Book Title Wonder Woman Issue Number: 210 (539) Published: January 2005 Cover Artists: J.G. Jones Writer: Greg Rucka Pencils: Drew Johnson Inker: Ray Snyder Letterer: Todd Klein Colourist: Richard and Tanya Horie Editor: Ivan Cohen Story Title: Stoned - Part Five   Main Characters (in order of appearance): Peter Garibaldi Ferdinand Jonah McCarthy Alana Dominguez Rachel Keast Euryale Stheno Circe Medousa Ares Wonder Woman (Diana)

Comments:

This storyline obviously caused much heated discussions amongst fans and many questioned whether Diana would ever in fact act in such a reckless way. I say yes she would. She does whatever it takes, at whatever cost to herself, to save lives - in this case preventing the entire population of Earth from being turned to stone in the event of a Medousa victory over her.
Rucka certainly takes a bold move with this storyline, as the powers at DC do not normally allow their icons to self mutilate themselves quite so casually, but presumably felt that this would enhance Diana's reputation for facing the forces of adversity and still coming out triumphant over them - in other words...she is a true "Wonder" Woman!
Incidentally, I personally feel that for such a landmark issue Drew Johnson's artwork failed to deliver the true drama and action of this set piece fight, which lasts pretty much the entire issue. Perhaps it is only a coincidence that he would provide art duties on the title for only one or two more issues before being replaced.

Plot Summary:

Wonder Woman and Medousa battle each other as the world watches on every TV screen on the planet. Diana's fighting skills are hindered by the venom still in her system and the fact that she has to fight blindfolded to avoid being turned instantly to stone. With such odds stacked against her she succumbs and is stabbed by Medousa, who orders the bleeding Amazon to look at her. Fighting the hypnotic compunction of her voice, Diana realises she has no other choice and grabbing one of the severed snake heads from Medousa's hair, she squirts the acidic venom into her eyes blinding herself permanently! She then confronts the stunned Gorgon and cuts her head off! Victory is Wonder Woman's but at what price?