REVIEW: ‘Wonder Woman,’ Issue #1

Wonder Woman #1 is published by DC Comics, written by Tom King, art by Daniel Sampere, colors by Tomeu Morey, and letters by Clayton Cowles. A violent conflict causes all Amazons to be banned from American soil, with many being hunted down by a ruthless government militia.

The start of a new epic that has been hugely anticipated, the emotional weight of this issue is implemented early. What sets off the tensions between humanity and the Amazons is shocking but clearly able to be manipulated. King’s storytelling is phenomenal, as this opening chapter of his run could not possibly be more dramatic. It’s heavy, with all of the action having a definitive consequence. The fighting appears fruitless for much of the book, often leading to tragic conclusions. What is established is a ruthless setting for Diana and the other warrior women, grounded and ready to quash feelings of hope or support. 

The pacing is slow within individual scenes, but the overall sequence of events snowballs rapidly. King uses real-life circumstances and current events to influence what the story contains. What the Amazons are facing is based on similar rhetoric and pressure that immigrants face but adapted to fit a superhero comic. The tone is dark, and the moments in Amazonian homes are devastating, bringing the magical warrior women and adding dark reality to their lives. The sci-fi within the soldiers is relatively low-key, as is the magic. That changes with the introduction of something new by the end of the issue. 

It’s evident within Wonder Woman #1 that whilst the title character is the heart of the book, the series is more representative of Amazons as a whole. There is a massive scale to the operation unfolding, with a number uttered later in the book that is unexpected and brutal. Each Amazon featured is filled with personality and power, making the first half of the comic so emotionally investing.

Things look bleak and ominous, and that is largely due to the lack of Diana for 50% of the comic. The anticipation is high as the wait goes on for what Wonder Woman will do to protect her sisters. When she does appear, everything she stands for radiates from her. She has a refusal to budge and an ancient wisdom. The villain has used fear and intimidation to assert power over the others, which is useless against Diana. She also carries her own fear, with a presence that silences anyone.

King’s dialogue is excellent. As seen in previous stories by the writer, an unknown narrator commentates on the unfolding situation with an incredibly poetic and dramatic air. That is reflected also in much of the dialogue, although that is much more direct and imposing. The lead villain of this issue omits a terrifying sense of menace and evil who delights in causing death and misery. But then comes Wonder Woman, with a matter-of-fact tone of voice in this issue that has a rage within it waiting to be unfurled.

The art is divine. Coming off some incredible work on Dark Crisis, Sampere again displays gorgeous realism. Each Amazonian has been superbly designed, mixing both beauty and power. But they struggle against this onslaught of these intense soldiers congregating in numbers. There are glimpses of violence and action often cut short, so it isn’t until Diana joins that Sampere shows off what it can really look like. But the brutality of those previous moments demonstrates that this book is not for the faint-hearted. Wonder Woman’s fight scene is amazing, presenting this new series with the power, grace, and various attributes of how she moves and the weapons she utilizes.

The colors are also stunning. The clandestine forces moving against the Amazons are all clad in a uniform black. To contrast this, the Amazons are almost all in their armor, glowing in the red, blue, and gold that Diana has made so famous. The lettering for the word balloons is absolutely fine, but the text in the captions could be slightly difficult to read due to both the color combination and the font size.

Wonder Woman #1 is a stunning but sombre start. It features a full team of absolute masters of comic creation, delivering a story that exposes the majesty of the Amazons to the horrors of humanity. It’s thought-provoking and violent, firing shots that were never expected at this level and so early. Diana and her sisters now face a threat that can do real damage to them, and this brazen start shows that none of them are safe.

Wonder Woman #1 is available where comics are sold.