Where to even begin with Diana Princess of Themyscira? This is one of the most recognizable heroes in the world, with an incredible eighty-year legacy behind her. That said, it can sometimes feel like Wonder Woman is only just beginning to get the credit she is due. There have been a lot of ups and downs in this Amazing Amazon’s history, but this is a character that has helped define modern storytelling in some pretty profound ways over the years. Though there are countless more great Wonder Woman stories than can fit in a single article, here are some of the very best. [Read more…] about The Greatest Wonder Woman Stories of All Time!
What Was Wonder Woman Really Up To In 1984?
Wonder Woman has been around for a really long time – since 1941, in fact! Yet, there are huge swathes of her comic book history that modern readers know next to nothing about. Diana, Princess of Themyscira, is a character that spent a notable portion of her history being written by writers that didn’t seem to fully click with her, which makes revisiting her vintage era a pretty dubious prospect for even her most ardent fans.
Yet, it is also true that a lot of the less-remembered comics of DC’s Silver and Bronze Ages are full of underrated gems, so it’s always at least worth a look. With the release of Wonder Woman 84, it got me wondering – what exactly was Diana up to in 1984? For that, dear reader, we have to look to Wonder Woman Vol. 1 #311-322. [Read more…] about What Was Wonder Woman Really Up To In 1984?
Deadman Omnibus Review!
For modern fans of Deadman, the character will likely be best known as a melancholy spirit with a penchant for teaming up with Batman to assist in solving mysteries that the Dark Knight can’t handle alone. The Deadman Omnibus
Many of the greatest creators of the time worked on these Deadman stories, including Len Wein, Neal Adams, Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez, Keith Giffen, and many more, via this somewhat scattered handful of appearances. Deadman’s popularity for the time is unquestionable considering how often he showed up, but it still took all the way until the mid-eighties for him to land his own mini-series, and his appearances have become increasingly sparse over time. This omnibus will be good for fans of the character, but it will also collect a smattering of tales that otherwise could easily fall under the radar even for longtime comic readers. [Read more…] about Deadman Omnibus Review!
She-Hulk Origins: Savage She-Hulk (1980-1982) Review!
She-Hulk was allegedly created when Stan Lee started feeling nervous that DC or another comic company might try to cash in on a female version of the Hulk and he decided to rush ahead and do it before another company could get the chance. Inauspicious beginnings to be sure, but from this, the Savage She-Hulk series was born. The first issue of the series was written by Lee, though he quickly departed, having given Jennifer Walters an introduction that was thematically similar to Hulk stories of the time. Taking a format similar to the Hulk TV series, each issue was episodic, building to the story’s eventual conclusion with issue #25.
The Jennifer Walters we’ve come to know and love today is a far cry from her early appearances, which, for the most part, lacked direction and the quippy sense of humor we’ve come to expect from our She-Hulk. Still, there’s something to be said for the unmitigated anger that She-Hulk brought to the page, from the beginning mixing Walters’ intelligence and heart with a healthy dose of justified rage. Women experiencing anger as a good thing is a rarity in the media, and that’s part of what makes the early run of She-Hulk compelling despite its flaws. [Read more…] about She-Hulk Origins: Savage She-Hulk (1980-1982) Review!
Are Black Widow’s 1990’s Graphic Novels Worth It?
When asked about great Black Widow stories, it’s easy for even a lot of her longtime fans to find themselves at a loss. Yes, there have been many great stories featuring Black Widow, but they tend to appear in fragments, across the greater Marvel Universe. Though Marvel has made it more of a point in recent years to write exciting new sagas for our beloved spy, it doesn’t change the fact that there were entire decades during which Natasha was more or less regulated to her position as a supporting character.
Still, even in relatively minor roles, Natasha is the kind of protagonist that makes a big splash. Her time as an elusive double agent is as much fun to read as her days with the Avengers, and she has remained fascinating over time precisely because of her mystery rather than in spite of it. We’re a lot happier now that there are whole series dedicated to the Widow’s lore, but we can’t deny that even on her worst day, she was always a heck of a lot of fun to read. Marvel is releasing a collection of some of her 1990s OGN team-ups and there’s no time like the present to revisit them. [Read more…] about Are Black Widow’s 1990’s Graphic Novels Worth It?