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REVIEW: Make way for ‘Wonder Woman: Earth One Vol. One’

 
Wonder Woman Earth One cov
Wonder Woman Earth One cov
Wonder Woman Earth One cov

 
Overview
 

Story by: Grant Morrison
 
Art by: Yanick Paquette
 
Colors by: Nathan Fairbairn
 
Publisher:
 
FG RATING
 
 
 
 
 
4/ 5


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To sum it all up..

After years of teasing his next project post-Multiversity, Grant Morrison, alongside with Yanick Paquette and Nathan Fairbairn as illustrator and colorist respectively, unleashes his reinterpretation of the iconic William Moulton Marston’s creation — Wonder Woman in WONDER WOMAN: EARTH ONE VOL. ONE. Like all Earth One series (Superman and Batman), this book is treated in hardcover edition, […]

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Posted June 30, 2016 by

 
FULL REVIEW
 
 

Wonder Woman Earth One cov

After years of teasing his next project post-Multiversity, Grant Morrison, alongside with Yanick Paquette and Nathan Fairbairn as illustrator and colorist respectively, unleashes his reinterpretation of the iconic William Moulton Marston’s creation — Wonder Woman in WONDER WOMAN: EARTH ONE VOL. ONE. Like all Earth One series (Superman and Batman), this book is treated in hardcover edition, drawn exquisitely by Paquette, and has additional features like Paquette’s conceptual artworks and different cover art renditions.

The story naturally revolves on Princess Diana, the begotten daughter of Queen Hippolyta and greatest champion-warrior princess of Paradise Island, a highly advanced civilized nation of Amazonians (and, no males are allowed, literally and figuratively speaking). As expected, Grant applies the non-linear sequential storyline by showing Diana in public trial conducted by her mother and the Fates, though the story starts with Hercules against Hippolyta and ends with a cliffhanger for the next volume. Readers should first possess some basic knowledge on Classical Mythology because this work has lots of references and usages of personalities regarding Greek and Roman mythologies. As the trial commences, readers see how Diana encountered a “man” named Steve Trevor (and he is Afro-American), nursed him and brought him back to his “world”, encountered firsthand how “his” world revolves, made a couple of female friends along the way, and willfully surrendered to her Amazonian sisters. These developments actually read a good court trial television episode (or readers of Brian Bendis’s Daredevil run can see that connectivity as well). Sure, the story ends satisfying with some formulaic trademark Morrison twist and turn, such as Diana’s true heritage and parentage, and the Fate’s unexpected announcement regarding her true destiny. In other words, there is basically nothing confusing here, just smart/clever way of putting minor but important details along the way. But, a multiple readings is essential because, well, Grant Morrison.

Wonder Woman Earth One 02

Grant also fulfills his promise of fusing some of the primordial feminist thoughts of Marston to his own brand of sequential storytelling and characterization, among other things. And, the Scot showcases some of the challenges feminism as an ideological perspective confronts right now, and acknowledging its extremes sides, including the concept of masculinity (like patriarchy-male dominance). Among the examples presented are Diana’s interactions with Trevor and her newfound female friends whose feminist-views are way different to her Amazonian beliefs. The inclusion of submission and bondages is appropriate and in context to how feminism really evolves from time to time, even to the degree that many feminist views really clash from within, as the creative team presents on the faces and remarks the Amazonians illustrate upon hearing one of Diana’s star witnesses. And remember, Marston was a psychologist and considered as one of the proto-feminists around in the 1920s and 1930s (he was also a contradictory fellow, but that’s human, like all great personalities around).

Wonder Woman Earth One 01

Yanick’s innovative and experimental brand of sequential paneling is a big nod to the rich mythological lore and trappings on what the Greek and Roman, and Wonder Woman mythologies could offer. His illustrations are definitely luscious. His portrayals of women, especially Amazonians, are definitely the classical archetypes of what a “perfect woman” should perceive (physically toned, tall, and endowed chest features). But, his illustrations of Diana’s female friends, especially the fat one, are realistic as possible, presenting a dichotomy of feminism itself (accepting who you really are and happy v. striving to perfection or superiority over male perspectives). Fairburn’s colors, mostly primary, are warm and mesmerizing to the eyes.

My greatest beef here is the perennial problem of DC in its hardcover deluxe edition treatment, spine and its binding. The book is thin and enjoyable to read, but the reading experience is NOT. I had to hold the book itself most of the time because if not, it went back to its original form. Why can’t DC follow the Marvel and Image way of binding books around? Then, as usual, there are some panelings that can be a little bit disorientating, especially for first time Grant Morrison readers around. Read slowly if one wants to fully benefit of enjoying a Grant Morrison work. And, I am not being “though-provoked” by this fine work of graphic novel. I say again, it is clever and innovative, nothing more and nothing less.

Wonder Woman: Earth One Vol. One is a great addition to the expanding universe of Earth One superhero mythos. Grant Morrison does a good job of incorporating Marston’s visions to his brand of visualizing comics, while Yanick Paquette and Nathan Fairbairn’s respective illustrative executions are on their caliber as usual. Grant announces that there would be sequels and personally, I’m willing to wait for these wonderful adventures of Wonder Woman.

 


Paul Ramos

 


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