Rise of the Olympian has been anything but boring so far, yet things kick up a gear here, as writer Gail Simone gives a masterclass in pacing a story for maximum action and characterisation. Sergeant Steel is not a man to sing the Wonder Woman TV show theme and that's the latest clue that he's not who he seems to be. This is the issue in which we learn his secret, and it's tied to our Faces of Evil-imposed cover star, the Cheetah.
Mind, she's not much present, with the bulk of the issue devoted, quite rightly, to Round Two of Diana's conflict with the monstrous Genocide. And, appropriately, she has seconds - Donna Troy and Wonder Girl in their own versions of the Alex Ross Screaming Chicken Armour (as dubbed by Carol Strickland). The spread in which we first see the Wonder Sisters together is just stunning, artists Aaron Lopresti and Matt Ryan, with colourist Brad Anderson, presenting them as so beautiful, yet fierce, that even the JLA looks on in awe.
This standard of art is maintained throughout the book, another highlight being the creepy scene in which Simone introduces the island of men from which the Olympian will spring next issue. The illoes make it obvious these guys have just been plucked from the arms of death by the mad god Zeus.
We see two sides of Diana this issue, the leader in battle, determined to regain the magic lasso Genocide stole from her, and the thinker, narrating her heroic journey to herself. Neither voice trips the other up. We see Diana as the terrible warrior she can be, but even though she wields an axe - something I hate - she uses it reluctantly, because she believes the situation demands it.
There's a ratcheting of tension throughout the book, and a couple of great cliffhangers. The only thing about 'The Blood of the Stag' that disappointed me was the continuing characterisation of Tom Tresser, Nemesis. I get that there's more to the WW/Nemesis alleged romance than meets the eye, and that all will be revealed in time, but meanwhile, does he have to be presented as a ninny? The man is a superspy, he's held his own in a team-up with Batman, survived numerous Suicide Squad missions - he's not one to puzzle over a borrowed spear (click for a better view).That aside, Simone, Lopresti and co make producing great superhero comics look easy.
Ooh, my name is mentioned. Giggle!
ReplyDeleteWhy am I thinking that Gail's going to surprise us all and have Tom unmask at some point to show he's... I don't know. Someone else. Jimmy Olsen. Snapper Carr. Proty. Steve Trevor. When was the last time he used his super power?
If Superman were dating Wondie (perish the thought!) would we see him operating at Clark Kent all the time, or would he break out a power or two on occasion?
I love Gail's WW 'tude and it carries the entire book for me. Very high up. But there are holes here and there and I don't know if it's because we're still at the beginning of the run (but we aren't any more, are we?) or because these aren't holes to Gail's way of thinking but a part of her Wonder World, or if they're just... holes. As in: whups, don't look at it and it won't exist.
The art is lovely, isn't it? I should gush more about it on the boards.
Say, Mart, howcome I can see your "word verification" word but can't anyone else over there across the Pond?
There's deffo something up with Tom, it's as if the warrior part of his spirit has been secreted away, yet we've had Diana referring to same warrior spirit.
ReplyDeleteMy word verification must be special . . . it's all very odd.
Nice review, Martin! Personally, I'm intrigued by the mystery of Nemesis and Diana. They're both hiding things about themselves, and maybe totally misinterpreting the other's actions. Fascinating! :D
ReplyDeleteI'm certainly intrigued, but such an impatient fellow.
ReplyDeleteI'm impatient, too. I want answers, NOW, especially regarding Diana and Tom and what's going on between Hippolyte and Diana.
ReplyDeleteI thought this issue was one of Gail's best.