WONDER WOMAN #226
Cover Date

April 2006

Written by Greg Rucka

Pencils by Cliff Richards

Inks by Ray Snyder

Cover by J. G. Jones

Synopsis

Nine years ago...Wonder Woman is still learning English from Julia Kapatelis in Boston.  One of her first lessons is from the World’s Finest magazine which speculates that Diana and Superman are a romantic item.  Six years ago...in New York City, Superman visits Diana at the embassy and the two discuss their recent deaths over a pie baked by Ma Kent.  Five years ago...Superman finds Diana and questions her about Artemis being the new Wonder Woman.  Diana tells him it is not about what they are called, but rather what they do.  Two years ago...Superman comforts Diana after the death of her mother during the war with Imperix.  Last year...at the Watchtower on the moon, Superman wonders after the death of Su Dibny if perhaps they have failed and they are not the heroes they should be.  Diana tells him that at some point we will fail, but we must learn from out mistakes.  Six months ago...in Kazakhstan Wonder Woman and Super are helping out with the rescue effort.  They both notice Cassie and Conner are close and both are okay with it.   Today...in Boston, Wonder Woman comes across people looting and rioting and she asks is this the way you want to be remembered, serving yourself rather than others?  The looters begin to help each other as Diana flies away to help her friends. 

Review

Well, this issue will certainly get the continuity buffs scratching their heads and trying to figure it out.  The second series of Wonder Woman (of which this is the final issue) debuted in 1987, which equates to a little over 19 years.  According to this issue, Wonder Woman appeared only 9 years ago in the DC Universe.  So, 2 years real time equals 1 year DC time.   This kinda makes sense as the War Of The Worlds crossover event was about 4 years ago and this issue claims in was 2 years ago in DC universe time.

Ultimately, this is a throwaway issue and while interesting see the evolution of Wonder Woman and he relationship with Superman, it does not add very much.  I much preferred the ending to the previous issue as the finale for the series rather than this.  Don’t get me wrong, I liked the issue, but as the finale to the series it didn’t have the same impact as #225 did.  That felt more like an ending.  This feels more like an addition to the ending.

My favorite part was the Our World At War section, which was mostly dialogue free.  The simple drawing of Superman flying down to and allowing her to cry in his arms was a powerful moment since it is something any friend would do for another.

On the final page, the drawing of Kal-El in a Wonder Woman costume is disturbing on so many levels that I think I am going to have nightmares.-- MRB