could simply be simplifying for distance). Her hair is the wrong style, and the pose just doesn't look 'Sixish' enough. But hey, you know she's sexy because her red dress is transparent, and that's what Six is all about, right?

Ok, enough complaining about the cover. Covers are there to sell the comic, and are often by a different artist. The inside of the comic is what really matters. I have to admit I've put off reading this issue since I picked it up. Reason? The art, again.

I knew who Roslin was solely by the situations she was in. She looks nothing like her, aside from her clothes and hair. She looks much younger and her mannerisms seem unlike her. Adama is still the old guy with glasses, and still looking kind of like him.

Later when they show Starbuck, she looks like she does on cover and seems a bit more endowed than the actress in the show. She doesn't really do a whole lot till the end of the issue, but she looks very much like a standard 'leading lady' drawing (like Roslin) with various distinguishing attributes. Dualla is the same way as well, and she looks very little like her actress aside from pulled back hair.

I don't know if Apollo was in the issue or not, or Tigh for that matter, though Apollo is spoken to over communications. I actually had to really force myself to sit down and read the issue, since I couldn't casually get past the art.

The writing was actually decent in my opinion, and captured the character's speaking habits pretty well. The plot is basically the standard "people we knew that are dead are actually alive!" and bring back Dualla's brother (whom I never knew about prior) and most predictably Zak (Apollo's brother, Adama's dead son, and Starbuck's former love). However, they do put a spin on the idea by having the crew of the Galactica knowing the people are dead and doing the datamining to uncover the death records.

Another slightly positive aspect of the issue is that as bad as the art may register in my mind, they nail the ship designs and space shots. My only complaint with the art in that area is that, well, flames do not vent into space when a ship is on fire. Simple physics of fire requiring fuel, and space not being kind to that fuel - something about it being a vaccuum.

My overall feelings about this particular issue? I'd give it a 3/10 for now, and another shot to see how they go with this type of story. However, I am not going to get all excited over the multiple covers (unless they are really well done).

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One interesting thing that I noticed in the issue is that Dynamite is also rebooting Xena as a comic. I'll check that out as well when it comes out. I'm a little disappointed that she is completely out of proportion in the preview art. Her chest is not that big, in fact I remember it being rather 'normal' size (her armor just stands out from decoratons). However, it does bring up the returned possibility of the Wonder Woman vs Xena comic that Kalinara mentioned.

All Star Batman & Robin is Awesome!

I'm going to get a lot of flak for this, but I think All Star Batman & Robin is awesome. I can't wait to see how the series wraps up. There is so much that could happen, and I can't wait to read it. Frank Miller is awesome.

Ok, this is where I take a breath at just the right moment and deliver an ill concieved punchline.

By awesome, I mean awesome like a car wreck. As bad as it may be, you can't help but watch as medics arrive and pull the bodies from the mangled wreckage. Issue two was a train colliding with the car wreck. Three was a plane making an emergency landing on top of the train. As for issue 4, I'll say Bizarro tossed a cruise ship on the whole mess becuase nobody wants to go on a cruise when they are sad.

The only redeming point in the issue, or the whole series so far, has been the six page fold out of the batcave. Still, even that was tainted by lots of Frank Miller homages. He is basically tagging with his hand that which he did not create - I seem to remember that being called vandalism. Problem is, DC gave him permission for this monstosity.

Still, I suppose I can be content in the knowledge that Frank Miller got Batman. Imagine what he would have created given access to Superman or Wonder Woman. Wait, he did have Superman running (running! Frank, the man can fly) and I think Wonder Woman is on the cover of an upcoming issue. Crap. This will never end...

Superhero teenage angst and their success

Superman has Smallville, and now they are putting together a teenage Aquaman show. Now, I write this without watching a single episode of Smallville, so try not to get too angry at me if I slip and bash it accidently. I've never watched it becuase it has no draw for me. I like Superman as a character, but angsty teenage drama doesn't appeal to me - I experienced enough in high school and college.

Aquaman, as random as it sounds, makes a bit of sense to be used as a basis for another show of this type. The big three - Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman are the prime choices. Superman is taken already and has been a hit, and there's no rational reason to try to repeat the success of it by copying it with other people.

Wonder Woman is too focused of a story on her island as a kid. As far as I know, she didn't enounter any men until at least after her teenage years. There wouldn't be much potential for emotional stress of pains of heartbreak. Sure, a few episodes may be good at the start, but it would never last past a season.

Personally, I would have liked a show about Bruce Wayne. There is much potential there. Bruce is mortal, and we know he traveled around the world in his later teenage years. There is also a lot of angst and anger managment issues to play with, multiplied by his growing reputation as a ladies man. I know that a pilot was written and submitted, but eventually not produced - WB wanted to focus on Batman Begins, and I likes that they put so much work into that movie. However, I don't really agree that they should have chosen one in place of the other, becuase Batman Begins still didn't show his teenage years.

With Batman and Wonder Woman out of the picture, its up to the next popular ones on the slate - Green Lantern, Aquaman, and Flash. There are others with lesser over all popularity, but from what I know those three are basically the next set in popularity.

Green Lantern isn't a single hero, and the Green Lanterns didn't get their powers until they got the rings - meaning they can't have internal power struggles until they are older, so no teenage angst. That's not to say they don't have issues, just that they didn't get really important until they had their rings to bring them into important plot issues.

