REVIEW: ‘Wonder Woman’ Issue #15

Wonder Woman #15 is published by DC Comics. Written by Tom King, art by Daniel Sampere, colors by Tomeu Morey, and letters by Clayton Cowles. There is a backup story written by King, art by Khary Randolph, colors by Alex Guimarães, and letters by Cowles. Steve Trevor is dead, and the Amazons set about taking their revenge against the Sovereign.

This issue has a classic King structure, breaking the story into segments. Wonder Woman #15 uses the old “Monkeys Jumping on the Bed” nursery rhyme as its spine, princesses replace the primates. Each princess is one of Wonder Woman’s team, attacking and taking out part of the Sovereign’s financial might. Battleships, banks, and businessmen are all targets, with a single team member tackling their objective.

Each scene is an entirely different set-up, with a plot within itself. The pacing has a calm, confident air, slowly but surely delivering damage to the monetary systems of their new nemesis. It’s a satisfying series of punches that generates a beautiful feeling of revenge. The split between the chapters has Wonder Woman tending to her newborn baby, a constant reminder of the newest member of her family.

The characters and the writing are sensational in Wonder Woman #15. This issue builds on repetition. Wonder Woman sings the nursery rhyme to little Elizabeth, counting down the princesses from five to one as each mission is completed. The princesses have their own lines, often repeating themselves through the short moment. They all speak in code at the end of their pieces, leaning on the nursery rhyme motif of the whole comic.

Over the top of the action comes the narration, spoken by the Sovereign. Still a mysterious organization 15 issues in, The Sovereign has the same tone even when they are getting pummeled. Every part of their meticulous, ancient planning and protection of their assets is dismantled in a small amount of time. The book’s personality comes from the women unleashed while Wonder Woman takes time to care for Elizabeth. Their glee while enacting fierce acts of defiance is warm and a joy to behold.

The art is stunning, showing multiple sides of the characters. The maternal part of Wonder Woman is calm, quiet, and smooth. Lizzie is tiny, exposed to small pieces of the Amazon life that await her. These moments of tranquillity are interspersed with sequences of action and violence. Each sequence has its setting and set of circumstances. These can range from launching a jet at a battleship to a sewer brawl with a supervillain.

Each page thrills, from the exhilarating explosions to something nearing sadistic pleasure. The characters look phenomenal. The level of detail on the faces of the women is extraordinary, and you can get lost while studying Sampere’s work. Most of all, the issue celebrates their strength, releasing their fury with surgical precision.

The colors are gorgeous. Morey relishes bright colors, with the characters’ vibrancy shining in glorious sunlight. But darkness can descend if any of the women venture into unfamiliar or dingy locations, such as the sewers Donna Troy finds herself in. The lettering is crisp and clear, making the extensive captions easy to read.

The backup story sees Steve Trevor enter Elysium. Steve is tempted by all the spoils that befit a soldier who died an honourable death. Yet none of them seem to impress him, and he struggles to fit in within the afterlife. The art is interesting as it is from Trevor’s POV. Elysium is stunning and varied, showing all the possibilities but failing to make Steve feel fulfilled.

Wonder Woman #15 is cathartic. This series has been a brutal boxing match. The Sovereign has been relentlessly swinging at Diana and her family, trying to break her. So Wonder Woman punches back—much harder. The book is a release of frustration, agony, and anger, taking down villains who have wrung every ounce of fury from the reader. King loves patterns and repetition, and this is a flawless example of it working well, brought to life through incredibly realistic art.

Wonder Woman #15 is available where comics are sold.