It's old home week as former Wonder Woman artist Drew Johnson takes a turn on Sensation Comics. He's illustrating a tale by Michael Jelenic which begins with Diana's bid to secure the egg of a phoenix. A long hunt in Arabia is about to end in success when the Cheetah shows up, enticed by the egg's legendary immortality-giving powers.
The encounter is far bloodier than I'd expect in what I thought was an all-ages series. Perhaps I was wrong about that; either way, it's gorier than the story demands - we know the Cheetah hates Wonder Woman, we don't need to see Diana showered with blood as she's skewered like an Amazonian kebab.
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Speaking of which, over on Themyscira, Phillipus has organised the food, drink and entertainment to celebrate Hippolyta's several-thousandth birthday. The Queen's reaction to the cheesy play her general has written, showing the origins of the Amazons, is a hoot, wonderfully drawn by Johnson and inked by Ray Snyder, a superb craftsman who doesn't get enough praise. Their Diana really is beautiful as Aphrodite, and the costume looks great - the wallet securing the magic lasso is a nice touch, and I like their take on Hippolyta. The Cheetah's costume is ludicrous, but that's pretty much a tradition.
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The artists also do a fine job with Jelenic's excellent scene showing a younger queen teaching tweenie Diana the importance of holding out a hand of peace to your enemy. It's cute, it's heartening and it makes Diana's closing comments in this first of two parts all the more shocking. It's just a shame Johnson's choice of a cliched butt shot rather takes away from the moment.
Blood and cheesecake aside, the artwork here is stunning, with colourist Lizzy John announcing herself as a major talent. Even without having seen the conclusion, I'd like to see more from this creative team - the combination of drama and humour could teach Phillipus a thing or two. Though she'd probably like all that blood.
Is this a print comic or digital only?
ReplyDeleteHi John, it's digital right now but will show up in the print edition soon.
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