Warning: the comments below contain spoilers.
Investigating a murder that took place outside her embassy, Diana tracks a suspect to Veronica Cale’s corporate headquarters. She runs afoul of Dr. Psycho, and mayhem ensues.
Writer Greg Rucka makes a very convincing case for Dr. Psycho as a significant adversary for Wonder Woman. They’re such wonderful foils. Diana is a physical paragon, beautiful and strong; Psycho is frail and ugly. Diana is forthright and compassionate; Psycho uses illusion to prey on human weakness. Diana protects innocents; Psycho tortures them.
Art by Drew Johnson couldn’t be better, honestly. From creepy resurrections scenes of a mythological monster to pandemonium in an office complex, he has great versatility. He also works to make characters distinct, with different body types, faces, and body language. The are some nice little visual touches, too, like Circe casually blindfolding herself before Medousa rises.
If there’s a flaw, it’s Veronica Cale. She’s the would-be architect of misfortune for Diana, but her motivations are frankly pitiful. From what we’ve seen so far (and she’s been featured for Rucka’s entire run), her grudge against Diana is nothing more than clichéd female jealousy. She derisively calls Wonder Woman “the super-model” and pegs her as a fraud without really articulating why she feels that way. (And anyone who resorted to blackmail to fund their education shouldn’t be tossing “fraud” around as a pejorative.)
Still, it’s a strong title, and the art truly is spectacular. If Rucka can make his antagonist seem like more of a threat and less like the girl who didn’t get head cheerleader, the book could be even stronger.
