BATMAN/WONDER WOMAN: TRUTH #1 (DC COMICS)
The story of HUSH has returned……sort of.
In between the Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee sagas, there is a tale featuring the Dark Knight and the Amazon Princess. The Lasso of Truth has been stolen. Who would be crazy enough to steal from Wonder Woman? Better yet, how is Batman going to handle this when he discovers the culprits!
BATMAN / WONDER WOMAN: TRUTH #1 by Jeph Loeb, Jim Cheung, Jay David Ramos, Richard Starkings and Comicraft’s Tyler Smith (DC COMICS) delivers a team-up that is all about the Truth!
Let’s take a deeper dive into this adventure.
BATMAN / WONDER WOMAN: TRUTH #1 by Jeph Loeb, Jim Cheung, Jay David Ramos, Richard Starkings and Comicraft’s Tyler Smith (DC COMICS)
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
Loeb delivers a much tighter story than readers have currently seen in H2SH. Opening with the slow build between heroes banter, the story starts off with a very casual feel. Wonder Woman is checking in on Batman after learning he broke up with Catwoman. The writing takes them out of their superhero personas and makes them “normal” friends talking.. This leads into another reason Diana is in Gotham City. Assisting in a charity exhibit, Diana allows the Lasso of Truth to be put on display. It doesn’t take long for this to go completely sidewise as one would expect.
Catwoman’s interjection into the story comes off with mixed results The writing clearly cements her reactions towards Bruce Wayne. What comes off forced is why she is stealing the Lasso. Knowing what has been built off, it’s not as smooth of a landing to the overall picture. This gets sidetracked when a few more rogues crash the party. It results in a humorous exchange before leaping into the final act. Readers watch as the action takes hold. There are plenty of classic moments before leading into the epilogue. Events end planted firmly in place as one question is answered, but some still drift in the air.
Cheung & Ramos begin with a split page look at the lead heroes. This rolls into a gorgeous two page splash of the heroes soaring over the city. It may get to be a broken record in describing the art but trust me, the art team delivers for this book. The charity event feels like a regal ordeal. Wayne’s charismatic smile leas in Diana’s inspiring presence to the crowd. Another fantatsic tow page spread showcases Diana’s warrior past. It leads into a full page image of Wonder Woman accepting her iconic accessories. Events shift the mood quickly as the theft takes place.
A full page shot of Batman kicks off the chase. This leads into a great full shot of Catwoman entering the picture. Their personal chase gets a full two page spread. Wonder Woman steals all thunder when she invades these pages. Her stoppage of a dinosaur skeleton is a show-stopper. This spins into another pair of excellent two page spreads. One brings forth a new villain. The other is a more relaxed look inside the Bat Cave. Action pages take hold and never let the audience go. Another villain joins in with a two page spread of his own. This sets a fast pace filled with excellent panels. Once the smoke clears, Wonder Woman’s expressions of caring take over. This pushes the epilogue into the closing moments. One more final full page shuts the door on a better journey than expected.
FINAL GRADE: 8.6
A visit on an old friend turns into a thrilling chase that shows a new side to the Dark Knight few knew he had. Loeb pens a solid superhero tale under the umbrella of self realization. Cheung & Ramos construct amazing art for readers to be swept up in. A welcomed addition into the saga of the Dark Knight’s legacy.
Let me know your thoughts on BATMAN / WONDER WOMAN: TRUTH #1 in the comments below. Thanks for reading!
