Graphic SF Reader Batman and Wonder Woman come into conflict when a young woman, wanted for involvement in a crime seeks sanctuary at Diana's Amazon embassy. By her laws and beliefs she must take the girl in.
The girl has cleverly discovered this Hiketeia clause, and WW will fight Batman over it if she has to.
This does not end well.
Rucka's best Wonder Woman by far Wonder Woman: The Hiketeia is a bit of a rarity these days as it is not a collection of previously published comics but an original graphic novel. Written by Greg Rucka and penciled by J.G. Jones, this book was certainly created by A-list talent and features stars to match in Wonder Woman and Batman. The story features a fugitive from justice (and Batman) who seeks a form of sanctuary from Wonder Woman invoking a ritual known as the Hiketeia. The ritual offers Wonder Woman no decision to refuse, she has to accept as long as the supplicant obeys the strictures of the ritual. This inevitably brings Batman and Wonder Woman into conflict and sets up an interesting situation of the ethics and responsibilities of all the involved parties.
I am not a big fan of Wonder Woman and am definitely not a fan of Greg Rucka's writing but this story is an exception. It's well paced and the characterizations are very well portrayed. Rucka manages to create a fairly unique situation for the characters that allows us to see how they react in a situation neither is really comfortable with. Jones is an excellent artist probably best known at the moment for the covers he painted for 52. All in all, there's a lot to like here and not much to criticize really. It's easy to recommend for anyone looking for a good story.
A disappointment I had high hopes for this GN because it features two of my favorite characters: Wonder Woman and Batman, and because I admire Greg Rucka as a writer and usually enjoy his work. I was disappointed.
The idea is a good one, and the writing and illustration are very good. The problem is that the story is underdeveloped. The narrative barely begins before it ends, rather abruptly, 90 pages later. The Supplicant says at one point that she had studied ancient Greece so that she could learn to be like Wonder Woman, but she doesn't really say why, or how (or even where). She tells a sad story that explains her earlier actions, but doesn't adequately outline how it came about. In a graphic format, you have to show everything--it is not enough to throw out a sentence in passing and leave the rest to the reader's imagination. Diana's motivation is never really explained, either, unless you can accept the worn-out premise that Diana does everything out of goodness and duty. That's fine as far as it goes, but a good story these days requires a bit more. Although I think the parallel we are supposed to make is to political asylum, but that doesn't really suffice since Diana takes the trouble to point out (and later demonstrate) that she was under NO obligation to accept the petition. The explanation of why she feels it is her duty to accept THIS supplicant without question is feeble, particularly in light of the enormity of the supplicant's crime. Diana should have known better than to make such a pledge without getting a few facts first.
That, I suppose, is one of the weaknesses of the Wonder Woman character. She (along with her buddy Superman) is a person of action, and frequently does things without thinking them through first. Batman is a thinker and a researcher and always has a plan A and B. This is probably why most Wonder Woman/Batman team-ups consist largely of them beating the tar out of one another. The Hiketeia is no different. Most of the 90 pages are devoted to Wonder Woman and Batman knocking their equally stubborn foreheads together.
The story is wrapped up very quickly and very conveniently, yet without a sense of closure. It's as if the writer and artists didn't really have their hearts in it, and handed over to DC the bare minimum for publication. When I closed The Hiketeia, I felt cheated out of $14.99 and the 20 minutes I spent reading. Nobody likes a tease, and that's all this is.
Excellent in its purpose, with only a few flaws. If the purpose of The Hiketeia was to give us a closer look at Diana and what makes her tick, it did so in grand fashion. I love action and I'm happy I didn't know beforehand that this story is mainly devoid of it. There is tension, to be sure, but very little in the way of combat. Rather, this is a study of Diana of Themyscira and her motivations.
She is a character steeped in tradition and religion. With the Bam! Pow! action of super-hero comics in general, there haven't been great opportunities to explore her motivations in depth. That's not to gloss over what Perez and other excellent writers (excluding Byrne) have done in her series. By and large they've done well in presenting the origin and life that shaped and defined Wonder Woman. The elements that make her unique among her peers. However, sometimes, a quiet moment is needed for that really close look.
The Hiketeia is full of quiet moments. Diana sipping coffee from a mug with the Superman logo, making sandwiches for Danielle, signing autographs. We also see the Themyscira embassy, beautifully illustrated. None of this is boring as these quiet moments happen within the context of a powerful dillemma. Diana respects and obeys the modern laws of the United States. She also respects and honors the ancient laws of her religion.
She is clearly unhappy with the demands of her bonded duty. She doesn't want to fight Batman. She doesn't want to harbor criminals. So she grimly stays the course, honoring the Hiketeia and waiting for what will be.
She doesn't have an optimistic, "I'm sure it will all work out." approach. She feels that this will be tragic in one way or another. But, so be it.
I understand the negative reaction of some readers to her stubborn acceptance of the Hiketeia, willing to allow it to affect one of the closest friendships she has. But, this is what makes her tick. This is Diana. She was raised in the environment of the Greek gods. She does not view her religion or traditions as something pliable. These things are not negotiable, and tragic fates are often the norm. She is an ambassador to our culture, not of our culture.
And really, Batman is the same. The story illustrated that he is just as bound to the personal religion of justice he has formed for himself.
Diana could have tried to give a little and hand over the girl as long as she accompanied her. Batman could have given a little and worked with Diana through the Hiketeia angle.
Neither did. Because both are absolutely bound to their beliefs.
The story would not have worked with, say, Black Canary and Superman. Because each of those characters, while steadfast in their pursuit of justice, are open to compromise. Their origins were not forged in the same severe fires as Wonder Woman and Batman.
So, I enjoyed this story as a look at two implacable heroes, each on the opposite side of a problem.
All Star Writing, All Star Illustration The best thing about this book, aside from the art, is its very simple premise. "What happens when ideologies clash?"
Greg Rucka did a fantastic job of picking two DC characters that are very opinionated in their ideologies. And its just a matter of telling the right story to see which one of them will you believe in.
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