Sweet Tooth by Skottie Young

Cassandra Cain by Jen Zee

Black Cat by W. Scott Forbes

Black Widow by Chrissie Zullo

Enchantress by Stephanie Hans

See, when I started buying comics, Wonder Woman was the first and only title on my pull list. I somehow fell into a group of friends who had collections of comics and trades to borrow for YEARS (I still haven’t read all of their libraries), but I wanted to support Wonder Woman. It helped that Gail Simone would be writing the character soon after, but I did it for Diana. Since then, many books have come and gone from my pull list. Wonder Woman is the only title that has been constant. For better or worse (JMS), I have been buying and reading Wonder Woman every month since I jumped down the comic book rabbit hole.

I am also one of many who, as a little girl, watched episodes of the TV series and did my damndest to spin into something more wonderful than my four-year-old little self.

"When I grow up, I want to have an invisible plane!"

The character and qualities of Wonder Woman inspired me then and has come to mean something very special to me today.

In the last three issues of Azzarello’s Wonder Woman, I find myself less than inspired. What started off strong is now bringing diminished returns in the form of Diana’s intellect, or lack thereof. Diana is repeatedly being tricked or lied to in some monumental way, and she’s falling for it.

I recall a conversation I once had with my grandmother. As matriarchs do, she had questions about the guy I was dating at the time. I answered her questions, but she was skeptical about him. While she would never dictate who I date, she did look me square in the face and say, “You are very smart, Vanessa. Don’t you dare dumb down for him!”

I didn’t.

We aren’t together anymore.

Now, everyone isn’t my ex-boyfriend, and I am certainly not Wonder Woman. As Azzarello’s Wonder Woman is selling better than the title has in a very long while, I wonder: Is a naive and easily manipulated Diana more palatable to the masses? Do we like our Wonder Woman better stupid?

"OMG! Did Hades just trick me?"

"Yup. Hades totes tricked me."

"I was born yesterday. The Amazons have been doing what for centuries?"

"What's Stockholm Syndrome?"

"Dead people attacking me. In hell?"

Yeah, Diana. I'm shot through the heart too ... with that damn look on your face. Also, Hades tricked you. Again.

I know there are various methods in fiction writing that make the protagonist interesting. One of them is creating conflict and struggle in order to build the character back up, and to give the audience something to root for. But Azzarello’s “deconstruction” of Diana’s personality is irritating the living shit out of me. Diana of Themyscira as a dumbass has got my goat far worse than the vilification of the Amazons. Apparently being one of Zeus’ bastards throws Athena’s wisdom out the door. Perhaps it’s a punishment from Hera.

How do you grow up in a culture and not know the Amazons give away their sons? How do you worship, study and interact with these gods, yet not know how treacherous they can be? How do you go to hell and be duped in such a grand way when you once walked through Hades blind? Why the fuck did you hand Hades Eros’ guns!!!?

At the beginning of Azzarello’s run, I was singing the praises of his Wonder Woman. She seemed capable and self-possessed. Even with the revelation that her birth was not divine magic, I did not feel that was forced or incongruent with the Diana that we know and love. But the barrage of naiveté in Wonder Woman is just plain disappointing.

I look at her counterparts in the DCU. Batman is inherently flawed, so maybe that’s why the masses worship him so. Superman’s easy. Corn-fed white boys are always in style in America, even if they don’t know it. But Wondy’s key persona has been put through the wringer over the past two years in an attempt to sell books or reinvent the character, and I am tired of it.

Let me make it easy for you. Wonder Woman is compassionate. She is skilled at war and diplomacy. Wonder Woman is brave. She is strong – physically and mentally. She is fair. Wonder Woman is determined. She is regal. Wonder Woman is wise.

Azzarello, you may very well be a genius writer. OR … you could be a Blorgon in disguise. I sure as hell don’t know. I don’t know you. But I want you to know what you are dealing with. Yes, Bat-followers are just about every dude in America and Supes fans are far and wide. But Wonder Woman fans are different. She is our leading lady, and there are few in all of fiction as powerful as her. So, we are invested in her future.

Kevin Smith can write Bruce admitting to pissing his pants, and it gets laughed into the ether. We’ve all but forgotten about Superman walking. But I have a feeling what you are doing with Wonder Woman is going to stick. You are moving books for DC on this title for the first time in a long time (save #600), and that means money. Money means power. Power to do what you will with Diana. I know you’ve got the ending planned already, but I hope to see her offered a bit more wisdom and grace along the way.

Please take care of our Amazon Princess. Not for her (because she can take care of herself), but for us.

