This issue sees the debut of new creative team G. Willow Wilson and Cary Nord.
From a personal standpoint, seeing what a great cover image this issue had, it seems a shame that the interior art itself was so underwhelming, with Nord’s style being rather too simplistic in nature to do Diana justice.
On Themyscira, as Hippolyta and Philippus make their way down to the catacombs where Ares remains prisoner, the Amazon Queen confides with the Amazon General how she sometimes fears the day when the God of War finally learns his lesson. What then?
Meanwhile in the prison below, Ares tells a board Grail who is also trapped with him, how he has at last come to realise that the pursuit of war is futile. Nobody ever remembers the conquerors from history. And yet a humble carpenter with no sword is known the world over. Grail assumes he is talking about love being the key but he replies “No, Justice”.
Suddenly he orders her to use one of the god killing swords lying around to strike him down, as the time has come for justice. She reluctantly slashes his chest and he falls seemingly dead she fears she has made an error of judgement.
As the two Amazons arrive on the scene they hear as sound as if the whole island is screaming and a hole is torn in the cavern ceiling and Ares corpse flies up in a whirling maelstrom.
Elsewhere in Northern Virginia Diana wakes up having had a nightmare about Steve. Just then her phone rings and Etta tells her how Steve has gone missing while on a mission but that the Amazon Princess should not worry or get involved as she has a team looking for him. But Diana is already on her way before Etta can finish her sentence.
In war torn Durovnia armed militia make their way through the war torn streets. Suddenly a boy emerges from a hiding place with his hands raised. However they men suspect he is luring them into an ambush and raise their weapons. But Wonder Woman appears on the scene and disarms them.
A helicopter flies over and she sees that Etta is on board, who advises her that these men are actually working for the U.S. Wonder Woman climbs inside as Etta tells her how they don’t know if Steve is still alive but that it is likely they will be keeping him as a hostage.
Back down in the street the mysterious boy gives the others the all clear and Cadmus the Winged Horse, Eirene, and a Fawn emerge from their hiding places. The boy tells them to follow him as he knows a safe place and reluctantly they follow him, knowing that until they find out how they’ve got here and what has happened to their home they have no other option.
As Wonder Woman leaps back down into the city to continue the search from Steve she prevents some soldiers shooting innocent civilians and spies who she assumes is the commander up on a ridge. As she confronts the figure she is stunned to see he is fact Ares, who removes his helmet and tells her that he is indeed the God of War.
And he adds that he has returned to fight alongside her against tyranny and injustice!
