A new struggle begins for Diana Prince.
It's hard to imagine a more thankless task than following Greg Rucka, Liam Sharp and Bilquis Evely on Wonder Woman, especially for a brief, six-issue run. That's the uphill battle facing new writer Shea Fontana and artist Mirka Andolfo as they take the reins of the series with this issue. This is definitely one of those cases where it's best not to go in with any preconceived notions about what to expect. This brief run isn't shaping up to rival its predecessor, but Fontana and Andolfo carve their own little niche with the series.
Both creators hail form the DC Super Hero Girls graphic novels, so it should come as no surprise that they bring a slightly more lighthearted approach to the book. That in itself is a nice change of pace, given how grim Diana's story has sometimes been in the Rebirth era. Andolfo's soft, vaguely cartoonish character designs further that tonal shift. Andolfo's style is best-suited to the opening flashback sequence, which explores the early struggles faced by a young Diana on Paradise Island. There's a whimsical quality to the figures and environments that suits Diana's childish perspective.
When the story shifts to the present however, Andolfo's style sticks out a bit more. Andolfo's work is fairly plain and flat in its execution, and doesn't really mesh with Fontana's script as the story does start to take a darker turn. The good news is that colorist Romulo Fajardo Jr. sticks around, creating at least some degree of visual continuity between runs.
Fontana doesn't seem to be trying to accomplish too much with her six-issue stint on the series. This issue is framed mostly as a character-driven tale, as Fontana and Andolfo explore Diana's current unsettled state of mind and her efforts to bring peace and stability to some of the more war-torn regions of the DCU. Like Rucka before her, Fontana emphasizes Diana's status as a peacekeeper and ambassador more than her warriors. The focus on Diana's interpersonal relationships is nice, but the story really finds its hook at the end, as it becomes clear that not even someone with Diana's power and compassion can always prevent horror and bloodshed.
The series' new lighter streak may not end up lasting long. But that's okay. If Fonatana and Andolfo can find that balance between ordinary character drama and the role Diana plays in a 21st Century DCU, this short run could still leave an impact on the franchise. Ideally, the creators will continue to focus a great deal on Diana's childhood in the process.
The Verdict
The new Wonder Woman creative team doesn't immediately measure up to the old, and this series seems likely to lose its place as one of the best ongoing Rebirth comics. But on its own merits, this issue has something to offer fans. It's a relatively lighthearted and often charming little adventure that isn't afraid to explore the darker side of Diana's crusade. If not for the mixed art quality, this issue would be a perfectly solid addition to the Rebirth lineup.
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