Cyclops by Zachary Flagg Baldus

Hermione Granger by Chrissie Zullo

Namor by Gerald Parel

Last summer, when the creators of Avatar: The Last Airbender announced a new series - The Legend of Korra – I was beyond ecstatic. And after almost a year of anticipation, I am happy to say that it is everything I hoped for and knew it would be. The first two episodes of The Legend of Korra qualify as the most joyous 46 minutes I have had in the past month.

Metal Bending, a lovable polar bear-dog, and a hint of steampunk are just a few things that make The Legend of Korra just as magical as its predecessor. But most importantly, the characters are endearing. The same light-hearted charm and emotive eyes of Avatar can be found in the descendants of Aang and friends.

The new Avatar, Korra, is a 17 year old head-strong girl, fresh off the boat in Republic City. She has a lot to learn besides just Airbending. Super-serious Tenzin is Aang’s son and Korra’s Airbending master. His three children, Ikko, Jinora, and Meelo will steal your hearts immediately … and make you laugh. The brothers Mako and Bolin will make for great companions on Korra’s path as the Avatar. I’m dying to know more about Amon, the leader of the Anti-Bending Revolution. As great as the new characters are, the fangirl in me loves every nod to the original and just how interwoven this new series is with its ancestors. I may or may not have shed a tear of joy .. or two.

The Legend of Korra is set to be a thoughtful coming-of-age story with plenty of battles and belly-laughs on the horizon. I know exactly what I will be doing on Saturdays. Who’s with me?

P.S. You can watch the first two episodes RIGHT MEOW!

Episode One - Legend of Korra: “Welcome to Republic City”
Episode Two – Legend of Korra: “A Leaf in the Wind”

In case you were wondering what a polar bear-dog is.

Wiccan by Kevin Wada

The Cirque du Romani by Joe Benitez & Peter Steigerwald

Alpha Girl #2

Imagine if Archie were a grindhouse film, The Walking Dead met Strange Girl, or Pee Wee from Porky’s rolled up an issue of Chew … and smoked it. These are the things I think of as I read Alpha Girl, but Alpha Girl #2 isn’t quite any of those things. With a zombie apocalypse on the horizon, this intentionally gratuitous tale of a 17-year-old girl tries really hard to be fun. Maybe too hard.

Alpha Girl #2 is just another day in the life of Judith. The super-cute, foster-home bred, chain-smoking protagonist works at the local book mart. We know she’s totally indie because of her black A-line cut hair and Ramones t-shirt. From one panel to the next, the story goes straight to the gutter when her co-worker inquires whether or not her urine is diluted. She is selling it to him. To supplement her income, Judith is in the business of selling bodily fluids to the highest bidding pervert (or in this case, just friends in need of some clean pee). We also get the pleasure of a full exposition of her “inventory.” Her festive entrepreneurial skill is punctuated by a bunch of rabid women on the loose, ripping out the jugulars of men with their teeth. As infrastructure and sanity go to hell, the reason Judith is to become Alpha Girl is set into motion.

What set off this particular zombie apocalypse? A cosmetics company’s attempt at placing pheromones in perfume turns women into raging zombies. I sense an attempt at a powerful allegory here … or not. A young girl who’s had a tough life is being set up to probably kick some major zombie ass. Perhaps, she will develop into something other than a pixie not-so-dream girl cliché … or not.

Alpha Girl #2 starts with a clear trajectory as it focuses on developing the main character. As the momentum picks up and there are some attempts at action sequences, the pacing and story become disjointed. There are panels that cut to seemingly random moments and people. I’m not sure why they are relevant to the story or how exactly we got there. I wanted to keep reading, in hope that there would be some payoff. That didn’t happen. For a book that clearly doesn’t take itself too seriously, it was proving to be a lot of work just to make sense of things.

While the story leaves some things to be desired, Robert Love’s stylized, quirky art is quite enjoyable. It is the redeeming quality of Alpha Girl #2. The ridiculously gratuitous plot is tempered by the colorful, expressive, cartoonish art. From Love’s pencils to Diego Simone’s color, the art of Alpha Girl is fun and campy, successfully.

My only gripe about the art is the cover. How they go from the striking cover of Alpha Girl #1 to this is beyond me. The cover to issue #2 is a snapshot of a new character that appears in this issue, but it seems completely out of context. It does nothing to sell the book, and belongs in an interior panel.

I am certain there is an audience for this book. I am also sure that said audience would enjoy it. Does that make it a good comic? Not necessarily. The creators of Alpha Girl get an Anarchist “A” for effort. I can sense their desire to make this story stand out and be entertaining, but the execution is flawed.

