WONDER WOMAN #223
Marathon:  Part One

January 2006

Written by Greg Rucka

Pencils by Rags Morales & Cliff Richards

Inks by Michael Bair & Ray Snyder

Cover by J. G. Jones

Synopsis

Due to the attack by Cheetah, the United Nations council at The Hague orders Diana to remain within The Hague until her trail for the murder of Max Lord.  Diana agrees to the new terms.  On Themyscira, the OMACs continue their assault on the Amazons while Io builds the weapon.  Peter Garibaldi calls Diana at the Hague and tells her to turn on the tv.  She sees the attack on Themyscira and decides to go help her sisters, even though it will mean she is a fugitive from the law.  Meanwhile, the situation is getting worse for the Amazons as they have retreated to safety behind their shields.  On the USS Thomas Jefferson, the US Navy watches the attack but refuses to engage due to fear from reprisal from the OMACs.  Wonder Woman arrives on Themyscira; Diana tells Artemis that the OMACs are killing her sisters because of her.  Artemis tells her to fix it.  Diana heads into the center of OMACs and attempts to take them all on, but soon falls under the sheer numbers.  However, the weapon Io built is finished and Artemis takes it to help Diana.  Io tells her to be careful, “you carry doom on your back.”

Review

Another good issue as things are getting closer to the end.  I liked the fact that for Diana it was not a even a question of whether she would stay or not.  She saw the OMACs and bam! she had on her outfit and she was ready to go.  The two page splash at the beginning showing the OMACs attacking was well done.  I really wish Rags would do the entire issue and not just a few pages.  I really like his work.  Not that Cliff Richards is bad or anything, the rest of the issue depicting the OMAC attack was well done conveyed the sense that the OMACs just outnumbered the Amazons and eventually it would become a slaughter.

What exactly is that thing that Io built?  It looks like a jet pack or a flamethrower.  I suppose with the crystals it can be an altered version of the technology used to protect Themyscira, which would actually make sense.  I mean, the Amazons preach peace but at heart they are warriors.  So, why not develop a technology for peace (such as the healing ray), but then have the ability to turn it around and sue for war.  Whatever it may be, it must be powerful.  All I hope is that all of the hype and mystery does not produce a lame weapon.  I have faith in Rucka that he will provide something that will prove unsettling.

Here is a link to help understand the meaning behind Artemis statement about the Battle of Marathon (and thus the title of the issue as well).-- MRB