Written by Jodi Piccoult
Art by Drew Johnson; Ray Snyder; Travis Lanham; & Alex Sinclair
Cover Art by Terry Dodson; Rachel Dodson; & Alex Sinclair
SUMMARY:
Entitled “Love & Murder, Part 1,” DC Comics released this issue for May 2007. Department of Metahuman Affairs Special Agents Diana Prince & Tom “Nemesis” Tresser are assigned a thankless detail bodyguarding the new Maxi Man’s (a D-List actor) autograph session at a gaudy super-hero theme park. Despite her fugitive status, Wonder Woman makes emergency rescues at the park and later against an armed mugger.
While Tresser bemoans his present assignment (including this mysterious rookie assigned as his partner), a somewhat aloof Diana is still acclimating to customs of everyday mortal life to keep her secret identity intact. Ironically, Diana & Tom are soon assigned by their gruff supervisor, Sarge Steel, to capture Wonder Woman re: the unresolved murder of Maxwell Lord.
Diana wearily ponders how she must work around this charade without giving up her secret. After Tresser is abducted by a devious old foe posing as Wonder Woman, it’s up to Diana to save her new partner.
REVIEW:
Including an amusing self-promotional plug for DC Direct’s Wonder Woman action figure line, novelist Jodi Piccoult’s opener for “Love & Murder” is well-played. Though why Diana is now just learning simple daily concepts like credit cards and pumping gas isn’t clear, Piccoult still makes a sighing Wonder Woman’s perspective entertaining to read.
As seen with the likable cover image, the art squad’s excellent visuals deliver the necessary goods. However, some of the artwork unnecessarily plays innuendoes re: Wonder Woman and Circe’s sex appeal (i.e. the semi-kinky last page). In that regard, parents should be aware that some panels in Issue # 6 aren’t appropriate for young fans.
Otherwise, Wonder Woman # 6 should satisfy all other expectations. Case in point: the intriguingly modern, X-Files-style twist on Wonder Woman’s classic secret identity continues to impress. Much like the Superman-Clark Kent dynamic, Piccoult’s further exploration of Diana’s efforts to better assimilate herself among ordinary humans makes for a fun read.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
DC’s VP-of-Sales, Bob Wayne, pens a “DC Nation” column. Thumbnail cover reveals included are for Catwoman # 65; Green Lantern # 18, 52 # 47, and Wonder Woman # 7.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7½ Stars
