REVIEW: ‘Wonder Woman,’ Issue #800

Wonder Woman has walked the paths of Gods and Men in her quest to help forge a better tomorrow. Now, on the precipice of another new path for the peerless warrior, Diana has undergone a ritual, transporting her into a deep, dream-like state to learn truths about herself through the eyes of those closest to her in Wonder Woman #800. The latest issue is published by DC Comics, written by Becky Cloonan, Michael W. Conrad, and Tom King, art by Joëlle Jones, Alitha Martinez, Todd Nauck, Skylar Patridge, Cully Hammer, Jen Bartel, and Daniel Sampere, colors by Tomeu Morey, Jordie Bellaire, Tamra Bonvillain, and Jen Bartel, with letters by Pat Brosseau and Clayton Cowles.

When in the throes of self-doubt, it’s not uncommon to seek out the opinions of those closest to us. Be it friends, trusted allies, or loving family members, these are the individuals we so often turn to when in greatest need of guidance. The most impactful of these interactions are those where the ones we’ve confided in don’t try and solve our problems for us, but, rather, are the ones who help simply by being there and offering a trusted sounding board. If there is one thing Wonder Woman #800 showcases, it’s that Diana Prince has a great many of these truly remarkable friends.

Through Diana’s journey of self-reflection, this issue explores who she is, not only to herself but to those who have spent 800+ issues fighting by her side. From her oldest friends like Superman and Batman to those who have followed her in her footsteps, Wonder Woman #800 illuminates how just one person can be a vast, vareity of things to others.  But even in her 800th issue, Diana can’t let herself take all the spotlight, as she is reminded of the strengths and burdens those around her bear as well, and draws as much strength and inspiration from them, as they profess to draw from her.

While all of Diana’s encounters bring their own emotional beauty to them, none hits as hard as the book’s opening scene between her and Donna Troy. Her moments with the original Wonder Girl set a high bar for the remaining story, as the two reunite after a long separation and remind each other how important they truly are to the other. Cloonan and Conrad allow the pair to display their mutual affection with just the right amount of flowery style,  closing the scene with an well-executed analogy that seals the moment’s emotional impact perfectly.

While Cloonan and Conrad’s writing throughout provides a constant voice to Wonder Woman #800‘s main story, the art stands out as it delivers individualistic looks for each dream so that each is captures the corrent tone and energy for the respective moments. But while all provide something special for their pages, none complement their stories as well as Bartel’s art for Diana’s meeting with Clark. Bartel’s lines and colors come together to imbue the meeting between the two icons with all the tenderness and strength the scene called for. It is a rare treat to see Bartel work inside a book, and her pages make me wish she was still doing more of them.

Wonder Woman #800‘s secondary tale gives readers a glimpse of the future as it sees Jon Kent, Damian Wayne as Batman, and a new Wonder Woman set out to face trials that they have been forbidden to do by their parents. Without giving away too much, suffice to say that this story manages to leave some interesting narrative hooks for readers to latch onto, with certain plots left dangingly so that readers feel compelled to continue pursuing it. An unsurprising development, considering the story is written by King, aided by the consistent lettering by Cowles.

Wonder Woman #800 delivers everything you could ask of a big, anniversary issue. Something old, something new, and for Diana, something True. But nothing less would serve for one of DC’s greatest icons, the Warrior of Truth.

Wonder Woman #800 is available now wherever comics are sold.