[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]
Writer: Tom Taylor
Artist: Mike Miller
Colors: J. Nanjan
Summary
Last week’s Injustice 2 Annual gave us the origin of this world’s Wonder Woman. Injustice 2 #15 follows directly from the annual and issue #14, as Kara is on a mission to free Diana from her imprisonment on Themiscyra. Undercover, Kara is revealed quickly by the use of the lasso of Hestia. However, much to Kara’s surprise, there are a number of Amazons who are still allied with Diana, believing that she fought for the right cause.
This quickly leads to a confrontation between those allied with Diana and those still loyal to Hippolyta, including the current Wonder Woman, Nubia.
Positives
While this series has been an entertaining alternate take on the post-Crisis DC Universe, this issue finally finds a way to break away completely and exist on its own without any references to previous incarnations. Somehow, it feels unique and familiar at the same time and is able to exist on its own merit alone. Whatever video game this may be based upon, this issue’s story supersedes any tie-in and becomes relevant on it’s own unique take on these familiar DC characters.
The most significant aspect of this issue is its uniqueness. There is a “je ne sais quoi” about it that releases it from any antecedents or analogs. It comes across as fresh and different. Perhaps, it is the schism amongst the Amazons. They’ve been portrayed as unified in ideology for so long, that a situation that polarizes them is new and unique that it colors the whole concept of the series. It’s as if the series no longer relies on “what one already knows” but on “the conflict in the given situation.”
With no knowledge of the world in which this story takes place, and with just the most basic knowledge of Wonder Woman and her history, this issue excels. Despite trying to turn things upside down, it relies heavily on the dynamic that traditionally exists between Wonder Woman, Hippolyta and the Amazons. It is these expectations that make the issue work, in most unexpected ways. Of course, some of the Amazons will side with Diana.
Negatives
Nope, move along quietly please.
Verdict
This is a turning point issue for this series. No longer is this simply an alternate take on a familiar world, but the creative team has successfully depicted a world truly split as both sides appear valid in their beliefs. While Batman’s potency has been slowly eroded, the other side is gaining a strength in both ideology and numbers.
