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A New Era begins for Wonder Woman! Or does it? When DC announced that they
were canceling the "Wonder Woman" series, fans feared the worst and
assumed that Diana was going to die at the end of the "Infinite Crisis"
crossover event. However, as Infinite Crisis played out it became clear that
the "Wonder Woman" book, at any rate, was going to continue with a
new series launched soon after the crossover ended, helmed by respected writer
Allan Heinberg and hot artists of the moment Terry and Rachel Dodson.
Speculation was rife as to whether this meant Wonder Woman was about to receive
yet another "re-boot" as she had experienced at the end of DC's previous
landmark crossover event, "Crisis on Infinite Earths". The fan forums
were full of endless speculation - that Diana was still going to die
at the end of Infinite Crisis; that she was going to return to her pre-crisis
version including alter-ego "Diana Prince"; or that someone else was
going to become the new "Wonder Woman" and that Diana was going to
retire gracefully.
As it turned out - it was revealed that pretty much all of these scenarios had
at least some element of truth when issue 1 of the new series finally hit the
shelves.
The set up is a nostalgic nod to the "mod" pre-crisis comic book and
70's TV versions of the Amazing Amazon. During the late 60's/early 70's, Wonder
Woman had relinquished her powers and had become a normal human being calling
herself Diana Prince, in the vein of Emma Peel from the popular 60's British
TV show "The Avengers". And of course, everyone remembers the CBS
TV series of 1975/1976, in which the stunning Lynda Carter played Wonder Woman,
operating under her secret identity of Diana Prince while working as an agent
of the U.S. Government's Inter Agency Defense Command.
As we can see, apart from a few "adjustments" to history, such as
Wonder Woman being the founding member of the Justice Society and that Donna
is in fact Diana's true sister, this new Wonder Woman series was not
a re-boot and appeared to be within the regular continuity of post crisis.
However, would Diana eventually re-claim her mantle as the true Wonder Woman
or was this really Donna's moment to take over from her sister? Certainly some
of the National Press thought so as articles were run such as "Wonder Woman
Retires at the age of 65"! Only time would tell...
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Plot Summary: |
At
the end of "Infinite Crisis" #7, Diana,
Kal El and Bruce Wayne decide to go their separate ways for a year and to take
a long hard look at themselves after their recent falling out. At the beginning
of "Wonder Woman" #1 therefore, we learn that Diana has been on her
"walkabout" for over a year and that nobody knows where she is, or
if she is even coming back. Before she had left however she had asked Donna
Troy to take over the mantle of "Wonder Woman" in her place.
Donna, sporting a new costume loosely based on the traditional costume but leaning
towards a more "Greek Armour" look, arrives at the scene of a hostage
situation where terrorists have apparently taken Deputy Secretary of Defense
Steve Trevor hostage, demanding that Wonder Woman comes out of hiding to be
held accountable for her crimes.
Donna makes it clear to Sarge Steel, the Director of the Department of Metahuman
Affairs in charge of the operation that she is Wonder Woman now, before
entering the museum where the terrorists are hiding.
She discovers Steve Trevor tied up and is confronted by the terrorists, who
reveal themselves to in fact be Barbara Minerva, otherwise known as the Cheetah,
and Giganta. Barbara is now apparently human but has the power to control real
Cheetahs and Donna has to fight off a couple of the attacking big cats.
Donna then rescues Steve and they are pursued into the nearby park by the villainesses.
A fight ensues and Donna finds herself trapped by Barbara, who raises Donna's
own sword to kill her.
But suddenly a golden lasso appears from nowhere and yanks the sword from her
hand. Donna is surprised and relieved to see Diana, in her traditional Wonder
Woman costume standing there, but is soon shocked when Diana promptly wrestles
Barbara to the ground intent on killing her once and for all!
Donna tries to stop her, yelling that she will not allow Diana to "kill
again", but Diana easily swats Donna aside. Donna perseveres though and
knocks Diana away from Barbara. An angry Diana uses Donna's sword to first smash
her bracelets, before slicing across her chest and finally impaling Donna through
the stomach! As Donna collapses to the floor in shock she sees Diana's image
fade and be replaced by that of Doctor Psycho, who has been manipulating her
mind with visions of the faux fight all along! She murmurs "You're not
the real Wonder Woman" and he replies "With respect - neither are
you!".
The villains then take Donna away as hostage to lure Diana out of hiding, but
realise that they seem to have lost Steve Trevor during the scuffle.
Trevor meanwhile has snuck away and returns to the HQ of the Department of Meta
Human Affairs, where he removes his disguise to reveal himself to be none other
than agent Tom Tresser, also known as Nemesis, who is working for the government
organisation.
He tells his boss Sarge Steel that he is determined to find and rescue Donna
and is told that he will be allowed to - but not by himself. He is
then introduced to his new partner - agent Diana Prince!!! The last panel reveals
Diana smiling back at him wearing a white jumpsuit...
To be continued...
