Written by Bryan Q. Miller
Art by Jorge Jimenez; Carrie Strachan; & Saida Temofonte
Cover Art by Cat Staggs
SUMMARY:
Published by DC Comics for October 2013, the Olympus opener introduces Wonder Woman to the Smallville universe. In a prologue set twenty years before, orphaned six-year old Steve Trevor survives a plane crash, only to land on the beaches of Themyscira. Playfully claimed by Diana (who is Steve’s age) as her ‘secret boy,’ she somehow hides his presence for five years. Steve is finally discovered by Diana’s displeased mother, Hippolyta. Diana defiantly witnesses Hippolyta’s troops drag Steve away.
In the present-day, Martha Kent meets the ominous D.E.O. Director, Mr. Bones, only to be rescued by a now-adult Diana (the mysterious ‘Woman in White’) from masked cultists. In Washington, D.C., Clark & Lois reunite with Martha. Clark’s work connects him with Steve Trevor, who is a D.E.O. agent (and Lois’ ex-boyfriend).
Meeting Diana, Lois bonds with her new friend. Superman intervenes after they are attacked by two harpies. Seeing Steve for the first time in fifteen years, a stunned Diana retreats. A sinister magician surfaces.
REVIEW:
As a major selling point, artist Cat Staggs’ cover image (including actor Tom Welling’s likeness) is this comic’s best asset. The interior artwork is well above-average, as even the prologue’s cartoony look is an inspired choice. The subsequent flashback’s art conveys a sense of poignancy re: Steve’s loss of his parents. Impressively, the art team pursues general likenesses of Tom Welling, Erica Durance, and Annette O’ Toole without cheating its audience.
Writer Bryan Q. Miller’s inspired reboot of Diana & Steve Trevor makes an easy transition into Smallville’s continuity. The convenient bit about Lois as Steve’s ex makes sense, as does Diana’s instant friendship with Lois. Courtesy of the art team, Miller pitches a great sight gag re: a sleeping Clark & Lois hovering above their bed late at night.
A misstep, however, is Miller’s flashback implying that precocious six-year old Diana somehow conceals Steve from her fellow Amazons for five years. It’s also suggested that Diana retrieved the Trevor plane’s submerged wreckage. Perhaps another flashback could rectify these few contrivances.
At least, Miller doesn’t reveal too much too soon, i.e. why Diana (without her familiar red-yellow-and-blue) is in the modern world, let alone how long she has been here. Hence, Smallville, Season 11 # 16 is an entertaining read for those who enjoy Superman-Wonder Woman team-ups.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
In addition to a full-page reprint of the cover image, there is a page of Cat Staggs’s concepts & sketches leading to the finalized cover. Accompanied by art still from this issue, the two-page Smallville Season 8 plot synopses cover live-action Episodes # 12-22. For whatever reason, the single-page “DC Comics All Access” column spotlights Bat-Cow in honor of the new Batman, Incorporated series.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars
