Wonder Woman #1 (2016) – Comic Book Review & Breakdown
Genre
🦸♀️ Superhero, Mystery, Action, Psychological Drama
Main Characters
-
Wonder Woman / Diana Prince – The Amazonian warrior princess and demigod struggling with the truth of her origins.
-
Steve Trevor – Longtime ally and former love interest of Diana, now caught in a separate yet parallel conflict.
-
Cheetah / Barbara Ann Minerva – A former friend turned deadly adversary who plays a key role in Diana’s search for answers.
-
The Gods of Olympus – Their presence looms in the background as Diana attempts to reconnect with divine truths.
Writer
✍️ Greg Rucka – A critically acclaimed writer known for his complex characters and deeply human storytelling. His return to Wonder Woman after a ten-year hiatus brought renewed depth and nuance to the character.
Artist
🎨 Liam Sharp – Brings a powerful and mythic visual tone to the series, blending intricate linework with bold, emotional expression. His detailed renderings of both battle and introspection capture the duality of Diana’s journey.
Editor Details
🖋️ Editor: Chris Conroy
Supervising the direction of the story and ensuring narrative cohesion, Conroy worked closely with Rucka and Sharp to reimagine Wonder Woman for the Rebirth era.
Publisher and Brand
📚 Publisher: DC Comics
🏷️ Brand: DC Rebirth
Release Year
📅 2016
Brief Plot Summary
Wonder Woman #1 (2016) opens with Diana in a state of psychological unrest. Her greatest tool—the Lasso of Truth—has inexplicably failed her, and with it, her confidence in everything she once believed. Unsure of her memories, her origins, and her identity, Diana embarks on a dangerous path to uncover the truth. In parallel, Steve Trevor leads a military mission in Africa, hinting at a convergence between two seemingly unrelated storylines. As Diana digs deeper, she confronts illusions, manipulations, and a haunting question: Has her entire life been a lie? 🌀
Notable Arcs or Storylines
🔹 "The Lies" – This storyline, beginning in this issue, explores themes of memory, manipulation, and identity. It runs parallel with "Year One", told in the even-numbered issues, forming a dual-narrative structure that sets this run apart.
Fan Theories or Interpretations
💭 Fans speculate that the breakdown of the Lasso of Truth reflects more than just magic gone wrong—it represents Diana's internal conflict and the possibility that reality has been warped by divine or cosmic forces. Others theorize that the gods themselves may have rewritten Diana’s past, suggesting that her multiple origin stories across the years are not retcons but fragments of an intentionally altered truth.
Review Summary
Wonder Woman #1 (2016) is a masterfully layered reintroduction of DC’s most iconic heroine. Rucka’s writing is both introspective and thrilling, delving into psychological complexities rarely explored in superhero comics. Liam Sharp’s art elevates the narrative, rendering Diana with a godlike presence balanced by human vulnerability. The colors are lush, the atmosphere intense, and the pacing perfect for a mystery. Character development shines here—Diana is neither infallible nor weak, but a deeply resilient figure in search of truth. 🌿🛡️
⭐ Verdict: 9/10 – A stunning, thought-provoking return that redefines Wonder Woman for a new era.
Comic Resource / Read Online (External Source)
