Thursday, December 20, 2012

Wonder Woman #15

It's interesting that the New Gods have had such an impact on the DC Universe, yet most writers struggle with the heroic gods.

Darkseid and the other villains created by Jack Kirby have been folded into various DC Comics, but no one seems to know what to do with Orion and the other heroic New Gods.

But perhaps that's about to change, as this issue of Wonder Woman features the first appearance of Orion in the "New 52" (not including his cameo in the last page of issue #14).

The problem is that the characters aren't (you should excuse the phrase) from around here. Villains can be odd and monstrous, but we have to be able to identify with our heroes, and in the past the New Gods haven't given us much of that - they just show up and start hammering the bad guys.

This issue is a good step in the right direction, although it's a long way from explaining Orion's sudden appearance.

The story brings him directly into the mythology of the "New 52," as he seeks help from one of the gods who have taken up residence in the modern world - and that brings him into conflict with a certain Amazonian princess.

As always, a strong effort by writer Brian Azzarello and artist Cliff Chiang. If they can figure out a way to make Orion work in the DC Universe, they'll have managed something no writer has managed.

Impressive!

Grade: A-

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