REVIEW: ‘Wonder Woman’ Issue #6

Wonder Woman #6 is published by DC Comics, written by Tom King, with art by Daniel Sampere, colors by Tomeu Morey, and letters by Clayton Cowles. There is a backup story written by King, art by Belén Ortega, colors by Alejandro Sánchez, and letters by Cowles. Wonder Woman’s most dangerous foes collaborate to try and kill the Amazon.

For the first time in this series, Wonder Woman faces people who can damage her. And not just one enemy but several. The structure and the pacing of the comic are brilliant. There is a quick opening that rapidly descends into dread. The action is explosive and relentless, literally flinging Diana from foe to foe. The comic does not move at a breakneck speed but does not stop. The start is undoubtedly distressing, and that tone continues until the final page. King is not holding back, and the decisions look fatal. Every hit is brutal, and the spectacle is mesmerizing. It’s a satisfying story as it seems like endless content.

The odds against Wonder Woman are extreme. Giganta, Grail, and many more of her enemies attack her up close and from afar, physically and psychically. And because of who Wonder Woman is, her responses vary. She is more resilient than almost any of her superhero colleagues, which has saved her life numerous times in these exchanges. But she also has an unmatched amount of compassion, even towards those trying to kill her. While some heroes may stop caring, Diana still feels a duty of care to those she fights.
Throughout Wonder Woman #6, the narration has become customary for the series. It comes from the Sovereign, the series’ main antagonist, although that is unclear. It’s speaking in past tense and is also a one-sided conversation, part of the mystery that King is powering towards. The narration has a majestic tone, respectful and almost in awe of the woman they are actively hunting. And as phenomenal as the prose is, there is a lot of it, and it can be easy to get lost. It runs parallel to the dialogue, which is much more concise and personality-driven. Wonder Woman’s relationship with her enemies is brilliant, depicting history and a strange closeness.

The art in the issue reaches new heights in more ways than one. Washington, DC, is turned into a playground where Wonder Woman’s foes can beat her. The major landmark used as a set piece is the Washington Monument, and Sampere uses it as more than just a setting. The fighting is ruthless and gloriously intense, traveling across the city. The various foes entering the fray means that Sampere has to change the character’s movements. Every figure looks terrific, especially Giganta. She is too big for her surroundings and causes massive damage. The impact of each blow demonstrates the power of the gods and those who oppose gods. And Wonder Woman herself gets more worn out and injured as time goes on; those wounds are noticeable without being overly gratuitous.

The colors are sensational. One of the most striking elements of the attack on Wonder Woman is that it is committed in broad daylight. It suggests a brazen attitude from the attackers. But it also makes the issue brighter, fully displaying the action. Wonder Woman’s armor always has a distinct shine and glint, and her lasso glows with splendor. The lettering within the caption boxes isn’t the easiest to read through a combination of the background color and the font. And considering how much text is inside those boxes, comfort while reading is essential.

The backup story shows the young trio of Superman (Jon Kent), Batman (Damian Wayne), and baby Trinity continuing to live together. This alternate timeline has been interesting and humorous. The length of time in these individual escapades isn’t known, but the dialogue is hilarious and adorable. It is building to something in the future and explores what is presumably the past.

Wonder Woman #6 is a real show of strength. The book presents Wonder Woman with one of her greatest-ever tests against a collection of her greatest foes. The tone and the near-constant fight scenes are magnificent. The exhaustion caused by having to fight enemy after enemy is palpable and perfectly written. In the last several issues, King has cemented Wonder Woman as one of DC’s mightiest heroes on its roster and certainly the most durable. Sampere is known for beauty as an artist, but this issue has also demonstrated his ability to depict brutality.

Wonder Woman #6 is available now wherever comics are sold.