DCU Comic Book Reviews

WONDER WOMAN #5

Gimme Shelter

early May 2007

Written by Will Pfeifer

Pencils by Geraldo Borjes and Jan Diaz

Inks by Wellington Diaz

Cover by Terry and Rachel Dodson

Synopsis

The Department of Metahuman Affairs learns of a support center called the Athenian Women’s Help Shelter that seems to be connected in some manner to Wonder Woman.  Sarge Steel sends Agent Diana Prince to investigate.  Diana finds that the shelters are to help battered and abused women.  In most cases, these women are seeking help after being inspired by the actions of Wonder Woman to make a difference in their own lives.

Review by Binkley (e-mail)

This is a tough issue to review because it is impossible to understand Diana’s current position in the DC universe because the first One Year Later story has yet to be finished.  Who knows what is supposed to happen that will affect Diana’s role in the world.  Obviously, Diana has returned to being Wonder Woman, although that was “spoiled” so to speak by Justice League of America and other books long before this issue came out.  Based on this issue it also looks as if the DMA believes Wonder Woman to be a threat to national security or perhaps even a wanted criminal.  But how this ties into the ending of the “Who Is Wonder Woman” story is still a mystery, if it does at all (perhaps she is being hounded due to her killing Max Lord, which begs the question about the current story in Manhunter).  Moreover, it is difficult to know if this is really a stop gap measure to simply produce an issue and get product on the shelves or if the themes in this issue (Diana’s self doubt of herself and the reaffirmation from the various women) will be continued by the new writer or if the themes will continue in Pfeifer’s own upcoming mini-series Amazons Attack.  Time will tell, but right it is too difficult to tell. 

Despite the uncertainty, this is a fairly decent fill-in issue and a nice story about female empowerment and the need some people have to seek out others to give them inspiration.  Credit must go to Pfeiffer to deliver a readable story.  It is somewhat of cliché in terms of everyday people being inspired by the super heroes flying around the skies, but I think it is given gravitas by the real world problems the women experience.  Personally, I think all of the men get what they deserve in this issue.