Comics / Comic Reviews / DC Comics

Wonder Woman # 35

By Koppy McFad
August 31, 2009 - 01:44

In an attempt to hunt down villain Dr. Psycho, Wonder Woman and Black Canary put on disguises and infiltrate Roulette's gladiatorial arena in Japan. But eventually, the bad guys realise who they are and arrange for Wonder Woman to battle a vengeful Hawaiian goddess while a band of supervillains goes after Black Canary.

If this synopsis makes the comic sound like non-stop action-- well, you will be disappointed. This book actually spends more time examining the relationship between Black Canary and Wonder Woman and in the process, Wonder Woman's own conflicted feelings about her life in "man's world" as she used to call it.

The alien environment of Japan as a way to get both Canary and Wonder Woman to open up about their feelings about their roles in the superhero world and how the rest of society sees them as they drink sake' and snack on ramen. It is a rather warm issue that helps the reader get to know the characters better, especially their differences, their similarities and how they can be so close despite it all.

The action however may leave readers feeling shortchanged. There are a few panels of a really-gripping confrontation between Wonder Woman and the goddess, only to have the conflict resolved all too easily. Meanwhile, Black Canary disposes of a small gang of supervillains with ease. DC Comics supervillains are beginning to look like punching bags since they all get whipped en masse, in so many comic books this year.

This story does a good job of advancing several plotlines although at a certain point, even these plotlines are going to feel stretched out. I mean how long are we going to be hunting for this "Genocide" character anyway?

By the way, isn't Bolt dead? And didn't King Shark get his arm torn off in SECRET SIX?

The art makes the main characters-- and even the villains look both dynamic and graceful-- a very good thing for a comic book starring two female heroes.But the scenes of Japan are a bit unconvincing as they fail to capture the frenetic brightness of Japanese cities. There is also a surprising lack of background in the art. There are too many bare walls and floors which make the story seem less realistic.

Rating: 8 /10

Last Updated: August 31, 2023 - 08:12