This series isn't about politics. It's not about public relations. It's certainly not about super-powers and heroics. Rucka makes it entirely clear here that his take on the Amazon Princess is about philosophy. Wonder Woman isn't here to change the course of mighty rivers, but to change our way of thinking. The core conflict, hidden behind the action and the colorful costumes, is one involving ideas, about challenging one to think unconventionally. Rucka has a thoroughly brainy title on the go here, and I'm honestly surprised that the book hasn't garnered more of a buzz, not only for the intelligent writing, but for the outstanding leap forward penciller Drew Johnson has taken in his craft.
The Reflections book tour continues, and Jonah is being run ragged trying to wrangle his rather impressive boss -- Princess Diana, AKA Wonder Woman -- from stop to stop. Not only is there her unconventional method of transportation and refusal to embrace perks to contend with, but there's that whole super-hero thing she does, such as when she rushes off to the scene of a devastating forest fire. Meanwhile, a pharmaceutical CEO with an axe to grind continues to manipulate a segment of public opinion against the Amazonian ambassador.
Johnson's work on this title is nothing short of stunning. He brings a great level of detail to bear here, but there's still a softness in the artwork that suits the title character. His work here reminds me of a cross of a variety of styles, such as those of cover artist Adam Hughes, Barry (Empire) Kitson and former WW writer/artist Phil Jimenez (now of New X-Men fame). The defining visual quality of the title character here isn't beauty or power, but the peaceful, reflective tone in her eyes and body language.
One of the greatest strengths of Rucka's take on Wonder Woman is the sense of joy he instills in the character. Most of the time, she seems delighted just to be alive, to have the chance to spread her message and to experience the people around, familiar or otherwise.
Rucka has clearly paid a great deal of attention to George Perez's classic run that launched this series, as several seeds planted years ago are being sown here. But at the same time, this is far from the same character that Perez introduced us to back then. Rucka brings a much more mature and clever quality to Diana. I also love how Rucka breaks her out of the conventional super-hero mode with her opposition to the Flash's attempts to stave off what she perceives to be a natural -- albeit destructive -- phenomenon. Rucka's also done his homework here. Diana's perspective on forest fires is not as far afield as the Flash seems to think.
Wonder Woman is spoiling for a fight here, but it's a debate she's after. One gets the impression she's not even looking to win a war of words with her ideological opponents, that the debate itself is the means and the end. It seems as though Diana wants to challenge, not convert.
