REVIEW: ‘Wonder Woman Annual,’ Issue #4

Wonder Woman Annual #4 is published by DC Comics, written by Steve Orlando, art by Jack Herbert, colors by Gabe Eltaeb and letters by Pat Brosseau. Wonder Woman is summoned to the Amazonian embassy at her mother’s behest. It seems a city has mysteriously appeared in Brazil and no one knows from whence it came. Furthermore, it is surrounded by a form of energy shield that courses with dark lightning. What’s more, this shield seems to twist and distort reality within the bubble causing stress and strain on the human psyche to the point of manifesting physical damage to the body. Diana instantly concludes this is the work of the Dark Fates, and immediately heads for Brazil to confront her enemies.

First and most importantly, I must talk about the very first image Wonder Woman Annual #4 greats it’s reader’s with. It is nothing less than Wonder Woman riding what has to be some form of Megalodon. It is quite possibly the last thing I expect to see when opening a Wonder Woman comic. And I doubt any issue will ever top this one for most unexpected, yet jaw dropping opening. Unfortunately, Diana’s extreme surfing is cut short as her mother summons her to the Amazonian Embassy.  

Upon flipping the page I am once again given to an impressive visual display. The Amazonian Embassy looks like a marble Noah’s ark with an ornate Greek city dropped on top of it. As someone who doesn’t generally read Wonder Woman this image was another unexpected treat.

Upon entering the embassy, Diana is greeted by her mother and Wonder Woman Annual #4’s main story is laid out for us. With a city in Brazil magically appearing and dark powers surrounding it, distorting the reality within, Diana concludes that this is the work of the Dark Fates. Diana heads to the city to join another tribe of Amazonians, the Bana-Mighdell, who are keeping watch from outside the city.

Upon arriving there, Diana concludes she is the only one that can enter the city unharmed. And that will only remain true so long as she can hold onto her lasso. For the city distortions are coming from lies and twisted visions. But the Golden Perfect that is her lasso is truth woven into form, and accepts no lies.

I won’t go into what happens within the trapped city, but the resulting confrontation delivers a fantastic end to Wonder Woman Annual #4. Writer Orlando does an excellent job shaping a conclusion that shows off Diana as a powerhouse, while not forgetting that she is much more than the sum of her punches.

The art in Wonder Woman Annual #4 delivers on all fronts. From the early moments surprise,(Diana on a MEGALADON) to the horrific impact the distortion field plagues its victims with, every moment is delivered with effect and power.

The wonderful lines of Herbert shine  even brighter through Eltaeb’s gorgeous colors. The story’s panels are always bright and vibrant. Even once in the distortion field, Eltaeb manages to impart a more sinister tone without losing any of the vibrancy.

Lastly, the lettering work here by Brosseau does an excellent job delivering its story. Not only does it keep the text easy to follow and out of the way of the art, it adds those little extra touches to lend a little more voice to some of it’s characters.

If the plethora of reasons above wasn’t enough to make Wonder Woman Annual #4 a must read for fans, the title ends with a revelation that could alter the course of not only Diana’s life, but of all Amazonians. It feels like an exciting time to be a fan of Wonder Woman.

Wonder Woman Annual #4 is available August 18th wherever comics are sold.