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The common knock on Wonder Woman, a.k.a. Diana Prince, has always been that her origins — which involves that magical lariat of truth, Amazons, and Greek weirdness — is too weird and too esoteric for a general audience to understand. In 2013, an exec at DC Comics called the character “tricky” because she doesn’t have a single, clear backstory that everybody knows. This alleged comic book unapproachability is why Wonder Woman’s origins have been changed so many times, and a major factor in why it’s taken so long for a Wonder Woman movie to be made.
Ray Dillon and Renae De Liz’s brand new comic The Legend of Wonder Woman is the magic bullet to that problem. A DC digital-first comic (meaning it starts out intended for online reading and then published in print), Legend of Wonder Woman begins with Diana’s mythology-driven childhood on the island of Themyscira and follows her journey into becoming Wonder Woman.
The comic leans into Diana’s campy, Greek mythology-driven roots but also maintains a sense of humanity when it comes to showing the pressure of growing up as Queen Hippolyta’s daughter. It boasts a well-designed mix of geekery and inclusivity that rewards both longtime fans and Wonder Woman neophytes. And though it isn’t cannon, you’ll wish it were, because De Liz has really made Wonder Woman’s story more relatable and accessible.
Perhaps the most surprising thing about the comic is it the way it reminds you of how hilarious and unapologetically political Wonder Woman can be. The book is a celebration of feminism and women, but it doesn’t feel like anyone is being punished to make a point. De Liz and Dillon use the setting of World War II and Diana’s lack of understanding about life beyond the island Themyscira to hilariously illustrate how women, including Diana herself, are constantly underestimated.
Just like its hero, there’s a kindness to The Legend of Wonder Woman that extends beyond its pages. It’s a charming and disarming read. And De Liz and Dillon have really given Wonder Woman the comic she deserves.
