This took a corny Bronze Age villain and amped the interest level beyond ten. Awesome storytelling, though at times a bit jarring. Awkward phrasing abounds, but doesn't distract from intricate art that's amazing in it's complexity. There's some weird faces and bad hair that add to the realism and Diana is Gal Gadot then inexplicably switches to Kim Kardashian for a panel, but it's cool. The meat of the story is Wonder Woman filet mignon.
First you get plenty of backstory on Amazon history told simply. The Bana-Mighdall are Amazons betrayed by their gods, who left Paradise Island for a nomadic life under the Egyptian pantheon and they dislike the Themysciran Amazons for not leaving with them. It firmly establishes Artemis as the WW for Bana-Mighdall, Shim-Tar title or not. You also get that Artemis is a bitch to Diana at every opportunity, yet sees her as her superior, though she'd like to see her foot on Diana's neck.
The "Who Is Artemis?" arc in RHATO is still cannon and while Artemis has access to the Bow of Ra she doesn't have the necessary power to control it, at least as far as Diana is concerned.
Aztek was a snoozefest, no matter how many times her helmet was called 'cute' it just wasn't. Maybe if she had hair showing it could save it but her white and gold is a really bland design. That's okay though because missing Amazon aunt Atlanta made up for it. She was dope as hell.
The through-lines between her armor, Diana's and Artemis' are truly wonders to behold. All 3 have hinge armor boots, chest plates, head gear and bracelets, Artemis even has a lasso-like cord worn on her hip reminiscent of Diana. Like I said it's dope. It gives Amazons their own aesthetic.
This is a must have issue for anyone with a Wonder Woman collection. Steve Orlando is coming with the gold standard. There aren't enough accolades for it.
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