Wednesday, April 15, 2020

Convergence: Wonder Woman #2 (2015) Review

Earthquake: The Real Winner


Written by: Larry Hama
Art by: Aaron Lopresti, Matt Banning, and The Hories
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: May 20, 2015


Convergence: Wonder Woman #1 was a mixed bag for me.  While I love Wonder Woman and was thrilled to see her with my man, Steve Trevor, I am not a fan of the Red Rain Universe.  Of course, that alone didn't ruin the issue for me, but it was a big part.  I'm sure that on paper, having a book with Vampire Joker as the villain seemed like a slam dunk, but in the end, the book just felt unnecessary...like it really didn't matter.  I tried to go into this issue with an open mind, but the same feeling crept in a few pages in and by the end I was left unsatisfied yet again.  I know this intro is spoiling my review a bit, so let's get on with it...


The issue opens up with Vampire Joker taunting Wonder Woman,  You see, the last issue ended with Diana chasing after Joker after he kidnapped Etta Candy.  Guess what?  She was too late, Etta is dead...for now.  We then get a couple pages of the Joker laughing it up while he tells Wonder Woman his Red Rain backstory complete with power set and weaknesses.  After getting enough information from him, she twists his head around and runs off.

I did not like this opening.  First off, the Joker bragging about his powers seemed a bit off and he name drops Batman a bit too much.  Secondly, why would he tell Wonder Woman anything about hurting or killing a vampire?  It was so forced and then pounded into submission later in the issue.

We then get to see Steve Trevor.  I mentioned in my review for the first issue that he was surely dead meat.  I was wrong!  He is alive and well...for now.  He's still trying to blast away at the vampires attacking him until Poison Ivy and Catwoman show up to take care of business.  Unfortunately (for them), Wonder Woman shows up as well and saves the day.  That is until the newly turned vampires return for round two of the fight.  Diana again abandons Steve to fight.  The funniest part of the issue is Steve telling her he will be fine as he lays in a bloody heap on the ground.


If it sounds like Wonder Woman is an awful friend and girlfriend then you would be correct.  By the end of the issue, Etta Candy and Steve Trevor are both vampires, but thankfully, Wonder Woman has talked to Athena who in her wisdom tells her it's okay to kill them.  Okay...

So, who wins the battle.  If you ask me, the Convergence earthquake does.  While I shake my head every time the earthquake pops up in the other tie-ins, this one has some major consequences.  Almost everyone falls into the gaping hole created by the quake and when Wonder Woman climbs to the surface, she declares herself the winner.  She may be sad that she lost two of the most important people in her life, but she still has time to quote Wellington and walk away proud.

What the hell just happened?!?  I give Larry Hama kudos for mixing things up a bit, but I really didn't like this book at all.  The dialogue and story were bad enough, but the ending made me want to punch something.  Since I deplore violence against others, I may just punch myself in the face. Thanks, Larry, you've turned me into a masochist.

One thing I did like about this issue was the art.  I am an Aaron Lopresti fan and he does a good job with what he's given.  Vampire Joker is creepy and Diana looks great throughout.  I question whether Vampires bleed as much as they do in this issue, but I'll go with it.

Bits and Pieces:

I didn't enjoy the first issue in this series enough to recommend it and I like this one even less.  It's bad enough that Wonder Woman can't save anyone around her, but the issue ends with the worst "victory" in all of Convergence.  Nobody, even Wonder Woman fans, will be missing anything by skipping this story.

2.5/10


2 comments:

  1. We really disagree on this mini. I think it works very well as a representative of the 1985 Diana. Athena confirms Diana's heartbroken realization that Etta and Steve are vampires and are no longer alive. I really felt for Diana in this issue.

    Maybe it's an age thing? I thought this mini was very well done, although I wish Middleton could have done the art for both issues. Vampire Joker is CRAZEE!!!!

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    1. This mini really ended up prettt devisive. I'm an old man so I dont think it's age, though it could be a bit from lack of exposure. Wonder Woman seemed to run back and forth and really left poor Steve out to dry twice. The reason I didn't like the Athena part is because it seemed to be a convenient out for Diana to accept/cause her friends deaths.
      plus...the Earthquake won!

      I'm glad you liked it, though. This event was for just that...finding stories you liked and characters you wanted to see again.

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