Next up for the month is someone who has been a friend, an
ally, and even a lover to Superman: Diana Prince, aka “Wonder Woman.” If you
don’t know who Wonder Woman is, just Google her. It’s all out there. Diana
first appeared in All-Star Comics #8 (1941). She’s from the Amazonian island of
Themyiscara (I’m not going to spell that right). Whatever origin you follow
(born from clay or Daughter of Zeus), she’s been endowed with godly strength
and abilities. Her main mission is to promote peace on Earth. Yeah, she’ll have
to bust some heads sometimes, but she is a superhero, after all. She’s had her
own book for years and has even been a part of the Justice League and the
Justice Society of America. I’m not even going to mention all the different
media outlets she’s been in. That is what Wikipedia is for, folks.
Her connections to Superman have been there. They’ve been
teammates, they’ve been friends, and they’re part of that whole “DC Trinity”
thing. By the way, when did that become a thing? Anyway, they’ve also been
lovers in various stories. We’d get stories in the Silver/Bronze age about them
possibly hooking up. When the post-Crisis started, they had a mutual crush on
one another, but it never amounted to anything (Action Comics #600). There have
been non-canon stories like Kingdom Come that have played with them being in a
relationship. Then, in 2012, DC played around with the relationship in the New
52. They even had a book with them together. I do wonder why that went the way
of the dodo when “Superman Reborn” happened, though.
Today’s issue doesn’t play around with the New 52, though.
It’s Action Comics #761 from 2000. I had heard about this issue years ago since
it had Superman and Wonder Woman questioning some things. Joe Kelly was the
writer. Handling the pencil chores is German Garcia. Joe Rubenstein handles the
inks. So, what happens when Superman and Wonder Woman are transported to
Valhalla to meet Thor? Monster-slaying as well as the worrying of a wife.
Action Comics #761
Writer: Joe Kelly
Pencils: German Garcia
Inks: Joe Rubinstein
Colors: Glenn Whitmore
Letters: John Costanza
Editor: Eddie Berganza and Maureen McTigue
“For a Thousand Years…”
We start out the story with Clark and Lois in bed together.
Lois brings up rumors about Superman having a “Mrs.” Clark doesn’t say anything
since he already has one, but Lois digs in on him a bit. At that moment, Wonder
Woman shows up and Lois gets a little miffed. Clark jumps into costume and
heads off with Wonder Woman while Lois feels a little jealous. Folk in
Metropolis see them together and wonder if they are an item. We get a small C-plot
about some villain named La Enchanadora getting a trinket, but that doesn’t
amount to nothing here.
This was pretty funny. I think every woman would feel like this with Diana around.
Superman and Wonder Woman go to a temple (I think anyway) and
talk about some recent going-ons with the son of Mongul. When Diana brings up something
that puts Clark off ease (not telling Lois about a mission into space), they’re
suddenly transported to Valhalla. There, they meet Thor (not that one) as he
and others are fighting a glorious battle. Wonder Woman feels right in her
place while Superman is a bit dumb-founded. It turns out that they’re doing
battle against the Vrgtsmyth and Thor has summoned them to fight. Wonder Woman’s
up for it while Superman will fight but not kill the demons. They’re both
shocked to find out that they’ll be stuck here for a long time.
Superman and Wonder Woman fight for 1,000 years without aging.
The fight’s hard especially since Clark still longs for Lois. Over the time,
they end up getting a little closer. On the eve of their final battle, the two
contemplate spending it together, but Clark still feels for Lois. They go into
the final battle and win. Thor (who “died” during the 1,000 years) comes back
and will grant them their greatest desire. Those two come up with something simple.
Two Things:
Nice hair and beard, Clark!
It's probably good those two didn't do the deed. I wonder how Clark would explain that to Lois.
While all their stuff
in Valhalla was going on, Lois had been stewing for that day. She talks to
Perry about her relationship woes. Later, she writes a letter telling how she
made a deal with Lex Luthor to save the Daily Planet. Suddenly, Superman (back
from Valhalla) whisks her up and passionately kisses her. The issue ends with
her dropping the letter and paying it no mind.
………………………………………
I thought that this was a fine issue. It explores Superman’s
relationship with Wonder Woman well. We see how different they are in Valhalla
with Superman not killing demons and Wonder Woman going all in. While the scene
where Clark doesn’t give in to lust with Diana is kind of weird (1,000 years
without the hope of escape?), it is a sweet scene especially for Lois shippers.
Maybe Clark knew he’d make it back. Kelly even gets into Lois’s head a little
bit here. Of course, she feels threatened by Wonder Woman. It’s all in the name,
after all.
Thor? You're look less Chris Hemsworth-y today!
The artwork was pretty good here. I haven’t heard of German
Garcia though it’s possible he’s done more Superman issues. I haven’t even gotten
to 2000 in my readthrough, so I may run into him more. His designs for everyone
are good especially war-torn Superman and Wonder Woman. The action scenes were nice,
and the emotional scenes carried nice weight. As for the dislikes, the La Enchantadora
plot does drag things a little bit. I also wish the Valhalla sequence was a
little longer. I mean, it’s Superman teaming up with a Thor! Also, dialogue
felt off. Other than those things, this was pretty good.
Well, that sort of does it for the Amazonian Wonder. I’ve
developed more of a fondness for Wonder Woman over the years. I wasn’t that
exposed to her in my youth. I got more exposure to her through the Justice
League cartoons. Calling her “The Female Superman” wouldn’t be right since she
fills other roles in the DCU. As for her relationship with Superman, I’m not a
big fan of them being together while Lois is still around. Superman just loses
something without Lois being some sort of love interest. Kingdom Come was one
that handled the relationship well since Lois wasn’t in the picture anymore. Well,
it’s time to move on to another group that is more tied to Superman. Until
then, Peace, God Bless, and be careful out there.
NEXT TIME: THE LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES!!
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