On this episode of Peace Bound and Down: A Wonder Woman Podcast, Sean is joined by J. David Weter to discuss the inaugural issue of volume two of Wonder Woman. Join them as they review Wonder Woman (Vol. 2), issue 1, the start of the George Perez era for Princess Diana!
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Why does Dave talking with someone about Wonder Woman #1 sound so familiar? (Inside joke between me and Mr. Weter. 🙂 )
Now that I’ve finished the episode I can leave a none snarky comment. 😉
You both are right, this is a DENSE read, but so worth it. There are things to be said on both sides between a big info dump up front vs trickling it out as you go. I think Perez made the right choice here, as his amazons are so different from what came before that the readers need that reset before getting into the story proper. His reliance on, and reverence for, the Greek Lore is right up there with Walt Simonson and the Norse stuff. It’s all done very faithfully and his extrapolations to the current time is just breathtaking.
Gene,
I totally agree. Potter and Perez do a great job world building without losing the point that this is a book people are buying for Diana. I think it’s a technique that Peter David would later use with Aquaman by building out The Atlantis Chronicles.
Okay, the “whore/horror” story is worth a comment all by itself. That’s priceless.
At least your principal grokked what was going on and did the right thing, even if was probably wondering what your parents were teaching you at home.
I had a grade school teacher who couldn’t pronounce “ask” to save her life, but I don’t think we ever had someone spell it phonetically as “ax” on a test.
Dick,
Thanks for listening and writing in! As a teacher myself, I have more respect every day for my fourth grade principal for not assuming I’ll intent on my part. And the truth is, I probably knew how to spell “whore@ because of comic books.
Great first episode.
As you say, it is a little bold to not have Wonder Woman herself appear until the end, instead giving us all this backstory. I usually see this as style as a second issue. First issue you are plunked into an action story showing off the character. Second issue is the ‘infrastructure’, the origin issue. So bold.
Back in the day, when comics were 75 cents, you could roll a bit with a new book, give it some time to breathe and present itself. 6 issues cost you $4.50. So you could be a little risky with something like this hoping people would come back. Now with comics being $5 for one issue, I am way more choosy – first about which new titles I am even going to try. Second with how long I will give one to stick. If the first issue is a dud, I’m out.
I am, in no way, saying this issue is a dud. Just saying this daring approach of heavy backstory in the first issue and not showcasing the title character might not fly today.
As you say, Perez completely impresses here, from cover to last page. Truly this cover should be a poster/fancy lithograph and framed and on display in any WW fan’s den.
Thanks for great episode and show and can’t wait to listen to more!
Dr. Anj,
Thanks for listening and commenting! I think that another creator may have struggled with an opening issue that was so focused on world building, but DC knew Perez was at the peak of his powers and trusted him to tell the story. It’s amazing how well he and Potter nail this issue.
Excellent job, Sean and David! Wonderful coverage of a big issue with a lot to say.
It’s ironic that I just read Absolute Wonder Woman #1 before listening. That issue went with leaner dialog, capitalizing that readers already are familiar with Diana’s traditional background, and instead focused on how this is different. It was very effective for that issue, and I liked it very much. But it also worked because issues like this one have built the foundation of the modern version of Diana. Sure, there’s been new revisions and retcons, but this series established what I consider the benchmark for Diana as a character, and Wonder Woman as a hero, to this day, even superseding her golden age roots. So newer books can afford to be faster and looser, while Potter and Perez were truly building Diana’s world in an exciting new way.
And then I thought of Byrne’s Man of Steel #1. That was a normal sized issue, not quite as large a wordcount, and re-establishes Superman for post Crisis continuity. How did that work? Simply put, Byrne’s approach wasn’t world-building, it was streamlining. Going “back to basics”. Over time, he added elements to expand Superman’s world, but his main tactic was to simplify, making it a very different approach. And I think both are valid, and had great results. Neither are better, just facets of the storytelling for each series. For Wonder Woman, I’m glad it’s so different, because it establishes once and for all, “She’s not a female Superman.”
I thought this podcast would become a must listen, and I was right! Thank you for doing this one, Sean. And I’m not saying that just to move up in the “nicest guy in podcasting” ranks.
Tim,
Wow! You blew my mind with the Wonder Woman world building versus Man of Steel stripping back comparison. That’s such a good point. Byrne wanted to remove Superman from pre-Crisis continuity as quickly and completely as possible from jump, while Perez knew he needed to build a base of readers to make the book a success.
Thanks for listening!
well done, Sean and David. First of all, that grade school story? Oh, the “horror”!
Secondly, the art in this issue is just amazing. And you are right that this may be one of the best Perez covers ever. My vote for the best would still go to JLA/Avengers #3.
I understand why this issue focused on Diana’s background in Greek myth, but I prefer where Perez took things from here. Recently, I learned about the distinction between “high fantasy” and “low fantasy” and I much prefer the latter. Have as many fantastical elements as you want in a story, but set it in a world that is very much like our world. Doctor Who refers to it as the “yeti in the loo” where monsters/aliens/superheroics exist in an everyday setting on Earth. Trips to Olympus and other realms are nice in small doses, but Diana always needs to come back to Steve, Etta, the Kapatelis family, and others.
My wife and I continue to enjoy the show and look forward to the next episode.
Captain,
Thanks for listening! It makes me so happy that you and your wife are both listening.
Your point about high and low fantasy is a good one. I agree that I prefer reality with fantastical elements. The compelling element is in the contrast. Like you, I love the Greek gods being in the book, but I like them more when they are tearing up downtown Boston.
Fantastic “first” episode – I did read Bronze Age WW, and I remember the excitement of Perez coming to the book. While I had enjoyed it well enough, especially the last couple years, this was game changing. I also agree that the cover is one of if not the best cover ever. Certainly top 5. Great discussion and so happy this show is on the network.
Thank you, Paul! I am more convinced than ever that the cover to Wonder Woman #1 is a top 3 cover ever.
Came for the “fluffy comic book talk” but left with a “graduate level discussion of Greek mythology, feminism, and the (fictional) history of the Amazons.”
Only half way through this episode, but had to mention just how yet again, your pod has been thought provoking and deep, but highly accessible. And this coming from someone that didn’t read the series at the time, and has very little background in any of the topics you’re covering. Thanks for making a very entertaining and educational podcast. I appreciate it!
Dave,
Thank you so much! Your feedback made my day. I am a total Hellenophile, so I love the chance to get to dive into Greek mythology.