Wonder Woman #15 *spoilers*

[CaptainCanad]

Now that’s more like it: only three-and-a-half pages of Diana Prince, Nemesis unconscious the entire time, and plenty of mythology!

Last issue left off with powerless Diana confronted by Captain Nazi, and an army of Captain Nazis invading Themyscira, inhabited by only Hippolyta and four newly-revealed Amazons. In this issue, Diana quickly transforms into her natural state, kicks Captain Nazi’s ass, and then sets about finding a way onto Themyscira, which the Gods (actually Granny) have barred her from entering. This involves going around to the various other Pantheons and begging for assistance, but, in succession, Odin, Raijin (Japanese God of Thunder), Bast, and Billy Batson (drawn looking like Shazam now) turn her down, not willing to commit an act of war against the Greek Pantheon. Finally, we take a journey into the really obscure (so much so that he’s only got a single relevant hit on Google), when the Polynesian skyfather Kane Miohai* agrees to help, in exchange for Diana pledging herself his eternal servant and champion, and supplies her with his magic shell boat (which is an actual feature of the mythology) to take her there; but first, she has to go get her gorilla buddies to help (I love the gorillas). And we get some backstory on the Circle: they’re Hippolyta’s Praetorian Guard, apparently fanatically anti-child; their story is quite interesting, actually, as we get Simone’s take on how a sterile culture would be affected by that.

Like I said, this is a really great issue. I’m especially interested to see where this new god situation goes. One minor complaint would be that the army of Captain Nazis don’t really seem all that powerful; Hippolyta kills a bunch of them without breaking a sweat.

*http://www.anoca.org/he/father/kane_milohai.html

[Edogawa1983]

so slavery for Wonder Woman huh?... does it invovles ropes and gags?

[CaptainCanad]

No, it's the same job she did for Athena: sword-arm.

[adama]

I really liked seeing the other Pantheons. Hippolyta's fight with the Nazis was fun

[greenman]

so slavery for Wonder Woman huh?... does it invovles ropes and gags?
Just what IS your obsession with trolling every Wonder Woman related thread and taking cheap shots? You're almost as bad as Herald.

[God-Man]

I loved this issue. Gail continues to write Diana perfectly. This is the first time I've really liked her.

[Herald]

Just what IS your obsession with trolling every Wonder Woman related thread and taking cheap shots? You're almost as bad as Herald.

Herald doesn't "troll" EVERY (fill in the blank) related thread. If he did, you would REALLY be tired of him. :rolleyes: :p

[Edogawa1983]

eternal servant? sounds like slavery to me.

[Herald]

eternal servant? sounds like slavery to me.

It does to me, too.

[God-Man]

eternal servant? sounds like slavery to me.

It's a very sexy form of slavery.

[Herald]

It's a very sexy form of slavery.

Back to the ropes and gags, I see.

Marston is smiling in his grave... :p

[Edogawa1983]

Back to the ropes and gags, I see.

Marston is smiling in his grave... :p

so are we going back to the Golden Age?

[lazorbeak]

Now that’s more like it: only three-and-a-half pages of Diana Prince, Nemesis unconscious the entire time, and plenty of mythology!

Last issue left off with powerless Diana confronted by Captain Nazi, and an army of Captain Nazis invading Themyscira, inhabited by only Hippolyta and four newly-revealed Amazons. In this issue, Diana quickly transforms into her natural state, kicks Captain Nazi’s ass, and then sets about finding a way onto Themyscira, which the Gods (actually Granny) have barred her from entering. This involves going around to the various other Pantheons and begging for assistance, but, in succession, Odin, Raijin (Japanese God of Thunder), Bast, and Billy Batson (drawn looking like Shazam now) turn her down, not willing to commit an act of war against the Greek Pantheon. Finally, we take a journey into the really obscure (so much so that he’s only got a single relevant hit on Google), when the Polynesian skyfather Kane Miohai* agrees to help, in exchange for Diana pledging herself his eternal servant and champion, and supplies her with his magic shell boat (which is an actual feature of the mythology) to take her there; but first, she has to go get her gorilla buddies to help (I love the gorillas). And we get some backstory on the Circle: they’re Hippolyta’s Praetorian Guard, apparently fanatically anti-child; their story is quite interesting, actually, as we get Simone’s take on how a sterile culture would be affected by that.

