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.
Great show, Sean and David. I remember clearly buying this comic off the rack. This may be the best illustrated comic cover to cover ever. It’s pure genius by the late great George Perez. I can’t imagine how long ahead of time he had to start on this issue. I would love to get a book of just his character sketches for this series. Everyone has a different face and body type. One thing Perez did better than anyone else in the industry was to incorporate graphic design aspects into his art and storytelling. For instance the way he uses Hermes’ speed line, weapons, and Hippolyta’s gown as a way to direct the eye around the wraparound cover. And the background detail is unreal. I cannot say enough about this book!
Brett,
Thanks for listening and for commenting! I hadn’t thought about Perez’ keen eye for design, but it makes so much sense. He is a maestro at directing the reader’s eye.
Aaaaargh! I didn’t realise I’d never actually posted my comments. I hope it’s better late…
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Another fabulous episode. Thanks for the lovely compliment in the Comments section, Sean… we’re all lovely around here, of course.
Has Wonder Woman #1 got the greatest Wonder Woman cover ever? It’s certainly up there, but Diana was blessed with many corkers in the Bronze Age. To my mind, #300 by Ed Hannigan and Dick Giordano wins the day. It’s a similarly busy montage but… who knows? Both covers are gorgeous.
In terms of creating the Amazons, the gods’ big mistake was making a race of a single gender – they should have made women AND men, showing that they could live together in peace and love. Also, I think it’s great that George researched ancient Greek culture so that everything could look authentic, but surely in 2000 years the Amazons could have been shown to have developed in terms of fashion, buildings, et cetera.
As regards the particulars of the first Potter/Perez Wonder Woman, talk about an infodump. A great looking infodump, but an infodump no less. As backseat editor, I’d have asked for three issues of our heroine doing her thing In Boston, then scheduled an annual which would be this first issue.
I disagree with David that under George Pérez Wonder Woman was never a superhero comic – it was, it just had different foundations and decor.
As regards Hercules at Marvel, did you catch the six Dan Abnett issues of a few years ago – it was amazing, continued in a mini called Gods of War. There was a fantastic character in there, Tiresius the oracle.
The Brian Azzarello and Cliff Chiang Wonder Woman lost me when they chopped the head off a horse in the first issue – it was brutal and unnecessary. I did later try a few more issues, I disliked it.
Another killer listen. Dave always brings insights that others miss.
Sean, I love your approach to the show. You always seem so welcoming and relaxed, but you’re thorough and you constantly include quick revision. I’ve no idea where you would’ve picked up those skills.
On Waiting For Doom we covered our Byrne run. Just saying.
This was a great kickoff to the first Perez issue. Happy that you talked about the his amazing art (and yes, that cover is GREAT) and the audacity to start the series this way. It sets up so much of what’s to come and the scope is just immense. I can’t wait to listen to more and get caught up to real time. Mr, Weter was a great guest host too.
Thank you so much for the compliment – happy to be on a list with Mart and Tim!