Down to Earth by Greg Rucka
Speaking of Rucka, The Hiketeia really just opens the door to Rucka’s first run on the Wonder Woman title. His opening arc, Down to Earth, really utilizes the fact that Wonder Woman is not just a superhero, but an ambassador from another land. This story sees her dealing a bit in politics as she has to represent the interests of her people with a full staff dedicated to helping her, including a minotaur as her person chef.
Down to Earth also plays up the repercussions facing Wonder Woman for being her people’s representative as she deals with people trying to destroy her reputation as an ambassador. There are still plenty of superheroics to be had, though, fights Doctor Psycho and goes on a mission to save an old friend from experimentation. Drew Johnson does artwork for Rucka and knocks it out of the park.
Kingdom Come by Mark Waid
Its an understatement to say that Wonder Woman plays an integral role in the Justice League, being part of DC’s main trinity of heroes with Batman and Superman being the other two. There have been several stories that depict the first meeting between the three, but Mark Waid examines a world where the three heroes are much older in a bleaker world with little hope in this alternate universe.
After suffering a personal tragedy and seemingly rejected by the world for being ‘out of touch’, Superman goes into a self-imposed exile, leaving the world in the hands of a new generation of heroes that are increasingly reckless. Wonder Woman, though, knows the world needs Superman and comes to bring him out of retirement after ten years. Kingdom Come may be a Superman story first, but Wonder Woman’s role is very significant as she examines her won place in the world and what kind of legacy she’ll leave behind as a former ambassador and superhero. It’s a good story that looks at the relationship she has with Superman and Batman with some absolutely beautiful art by the legendary Alex Ross.
Originally published May 13, 2017. Updated April 16, 2018.
