The Legend of Wonder Woman

Story & Pencils: Renae De Liz

Inks, Colors & Letters: Ray Dillon
Overall: 7/10

Wonder Woman is one of those characters that I've always liked but I can never quite put a
finger on what the appeal of the character is. Whether it came from watching the old TV show as a child or
simply the lack of female superheroes, so that she was necessary to balance out that world I'm not sure.
Whatever the reason I've always enjoyed the character and for years as a reader have wanted to love a
book that Diana is in. While she has had her moments under certain creators like Greg Rucka, Gale Simone
and Phil Jiminez, I've yet to come across one definitive arc which I could give to someone as an introduction
to her character and why she's more than just a 'female Superman'. With The Legend of Wonder Woman,
DC are clearly hoping that readers will find just that.

Collecting the first three chapters of their digital first title, The Legend of Wonder Woman takes
us through the history of the Amazons, finally focussing on Diana's younger years and her desire to become
the heroic icon we're all familiar with. As this is a re-telling of Diana's origin it would be easy to assume that
the issue does little more than revisit the same story, providing little extra by way of details or interest for
the regular reader. Fortunately, however, that isn't the case. De Liz, quite cleverly, presents the story to us
as the 'legend' we find in the title. At times almost like a fairy tale she examines the history of the Amazons,
their place in Greek legend and how it relates to Diana's birth and early life. Through this she can then add
extra details to the familiar aspects of the tale that we already know and add extra emotional depth to the
residents and legends of Themyscira which may be missing in Wonder Woman's more regular adventures.
This then also allows De Liz to look at who Diana is as a person before she assumes the Wonder Woman
mantle and examine her seemingly anachronistic roles as a warrior and peace-envoy. As an introduction to
the character this is very effective as we get to see that there's more to her than a 'female Superman'.
Examining Diana's development we can see her motivation to be a hero and warrior and why she took on
that role within Amazonian society. De Liz is presenting us with the classic hero's journey and that approach
gives the story an epic feel which suits the character's origin wonderfully. However, we are also being
given a Wonder Woman book without Wonder Woman, which does make you ask just who will the book
appeal to?

The answer to that, I believe, lies in De Liz's presentation of the story in both the script and art,
as a fairy tale. The book is very similar to a story book or fairy tale and the influence of Disney's style in the
art reinforces the mood. While also aptly handling the 'epic' nature of the story, the mood of the book is
clearly all-ages. The book in being so similar to a fairy tale reminds you of a bedtime story. Full of history,
adventure and a near 'creation myth' for the character across the board appeal is written in to the comic's
DNA. Which can only be a good thing as it responds very much to the market's need to cater for an
expanding female readership and appeal to new readers. This is a Wonder Woman origin story that kids
and especially young girls can fall in love with. The art style while reminiscent of Disney princess stories,
also helps to emphasise that Diana isn't a princess willing to sit around in pretty dresses and wait for her
prince, but wants to take a more active role in the world. She wants to go beyond the walls of the palace
(and eventually the island), to protect her people and to fight for what she believes is right. While on the
surface of the book there seems to be little to connect the character here to the hero we're about to see in
cinemas, the one image we have of Diana's introduction in the trailer is enough to show they're one and the
same. She is strong, protective and ready to stand against an evil that has already intimidated characters
we usually associate with greater courage and 'grit.' Diana isn't just the world's first female superhero, she's
the world first feminist hero and a much needed role model for young girls who are usually told through
stories or even their toys, that a life of adventure isn't for them. Diana teaches them they can have
adventures, they can stand-up for what they believe in and they can indeed stand shoulder-to-shoulder with
the men as their equal if not their better.

Just as the story perfectly blends 'epic' with an all-ages approach, so too does the art. That
may not be surprising when De Liz leads with both script and art but Dillon's colours and letters are an
essential ingredient in the success of the visuals. The manga/Disney influence on the art clearly makes it
appealing to youger audiences but it also gives a great clarity to the storytelling which when coupled with
imaginative layouts leaves the book with a strong visual style that really sells the story. At times the colours
are reminiscent of Renaissance art which beautifully emphasises the 'classical' and 'epic' feel of the story.
This is, to borrow a phrase, a tale for the ages and remains accessible and welcoming to all, something
which the mythological side of Diana's character has often made impossible. While that animated feel may
leave some feeling as though the art is simple, it couldn't be further from the case. Most panels are rich in
detail and visual world-building. The colours are lush and dramatic, adding to moments of tension or adding
a romantic aspect to the idyll of Themyscira which is after all, also known as Paradise Island. The book is
visually quite beautiful and never fails to engage the reader just as often as the script does. It crafts a
visual spell that pulls you into the Amazonian world and history, while also subtly reminding you of Diana's
superhero destiny. It is probably also worth hightlighting how the art avoids presenting any of the many
women of the cast as 'eye-candy'. The world within these pages is perfectly realised, full of a variety of
women and a variety of characters, all of whom are treated with the respect they deserve, a trait which
unfortunaltely not all comics with such a large female cast can claim.

In The Legend of Wonder Woman DC are presenting us with more than just another origin
story for Diana. The story is a celebration of the character and perfectly represents who she is and why she
is not just an iconic female hero but also one of DC's trinity around whom their universe was built. She is a
role model for all, a feminist for all and this book helps to show that she can appeal to everyone across the
board without being sexualised for a male audience. It is a book that is accessible to and arguably,
appealing for new readers of all ages. It presents and extends upon Diana's origin and perhaps may prove
to be the definitive answer to the question of Wonder Woman's appeal that has often been found to be
necessary but strangely missing.