Writers: Michael W. Conrad & Becky Cloonan
Art: Travis Moore & Steven Pugh
Colors: Tamara Bonvillain
Letters: Pat Brosseau
Publisher: DC
Price: $4.99
Release Date: 10/12/2021
Reviewer: Soycornholio
If you’re interested in this comic, series, related trades, or any of the others mentioned, simply click on the title/link to snag a copy through Amazon.
Where the Heart Is:
For being 80 years old, Diana Prince sure as heck looks phenomenal! After an escapade across various realms that included Deadman, a rodent, and a dead Viking for company, Diana is finally back in the proper DC Universe. But what will her next adventure take her? Let’s take a look at Michael W. Conrad’s & Becky Cloonan’s Wonder Woman #780.
*Spoilers to follow*
Sheeee’s baaaack:
Wonder Woman is one-third of the Big Three. One of the Pillars of the DC Universe. Her absence has been felt by not only the readers but her counterparts as well. The highlights of this issue include the surprise reaction from the Martian Manhunter (“Care for a cookie?”) and the frosty reception from Black Adam (I wonder who would win). Very few characters can summon this type of reaction from scores of heroes such as Wonder Woman. You can tell from the look of a surprise drawn beautifully by Travis Moore and Steven Pugh, that her return was not expected whatsoever.
The Big 3:
I want to note the interaction between Diana, Clark, and Bruce. Anytime you have originators of any team (i.e., the original 7 members of the JLA) it always does us well to observe their interactions. How does the writer(s) convey the chemistry between these icons? Luckily for us, Conrad does an amazing job of capturing their chemistry. Superman wants to take a moment and be truly thankful that Diana is back. Batman on the other hand gives a rare smile and does his best to rush back to Gotham to brood. Diana (as always is the neutral party who normally calls it as she sees it (in this case, Batman being a weirdo). Again, this was an excellent job of capturing these tiny character traits.
How can I help?
If you haven’t checked out the Wonder Woman 80th Anniversary comic, do so. It provides the perfect segue into one of the reoccurring themes in Wonder Woman #780. Every couple of panels or so, Diana finds herself helping (or in Dr. Fate’s case, being summoned) various heroes and civilians. I particularly liked the panels of Steve Trevor, Donna Troy, and Cassie Sandsmark finding out that Diana was back via the Daily Planet and news media. This is another trademark of Diana that has stayed with her throughout the years. Even though she has been gone she is jonesing to help others in any way she can. In fact, it was only because of Hippolyta, that Diana flew back to Themysciara where a party to end all parties awaited her.
An Amazon Party:
No, Jeff Bezos was not invited to this one! Diana’s Amazonian sisters were beyond joyful of her return. With Queen Nubia at the helm, Diana’s return was welcome. The deep cuts from the Amazonian mythos (i.e., the Kanga competition) demonstrated the respect that the writers have for Wonder Woman’s history. Great job on this!
Final Thoughts:
Wonder Woman #780 by Michael W. Conrad & Becky Cloonan’s Wonder is the perfect reset issue for Diana. We all know that there will be more adventures and plotlines that will greet Diana but for now, she can rest. Now is the perfect time to jump into Wonder Woman. We are at the ending of one storyline and the beginning of the next has not started yet. I would recommend this issue to anyone who wants to dive into Wonder Woman OR anyone who needs a break from the machismo of the other DC Comics. Check it out!