Sensation Comics Featuring Wonder Woman #14 Review

Written and Art by: Gilbert Hernandez
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: November 13, 2014

Earth Girls are...

Sensation Comics just got some major indie cred with Gilbert Hernandez writing and drawing this week's issue.  The Love and Rockets creator stretches the experimental potential of the out-of-continuity weekly to the seams by giving readers the most traditional story yet.  Anyone familiar with Beto's previous work will not be disappointed and neither will those looking for a bigger than life Wonder Woman who bows to no man, alien or robot.



The first thing that every reader is going to notice about this book is the art style.  Gilbert Hernandez introduces his Wonder Woman without any dialogue or narrative.  Just the pure, heroic strength of our favorite Amazon.  Those only familiar with her New 52 look may be in for some major jaw-dropping, but I loved it.  It's not just the bulging biceps and thighs straight out of Pumping Iron, but the raw power and attitude that we rarely see in any female character these days that drew me to it.  On a side note,Hernandez contributed a bunch of Wonder Woman sketches each year for the Woman of Wonder Day event and they are exactly in this style (an example is HERE).  As the issue continues, we find out quickly that her strength isn't just superficial.

Wonder Woman makes quick work of some killer robot slaves (and throws in a hilarious one-liner to boot) and then we find out the villains of the story...Sayyar and Kanjar Ro.  It's a silver age dream come to life as the two sexist aliens activate their plan for universal domination.  They hypnotize the "easily distracted" Wonder Woman and when Supergirl shows up to investigate, insult her and then order Wonder Woman to attack. Then they sit back to enjoy a little girl-on-girl action.  Alien pigs!

The two duke it out and it's obviously not the first time.  When they collide, they create a shock wave heard around all dimensions that takes the two out of harms way.  However, the cliffhanger (sort of) reveals an even more powerful hero who just may have been the real reason Kanjar Ro started this whole thing in the first place.

I really enjoyed this issue.  The overt sexism of Sayyar and Kanjar Ro worked so well against Wonder Woman.  Two villains railing against the very reason Wonder Woman came into existence ups the ante right away.  It's kind of like a certain Captain going up against Hitler.  I only hope Wonder Woman gives them what Hitler got.  Throw in the nervous, but strong Supergirl and you have a winner in my book.

Back to the art, which I'm sure will be the defining aspect of whether readers will like this issue or not.  It is really going to come down to personal taste.  If you want super detailed, modern looking art, you will be disappointed.  If you want a unique and personal style that harkens to another age and creates the mood and aura of the story, you will be in love.  I'll admit, at first glance I was edging towards the former group.  However, after reading the issue and letting the story sink in and really thinking about what was going on in it, I am firmly in the later.

Bits and Pieces:

Sensation Comics #14 is a journey back to the Silver Age of Wonder Woman and it's a trip I'd glady take over and over.  Gilbert Hernandez gives readers one of the strongest renditions of Wonder woman I've ever seen and the story pits her (and Supergirl) against aliens that threaten her very reason for existence.  I'm guessing this will be a love-it or hate-it issue, but I'm in the love-it camp.  I'm glad I get one more issue next week.

9.3/10