Birds of Paradise part one: A Malignant Isolation
Writer: Gail Simone
Penciller: Aaron Lopresti
Inker: Matt Ryan
Colorist: Brad Anderson
Letterer: Travis Lanham
Associate Editor: Sean Ryan
Editor: Elisabeth Gehrlein
Cover: Aaron Lopresti & Hi-Fi
Publisher: DC Comics
After following this title for the Rise of the Olympian arc, I found myself still interested (actually, more interested) in the character of Diana/Wonder Woman. Though I don’t feel I “know” the character all that much, I’ve found that the last eight-some issues have been quite enjoyable and shown me that good, solid stories can be told with the character.
This issue opens in the aftermath of last issue, with Wonder Woman now alone, having turned her back on the Amazons and her gods. Simone provides a touching moment as Morrow informs Diana that Genocide is not dead, and begs her to destroy it. In order to begin tracking down Genocide’s whereabouts, Diana turns to Black Canary for an assist, despite their recent differences. Dinah takes the lead as the two concoct costumes to hide their identities as they seek to infiltrate an underground arena fighting group. The results the two find in going undercover raises some question, as well as introducing us to someone likely to cause both of our heroines plenty of trouble next issue.
The art here continues to be very well done, and I have no real complaint with it. The stor itself for this issue does a good job of following the previous major arc, while setting things up for the current arc. We get forward movement and character development in light of what’s already happened and in what’s coming. Simone continues to demonstrate an excellent understanding of the characters she writes–specifically, in Wonder Woman–portraying her as a strong, realistic person…all the more in Diana’s willingness to seek help when she’s in over her head or otherwise knows someone better-suited for accomplishing a particular task.
Though there’ll be a certain deeper appreciation for things talked about in this issue if one’s already read Rise of the Olympian, this seems to be a decent jumping-on point for readers curious about the ongoing Wonder Woman series. There’s plenty to draw one in, and enough detail to give a general idea of who characters are, what their status quo is now, and a lot of potential in what is to come.
Highly recommended.
Story: 8.5/10
Art: 9/10
Whole: 8.5/10
Filed under: Comic Reviews 2009, DC, DC Universe, Wonder Woman | Tagged: Aaron Lopresti, Birds of Paradise, Brad Anderson, Comic Reviews, DC, DC Comics, Elisabeth Gehrlein, Gail Simone, Genocide, Hi-Fi, Matt Ryan, Rise of the Olympian, Sean Ryan, Travis Lanham, Wonder Woman | Leave a comment »
The Setup
Blackest Night: Tales of the Corps #3 [Review]
Story: 4/5
Art: 3.5/5
Overall: 4/5
Rate this:
Share this:
Like this:
Filed under: Blackest Night (Event), Blackest Night: Tales of the Corps, cxPulp.com, DC, DC Universe | Tagged: Adam Sclagman, Andy Troy, Blackest Nigh #0, Blackest Night, Blackest Night: Tales of the Corps, Chris Samnee, Comic Reviews, cxPulp.com, DC, DC Comics, Director's Commentary, Ed Benes, Eddie Berganza, Geoff Johns, Ivan Reis, John Kalisz, Kilowog, Mike Mayhew, Nei Ruffino, Nick J. Napolitano, Pat Brosseau, Peter J. Tomasi, Rob Hunter, Tales of the Corps, Tales of the Green Lantern Corps | Leave a comment »