Wonder Woman #58 Review

by Hussein Wasiti on November 14, 2018

Writer: G. Willow Wilson
Artist: Cary Nord
Inker: Mick Gray
Colourist: Romulo Fajardo Jr.
Letterer: Pat Brosseau
 
I have some mixed feelings on this issue. On the one hand I'm excited for a new writer to have a nice, long run on the character. Or at least I hope it's long. On the other, there were some choices here that rubbed me the wrong way but not in any way that I can blame the writer for.
 
Firstly and most importantly, the artwork. Cary Nord just isn't a good fit for this book at all. Whoever decided that Nord should draw this needs to be evaluated, and I will explain why I think this. G. Willow Wilson, the writer, has a certain fanbase associated with her. She's a YA author essentially, and that's not to knock her; she has a lot of fans, probably young, female readers, and if I were one of them I would be extremely excited to read her take on Wonder Woman. This artwork just isn't approachable. Some panels are even current day Frank Miller-esque, and I mean this in the worse of ways. It can be downright ugly, but from a style standpoint as opposed to a storytelling one. This issues moves pretty well, with clear panel progression and easy to read action. It's just a bit too rough. I like some of the expressions Nord gives the characters, though. And the final page looks quite nice. I know that Nord has it in him but I get the sense that this was rushed.
 
What about the plot? I kind of liked it despite being generally very apprehensive about it. My major takeaway from this was that I would have much preferred Wilson telling her own, new story instead of "reaching back in the vault", so to speak. I've had enough of Ares and Grail and yet they feature prominently in this issue. I don't think it's a bad idea that Wilson chose to dive back into some recent continuity to her story; I think that's great. More writers should be doing that. But in this case, I need to see more before properly judging it. And the ending of the issue certainly leaves room for improvement.
 
Overall I'm excited for what's to come while also slightly hesitant. The art could be inaccessible to some and the story didn't give me enough to chew on. I still think this is worth checking out, and here's to a long run at last!
 

Our Score:

6/10

A Look Inside