Wonder Woman Annual #2
Writer: James Robinson
Artist: Marc Laming, Frazer Irving, J. Calafiore & Stephen Segovia
Colorist: David Baron, Frazer Irving & Allen Passalaqua
Letterer: Saida Temofonte
Publisher: DC Comics
Review by Cory Webber
Wonder Woman Annual #2 is a story that spins out of the events from Dark Nights: Metal. In that epic event, the barrier between the dark universe and the multiverse is broken. As a result, dark entities cross over and wreak havoc. In this book, Karnell, the dark god of love, has arrived at the home planet of the Star Sapphires. They call on Diana to help defeat this nefarious celestial being.
Wonder Woman Annual #2 is a gorgeous book, albeit just a setup for the next Wonder Woman arc. To be honest, I dropped off her book after Robinson took over writing duties from Greg Rucka and, for a filler arc, Shea Fontana. Needless to say, I was hesitant to check this one out. I knew nothing of the Star Sapphires; however, I do want to read more about them after this issue, so there’s that.
While the main purpose of this issue is to set up the next arc, I enjoyed the theme of love and its true power that was woven throughout. This is most definitely a message that is needed now more than ever. Robinson does do a good job of pacing here between the present action and some flashback sequences. Also, he does a nice job making the story threads from Metal easy to follow for those who did not read the event. Another highlight was Wonder Woman wielding a sapphire lantern ring, which she also apparently did during Blackest Night.
Now, the real draw for this book is the art. I am always wary when there are several artists on one issue; however, they really meshed well together to help tell the whole story. I’m not familiar enough with all the artists to know who did what, but my favorite was the flashbacks that had a pop-art-type feel to them. Furthermore, the colors really helped to make the art jump off the page. The colorists used purple, my favorite color, beautifully on these pages, as well as their use of pink and blue. Just gorgeous!
Verdict: Check it out…
…with the caveat that you probably won’t want to follow the dark god storyline in the next ongoing issue. Wonder Woman Annual #2 is worth picking up, if only for the timely theme of pure love and its real power. The art is gorgeous, to boot.
