Wonder Woman #752 Review

by Carlos R. on February 26, 2020

Written by: Steve Orlando
Art by: Max Raynor
Colors by: Romulo Fajardo
Lettered by: Pat Brosseru
Publisher: DC Comics

Wonder Woman #752 kicks off the Iron Maiden arc and presents readers with an action-packed issue. This issue also gives us a glimpse of what we can expect Diana to undergo in Steve Orlando’s run.

We pick up from the end of the previous issue with Valda, the Iron Maiden, having just impaled someone. We learn that Valda was somehow transported to the present after having struck a blow to a ferocious, metallic beast. The overwhelming confusion causes Valda to raise her guard and Wonder Woman arrives on the scene to put an end to her assault. We also learn Warmaster’s plans and take a look at her ancestral history with Diana and the Amazons.

Steve Orlando drops us right into the thick of it, as Wonder Woman comes onto the scene to take down the Iron Maiden before the casualties increase. Valda makes for an excellent foil to Diana: while Wonder Woman is restrained and calculating, Valda comes off as rash and impulsive, ready to strike anyone down who questions her ability or honor. Orlando offers more to this duel by having Diana and Valda contend the nature of honor and what a warrior’s stance should be on it. We also find that Valda has much respect for her own mother, a sentiment Diana understands very well. Visually speaking, I do enjoy Wonder Woman’s brawl with Iron Maiden, but I felt they resorted to dueling fairly quickly. Wonder Woman asks to speak to Valda, but on the next panel they’re leaping at each other.

Orlando uses the subplot of this issue to divulge more of what's to come in his run by delving further into Warmaster's historical ties to the Amazons. I do wish more time was dedicated to further establishing Warmaster as a threat, but I do understand that her history has to expand to add emotional weight to what drives her. Though instead of having her be a villain of her own merit, Warmaster’s villainous origin seems predestined as a trait that stems from her lineage.

Max Raynor and Romulo Fajardo do an incredible job on this issue. The fight between Diana and Valda is well choreographed and the layout of panels makes each movement fluid. The pacing for their duel is done so well, the action is easy to follow and the colors are so vibrant no motion is lost. Raynor shines in evoking each character’s expression. Especially with my favorite character of this issue, Detective Nunes. Raynor and Fajardo capture her frustration and reluctance to let Wonder Woman conduct her superhero antics so perfectly I can’t help but to let out a heavy sigh and facepalm.

If seeing Wonder Woman duke it out with a medieval knight is your jam, then you’ll want to pick up this issue. It’s a fun read, though a tad slow to get into the meat of this arc. The art alone is worth the price of admission for this brawl.

Our Score:

7/10

A Look Inside