Wonder Woman #6 Review

Connections

Written by: Greg Rucka
Art: Nicola Scott, Romulo Fajardo Jr. and Jodi Wynne
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: September 14, 2016

I have simply loved Greg Rucka's Rebirth Wonder Woman book and have especially enjoyed reading and reviewing the Year One story.  I am always a sucker for any type of origin story and while this isn't how it all started for Diana, it is the start of Wonder Woman.  Last issue ended with her and Steve (and his unfortunate mates) getting into the Invisible Jet and flying off to "Man's World" and that's where we pick up this week.  Is it good?  Of course it is, but how good?  Let's find out...


The issue starts with Diana and Steve aboard the Invisible Jet which is on some sort of mythical/mystical autopilot that may not be explained, but somehow makes complete sense.  It also allows the two to try to get to know each other better.  They still don't understand each other, but there is a bond between them that already goes beyond mere words. That's a good thing because as the plane lands (an awesome beach arrival), it's obvious that the bond will be tested.

The Navy takes Steve and Diana to the Coronado Naval Base and we immediately see that Diana is nowhere near being in her comfort zone.  Greg Rucka and Nicola Scott use words and images masterfully to show that Diana is not only a fish out of water, but in a bit of a panic.  It's understandable as she is treated as a hostile and taken away from Steve.  Before she goes, however, Steve and her have a moment where their bond gets even stronger.  It really was awesome!

In my mind, things get even better from there.  We see one of the first moments of synergy between this story and the Lies when we are treated to the origin of Diana's mugshot that is so important to Steve. Without the Lies story, it is a cute, but unimportant moment, but if you have been reading both of Rucka's Wonder Woman stories, it will put a big smile on your face.  This is the point where those of you who have put only one of the stories on your pull lists have to get on the full Wonder Woman trolley!

We also get an intriguing bit with Steve when the Navy doctor's find out that he is somehow "better" than he was when he left for his mission.  It's something that took me by surprise and  I really hope it is going to be big as this story continues.

While all this is going on, Navy experts are busy inspecting Diana's equipment and I loved how it mirrored the way the Amazon's studied Steve's stuff when he crashed on Themyscira.  I don't think Greg Rucka was out to prove which society was better or more or less advanced, I think he wanted to show how connected Diana and Steve are.

The issue continues with Diana getting some visitors in her holding cell while Steve goes to visit Nick's wife and son.  If you've been reading from the start, you know how heartbreaking Steve's visit is, but the big thing is going on with Diana.  Throughout the issue we have seen various animals watching and gathering around Diana and now we see what they really are.  Actually, we don't "see" it per se, but you know what I mean.

Diana gets another visitor...Barbara Minerva!  Yep, more tie-ins to not just Diana's history and legacy, but also the Lies story.  The hints at Barbara's "other" origin are there, but it's her interaction with Diana that is great here.  She can understand her!!!  Greg Rucka uses it to dissect Diana's mixed origin story a bit and I really liked how Barbara is a lady of science and reason...until Diana begins to show her differently.  The issue ends with Diana flexing her muscles, but my favorite part was Steve's almost proud reaction.

Greg Rucka is simply killing it on this book.  Each issue of both stories keeps showing us something new and fresh and this issue goes further by giving us solid connections between both of them.  I guess you can say this issue is a lot of setup, but I had a goofy grin on my face the whole time I was reading it and while I have loved most of what Rebirth is giving us, this book is simply on another level than almost all of them.  It is that good.  It may be even better!

How lucky is Greg Rucka?  He gets Liam Sharp to draw his Lies story and Nicola Scott on this one. I think I could listen to arguments on which artist is better and be convinced both sides are right.  This issue looks amazing from cover to cover and while there isn't a ton of "wow" factor, it amazed me as a whole.

Bits and Pieces: 

Another week and another amazing issue of Wonder Woman.  Greg Rucka continues his fairy tale-like (re)telling of Wonder Woman's origin and I loved every minute of it.  This issue has the bonus of connecting some major parts to the Lies story and it simply looked great.  Everyone should be reading Wonder Woman!

9.6/10