DC Comics 2016
Written by Greg Rucka
Illustrated by Nicola Scott
Coloured by Romulo Fajardo Jr.
Lettered by Jodi Wynn
Last time Steve and his men crash landed on Paradise Island. Here we see that the Amazons rescue efforts weren’t enough as only one man, Steve Trevor, survived the crash.
So once things get underway and they’ve had time to assess what’s happening there’s a meeting of the council of Themyscira. Now I like this aspect and while the Queen gets the last word this council acts as her advisors each working within a specific speciality. One in particular is Areto who found and mastered the use of the gun. Now before you get all it happened too quickly remember the Amazons aren’t stupid and they are favoured by the gods and she does have a speciality and days have passed since the accident.
Still what Greg does here is utterly fantastic. The introduction of Steve on Paradise Island sets in that chain of events that lead up to selecting a representative to Man’s World. It’s the classic origin story and one we’ve seen so many over the years.
Instead what he focuses on here is the decision making process behind everything. Giving us a chance to see how things on the Island are done and the characters themselves, personalities the whole nine yards. Not only that but we also get to see the second meeting of Diana and Steve, this one when he’s much more awake and conscious. It’s the little things like that meeting where neither of them understands each other but emotions are something they can sense and relate to.
The talk between mother and daughter about the games was short and sweet. No forbidding just a mother’s love and concern and the underlying tone not to but then that’s not the Amazon way so there’s no real argument about it. I liked this because it is the Amazon way and that’s really explanation enough, besides last time she was touched when that snake bit her and this whole thing as Castalia explains is the will of the Patrons.
There really isn’t a reason to get into the games in depth and it’s nice that Greg really focuses on one event in particular. I’m also a fan that Steve was there to witness the games though he speaks not a word of the tongue. The actions speak louder than any words could. He’s really gone above and beyond here in writing this book and this issue in particular. It’s classic yet new and the shift in focus than what we’re used to well that’s amazing. It also showcases how the costume and the plane were made which finally makes more sense.
With the work Nicola does here she should consider herself one of the Amazons Patrons. It’s really gorgeous work and just so, i’m not even sure there’s a real for word for it. The attention to detail is stunning, the use of backgrounds are thrilling and amazing plus the way the book flowed through the pages and panels with the use of angles and perspective well heck it was perfectly done.
I’ve got 5 books from Rebirth that I would recommend to everyone and are currently some of the strongest titles being published period and this is one of them.