Written by contributor Tom Hitchen
Diana. Daughter of immortals. Princess of Themyscira. Wonder Woman.
The famed DC superhero has many names and she has been adapted and reincarnated many times. First appearing in 1941 before her first feature in 1942, there have been films, TV shows, and books. And now she is once again welcomed back to the comic book page in Louise Simonson’s adaptation of Leigh Bardugo’s Wonder Woman: Warbringer.
The story follows Diana Prince, long before her tenure as the legendary Wonder Woman, as she risks exile from her homeland to save a mortal and becomes ensnared in an international plot to stop a world war.
This is where the plot gets interesting. The world isn’t being threatened by the usual trigger-happy white men in suits, but by the very girl Diana saves. Alia Keralis is a Warbringer: a direct descendant of Helen of Troy and destined to cause chaos. Together, the two women must overcome their own insecurities and unleash the potential within themselves in order to prevent the world from falling into violence.
The novel in which this adaptation is based on manages to inject a fresh new voice into the overcrowded universe of superhero origin stories, and Bardugo establishes her own version of Wonder Woman’s early beginnings with her usual punchy flair.
In Simonson’s adaptation, the characters are placed front and centre with Kit Seaton’s illustrations. Seaton, who has also lent her artist prowess to another YA adaptation, Alexandra Bracken’s Brightly Woven, manages to breathe life into the DC Universe with her playful graphic design. The only drawback to Seaton’s art is that at times it fails to deliver impact due to the similar colour choices utilised throughout. The book is a colour wheel of blue and grey, and only occasionally does the novel brighten up with oranges and reds. Wonder Woman has always been a symbol of vibrancy and power, and at times, Seaton’s art disappoints and doesn’t manage to capture that historic essence. Overall, it is enjoyable to look at.
Aside from the premise, the plot isn’t anything particularly new, but the magic comes from the main cast. Diana and Alia are joined by the latter’s best friend Nim, a boisterous go-getter with a no-nonsense attitude, and Theo, her brother’s sidekick and crush. Bardugo does character so well and always creates a familiar and realistic portrayal of group friendships. The dynamic between the foursome is both hilarious and uplifting.
Wonder Woman returns to her roots in the Warbringer graphic novel with witty dialogue, high stakes and great friendships. Bardugo’s YA novel is honestly depicted through art and speech, and while it doesn’t quite capture the grandeur of a traditional Wonder Woman story, it lands on two feet when it comes to hilarity and character and gives a nod to the future in its conclusion.
A worthy entry in the Wonder Woman universe.
The graphic novel of Wonder Woman: Warbringer is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers.
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Synopsis | Goodreads
She will become one of the world’s greatest heroes: WONDER WOMAN. But first she is Diana, Princess of the Amazons. And her fight is just beginning. Based on the New York Times bestselling novel by Leigh Bardugo, this graphic novel adaptation brings to life Diana’s first adventure beyond the hidden shores of Themyscira.
Diana longs to prove herself to her legendary warrior sisters. But when the opportunity finally comes, she throws away her chance at glory and breaks Amazon law–risking exile–to save a mere mortal. Even worse, Alia Keralis is no ordinary girl and with this single brave act, Diana may have doomed the world.
Alia just wanted to escape her overprotective brother with a semester at sea. She doesn’t know she is being hunted. When a bomb detonates aboard her ship, Alia is rescued by a mysterious girl of extraordinary strength and forced to confront a horrible truth: Alia is a Warbringer–a direct descendant of the infamous Helen of Troy, fated to bring about an age of bloodshed and misery.
Together, Diana and Alia will face an army of enemies–mortal and divine–determined to either destroy or possess the Warbringer. If they have any hope of saving both their worlds, they will have to stand side by side against the tide of war.
