Written by Greg Rucka.
Art by Liam Sharp; Renato Guedes (for “Angel Down” only); Bilquis Evely (additional art: “Perfect”); Laura Martin; Romulo Fajardo Jr.; Hi-Fi; & Jodi Wynne.
Collection Cover Art by Liam Sharp & Laura Martin
SUMMARY:
Released by DC Comics in 2017, this 176-page paperback compiles Wonder Woman # 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, and 25 (all from 2016-2017). Isolated in the Black Sea, on a barren rock of an island, Steve Trevor witnesses a devastated Wonder Woman’s mental collapse over the disappearance of Themyscira, as she knew it.
With Veronica Cale’s Godwatch forces pursuing them, Trevor is forced to leave his beloved Diana in a London psychiatric hospital. He then goes into hiding with Etta Candy & the repentant ex-Cheetah Dr. Barbara Ann Minerva. Obsessed with reaching Themyscira herself, Cale has both Dr. Poison’s female commando squad and the wicked Dr. Cyber A.I. system tracking down Diana’s friends, with orders to kill, if necessary.
Slowing regaining her sanity, Diana quietly returns to normal upon her old friend, Ferdinand, visiting her. Ultimately, it’s revealed that Wonder Woman and Cale suspect that each other is the key to accessing Themyscira. To save her allies, Barbara Minerva resurrects her carnivorous Cheetah alter ego at Cale’s behest.
In a Black Sea showdown, Cale’s entourage faces off vs. Wonder Woman & Steve Trevor. Only Diana and Cale together can unlock Themyscira’s enigmatic fate, with Ares and his two vengeful sons standing in their way. It’s up to Wonder Woman to face Ares’ shape-shifting heirs, as well as her own personal demons re: Themyscira.
A concerned Justice League worries about Wonder Woman’s obvious change in temperament. Trevor makes a decision about helping Diana acclimate to her need for a private life.
Notes: This volume is the follow-up to Volume 1: The Lies. Diana’s mystical lasso is now referenced as ‘The Perfect.’
REVIEW:
Reminiscent of Walter Simonson’s epic approach to Thor, writer Greg Rucka emphasizes the mythology in Wonder Woman’s godlike heritage. Hence, this sophisticated storyline isn’t an exercise in superhero thrills. “The Truth” instead explores shades of obsession, as well as redemption, as a vulnerable Wonder Woman’s commitment to the mortal world comes full circle.
The flip side is that this plot’s deep character arcs aren’t necessarily fun to read. Case in point: there’s little resemblance to the familiar Wonder Woman persona that readers fondly recall from her iconic pre-New 52 incarnations. Dr. Cyber’s summation describing DC Rebirth’s Wonder Woman to her face as a “self-righteous, arrogant, simplistic little airhead,” is more accurate (unfortunately) than the mighty and compassionate DC icon that Lynda Carter and Gal Gadot personify. It comes down to what interpretation of Wonder Woman is a reader seeking; Rucka’s alien and somewhat naïve portrayal may not be what casuals fans expect, let alone want.
Visually, the art squad’s work is consistently high-caliber, and, in some panels, proves remarkably intricate depicting Themyscira. The artwork, in this regard, most certainly brings Rucka’s scripting to life.
If anything, one should first peruse Volume 2: Year One to get a better vibe for the Rucka reboot of Wonder Woman’s origin. Such a recommendation also extends to his modernized depictions of Steve Trevor, Etta Candy, Veronica Cale, & Barbara Minerva’s Cheetah, among others. Provided one likes Volume 2’s tweaking of Wonder Woman, then Volume 3: “The Truth” won’t likely be a disappointment.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
Appearing in full-page color followed by black-and-white are Liam Sharp & Laura Martin’s covers. Also, in a full-page format, there’s a gallery of artist Jenny Frison’s stellar variant covers consisting of Issues # 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, and 25.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 6 Stars
