Written by (See Below)
Art by (See Below)
Golden Age Variant Cover Art by Amy Reeder
SUMMARY:
Released by DC Comics for December 2021, this milestone celebration consists of nine short stories. They are:
“In Memoriam” (16 pages). Writers: Michael W. Conrad & Becky Cloonan, with Art by: Jim Cheung; Marcelo; Maiolo; & Pat Brosseau. Attempting to move on with his life, a grieving Steve Trevor gives Etta Candy a sneak preview of a Wonder Woman retrospective documentary he is compiling. The tale is a lead-in for Issue # 780, as the world currently believes Wonder Woman is dead. Cameos include Lois Lane; Superman; Booster Gold; Shazam; & Animal Man.
“Dreamers” (8 pages). Writer: Jordie Bellaire; with Art by: Paulina Ganucheau; Kendall Goode; & Becca Carey. As a young girl, Diana goes underwater to explore Themyscira’s passage to Doom’s Doorway. Diana has a poignant discussion with her older sister, Nubia.
“Fresh Catch” (8 pages). Writer/Artist: Amy Reeder, with Further Art by: Marissa Louise & Carlos Mangual. In homage to the Golden Age, a captive Wonder Woman summons sorority leader Etta Candy’s help to tangle with a horde of slimeball fishermen.
“Dear Diana …” (8 pages). Writer: Mark Waid, with Art by: José Luis Garcia-López; Joe Prado; Trish Mulvhill; & Clem Robins. In homage to the Silver Age’s Justice League, Wonder Woman is perplexed why her teammates constantly ask her for sage advice. Appearances include: Green Lantern; Flash; Hawkwoman; and Superman, with cameos from Green Arrow, along with Batman & Robin.
“Dated” (8 pages). Writer: Tom King; with Art by: Evan “Doc” Shaner & Clayton Cowles. Representing the ultra-groovy Bronze Age, Lois Lane sets up colleague Clark Kent on a blind date. He’s stunned to find out it’s a powerless yet amused boutique owner, Diana Prince.
“Better Angels” (8 pages). Writer: Vita Ayala; with Art by: Isaac Goodhart; Jeremy Lawson; & John Workman. Perpetual adversaries Wonder Woman & Cheetah must aside their rivalry if they’re going to save a teacher and her young students from a crumbling building.
“Saturn Rising” (8 pages). Writer: Steve Orlando; with Art by: Laura Braga; Romulo Fajardo Jr.; & Becca Carey. Over bread & wine on Themyscira, Diana & Nubia listen to Artemis, & their mother, Hippolyta, describe their own prior battles as Wonder Woman against Saturn’s invasion forces.
“Immortal Mysteries” (8 pages). Writer: Stephanie Phillips; with Art by: Marcio Takara; Marcelo Mailolo; & Rob Leigh. In 2015, Wonder Woman and her archaeologist friend, Professor Barnes, face ancient supernatural forces at Eleusis, Greece.
“Low Orbit” (8 pages). Writer: G. Willow Wilson; with Art by: Meghan Hetrick; Marissa Louise; & Pat Brosseau. In 2109, with a decaying Earth below, a space station’s solar-powered orbit is suddenly threatened. As a young girl observes, the station’s fate resides with an Amazonian angel from Earth.
Note: Although images aren’t included, the primary cover’s artists are Yanick Paquette & Nathan Fairbairn. The other seven variant covers are by: Michael Cho {Silver Age}; Travis Moore & Adriano Lucas {Bronze Age}; Cliff Chiang {Modern Age}; Will Murai [film-inspired}; Cat Staggs {television-inspired}; Bruce Timm {animation-inspired}; & Jen Bartel {costume celebration-inspired}.
REVIEW:
Reminiscent of her 2014-2016 Sensation Comics anthology series, Wonder Woman typically excels in short story form, in terms of both scripting and visual storytelling. This commemorative one-shot is no exception, as it proves why DC Comics should be proud of their icon’s achievements in both pop culture and as an inspirational role model.
The only near-misfire is “Dated,” as writer Tom King’s excessive use of hippie lingo nearly ruins Diana & Clark’s intriguing blind date. Aside from this annoyance, the gorgeously-produced Wonder Woman 80th Anniversary special is top-caliber!
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
Of stellar quality, there are eight full-page pin-ups. The individual artists are: 1. Nick Robles {a Wonder Woman playing card}; 2. Brittney Williams {Nubia}; 3. David Marquez {Nubia & Hippolyta’s sparring session}; 4. Gabriel Picolo {Wonder Girls Donna & Cassie as high school track stars}; 5. Nicola Scott & Annette Kwok {Wonder Women of the DC Multiverse}; 6. Daniel Warren Johnson {black-and-white villains}; 7. Dani {Artemis}; & 8. Janaina Medeiros {Yara}. Several ads hype upcoming Nubia-related spin-off projects.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 10 Stars