Like I said, this is a really great issue. I’m especially interested to see where this new god situation goes. One minor complaint would be that the army of Captain Nazis don’t really seem all that powerful; Hippolyta kills a bunch of them without breaking a sweat.

*http://www.anoca.org/he/father/kane_milohai.html


I really enjoyed the issue as well, but if you only found one relevant hit on google, it's probably because you forgot the "l" in Milohai. "Kāne Milohai" pulls in significantly more hits. Basically, he's Pele (the Hawaiian volcano god)'s dad and resident sky god/everyone's father figure.

[Evan Waters]

Back to the ropes and gags, I see.

Marston is smiling in his grave... :p

Gail Simone clearly understands the essence of the character.

In all seriousness, I enjoyed this a lot. It had just the right tone, both in WW's character and the way the action worked. And the visits to the various pantheons were fun.

[CaptainCanad]

I really enjoyed the issue as well, but if you only found one relevant hit on google, it's probably because you forgot the "l" in Milohai. "Kāne Milohai" pulls in significantly more hits.
In my copy, there is no "l".

[gwangung]

"Punishment for the adult...empathy for the child. Even for him"

Got it in one.

[SevenSoldier]

The issue nailed just about everything I like about the character, the mythology, and their place in the DC Universe.

Not everything, but damnably close, and it's one of the better single issues of comics I've bought recently. I'm sold, Gail. Keep it up.

[Tomorrow]

I loved this issue. Simone writing WW is gold. :)

Diana is intelligent, strong, resourceful, and compassionate. Gotta love her. And, mom is no slouch either. Love it.

I'm a bit hesitant with seeing Diana pledge her loyalty to another god - she's always been very devoted to her own goddesses (and a god or two) - but I trust Ms. Simone can make it work.

[md62]

Gail - another great issue. Man I wish DC had let you write this book from the start of OYL.

And :( only one more issue of Atom by Gail & Mike...

[lazorbeak]

In my copy, there is no "l".

Probably because there isn't one. It's either a typo or an attempt to avoid litigation from those Hawaiian gods.

Regardless, I thought it might be more helpful for people to know that it is based on a Polynesian god, and if anybody wanted to find information, there was more than one place to find it. Even the link you provided spells the name with the "L", so I don't think it's a question of alternately acceptable spellings. Not really a big deal though, and far less annoying than Zeus' dad being called "Chronos."

This nitpicking did not effect my enjoyment of the issue at all.

[Guicho]

Great issue, what's really grabbing me is the incredible mythology flash backs to the days before Diana's birth. Hippolyta's royal guard (I take it these are all new characters) are pretty intense. That they'd treat the desire to have children as some kind of disease plaguing the island puts the inevitable arrival of Diana and what it says about their Queen in a whole new light. I can't wait to see how that plays out.

I know a lot of people hate it, but I like the Diana Prince secret ID, but what I don't get is (I picked this up at #14) when she's talking about not having her gifts/powers in her secret ID form, does she literally mean she has no powers? Or just that she can't use them in this form in order to maintain her identity? Because it sure looked like she was flying when she's talking about not being able to fly?

Also there's a note that says this takes place before Countdown #30, what of significance happened in Countdown #30?

Diana being rejected by the various gods and ending up at the doorstep of the big Kahuna was pretty hysterical, I loved the nods to several pantheons Bast calling her Daughter of the Hunter's Moon, and this Kane Miohai seems like he'll be a great ally; "This shell will grow into a vessel and take you anywhere". Beautiful.:)

[God-Man]

I know a lot of people hate it, but I like the Diana Prince secret ID, but what I don't get is (I picked this up at #14) when she's talking about not having her gifts/powers in her secret ID form, does she literally mean she has no powers? Or just that she can't use them in this form in order to maintain her identity? Because it sure looked like she was flying when she's talking about not being able to fly?

Circe made it so that when Diana poses as Diana Prince, she actually is human. She only has powers when she transforms into Wonder Woman.

[Shaka]

Great issue, I'm really lovin Gail's WW so far. I'm a WW newbie so two questions if somebody can help...

1. Aren't the Greek gods gone to another plane of existence after Infinite Crisis? If so why do the other pantheons care?

