Wonder Woman
Warbringer
A girl’s existence threatens to envelop the world in war in the graphic novel Wonder Woman: Warbringer.
Diana, a young princess on the island of Themyscira, is eager to prove herself a worthy Amazon. In the midst of an important race that could establish her reputation, she takes a shortcut and discovers a drowning girl, the survivor of a shipboard explosion. Earthquakes and other ominous signs indicate that the girl somehow brings destruction with her, despite her good intentions. Diana—who will one day become Wonder Woman—attempts to return the girl to her home, but in the process she becomes entangled in a battle between the girl’s protectors and those who would use her powers—the powers of the Warbringer—to remake the world.
Adapted from the novel by Leigh Bardugo, the book’s Diana is still finding her place in society and trying to understand her purpose in the world. She’s less confident, but perhaps more relatable, than the seasoned superhero she’s yet to become. Seaton’s art displays great vitality; DC Ink continues its appealing limited palette coloring style, heavy on blues and purples but with selective, effective spot use of reds to draw attention.
This is a rich story that blends the fictional DC world with that of Greek legend. Though Wonder Woman plots have often drawn upon Greek myths, this take demonstrates deep knowledge of Greek tales, weaving them and their characters into the text with facility. Diverse and well-defined, Wonder Woman: Warbringer is an exciting story with epic-scale consequences. Its greatest success comes in humanizing Diana with flashes of romance, uncertainty, and glory that the book’s young adult audience will identify with and delight in.
Reviewed by
Peter Dabbene
Disclosure: This article is not an endorsement, but a review. The publisher of this book provided free copies of the book to have their book reviewed by a professional reviewer. No fee was paid by the publisher for this review. Foreword Reviews only recommends books that we love. Foreword Magazine, Inc. is disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