Originally the Flash didn't come into his powers until a science experament messed up and gave Barry Allen his super speed, as far as I know (forgive me if I have it wrong, I don't follow flash very well). Being an adult at that point, there is once again no teenage drama. Wally West is in the same boat I think. Kid Flash doesn't really have a reason to exist if the others are not already established, pretty much eliminating his chances. Besides, the Flash already had his shining moment as the short lived TV series (with Mark Hamill as the Trickster).

Leaving Aquaman, who aside from being the center of so many jokes, has the best chances. He's always had his powers, and more than likely felt ackward as a teenager becuase of them.

Now, I don't really have a feeling either way about the Aquaman show, just as I don't have an opinion about Smallville. I just felt like working through an observation. If the show is a success, more power to the execs at WB, but they shouldn't screw with continuity should they run into the chance to hit important plot points - or at least make sure its known it isn't canon.

Thoughts about Infinite Crisis

Since issue 4 came out, I'm starting to wonder about what the outcome will be. I know others have posted rumors and ideas, and I thought it was about time I did as well. Who knows, maybe I'll get a few things right and I can rub into the faces of those who get it wrong...

First of all, its pretty obvious that the universe will end up with a single, lonely, Earth. Frankly, its a bad idea to have multiple Earths outside of Elseworlds (which I really like the concept of). The two Earths will merge once again in the grand climax of issue 7, another obvious note.

I seriously doubt Superboy will return from the Speed Force, since, well, the Speed Force is now gone. I'm clueless as to how that happened, maybe it got indigestion after eating Superboy? Anyway, if the Speedforce is gone that means Superboy must be gone as well, at least until the Speed Force returns.

What I think will be the big twist at the end will Lois2 dying shortly after returning to Earth2 (issue 5 i predict) (kind of a seeing home and able to let go finally), and that Superman2 will become a bit wrathful afterwards (end of issue 5 i predict). Massive chaos and destruction, but he actually doesn't directly kill. Luthor2, however, will play the destruction out and kill off those he sees as not belonging, probably with his crazy tech stuff or something...

I'm betting that in issue 6, Superman2 will actually kill someone...wild guess would be Luthor2. This really messes Supe2 up, and begins to realize all the wrong he has done in trying to bring back Earth2. He then tries fix what he has done, and merges the two Earths back together. (issue 7)

I'm not exactly sure how that would happen, but I bet if SuperboyP could move and change so much, Superman2 could do it just as easily. (Still not sure how he moved the center of the universe, figured it was a something abstract...maybe he just moved half the universe a little more outward).

Anyway, I'm quite sure Lois2 will die next issue, there isn't much of a way to get around it - She's mortal with no powers, age will take its toll, and the relief of returning home should allow her to finally be at piece, thanks to her love doing everything he could and succeeding on her behalf (quite romantic, if you ignore the mass destruction and death).

I don't think we are nearly through the carnage, and I suspect a good number of people will not really survive being ripped from their place. Also, when the two Earths merge again, isn't that going to rewrite history once again? Nice excuse to fix things or change things, as DC sees fit.

I could talk a bit about the reulting OLY and 52 storylines, but personally I am not trying to predict anything at this moment, rumors or not. Yes, some of the issue previews give hints, and people half played detective to figure it out. I'm keeping an open mind, but there are a few rumors I tend to like. The main one was sparked by Diamondrock concerning Wonder Woman taking over for Batman as he retires (temporarily, I hope) to start up a family with Selina Kyle, if she stays sane thanks to Zatanna.

Actually, I'm thinking that Bruce Wayne may have a big part in helping keep Selina a good girl. They have had a thing going off and on for so long, and seem to trust each other enough for something like that to work. There isn't much question that they'll get together, becuase it had already happened (on an alternate Earth).

Anyway, that's just my thoughts...as limited as they are, hopefully something's right.

Lost topics

Well, Lost has been postponed for some football match. I'm not too happy about that, becuase I had hoped to respond about the episode afterwards. Instead I'll talk about comics.

Comic delivery was postponed again this week until tomorrow, which is also a factor in my unhappy mood - that and a loss of sleep (not a very interesting topic, so I won't talk about it unless someone pressures it). Instead I picked up a number of back issues from last week and the week before. I'm actually starting to spread my tendriles out to pick up other titles (aside from the core Batman titles). First it started with Green Lantern, thanks to Kalinara, and now I'm bleeding into Wonder Woman and Catwoman while picking up odd issues of Robin and Superman.

Overall I have been happy with what I've picked up and read. I'm sort of jumping on the bandwagon as Wonder Woman heads to a conclusion (was able to get 223 and 224). I'm curious about what will happen, and I enjoy the extra background into what is going on in Infinite Crisis.

Robin 145 was a fun read, especially with the many small time villains getting in each others' way. best quote: "Behold, I am the wicker man!" - "Behold, I have a woking lighter!" - "I surrender."

Picked up Catwoman 49 and 50 as well. 49 was the end of a multiparter, so I was a little lost as to motives, but otherwise it wasn't half bad. 50 was, to say the least, a little disturbing. I have to admit I really don't want Selina to become chaotic enough to go back to her old self, or become as psychotic as Bruce is right now. I know Zatanna meant well, and is trying to make amends with her mistakes, but she should really just stop before she unravels other things. I did like an actual explination as to why Selina became a 'good guy' - but I would have liked it more if she was able to turn herself around under her own willpower (gives her more credit, and a stronger character).

Tomorrow should be a more interesting day, since I will actually get to read 'new' comics...