— A version of this review appeared previously on Newsarama.com.

Polaris by Mike Mayhew

Snyder’s Detective
You can catch me almost anywhere complaining about how Batman is overrated and over exposed, so I tend to steer clear of most Batman books. Comixology had a stellar sale on Snyder’s Detective Comics, issues #871 thru #880. I bought them. I know, I am super late to the party, but wow. Snyder’s Detective is suspenseful and interesting. I love how Snyder shows that while Dick is a good Batman, he is no Bruce … and people notice the difference. Also, Snyder gave me a new appreciation for Commissioner Gordon. I think Jock’s art is great, but Francesco Francavilla is AMAZING. I know I am late to that party, too. It’s not that I am not familiar with Francavilla. I am. He has been killing it on cover art. But within the pages of Detective Comics, telling the story of Gordon’s son; he really strikes a superb aesthetic. This is good stuff people. You probably already knew that. Now I do, too.

My Stash This Week …
Wonder Woman #7, Birds of Prey #7, Fables #115, The Infinite Vacation #4, Strange Talent of Luther Strode #6

Birds of Prey FTW!
Seven months into “The New 52,” and DC books are dropping from my pull list like flies. Only a few remain, and they remain because they are that good (and maybe one out of character loyalty). Birds of Prey remains because Duane Swierczynski and Jesus Saiz are doing a bang up job. I have sung the praises of the Birds, but it keeps getting better. Issue #7 is in the thick of the arc that has been going on from the beginning. You could jump into this issue, it would still be a damn good read. But go back to the start, and read Birds of Prey from issue #1. You’ll thank me for it.

Fables
This month’s cover of Fables #115 might be one of my favorite covers … ever.

Fables has spent the better part of ten issues “seed planting,” and Willingham is slowly doling out the fruit of that. One of Snow’s seven offspring, Therese, has found her way to the land of Discardia where she is to be Queen. While Snow heads off to search for Therese, the dynamic among the cubs continues to develop as things change at home. Nurse Spratt has been found in the dungeons of Castle Dark, and is shoveling quite the snow job on the returning Fables. You can sense the awful coming. As is they way of Fables, darkness is always just around the corner. These characters eat Murphy’s Law for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I keep eating it up, too. My amygdala likes it.

Speaking of My Amygdala …
Have you read The Strange Talent of Luther Strode!? JESUS. H. CHRIST. This one punched me in the gut. It’s a six-issue mini by Justin Jordan and Tradd Moore. A geeky guy gets super powers, and the consequences of that are … intense. I devoured the first five issues when I discovered it, and was rabid for the final issue. Jordan tells an unforgettable and unexpected story and Moore’s art makes the violence palatable. Sort of. The trade comes out in April. This one might make my best of 2012 list.

The Infinite Vacation
This book is an example of how no matter the length between issues, I am still going to get it (à la Lady Mechanika). Also, issue #3 was so bloody memorable that it will be burned into my brain until death … or dimentia. Fret not, issue #4 will let you keep your lunch. There is more movement through universes and less human torture. Nick Spencer is a really smart man. I don’t know how much of this story is based on actual scientific theory or he just pulled it out of his ass, but it all works believably well. Aside from being a total smarty-pants, Spencer combined with the brilliant art of Christian Ward, make a comic unlike any other. And they do it in every issue. Aside from a few panels in this issue that come off a bit rushed; Ward’s art is stunning. His use of color, shapes and perspective is breathtaking. The Infinite Vacation is equal parts crazy and beautiful. Crazy beautiful.

Wonder … Whoa!
Welcome back Cliff Chiang! I missed you on art duties for Wonder Woman. Your work is stellar, as usual. Props to Matthew Wilson, who’s color compliments Chiang’s art and the story superbly. As for the ongoing saga of the Greek gods, Brian Azzarello is pulling no punches. For all of the prevalence of male on female violence, this story flips that script in a ritualistic mass-rape kind of way. Check Erika’s quick review of Wonder Woman #7, and read this issue. I’d love to know what you think about yet another twist on our darling Amazon’s heritage.

Lois Lane by Des Taylor

I read Amy’s blog post addressing her departure from the book. I also read some entries posted on JH Williams III’s blog. One directly discusses the change; another is a bit more abstract. Also, it is my understanding that there are Batwoman pencils by Reeder that will not see print. So, she was in the middle of working on an issue when they pulled her off? Seems … emotional. That makes me wonder if the “differences” were between Williams and Reeder … as in Williams is a tough act to follow.

