The beginning of next month will see the premier of the new Wonder Woman movie, so now is the perfect time to take a dive into the many different comics that have featured Wonder Woman over the years. Though her creation is credited to a man, it is not surprising that over the years many female comics creators have been inspired to tell stories about this character. Each one offers their own take on her, but any of these books would be a great place to start (or continue) your reading about this fantastic character.
Wonder Woman: The True Amazon by Jill Thompson – In this new take on Wonder Woman’s path to her place in the world, Jill Thompson shows her as a spoiled and selfish girl for whom everything has come much too easily. But, when her bad behavior leads to tragedy, she must redeem herself and come to earn her place in her society and her role as Wonder Woman. With such a different take on Diana’s origin story and such interesting art work, this book is a great option for those who have never read about Wonder Woman in the past.
Wonder Woman: Love and Murder by Jodi Picoult with art by Drew Johnson, Ray Snyder, Terry Dodson, Rachel Dodson, and Paco Diaz – In this story by best-selling author Jodi Picoult, Diana Prince aka “Wonder Woman” is in disguise as an agent for the Department of Metahuman Affairs when she is tasked with capturing Wonder Woman. With an impossible task before her, she must juggle her efforts to exist undercover with her efforts to keep her secret. Jodi Picoult was the first woman to be a regular series writer for Wonder Woman and this arc is well worth checking out.
Sensation Comics Featuring Wonder Woman – This collection has far too many authors and artists to list them all, but just a few of the women involved in this project include Gail Simone, Amanda Deibert, Marguerite Sauvage, and Amy Mebberson. Each story stands alone, which makes this a great option for those who prefer quick, discrete stories and those who want to see lots of stylistic variety. The anthology is sure to have something for everyone and it offers a nice starting place for those who aren’t familiar with Wonder Woman.
Bombshells Volume 1: Enlisted by Marguerite Bennett with art by Marguerite Sauvage – Set during World War II, this series considers a version of history where the Allies call on the help of some of the greatest super heroines ever in their efforts to win the war. Readers have a chance to see Wonder Woman, Batwoman, Mera, Poison Ivy, and many more in a completely new light. Marguerite Sauvage’ artwork fits perfectly with the setting as it reimagines the iconic characters in a “bombshell” style that calls to mind actual art from the war period. These books are ideal for comics fans who also enjoy historical fiction.
Wonder Woman Volume 7: War-Torn by Meredith Finch with art by David Finch – Diana is faced with competing responsibilities as the Queen of the Amazons, a member of the Justice League, and the Goddess of War, and must try to find a way to make all of these piece of her identity come together. In the end, this is easier said than done and ultimately Wonder Woman is faced with a challenge to her role among the Amazonians. Will she be able to keep her place in her society? Though billed as a seventh volume in a series, this story mostly starts a new arc that has little to do with the major plot points of the earlier volumes, so anyone can pick up this book as a starting place. It is a great option for those who want an action-packed story of Wonder Woman’s exploits.
Wonder Woman: Warbringer by Leigh Bardugo – Those who aren’t fans of the graphic novel format will want to keep an eye out for Leigh Bardugo’s latest novel, which is a coming of age story starring Wonder Woman herself. In this story, Diana, Princess of the Amazons, seeks to save a mortal at the risk of being expelled by her people. This one won’t be released until August, but it is worth mentioning here since it is sure to be a popular addition to most any library’s collection.
These are just a few of the great Wonder Woman comics that have been published over the years. I’d love to hear your own favorites in the comments!
Legend of Wonder Woman by Renae de Liz is wonderful and Gail Simone’s Wonder Woman comics are awesome too.
There’s also some good nonfiction about Wonder Woman’s creation such as The Secret History of Wonder Woman by Jill Lepore.