Raven hair, a ruffled dress, a necklace made of gold

Greg Rucka, Liam Sharp “Wonder Woman Volume 1: The Lies” (DC Comics, 2017)

In issue 1 Greg Rucka wants you to know that he’s not sticking with the Nu52 origin story for Wonder Woman.  It’s all a lie!

She finds that she can’t get home, but rather than wallowing in angst we’re off to Africa! Where there’s an ancient evil that needs to be fought, and old friends that need to be seen.

Really this volume is concerned with clearing out the debris from the keg party of the Nu52, and getting the living room ready for adults. There’s plenty that goes on, but fundamentally it’s about getting things ready for a bigger story.

And I liked it. I felt like Nu52 WW was a bit off, blood thirsty and putting up with sexist crap. I don’t think that of this version of the character. She’s got some classic sidekicks reintroduced, & I think is in a good place for a new run. I don’t know that Rucka will bring new & exciting to the character, but he’ll definitely get things working properly again.

I did think that this was another Rebirth book that was hampered by the art. I hate to be complaining, but really the art on the whole is just substandard.

Anyway, an enjoyable book & I would like to read more.

Play It Purdy for the Heartwyld

Nicholas Eames, “Kings of the Wyld” (Orbit, 2017)

Ever wonder what happened to your D&D party 20 years later? I think that Nicholas Eames has.

Gabe’s daughter has gone & gotten herself in a world of trouble. What’s a dad to do? Well, you get the band back together, travel across the world, & start a fight with an angry horde of monsters.

Too often fantasy books can read like they are write ups of video games or D&D campaigns. And yes, at times this has that feel. But it also always feels like that’s intentional. There’s a sense of a grinning DM behind the narrative who is saying “Of course! That will be fun!”

And fun this book is.  In a sense it deconstructs the deconstructions, and makes the case that fantasy can be fun (and funny) and still be smart.

And for you old rockers out there, you get to play find the references. I think that you’ll enjoy all the classic rock references.