Wonder Woman, Vol. 1: Blood (The New 52)

This books is excellent. While it's impressed many new readers as well as critics, plenty WW purists are upset with the changes to her origins. So I wasn't sure what to expect. But honestly, I appreciate ALL the changes. I just wish they had kept her in pants instead of the impractical panties. This volume is part of an extended arc which I really like - it's got stories within stores. It has sophisticated feel; unlike other comic series that feel very choppy with one huge plot after another, this one is like one really big story/mystery with small stories woven throughout. I really appreciate that consistency as it makes you care more about these characters and gives them more depth - even the ones you would normally write off as shallow. Azzarello is a great writer and has done some really good work here. About the Amazons. The Amazons here are not a perfect society - which I find much more realistic. There is no such thing as utopia, and I always found it weird how a small and stagnant (though not so stagnant in all versions) society completely cut off from the rest of the world could be so presumptuous to think that they could teach the rest of the world how to live in peace. Peace is challenged by differences, and with so much uniformity among the Amazons, they're not exactly experts in dealing with those differences. (Example: When the Bana-Mighdall arrived at Themiscyra, civil war broke out.) So while these new Amazons are not perfect and do commit morally reprehensible acts, I find them more "real" and interesting. So what else? I really like that this book is apart from Justice League and the Superman/Wonder Woman series. I follow both of those as well, but WW is a character that can definitely support her own book without help from other characters. Also, her story simply has nothing to do with what's going on in the mainstream JL comic. About the Artwork. I found Cliff Chiang's art very strange in the beginning. I don't know how to describe it properly, but it's kind of flat looking and...well it simply doesn't look anything like the art from other comic books. But now I love it! When I read a different series, I find myself missing his style. Once you get into it, you LOVE it. It's beautiful art - but takes a bit of getting used to. I hope Azzarello and Chiang stick together for this series because they are an excellent team. SPOILERS alert!!! Instead of being formed from clay and gifted by the gods, Diana is Hyppolyta's daughter from an affair with Zeus. They use the original clay story as a cover story (to avoid Hera's wrath) which I thought was neat. While some people think it takes away what makes her unique, I think it makes more sense (although I never hated the other origin story). It also offers her a personal mystery which motivates her into seeking answers. If you're new to Wonder Woman or looking for a good series to read from the New 52, then I definitely recommend this book. It's just much more interesting than other stories about her, and overall, I think it's my favorite series from the New 52. If you're a big WW fan but feel reluctant about all the changes you've heard about, I recommend that you give it a chance. I've also read Wonder Woman: Odyssey Vol. 1 which is okay, but this is way better.

Cliff Chiang's artwork is unique and awesome! It's not complex but at the same time, the art does an amazing job at complementing the story. There are some pretty cool moments where no text is needed because all the emotion of the character can be seen through Chiang's artwork. It's good stuff! This book collects Wonder Woman New 52 #1-6 and Chiang does the art for #1-4. For issues 5 & 6, Tony Akins takes over as the artist and, unfortunately, doesn't keep the ball rolling as far as quality. In fact, the artwork takes a disappointing plunge into mediocrity. It's too bad because this is where the story reaches its epic climax. This is the nature of comics though. Different artists come in and out all the time and sometimes a bad artist have to sub in for a great ones. Other than that, the story itself is pretty engaging. There's a good mix of action and emotion. Good read overall.

Wonder Woman seems like a character that is sometimes difficult to write well. In many Justice League stories or crossover events she is a generic powerhouse that rarely gets to shine on her own terms. This reboot, on the other hand, really understands how to highlight her character and her strengths, starting with a reboot of her origin. Gone is the myth about a miracle baby made of clay and mud; instead, Wonder Woman learns that she is actually descended from the gods. What ensues is a wild adventure, but really, an operatic family drama. It's hard to say more without spoiling the story, but one of the greatest parts about this series is how the Greek gods are all characterized. From their sharp, modern character designs, to their distinct personalities, all of the gods are just dripping with a history and personal baggage that make you want to just learn so much more about all of them. It's a lot like the immortal family, the Endless, in the Sandman series, but here, every brother, uncle, aunt, cousin, has an agenda, a twisted view of the world, and just drips with cool. The art by Cliff Chiang is sharp, clean, and while bordering on cartoonish at times, actually fits the epic and outlandish world that the series builds. Honestly, this is one of the most exciting DC comics series to come out of the New 52, and the best Wonder Woman story I've read, hands down.

I never really got into comic books as a kid. I love the stories of all these excellent heroes. one of the reasons I never got into the stories before is that I was never sure where to start. So with the DC universe reboot It is the perfect time to join in the fun. I thought the story was great. I can't wait for Vol. 2 however I may just subscribe to get them monthly. Get this volume and get started in the story of Wonder Woman. you will not be disappointed.

