World Famous Comics: Wonder Woman Vol. 2: Challenge of the Gods
Wonder Woman Vol. 2: Challenge of the Gods
By: George Perez, Len Wein Publisher: DC Comics Average Rating: Binding: Paperback Label: DC Comics Number of Items: 1 Number of Pages: 176 Publication Date: October 01, 2004 Release Date: October 01, 2004
Wonderous reading George Perez restored the Amazon to her glory with his impressive run on the title. While the first staory arc was wonderful, this storyline really kicked it into gear. Amazing art, and each issue better than the last until the climax...the last god, that Diana must confront.
An Amazing Amazon, Once Again! After the passing of Wonder Woman's creator William Moulton Marston in 1947, only two people have ever done this character any justice: the first was actress\singer Lynda Carter Wonder Woman - The Complete First Season, who portrayed our heroine in the late-1970s, and the other was veteran comic book artist\writer George perez!Modern Masters Volume 2: George Perez This was Perez' first attempt at writing a series and as far as I am concerned, as of this date, it remains his best. What Perez understood, despite any minor flubs in dialogue or plot, was that Marston created this character for girls; not to stimulate adolescent-male fantasies (although as a kid, I doubt I would have had any problems with Ms.Carter tying me up in that golden lasso, grr-rowl!) In the 40s, it was nearly social heresy for the Amazing Amazon to encourage young heroines (and female fans) to get strong so they wouldn't have to depend on a man; a message, I think, in which many would find even greater resonance today, especially in our inner cities. During the Golden Age, only 20+ years after women first received the right to vote, it was practically un-American!
Unlike so many others who have treated Wonder Woman as merely a female Superman at best, or worse, as star-spangled cheesecake, George Perez understood the full ramifications of the character's origins--and her potential. Although Perez' version was sometimes preachy and decidedly Pro-Woman, it never failed to entertain! I think Mr. Marston definitely would have approved! Another thing, the Perez stories were rich in Greek mythology and combined with George's Art Nouveau influenced drawing-style,seemed to project a definite "New Age" atmosphere that attracted people who would eventually become fans of Neil Gaiman's Sandman.The Absolute Sandman, Vol. 1
This particalar volume re-introduces arch-villainess the Cheetah, revamped and super-powered for the modern age, then segues into a plot that leads our Amazing Amazon into an indirect conflict with Lord Zeus! It seems that like his mythological counterpart, Zeus has taken a liking to our Ultra-human princess and wants to take her as his bride--or a lover,at least, and he didn't bother to disguise himself as a swan on this occasion! Of course, Diana resists Zeus' advances! This rejection of the Kingly Deity, provokes the angry god to send her on one of his little quests to prove her "worthiness"! Wonder Woman does so and in the end, she learns not only the secret of Themys--Themis-- oh, PARADISE ISLAND(!) but in addition, the meaning of why her uniform looks so much like an American flag...
So, take off your tiara and your red-leather boots; set that magic lasso down for a spell; turn on some Richie Wagner (or Tori Amos, if that's your cup of java) and get your read-on as our Princess of Power "...stops the bullets cold and makes the bad-guys fold!" while lookin' as fine as only she can look, especially when lovingly rendered by George Perez! Sorry, Wondy, but you were always TOO MUCH! Grr-owl!
Graphic SF Reader Wonder Woman in warlike mode, having to deal with her rival Amazons, defending her position, and her arch enemy.
The gods decided to test her to see if she is worth of her abilities.
The psychopathic Cheetah adds yet another hurdle to overcome, if she didn't already have enough to do.
Anything Goes Trivia
Megaton Man
Trevor