2. I thought it was almost hasty for Diana to declare her loyalty to that other god on the fly like that. What did Diana used to do when the Greek gods gave her orders she didn't like or that went against her character?

[Gail Simone]

Yeah, I agree, she may have crossed a line there. But I think it shows that even above the gods, Diana loves her mother, and would gladly send herself into peril for her, physically and emotionally.

Gail

[gwangung]

Yeah, I agree, she may have crossed a line there.

And that's a problem???

Guys, Gail's giving you instant, character driven storylines here! Sit back and enjoy!

[greenman]

I wish I could comment more knowledgeably , but I wont get to the comic shop till Saturday.

[chap22]

Gail, in two issues you have made this book actually worth reading again. thank you for that. you, dear madam, truly rock.

[jackwtweeg]

If I had a bigger budget I'd buy this book real good.

[Gail Simone]

Heh. No, it's fine! I love when there's good debate over stories. It's fun to read.

:)

Gail

[jackwtweeg]

Heh. No, it's fine! I love when there's good debate over stories. It's fun to read.

:)

Gail

If you had to pick a love interest for Diana who would it be? *cough*Orin*cough*

[Gail Simone]

Check out issue #18!

Oh, man, I love this gig.

Gail

[Shaka]

Yeah, I agree, she may have crossed a line there. But I think it shows that even above the gods, Diana loves her mother, and would gladly send herself into peril for her, physically and emotionally.

Gail

Oh cool I never talked to a creator before. Yeah I was thinking to myself it was a neat twist and a great set up for future stories. Keep up the good work!

[IvCNuB4]

Also there's a note that says this takes place before Countdown #30, what of significance happened in Countdown #30?

That's when Granny Goodness took her new Fury/amazon recruits to Themyscira, thus resolving the issue of why the island is nearly abandoned in "Wonder Woman" but populated in "GA/BC" and "Countdown" ....

[Amethyst Rose]

I just want to see the fun that's eventually gonna happen: everybody realizes that it's not really Athena, but Granny, and the butt-whooping begins, especially if the real Gods get involved.

[Vic Vega]

Excellent issue overall and one of the best example of taking a concept (Diana's birth by magic in a childless society) to its logical conclusion I've seen in sometime.

The loss of motherhood as a concept to the Amazon might only have been tolerable to them because THEY WERE ALL IN THE SAME BOAT. They had their duty and it's burdens but they were all shared between them Queen and subjects alike. Once that went out the window how DID the other Amazon's react? How come only 'Polly gets to have a kid? Because she's Queen?

Was Polly idea to have a child the reaon she decided that she needed bodyguards in the first place? Did Polly see the strife from this coming and do it anyway?

I can only imagine how ugly this might have gotten.

Great stuff.

[Binker]

Hey guys!

Hope Gail reads me review.

by Nathaniel Ruff (aka Binker on the forums)

Written by Gail Simone
Art by cover by Terry Dodson & Rachel Dodson
Edited by Matt Idelson

PLOT:
New levels of intensity as never-before-revealed secrets of Diana’s origin are deilvered! Who tried to assassinate her on the night of her creation? Special Agent Diana Prince may not live to find out, as she faces a brutal Captain Nazi alone, unable to use her powers. And the re-forming army of the Society of Super Villains hunts her mother on Paradise Island! You've never seen a Wonder Woman like this!

REVIEW:
Gaile Simone on Wonder Woman, in the first issue, was an overall solid read. And many other readers agreed with me. Gail has opened the door for a fun ride for this first arc, just by the first issue. She got Wonder Woman, and despite people's problems (which I don't have) on Diana Prince, we can tell that we're going to have a fun time with the Diana Prince identity. And she was so right; monkeys are fun. Now since #14, a series that I've never read which was The All-New Atom also by Gail Simone had a team-up between Atom and Wonder Woman. So I read the two issues of this team-up, which finished last week, and I had some more fun and I was more ready for #15 because it showed more to the fact that Gail knows the character. Now with #14 having the story and characters all set-up, and the notion that because of Gail: the Amazing Amazon is back, here is #15.

