The Lady Is Not For Turning: Reviewing ‘Wonder Woman’ #2

As with last issue Wonder Woman faces off against the combined forces of mankind on the battlefield while a famous moment from her past is revised in tandem with the modern day plot-line in Wonder Woman #2. But, unlike the machinations of “man’s world” – and this is most definitely framed as a patriarchal, sometimes misogynistic “man’s world” she’s going up against – Princess Diana tries to err on the side of peace, even now. A call that falls on deaf ears, even after Steve Trevor is called in to try and talk her down. 

It’s a slow-burning issue in many ways, but all the better to focus on the growing tensions between Wonder Woman, Sarge Steel and the US military might. With a bit of insider knowledge of warfare thrown in by writer Tom King, I think, from his time in the CIA. It’s also an issue that allows artist Daniel Sampere to continue to establish his own iteration of DC’s most famous female character. And he does it with aplomb. Even when walking towards her friend and past romantic flame, you get a really good sense of her power, her strength, her confidence in every stride she takes. Many of these movements and mannerisms we witness in the present are mirrored in the past as we flit from one storyline to the other, all the better to built up the tension simmering, barely below the surface, in this issue. 

In taking us to the past with a parallel storyline we recognise her steely, ferocious determination has always been a part of her DNA. No retreat, no surrender. It’s a common trope that works well in the visual medium of comics, but done ever so well in this issue. You are easily distracted from a distinct lack of action until it explodes. In both the past and present. 

And narrating it all is a mysterious voice that seems to suggest whoever is speaking is speaking to Diana’s daughter, Trinity, who we have previously met, briefly, in the recent Wonder Woman #800, also by King and Sampere. It’s one of many scripting gems from King, who offers up a more prosaic and philosophical take on scripting that adds a sheen of authenticity to proceedings as well as drawing parallels with contemporary social issue too. His approach to Steve Trevor is also in keeping with his character, but with added subtly too. Witness a man clearly torn between his loyalty and love for Diana and his responsibilities to the military and who gives himself away ever so slightly. But not without Sarge Steel picking him up on it. It’s a causal slip of the tongue but tells the reader everything they need to know about where Steve’s true loyalties lie. 

In Wonder Woman we are getting a true warrior, but one who is tempered by peace. A peace Sarge Steel arrogantly ignores believing America to be an unstoppable force to be reckoned with. Well, they ain’t never gone up against Wonder Woman before. A woman who has been defeating fies far bigger and bolder (or at least that’s what they believe) all her life.

Wonder Woman #2 is out now from DC Comics