Wonder Woman-DC Comics-#600
4 stars out of 5
In introduction to this issue, which is entitled “Wonder Woman Can Save the World,” Lynda Carter, the actress who portrayed Wonder Woman on the 1970s TV show, says that it is not Wonder Woman’s outfit or accessories who make her who she is, but her inner self, which represents “the ‘secret self’ inside every woman—the beautiful, unafraid, tenacious and powerful woman we know resides within us.”
The introduction is followed by several story lines and art pieces.
Art Piece #1: Adams Hughes’ drawing of “Wonder Woman,” which follows the introduction, depicts Wonder Woman’s ability to be graceful and tough at the same time. She lifts an elephant over her head without breaking a sweat.
Story Line #1 (“Valedictorian”): Wonder Woman is seen blasting through the air and leading a bunch of superheroes, mainly women, into battle. Her companions include Batwoman, Batgirl, Supergirl, Manhunter, Black Alice, Miss Martian, Ravager, Bulleteer, The Question, and several others. They are fighting cyber-sirens, which are hypnotizing men with their beauty. The fight is taking place near the White House. The battle is won. Wonder Woman leaves to attend the graduation of Vanessa Kapatelis, a close friend. They have taught each other valuable lessons. Wonder Woman taught Vanessa to “Keep faith. Trust to love. Fight with honor. But fight to win.” Vanessa taught Wonder Woman that “love endures” even though “circumstances change.”
Art Piece #2: Nicola Scott and Jason Wright created a shiny and flashy Wonder Woman on top of a pillar with ancient Greek architecture and the sea behind her.
Art Piece #3: Ivan Reis, Oclair Albert, and Rob Reis display a Wonder Woman that is much like Donatello’s Judith. She is beautiful and feminine, but also a warrior with her sword raised up. The blood on the sword comes from the chopped off head of Medusa, which has eyes that are scarily still open.
Story Line #2 (“Fuzzy Logic”): Wonder Woman, Power Girl, and Batgirl defeat Chang Tsu, a Humpty Dumpty with a side of robot. Power Girl asks Wonder Woman for advice, which at first sounds like romantic advice, but ends up being advice for pet care.
Art Piece #4: Guillem March’s Wonder Woman brings new meaning to “roll with the punches” since she almost seems like a ball of fists.
Art Piece #5: Greg Horn’s life-like Wonder Woman stands proudly amongst a dark and cloudy landscape.
Art Piece #6: Francis Manapul and Brian Buccelato display Wonder Woman’s Amazonian roots in her fighting in a battle with ancient Greeks and with her arrow-struck shield in hand.
Art Piece #7: Phil Jimenez and Hi-Fi’s work depicts the world that created Wonder Woman as well as the world that Wonder Woman created with her standing proudly in the center.
Story Line #3 (“Fire Power”): Wonder Woman and Superman save people from a plane crash, which was caused by Nikos Aegeus. Nikos is using Zeus’ lightning bolts to cause trouble. He wants $100 million or he’ll do something tragic every hour that he doesn’t have his money. He strikes a train bridge next. Superman manages to stop a train from having a horrible accident on the damaged bridge. Wonder Woman traps Nikos in her lasso. Superman distracts Nikos from cutting the lasso with Vulcan’s knife and during this time Wonder Woman lands the winning punch in Nikos’ face.
Art Piece #8: Jock’s Wonder Woman has a lasso that looks like neon light, but an appearance that seems to say vixen instead of warrior.
Art Piece #9: Shane Davis, Jaime Mendoza, and Nei Ruffino have a Patriotic Wonder Woman whose portrayal could be seen between that of Uncle Sam and Rosie the Riveter. She has the American flag waving in the background, sparkles at her feet, and her lasso in her hand, ready for action.
Story Line #4 (“The Sensational Wonder Woman”): Wonder Woman is seen fighting a battle, while someone discusses what made her who she is.
Story Line #5 (“Odyssey: Prologue-Couture Shock”): Wonder Woman appears in her new outfit that is stylish yet comfy. In the new clothes, she is running down the street and bumps into a bunch of men that want to fight her. She kicks butt and manages to leave a “W” in a bad guy’s forehead. The men have explosive devices attached to their chests and blow up. It appears whatever mission they were on has failed. Wonder Woman decides to go see the oracle, a goth girl who hangs out under a bridge. The oracle reminds her of the home that she is trying to save, which now is nothing but knocked over Greek columns.
The issue ends with Jim Lee and J. Michael Straczynski discussing Wonder Woman’s new look in “Behind the Scenes: The New Costume.” Straczynski gives the best reasoning for the new clothes: Wonder Woman needs clothes that she “can fight in, that add to her presence and her strength and power.” As Lynda Carter reminded us in the introduction, the clothes don’t matter, but the woman does.
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