Another issue by Gail, and do you think this one would be different than the last one? No? Good, because it was another great issue by Gail. Reading how Gail writes Diana, she brings out Diana's Amazon Code ways in such scenes like the interrogation toward Captain Nazi, and in the scenes where she meets various other Gods for their help to get to Themyscira. When I read those scenes, I remembered George Perez' run of the book and even some of Greg Rucka's writing of the character during his run. Like those two, Gail brings out the Diana's myth and Amazonian nature perfectly. If this is any indication; Gail IS the next greatest Wonder Woman writer. There is no doubt. Great issue.

One of the things to pick out is the four imprisoned Amazons on Themyscira. Last issue, we only knew that one of them was named Alkyone, and that she wanted Hippolyta to kill her daughter, Diana. In this issue, we're treated with the first of a prologue backstory to these four women, with the other three women named Myrto, Charis, Philomela. In this backstory; these four Amazons, moreso from Alkyone, really loved their queen and stood by her and protected her. But Alkyone was convinced for some reason that having a child, even from Hippolyta's pled from the Gods, would destroy. And the prologue ends with the four Amazons, learning one of their sisters created a very convincing looking baby doll, and Alkyone ordering her dead. Thanks to this backstory, we're starting to learn more about these four Amazons and the reason why they are imprisoned, but more information is needed. Like why would they think in the first place that having a child, or even having a desire to have one, would destroy them? I started to think about the real myth Amazons just to get some idea of why: I guess the reason could be that since these women forbade and didn't want anything to do with men at that time, the desire to have a child would require what they didn't want: men. So if had that desire, who they were before that would be destroyed. That's my theory, and it does sound right, but we have two more issues til this arc is over to know for sure. So let's my theory in the theory box.

Overall, this was another great issue by Gail Simone; she truly gets Wonder Woman. She brought out the character's myth, Amazonian nature and Amazon code perfectly much like how Perez and Rucka did when they wrote the character. I think this is enough to say she is the next great Wonder Woman writer next to the best ones of Perez, Jimenez, and Rucka. We got the first part of the background prologue to these four imprisoned Amazons, and I have a pretty good theory on why they're like, so let's see from the next two issues if I'm right or wrong. Can't wait for the next one, so see you then!

RATING: Yay

Next Issue: The whole truth!

[Kevenn]

Excellent issue overall and one of the best example of taking a concept (Diana's birth by magic in a childless society) to its logical conclusion I've seen in sometime.

The loss of motherhood as a concept to the Amazon might only have been tolerable to them because THEY WERE ALL IN THE SAME BOAT. They had their duty and it's burdens but they were all shared between them Queen and subjects alike. Once that went out the window how DID the other Amazon's react? How come only 'Polly gets to have a kid? Because she's Queen?

Was Polly idea to have a child the reaon she decided that she needed bodyguards in the first place? Did Polly see the strife from this coming and do it anyway?

I can only imagine how ugly this might have gotten.

Great stuff.

Hippolyta got to have a kid because all the Amazons are women who were reincarnated by the Greek goddesses after they had been slain by men. Hippolyta was the only one who was pregnant when she was slain.

[deri]

They might not like the idea of children because it might involve needing men to mate. Or maybe it's because they're afraid of the risk they might *give birth* to men. If they don't all get to use clay, they might think finding mates and discarding them would be easy enough. But I don't think even they could imagine the pain of giving up a child.

And they're afraid what it will do to morale if every so often, one of them gives birth to a boy and needs to send him away. Everyone would have that in their heads.

What if they need to go to war with man's world? What if this man I'm about to kill is actually my child, all grown up while I'm still young and now, I'm about to kill him?

Beyond the pain of losing their kid, these warriors don't want their sisters to feel doubt, compromising their being Amazons.

The Bana had to endure it. When some of the Bana reunited with them, I doubt it made anyone feel even more excited for motherhood, even if they did want it.

Perhaps to the four, Diana was a very clear reminder of the yearning, and the risk this yearning could lead to whether or not it is acted upon.

And finally, if everyone felt like asking for Athena's blessing, their gods might get angry.

[jrp001]

Yeah, I agree, she may have crossed a line there. But I think it shows that even above the gods, Diana loves her mother, and would gladly send herself into peril for her, physically and emotionally.

