WONDER WOMAN #8

Love And Murder, Part 3

late June 2007

Written by Jodi Picoult

Pencils by Terry Dodson

Inks by Rachel Dodson

Cover by Terry and Rachel Dodson

Synopsis

On Themyscira, the witch Circe casts a spell that brings Queen Hippolyta back to life.  She wants to know where her daughter has gone.  Circe shows Diana being held captive by the Department of Metahuman Affairs.  Hippolyta decides it is time for war.  In Washington D.C., Sarge Steel tells Special Agent Tom Tresser (aka Nemesis) that the Wonder Woman case is closed and that he has been gets reassigned.  Nemesis things something is wrong with the whole thing.  Later, “Sarge Steel” (Nemesis in disguise) enters the DMA and frees Diana from her prison.  At the same time, the Amazons led by Hippolyta descend upon Washington DC and attack the national’s capital in the effort to find Diana.  However, after escaping from prison, it is Diana who finds her mother.

Review by Binkley (e-mail)

After two lackluster issues, this is a strong story with a plot that has hit overdrive and a cliffhanger that makes me wonder what will happen next.  For the first time, Picoult has hit her stride with this story (and it certainly doesn’t hurt to have Dodson’s back with the art).  This issue is not without its problems (see below), but I liked it enough to make me eager for the next installment.  Some of the plot points from earlier in the story are starting to become clearer and at least now Circe’s involvement makes a whole lot more sense than it did earlier. 

At least now I know why DC rushed four issues in the past two months.  They had to make sure this issue came out before or at the same time as Amazon Attack since this issue was essentially the background for the first issue of the new mini-series.  Both that issue and this issue occur during roughly the same time period and, in fact, end with the exact some scene:  Diana’s encounter with Hippolyta.  Besides the wholesale destruction of the nation’s capital in Amazons Attack, you also see Black Lightning’s involvement that Batman mentions in this issue.  Personally, if you read this issue, I am note sure you need to read Amazons Attack (but you should read my review!)

The interaction between Diana and Nemesis at the end remind of those typical romantic movies in which the leads argue and bicker for the first part of the movie before they realize that the fights are really just a sign that they like each other.  I really, really hope that this is not where Picoult is leading their relationship if only because it seems to be too obvious.  I don’t mind seeing Diana in a romantic relationship, but I’d like to see it being built in a better way than what we are seeing here.

Once more, Picoult builds scenes into the story that don’t seem to hold much function.  In this case I am talking about the scene where Circe visits Diana in her prison cell.  What exactly was the point of Circe’s visit?  Was it anything in particular or was it just to talk.  Ultimately, it did nothing for the plot and held very little value for the story.  I liked the discussion on right and wrong and love and murder, but again I ask:  why was Circe there in the first place? 

Let me get this straight.  Diana does not know how to work a turnstile or pump gas, but she happens to know that the Capitals are a professional hockey team in Washington DC and the players will likely have dental problems. 

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