As a huge Wonder Woman fan, I was startled to find the reboot of her series to be so dark and bloody. However, the story itself is quite interesting, with many of the Olympians vying for power after Zeus's mysterious disappearance. Unfortunately, the Gods and supporting characters take up far more of the book than Wonder Woman herself, and in the span of 40-ish chapters, we don't get any classic Wonder Woman goodies like Steve Trevor, Etta Candy, Cheetah, or Giganta. There are two Amazons who play very similar roles to Artemis and Philippus but are given new names, which seems a bit insulting to longtime fans of the series. The art on this first book is amazing, and Chiang certainly delivers a strong Wonder Woman. I just wish the overall story of Brian Azzarello's run wasn't as long and drawn out as it was, and that we could've seen some of the classic elements that have kept us coming back to read the series for so long.

WW gets embroiled in the Daliances of Zeus, protecting a young woman who bears his child. If you recall Greek Mythology, Zus was quite the player, dropping bastard all over the world at his whim. Hera, his wife, was not well pleased. She always attempted to kill the spawn, preferably before birth, thus wanting this woman dead. Oh, as it turns out, Diana is just such a spawn, of the coupling of Zeus and her mother, Queen Hippolyta. No spoiler, this is part of the WW story. It is known. Anyway, really like the whole Wrath of the gods bit here, it works really well, and so many delicious characters, Hermes, Ares, Apollo, loved the characterization of Poseiden, and Strife, a new daughter of Zeus. Anyway, we'll done, a quick read, and good artwork, the Amazon's are actually shown in dress that might be used in battle rather than a photo shoot.

I’ve built a certain amount of trust with the guy that runs the comic book shop I’ve frequented over the years. I’ve asked for numerous recommendations and he has yet to steer me wrong. So when I was desperate for a new series and he recommended The New 52’s Wonder Woman series, I was taken aback. He knows my taste and Wonder Woman seemed so different than the usual trade paperbacks I read. It’s not that I have any problem with Wonder Woman. I never saw the Linda Carter television series, but I enjoyed Wonder Woman on the cartoon version of the Justice League and I plan on seeing the movie in theaters in 2017. So, with some trepidation, I picked up Wonder Woman Volume 1: Blood. The volume collects the first six issues of the New 52 Wonder Woman series. It’s written by Brian Azzarello with art by Cliff Chiang and Tony Akins. This book is my first exposure to the art of Chiang and Akins, but the visuals are fantastic throughout the first series. They’ve captured the vibrancy of a world cluttered with gods, violence, sex, and backdrops that range from an exotic island to the crowded streets of London. I’ve been familiar with Azzarello for a few years now. I devoured his noir comic series 100 Bullets in a matter of months. I was curious to see how an author whose (arguably) most famous work involved in a world (mostly) grounded in realism would translate into a world embodied in mythic traditions and spandex-cladsuper beings. Surprisingly, probably to no one but me, the writing is flawless. The first issue opens with decapitation, a pregnancy scandal, and a prophecy damning the child of Zeus who tries to rule Olympus. The story also begins with the traditional origin of Wonder Woman (a child created from clay) as seen in the New Earth universe. But, the nature of her origin does change. This is one of the changes that longtime readers will notice as they dive into the New 52 universe. Poseidon also lost his human-like appearance and has been transformed into a gigantic creature of the sea for the New 52. The creative team also introduces their first new superpowered being into this new world. Lennox, another child of Zeus, possesses physiology that makes his skin the consistency of rock. This ability is paired with superhuman strength and the expected immortality of a god offspring. Lennox is a welcome addition to the series as he brings a dry sense of humor welcomed in a world where the children of gods fight over a mountain throne. As I read the conclusion of the first trade, it only seemed natural to purchase the next three trades. Azzarello’s Wonder Woman is second only in quality to Scott Snyder’s run on Batman. If anyone was hesitant on the end of the DC multiverses, this series should quell any doubters.

Spoilers but good info I will admit when I first starting reading this volume I did not know what to expect. Out of all the DC hero's WW is the one I know least about. From what I gathered, before the new 52 her origin story was that her mother made her from clay. Here that changes... alot. The way they incorporated this magical birth in this version was cool. But when this was shown to be a myth i was taken back. The way they wrote it was so cool. WW's mother, who's womb was bare, wished for a daughter. One night she went out to a field and in the clay ground she molded a baby. And then the Gods gave her a child. That idea was awesome so when it was proven this was no true, I actually was bummed. Until I kept reading. Not only does this change her origin but it changes everything about her. They actions of her mother have ripple effects and you feel it through to the last page. Aside from all that, there seemed to a good balance of simple dialogue and combat. I am pleased that I decided to buy this volume and i will be getting volume 2 next month.