Wonder Woman Vol. 3: The Truth (Rebirth)

Collects Wonder Woman (2016) # 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25The series continues the pattern of the odd issues being set in the present and the even issues being (mostly) in the past. If you enjoyed the previous two volumes (read those first!), I strongly recommend that you buy volumes 3 and 4 together so you can read the issues in this (mostly chronological) order:Volume 4: 16, 18, 20, 22Volume 3: 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23Volume 4: 24Volume 3: 25Volume 4: story from Annual 1This volume 3 continues the present day story, which refers heavily back to "the past" of volume 4. Wonder Woman and Veronica Cale (aided by Colonel Poison's mercenary team and the AI Doctor Cyber) are both trying to find Themyscira. Cale now has an additional reason to find it - to fix what Phobos and Deimos did to her daughter (in volume 4). When this volume 3 opens, Wonder Woman has mentally collapsed due to learning that the Themyscira she previously visited (with the blonde, Azzarello version of Hippolyta) wasn't real. Cale pressures Barbara Minerva into becoming the Cheetah again. Upon seeing Ferdinand the Kithotaur (a minotaur from Kithira, who arrives here from Rucka's previous pre-Flashpoint run with no explanation), Diana recovers. They get to this magical tree which takes them... eh, I'll let you find out the rest for yourself.Most of the art is by Liam Sharp. He uses a slightly different art style depending on which set of characters are in the scene, which is a little distracting. 13 - Art by Renato Guedes. 25 - Art by Bilquis Evely.Now, if the New 52 stories aren't completely wiped out, then Steve Trevor worked for ARGUS, so maybe the Picket is a part of ARGUS, and therefore Sasha Bordeuax is in ARGUS, and then... oh, there I go, trying to make sense out of DC again. (:

If you've made it this far then you'll enjoy this one just as much as the others. Good art, story, and characters

Story: I wasn't sure where this story would go. We see Diana losing her mind in a mental institution, and what's up with the trippy scenes of the snake that lives in her arm? Even after reading this book, I STILL don't entirely understand what that was all about! I like how they incorporated Maru and Poison into the story, although moviegoers might not see anything familiar between this paramilitary organization and the chemist from the movie. I think this might be my first comic that I've read which featured Veronica Cale in such an important capacity. I'm interested in her organization, Godwatch, for which the next volume is named. I have to admit, at first I thought Cale was just the Queen of Bitches, but toward the middle and end of the book, one can at least understand why she's doing what she's doing. Something happened to Barbara Minerva that I thought came across mostly as deus ex machina i.e. they knew they had to bring her back to prominence and it seems from a narrative point of view that Rucka just sort of took the easy way out. I'm nervous about reading future WW trades of this line because I've heard that they're filled with SJW nonsense, but I'm glad to see that Trevor here is not a cuck. He's man enough, though he seems a little less rugged than he was in volume 1. But, the last thing I want to see is Trevor turned into some effeminate man!! This book reveals some nice things about volume 1 and 2, particularly something big at the end of volume 2. Rucka slightly alters the purpose of the Amazons in their origin, but I'm still okay with it, as it makes sense and seems appropriate for them, even in regard to past iterations. When the reader finally discovers the truth about why Diana has never been back home, it all comes together rather nicely, makes sense, but is also sad. We learn some interesting things about one of Diana's greatest enemies, but as far as I can tell, it creates some drastic narrative conflicts and plot holes from the New 52 since we're still in that continuity. I really liked the climax of the book up to a certain point. I was slightly disappointed by what I saw as an anticlimactic ending regarding the villains. Perhaps, I wanted more action, though I can see how the ending makes sense from a narrative point of view. We do get at least one great emotional moment at the end before we go to a sort of epilogue. I like when DC's writers know what's going on in other writers' books because they can make small tie ins in certain issues. Usually it's a name drop, or a mention of an event that happened in another title. Rucka makes a cool reference to something that happened in the Aquaman title in this epilogue. I did like the ending with Steve and Diana. It's nice to see her get her own place, and what we get is a great continuation of what was started in volume 1.Art: I really liked the artist who did the opening story here. He's really good and I just really like the style. I found Liam Sharp's penciling here to be somewhat inconsistent. Some scenes look better than others, but it also seems like he did it on purpose. Some scenes appear to have a different style altogether to fit the tone of the narrative. But, overall, it's still good art. I don't like the design of Etta in this book. Both Etta and Barbara look too masculine, and one character of major importance looks too much like Superman. (But, he's not Superman) Even still, the women (for the most part) still look like women. Diana is still sexy, and strong. Some of the Amazons are a bit too muscled up, particularly Io.Overall: An interesting conclusion to Diana finding out why she's never truly returned home. A good amount of intriguing story elements, some surprises, and good art. As long as it's good enough to make me want to keep reading.

a favorite

Lots of truths. The Rucka Rebirth has been awesome. This is a must for Wonder Woman fans. I am excited for Vol. 4

Wonderful wrap up for Greg Rucka's latest run. I loved: the dynamic between Diana and Steve, Ferdinand (!), fleshed out Wonder Woman villains like Veronica Cale and the Cheeta. If you're looking for a great Wonder Woman story this is it.

Great story and art work!

Pretty decent story with good artwork