Superman/Wonder Woman #19 Review

Written by: Peter Tomasi
Art by: Doug Mahnke
Cover price: $3.99
Release Date: July 15, 2015

Every Step You Take

I have not been a fan of the "Truth" story so far.  The main reason is that it is a crossover event that doesn't feel like a crossover event.  While I thought that I'd like that each book is telling it's own story, the reality of it has me confused at times.  I keep asking the when, where and how questions when it comes to Clark's identity and powers and while I  usually sort things out eventually, I really shouldn't have too.  My guess is that when the whole story is done and collected in trade, things will make more sense and thus be a better experience.  That being said, I have to review these issues individually and Superman/Wonder Woman is my favorite book of the bunch.  Last issue ended with Clark and Diana face-to-face with the Suicide Squad and while it felt a little silly, at least it promised some crazy action.  Was that promise fulfilled?  Is this issue a step in the right direction for the entire Truth story?  Will I stop asking questions and get on with my review?  Yes, Yes and Yes.

This issue picks up right where we left off last month...Clark and Diana ready to beat the tar out of the Suicide Squad.  While Superman is depowered and the odds are in the Squad's favor, we all know how this fight is going to go.  That doesn't mean it isn't fun because it is.  Peter Tomasi shows he knows the Suicide Squad (especially Harley) and the back and forth between the characters is great. The only real problem I had with it is that by the end, it felt a bit forced and a little unnecessary.  It was all a means to an end for Superman to demand that Wonder Woman let him hold his own even while Wonder Woman worries about Clark's new status quo.  Oh relationships.

Then we get a little peek at the face that may just be the cause of Superman's problems and the villain of this whole damn story.  Maybe Tomasi is throwing us a huge red herring, but when the mystery man orders to "initiate Seizure Protocol", he seemed pretty damn villainous to this guy.

The middle of the issue is full of exposition, but that's not a bad thing here.  Wonder Woman and Superman are always busy saving the world that it was nice to see them get some alone time. Granted, Supes is full of bullets and a bit upset with Diana (that whole protecting him issue), but Tomasi gives the reader two people in love.  In a book about their relationship, we haven't got a lot of that up until now.

The issue ends with Superman worrying about the ones he loves and acting a bit out of character and a little more powered than I thought he was.  It ended with a great scene that left me wondering what the hell was going on and wishing I knew more right now.

This was my favorite Truth issue so far, but was also a great Superman/Wonder Woman issue as well.  That may be the key to it all.  Peter Tomasi moves the Truth story ahead in a very mysterious direction without forgetting about the book itself.  It really was the best of both worlds and something I wish the other writers would have tried doing more in the other books.

I liked Doug Mahnke's art (even if I still think he's capable of so much better), but it was Wil Quintana's colors that impressed me the most.  Whether it was the bruises all over Clark or his ominous "heat vision" eyes at the end, his work was stellar this month.

Bits and Pieces:

This is my favorite issue in the Truth story to date.  It was a fun and mysterious story that pushed both the event and this book forward and I commend Peter Tomasi for that.  Doug Mahnke's art was good, but Wil Quintana's colors stole the show.  This issue alone gives me hope for the Truth story going forward and I hope the other writers grab the baton and run with it.

8.7/10