I LOVE Amy Reeder’s work. She is one of my absolute favorite comic artists. When I heard she had paired with Williams (another favorite artist) on Batwoman (a favorite character), my brain nearly ‘sploded. BUT Reeder has her own style, one that I think works well for Kate Kane. Her work in Batwoman #6 and #7 is beautiful. Much of it has Reeder’s signature hints of Manga and rich expressiveness, but some of the panel layout and flow are very … Williams. Even if his art does not appeal to your aesthetic, it is still absolutely brilliant. I even think that may be an understatement. There is no one out there who does sequential art the way he does.

I know it is kind of in the job description, but what must it be like to take direction as an artist from another artist? Not just any artist, but JH mothafucking Williams III.

I have gathered from things that Williams has written on his blog, the way he writes Batwoman, and looking at his art that he is very meticulous. Maybe he’s even got a streak of extreme perfectionism (which a lot of artists have). So, perhaps taking direction from Williams (on a character whose image he essentially defined) is no cake walk. I wonder if that didn’t stress Amy all to hell. Maybe her style didn’t jibe with Williams’ vision. Maybe Williams ran out of patience. Given his legendary status, maybe he just wasn’t having it anymore.

That is, of course, just a theory.

We may never know the real reasons behind the change-up, at least not in any official capacity. No one owes us an explanation, either. I certainly can appreciate that all parties involved — DC, WIlliams, and Reeder — seem to be minding their manners, and there has been no mud-slinging. Professionalism is good. That doesn’t do much for the disappointment I am feeling, though. It is not just because I am a fan of Reeder, but because that’s one less lady working on a major title in comics. Talent absolutely should be the reason for hiring a person on a book, and I assume that is why Reeder got the Batwoman gig in the first place.

But still.

Amy, I love that you drew one of my favorite characters, and you will be sorely missed on Batwoman. I look forward to whatever you do next. I will buy any book you draw … because you are drawing it. Best of luck!

Nightwing by Stanley "Artgerm" Lau

Catwoman by Benjamin Anders

Peter Parker by Annie Wu

Big Barda by Phil Noto

My Pull List
Wonder Woman #6, Fables #114, Birds of Prey #6, and Peter Panzerfaust #1.

PANZERFEST!
Peter Panzerfaust is a new title from Image Comics, and the first issue is a delight. Inspired by the characters and moments of the well-loved Peter Pan, writer Kurtis J. Wiebe introduces a unique take on the fairy tale that is shining with potential. My knowledge of Peter Pan is peripheral at best. I haven’t even watched Hook in its entirety. But the little that I do know gives Peter Panzerfaust a subtle familiarity while still being very much its own story.

Aside from having a fantastic title, the quick dialogue and reckless abandon of Peter Panzerfaust is endearing. I smiled from ear to ear several times while reading, not only from the story, but from the art, too. Tyler Jenkins’ style is absolutely charming. He graces us with a cheerful splash page introducing Peter Panzerfaust to the world, as well as some brilliant moments with the other characters – Felix, Julien, Alain, Claude, Maurice, and Gilbert, who will come to be known as the Lost Boys.

I have no loyalty to Pandom, but I plan on getting at least the first arc. So, I think that tried and true Peter Pan lovers will especially enjoy this title.  Show some love to the creator-owned PETER PANZERFAUST.

Filling In
Wonder Woman and Birds of Prey both had fill-in artists this month. Tony Akins on Wonder Woman and Javier Pina taking on the Birds. I am still not fond of Akins’ work. He just makes Diana look SO SEVERE. From the bulging muscles to the sharp angles of her face; it’s all a bit much. Still, he manages some great actions sequences, and killer art on the Greek gods. I miss Chiang, though. On a lighter note, Pina killed it on Birds of Prey. He’s as good as Jesus Saiz. He may miss some detail in a few panels, but overall, Pina’s work in this issue is impressive. Both books are working with some kick ass colorists, Matthew Wilson and June Chung, respectively.

Back on Track
Fables was starting to piss me off as of late, but we are back on track now. Juicy tidbits about the North Wind are revealed. Buckingham delivers a pretty stellar splash page of what Snow and Bigby’s cub Winter may grow up to be. The Fables are moving back to Fabletown, which is now Castle Dark. AND there is a beautifully drawn back-up short by artist Shawn McManus set in Oz. All in all, a satisfying issue. For those of you getting the single issues of Fables, we are finally starting see the following revelation unfold …

Alright. I have to go pack. Talk to you next week, lovelies.