Wonder Woman #1: The Princess and the Power Review
Medium: Comic
Release date: 2/1/1987
Review date: 9/15/2024
Score: 10/10
What a fantastic first issue of a comic run - succinctly and beautifully sets up Wonder Woman’s entire Amazon mythos background in 32 pages, all while looking spectacular because of George Perez's enchanting pop comic art; when you think of the classic 80s comic book style, this is the epitome of that style! It's gorgeous, and catches the eye in every lush stylistic panel, I really can’t speak positively about the issue’s art enough. I also enjoyed how the series sets up the conflict between the Amazons and men as being one of trying to prevent conflict and choosing to embrace peace instead - the Amazons failure to spare Hercules's men after they attacked the Amazons being responsible for their eternal post on Themyscira protecting against and sealing away some unspeakable evil is an interesting moral message. The comic posits that the Amazons have a responsibility to act better than the men of the world, that their burden is that high expectation of behavior and moral character, which is basically the headspace a lot of superheroes will also struggle with (see the whole “With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility” mantra) - the Amazon’s secret island paradise and immortality is not necessarily a reward. The issue nails the mythic intentions of the script as well, with the Amazons and Diana all just feeling at home in the comic book and superhero narrative. A beautiful series introduction.