REVIEW: ‘Wonder Woman,’ Issue #771

Wonder Woman #771 is published by DC Comics, written by Michael W. Conrad, Becky Cloonan, and Jordie Bellaire, art by Paulina Ganucheau and Travis Moore, colors by Tamra Bonvillain and Kendall Goode, with letters by Becca Carey and Pat Brosseau. Seeking to save her friend Siegfried and the world tree Yggdrasil, Wonder Woman’s search for answers begins by going to the gods. But, as always seems to be the case, the gods are less than helpful. Also, young Diana’s lessons take an unexpected turn in this issue’s secondary story.

This issue’s story opens with Diana confronting Thor about the recent disappearances from Valhalla. Thor’s indifference to the problem is nothing short of vexing for Diana. This is made even worse when she learns of the selfish reasons for his indifference. When not even the knowledge that his most valiant hero Siegfried has failed to return does nothing to sway the god, Diana storms off in search of more productive uses of her time.

From here, Wonder Woman #771 sees Diana confront several challenges, testing her in numerous ways as she navigates the perils of the Norse Realms, as well as runs into a vaguely remembered old adversary. 

I greatly enjoyed Conrad and Cloonan’s take on Asgardian Mythology. While I know little of the source material, it serves as a fun contrast, at least to the take on the subject I get from another comic company. 

The two writers also continue to do a great job with Diana herself. Even without her memories, even though the title Wonder Woman is alien to her ears, she is still Diana. And even though she is lost with no knowledge of the world she finds herself in, she can do naught but help. It’s just who she is, even when she doesn’t know herself. 

The art in Wonder Woman #771 delivers on the harsh, dying land its story is set in. Artist Moore delivers the might and menace of the mythological characters well, and Bonvillain’s colors capture each scene’s lighting wonderfully.

Rounding out the main story is Brosseau’s letters. The lettering here provides the story in a clear and easy-to-follow way, allowing the reader to enjoy the story to its fullest.

In the back portion of Wonder Woman #771, we see a young Diana begin her Amazonian history lessons. These lessons are soon interrupted as two of her fellow amazons disagree on how much of the history of Themyiscra Diana should be taught. While Diana wishes to know all of her people’s history, it seems some would prefer the focus to remain on the more positive aspects of her people. 

I like how Bellaire uses this tale to take a glance at how people often neglect those aspects of their society they are less than proud of. All history is important, after all. And those who do not study the past are doomed to repeat its mistakes. 

But while Bellaire delivers this quick thought about social studies, she doesn’t allow it to bog down her short narrative. As we see rambunctious Diana interested in her people’s history, all of it, we see her even more eager to turn her lesson into a potential adventure. Because what kid wouldn’t rather be outside? Bellaire manages to balance Princess Diana with child Diana in a wonderfully innocent way.

The visual presentation in Wonder Woman #771’s secondary story creates all the feelings of a Saturday morning cartoon. From Ganucheau’s lines to Goode’s colors, everything about the art here delivers its story in a light-hearted and fun way.

Wrapping up our look at this book is Carey’s lettering. There is a fair amount of dialogue in this story, and happily, Carey can keep it all clear, easy to follow, and out of the art’s way.

Taking it all in together, Wonder Woman #771 delivers another pair of good stories. With the main tale seeing Diana venture where I’m guessing no god has gone before, and the secondary tale leaving an eager Diana to take up a quest of her own, the creative teams here are certainly keeping the demi-goddess busy. Here’s hoping she’s up to her respective challenges.

Wonder Woman #771 is available now wherever comics are sold.