Title: Wonder Woman.
Series: Earth One #3.
Writer(s): Grant Morrison.
Artist(s): Yanick Paquette.
Colourist(s): Nathan Fairbairn.
Letterer(s): Todd Klein.
Publisher: DC Comics.
Format: Hardcover.
Release Date: March 9th 2021.
Pages: 136.
Genre(s): Comics, Science-Fiction.
ISBN13: 9781779502070.
My Overall Rating:
Previously in the Wonder Woman: Earth One trilogy:
Wonder Woman: Earth One (Vol. 1) by Grant Morrison.
Wonder Woman: Earth One (Vol. 2) by Grant Morrison.
It is not unlike writer Grant Morrison to shake up the status quo in the comic book industry, especially with the superheroes he gets to play around with. In the Earth One comic book line-up, various writers have had the chance to reimagine the origin stories of countless classic DC heroes, and Wonder Woman became his choice of predilection, and boy, did he have fun with this one so far. Choosing to approach this Amazonian princess in a provocative fashion while embracing extreme positions drawn upon feminism and matriarchy, he at least offers an ending that doesn’t leave a too unpalatable taste for his readers. Teamed up once again with artist Yanick Paquette, legendary writer Grant Morrison delivers the finale to his Earth-One trilogy in an explosive fashion while drawing upon some of Wonder Woman’s best features, from her Greek mythology background to her sense of unrivaled leadership.
What is Wonder Woman: Earth One (Vol. 3) about? As Diana Prince becomes the Queen of the Amazons, she now takes it upon herself to do the unimaginable: rally the disparate Amazonian tribes. With Max Lord looking to wage war on Paradise Island with his A.R.E.S. armoured army and looking to establish no matter the means the dominance of patriarchy over matriarchy, Wonder Woman will have to channel every bit of wisdom she has left to show Man’s World a new way of life founded on peace and love. With the answers she seeks not readily at her disposal, she will first have to look back on her own mythological history and culture to find direction to survive the impending war. If things are to change, she will have to show the world that they will need someone much more enlightened to pave the way towards utopia.
“Thanks to you, Steve, the whole world can change for the better. Because of you, the chains of oppression will be broken forever, and a new way of thinking can replace the old.”
— Grant Morrison
Considering what writer Grant Morrison was trying to achieve with his Wonder Woman: Earth One trilogy, there weren’t many great exits possible for him to contemplate and luckily for readers, this one was the most adequate one, at risk from falling back onto the deluded, provocative, and controversial vision he began this trilogy with. This time around he utilizes Max Lord as the ultimate icon of evil patriarchy and infuses his character with a terrifying dichotomic vision that would constrain women to be perceived as submissive and inferior beings while men would always have the reins over any power structure within society. Fortunately, Wonder Woman is there to fight back in a revolution and impose a new philosophy to the world, a new vision that essentially turns the table around for a new age. However, the ultimate message behind this narrative isn’t one rooted in equality, as one would presume from movements of feminism, but one that simply gives power to matriarchy, going off on the assumption that women would now have all the right answers if we are to live in peace and love.
Continuing the artistic vision that began in the first volume, artist Yanick Paquette maintains the vibrant and bombastic style expected to accompany this provocative series. Making an additional effort to show some character development through Wonder Woman’s garments, he also depicts the various characters in the best light. The panel structure continues to follow an unconventional layering during action-packed sequences and gives this series a unique signature. While the character designs are fantastic and striking, there is a relative staleness that captures an absence of dynamism and movement in these characters, especially during dialogue-heavy sequences. At least the excellent colouring by Nathan Fairbairn distracts you from overthinking most of these artistic details that restrain the artwork from being beyond exceptional.
Wonder Woman: Earth One (Vol. 3) is a bombastic finale delivering a sensational war while advocating diversity and matriarchy in its core message.
Thank you Penguin Random House Canada for sending me a copy for review!
Roars and Echoes 
So are you glad this series is over now? It doesn’t appear to be one that really moved you. Here’s hoping the next series is a bit stronger.
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Nop, it didn’t. I’m a huge fan of Grant Morrison’s work in his earlier days but I feel like his recent projects don’t stick the landing for me. I haven’t given up on him yet but so far, it hasn’t been too impressive. Onto the next one, I say! 😀
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Bombastic style? Well yes but even with the staleness as you said I quite like that art. It has a vintage feel that reminds me of the comics and graphic novels that I discovered at my grand mother’s house because my dad and uncles read them when they were teenagers.
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It is indeed fantastic artwork and it’s only by being picky that “staleness” is even noticed. I’m glad to hear how it reminded you of those memories though! That is wonderful and you should pick up some of those “bandes dessinées” to enjoy for yourself, Sophie! 😀
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Are there ever any kind of patriarchy that isn’t evil?
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The smaller the society, the more likely that “good” patriarchy could be possible. 😛 Anything is really possible, we just ruin it over time by embracing our greatest vices. 😀
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I’d vote for you.
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The colors and artwork have a femininity that seems appropriate.
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Indeed. He didn’t dare bring in some of the more “sexual” elements he did in the first volume but this one still has maybe one scene of bondage and another of chivalrous kissing hahah
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The way they are doing the comic cells reminds me of my copy of Sandman Overture. Very cool. I don’t think I’ve ever read a Wonder Woman comic, now that I think of it. Thanks for sharing, Lashaan.
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It’s indeed a nice style that gives a different kind of flow to the story. There’s more room to breathe and more room to really accentuate the character’s designs too. Thanks for reading, my friend.
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Oh Steve, you’ve showed us the way. Now get your ass in gear and go on that bleeping 5 year mission!
I can never disassociate Steve from Capt. Kirk
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Hahahah he’s the only good guy in this story too, on top of being Afro-American in Earth-1. But even his good ways aren’t enough to overshadow Max Lord’s bad ways here. 😛
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Blaaaah! Oh, Morrison, how low have you fallen 😛 I’m glad you’re our knight in shining armor, Lashaan, taking upon yourself the unenviable task of dealing with these deformed monstrosities born in dark recesses of artists’ minds…
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Hahah always ready to try Morrison’s new stuff, hoping that they’d be like his classic ambitious material from the good ol’ days. 😛
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The concept sounds really good with so many possibilities. Sad It didn’t turn out as good as it sounds. Great review, Lashaan!
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Thanks, Yesha! I appreciate it. 😀 It’s definitely a very provocative but plausible tale for this Earth-1 story. 😀
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Great review, Lashaan! I, of course, know nothing about this series, but I am easily annoyed by dichotomic visions in general – especially when it goes against true equality between genders, which is something that is often criticised (wrongly) in feminism! Anyway, I still enjoyed reading your review and at least I can say that the artwork seems really beautiful! Thanks for sharing 😊
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Thanks, Juliette! Yep, nothing is ever black and white. But, in today’s society, we often find ourselves with extremely polarized opinions and it often hurts societal progress more than anything in the end. Thanks for taking the time to read this! 😀
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