How does the Wonder Woman tie in measure up?
' Blackest Night: Wonder Woman' #1 of 3
Written by: Greg Rucka
Art by: Nicola Scott
The issue opens up really strong with a great narrative. Greg Rucka's run on Wonder Woman was great anyway. I believe that is the general consensus amongst Wonder Woman fans, so seeing him return to pen the character is a pleasure since he does such a good job with Diana's characterization. Rucka manages to maintain a perfect balance between the aspect of her that is warrior as well as her sensitivity. No doubt, Wonder Woman is not an easy character to write, and Rucka does it very well.
Artist Nicola Scott draws one of the most gorgeous images of Wonder Woman I have ever seen, capturing both Diana the warrior as well as Diana's femininity. I have often seen artists struggle with this concept. How do you portray Wonder Woman as an Amazon warrior without sacrificing her sex appeal and femininity that are so much an aspect of who she is? Nicola Scott achieves with incredible ease. There is a gorgeous two page spread that recounts several major moments in her character's life- bridging together moments of death and devastation from her past, the the inevitable confrontation between she and Maxwell Lord. Scott has amazing artistic storytelling capabilities which are evident in this book.
The setting is in Washington, D.C. at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier. There is a great panel that captures Diana's strength and speed where she manages to block Maxwell's bullet from harming a soldier. If you read the issue, then you probably know the panel sequence I am referring to. The line "all aboard the Ted Kord express" was priceless too, so kudos to Rucka for the humor.
While the characterization is great, and I really did enjoy most of Rucka's writing in this; the dialogue and interaction between Diana and Maxwell does become repetitive after the first few pages. The issue fails to deliver a very climactic ending, and it is just a bit too predictable for my taste. Will I pick up the second issue? To be honest, I am not compelled. If I pick up issue #2 it will be because I love Wonder Woman, not because I anticipate what happens next.
3 out of 5