Gail


first - thanks for 2 issues of gold!

second - can't wait to see how her patronage change plays out. Only in Wonder Woman can you make this a plot point AND make it something to look forward to...

third - yeah for other pantheons!

fourth - You rock

fifth - I do wish she still had grey eyes...

[Vic Vega]

They might not like the idea of children because it might involve needing men to mate. Or maybe it's because they're afraid of the risk they might *give birth* to men. If they don't all get to use clay, they might think finding mates and discarding them would be easy enough. But I don't think even they could imagine the pain of giving up a child.

And they're afraid what it will do to morale if every so often, one of them gives birth to a boy and needs to send him away. Everyone would have that in their heads.

What if they need to go to war with man's world? What if this man I'm about to kill is actually my child, all grown up while I'm still young and now, I'm about to kill him?.

Good point, the very concept of having children opens up a whole can of worms for the Amazons.

Beyond the pain of losing their kid, these warriors don't want their sisters to feel doubt, compromising their being Amazons.

The Bana had to endure it. When some of the Bana reunited with them, I doubt it made anyone feel even more excited for motherhood, even if they did want it.

Perhaps to the four, Diana was a very clear reminder of the yearning, and the risk this yearning could lead to whether or not it is acted upon.

You can't have kids and be isolationists. You are going to either venture forth to find mates or you might have to go out to leave your male child out in Man's world.

And what happens when an Amazon has a male baby and doesn't want to give him up? Do they force her to and gain an enemy for (eternal) life or does the Amazon go into exile?

Either way, it would spell doom for thier society eventually.

[Caramuru]

You know, I feel a bit uncomfortable to post about a book when all I have to say is to gush over it. :p Anyway, this book is all kinds of kick-ass.

[Groovie Mann]

damn fine issue.

[greenman]

Pretty good issue. I'm not that interested in reading about a de-powered Diana, but if it MUST be done, it can at least be done well, as Gail Simone does here. Just few pages highlighting Diana's tactical brilliance in a difficult situation.

It was fun watching Hippolyta go all Rambo on the Nazis. Fun stuff. Having Diana switch pantheon alliances was a strange, interesting choice. I liked the tip of the hat to the War of the Gods story, but it seemed a bit off given how she's stuck with her patrons through periods of absence before. I guess it makes some sense if we accept that she is that desperate to get to her mother. I'm not entirely sure I buy it but I'll give it time to develop. It opens up some story possibilities down the road, but I just hope it isn't used as an excuse for further messing with Diana's basic power set down the road.

Overall, a good issue with some plot developments that could play out as being either interesting and fun or really bad down the road.

[froinlaven]

Can someone (Gail) just explain Wonder Woman's costume to me? I get the Tiara and the Lasso, but what's with the Red, White and Blue? It just never made sense to me...

[Skeets]

I'm still on the fence with this book. I love Gail, but I don't know if she's enough to keep me interested in Diana. I will keep buying it until The Circle is complete, hopefully I'll be more into it by then.

[jackwtweeg]

Can someone (Gail) just explain Wonder Woman's costume to me? I get the Tiara and the Lasso, but what's with the Red, White and Blue? It just never made sense to me...

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Cause shes proud to be american.

[froinlaven]

Cause shes proud to be american.

Oh, I'm sorry. I was under the impression that she was Themyscrian Princess....

[greenman]

Can someone (Gail) just explain Wonder Woman's costume to me? I get the Tiara and the Lasso, but what's with the Red, White and Blue? It just never made sense to me...
George Perez has already explained it. :)

Super short version: Steve Trevor's mother crashed on Themiscyra and died doing some really brave, noble stuff, so the Amazons adopted what they thought was her family "coat of arms" (the American flag and eagle) as the designated colors of their champion.

[froinlaven]

George Perez has already explained it. :)

Super short version: Steve Trevor's mother crashed on Themiscyra and died doing some really brave, noble stuff, so the Amazons adopted what they thought was her family "coat of arms" (the American flag and eagle) as the designated colors of their champion.

Awesome. Thanks.:)

[Stazz]

Possible story element: if "Athena" is really Granny, then she doesn't actually have the authority to tell Diana to stay off of Themyscira, and Diana just pledged allegiance to a new god for nothing. When this comes out, is she still going to be held to the deal, since Milohai isn't actually helping her to defy the gods?