‘Wonder Woman #52’ (review)

Written by Steve Orlando
Illustrated by Aco
Published by DC Comics

“Thunderbolts of Zeus!”

“Not bad.”

No, indeed.

Do yourself a favor a go get Wonder Woman #52.

The current pitch-hitter for the series, Steve Orlando, has delivered us a smartly scripted comic that should go a long way to cementing his reputation as one of the greats in the field.

The story simultaneously re-introduces Artemis, reunites Diana with her long-lost aunt Atalanta, and features the new Aztek in a splendid tale of new and skillfully brandished DC mythology.

Artemis of course, is one of Diana’s greatest foils, and it’s a real treat to see Orlando’s take on the brash warrior woman. Atalanta should be a welcome surprise for Wonder Woman fans, who’ve probably been wondering for a little while whether she’d be showing up anytime here in these pages. And our third heroine, the latest Aztek, is depicted with clear, bold strokes that easily makes her a far more interesting character than her predecessor.

But that’s nothing compared to the magic Orlando pulls off with the Aztec/Mayan cosmology. A phantasmagoric display of creative prowess that is right up there with Grant Morrison at his very best. That alone is good enough reason to go out and buy the book.

But layer on top of that the fantastic artwork of rising star penciler Aco, and it’s just not to be missed.

Aco has been tapped for this project presumably to bring a stylized flair to Orlando’s indigenous Mexican mythopoetica, and the man does not disappoint. The pop art sensibility he demonstrated admirably in Marvel’s Nick Fury series last year, is on full display here, modulated perfectly to fit the stylistic elements of Old World Mexican design. And how. Some of what Aco lays down for this book is simply stunning.

This comic is a veritable work of art. Orlando and Aco work splendidly together to create a book that is just a delight to read.

Shame it’s only for another issue. But it says something that they’ll be bringing our heroes through the inestimable threat of the shadow god’s Tezcatlipoca’s 13 Heaven Terror Guards in just that time. It’s a fight that promises to be, well, epic.

Simply put, this is a great book. Exactly the sort of action-packed, mythological wonder-fest a book like Wonder Woman is meant to be.

Hurrah for Steve Orlando, and Aco, both. Congrats to DC for putting these two together. Do it again sometime, how about?

Now go buy this book.

Next Issue: Warriors three!