In Wonder Woman #784 – “Through A Looking Glass Darkly,” written by Michael Conrad and Becky Cloonan, with Marcio Takara as artist, Tamra Bonvillain as colorist, and Pat Brosseau on letters, Diana and friends find out who’s behind the Shining Knight in two ways as Diana confronts the Image-Maker. Meanwhile, in Bana-Mighdall, Atalanta, Faruka, and Artemis continue their path to replacing the Guardian of Doom’s Doorway with a new, powerful supporter. Written by Vita Ayala, art by Skylar Patridge, colors by Romulo Fajardo Jr, and letters by Becca Carey.
Cat Purcell: We’re coming right up to the Trial of the Amazons, the first crossover event for Themyscira in ages. Both stories set us right up for the event, and this is the first crossover event I’ve actually been excited for!
Andrea Ayres: Same here, Cat. I’m glad that we’re finally getting out of the setup phase and into action. That said, this issue is still part of that setup phase. Alas. This finale issue feels like it could have been a few pages. If I’m honest, it felt like a stretch to make this a complete issue. It’s not that anything was particularly amiss. It just felt like there wasn’t anything particularly surprising.
A Fight in the Sky
Andrea: The issue begins with Diana and Shining Knight fighting the Wonder Woman dupes in the sky above a carnival. The Shining Knight says he will fight off the duplicates and then finish Diana. It’s a little too convenient for me. It’s nice that he’s able to fight off the dupes so Diana can go into the Hall of Mirrors and face the Image-Maker. Listen, I love Conrad and Cloonan, but this one felt a bit like they were phoning it in. The only thing that kept me reading this issue was Takara and Bonvillain’s work.
Cat: The Shining Knight felt like a convenient setup, especially when his true identity is revealed. As a placeholder to let our guy come back into the story, it worked. But that’s the only part of it that worked. Plotwise it makes way more sense for Diana to have just battled through the dupes to get to Image-Maker, or, sheesh, they could have given Steve or Etta something to do.
Andrea: So we’ve got the Image-Maker, and maybe this fight is new, but this plotline doesn’t feel remarkably different from the previous storyline we just read. I just don’t believe the stakes. I don’t believe the tension. The Image-Maker was not around long enough to feel particularly threatening. What’d you think about the scene with Diana and Steve?
Cat: It honestly felt like a let down. This is the most we’ve seen Steve and Diana interact as written by Conrad and Cloonan, and it sucks that it’s not even real. Diana doesn’t even fall for the trick for long, and then it’s gone. I’m a Steve and Diana forever shipper, and I want them to get that authentic, complicated reunion that will pay off, even if I end up disappointed.
I’m with you on the stakes not feeling high enough. As much as I’m intrigued by the idea that this is not the real Diana, I’m ready to move on from the plotlines of her running into mirror versions of herself. I also don’t buy the idea that Earth has moved on from needing Wonder Woman. Clearly, she’s still rescuing immigrants and thwarting Dr. Psycho. She knows she’s needed, and I think that is where the payoff in this issue is for me.
In My Image
Andrea: “Leave it to the master of the mirror world to get everything backward.” Okay, that’s clever. That’s clever. At this point, however, I’m wondering why Deadman is even there though!
Cat: I loved that line and bookmarked it too! Deadman has proven again he’s here for the intelligent quips. And for sure, we can’t count Image-Maker gone for good… along with Shining Knight. What did you think of this reveal, Andrea?
Andrea: I wanted to love it! And of course, you know I have a soft spot for Siggy, but it was such a forced setup. Mainly because she’s able to see who the Shining Knight is just in the nick of time, thanks to her special weapon, which, I believe, is the literal definition of a MacGuffin. Even the tender moment when Siggy is hurt, I don’t think he is ever in any real danger. Why? Because everything seems to always turn out okay for Diana. I don’t know. I’m sour. How did you feel about it?
Cat: Very similarly. A part of me thought when she visited his resting place that it would truly be the end of Siggy. However, when the Shining Knight’s helmet came off, I wasn’t at all surprised. As much as I love it when Diana is with Steve, I have a soft spot for Siggy, too, so I found it hard to be upset. I also wasn’t surprised about Cizko being behind it. I’m curious to know HOW, but it made sense that he’d use someone Diana loves so much against her. I have no idea who Dr. Psycho could be roping into his Villains Inc. group. Do you? What did you think of Diana having to race off instead of getting downtime with friends?
Andrea: For sure! I’d love to know how Cisco roped Siggy into this mess. Do you think we’ll ever get any answers on that? The only time I felt something resembling interest was the teasing of the Villains Inc. group, maybe. Okay, that’s too much. That’s a bit extra. But in a pretty meh of an issue, this was one of the things that I found marginally of interest to me. You know, I feel like if Diana were afforded downtime with her friends, it would make the moments where her friends are in danger feel like something. For instance, the scene with Diana and Siggy in the hospital is good. There is a little bit of a break and *gasp* some possible character development? Alas. What did you think?
Cat: I feel like no matter the comic, I’m always asking for a bit of relaxation for my hero! The little slices of life scenes sometimes build more character and empathy than just watching them punch some bad guys. There’s a reason anime shows always have a beach episode. Let’s let Diana and Co. go to the beach!
Champion of Doom’s Doorway
Cat: Well, if you want to talk filler and set up, this is the backup story for that! Artemis is sneaking around and once alone with Queen Faruka we find out the plot is to rig who becomes the Champion of the Doorway, and she doesn’t want it to be a Themysciran. What did you make of this?
Andrea: First, Do you know what I love about Vita’s writing? They have such a grasp on these characters and inject them with enough personality to make you feel like you could conceivably know them yourself. Does that make any sense? Ugh, I love the way Artemis looks. I’m jealous of that high pony. The plot set up for Trail of the Amazons is going to break some ground (and probably some heads, hearts, and various other objects that are with h). How do you feel about it?
Cat: I feel like once the Trial begins, I’m not going to have to put all my ideas about what I think is going to happen aside! But I agree Artemis could make Ariana Grande jealous of her high pony and put all the others competing to be Champion to shame! I’m really curious to see what Hippolyta’s role in this will be and eager for the excitement to happen.
Cat: Although both parts of this issue are set up for what’s to come, it made me eager to get there. I was blown away by Patridge and Fajardo’s work in the second half. These colors are captivating. Bring on the crossovers!
Andrea: You never want your work in comics to be thought of as “functional,” but that’s what Wonder Woman #784 is. It’s functional. It’s serving a purpose to get us onto something better.
Wonderful Whims
- Give Skylar Patridge all the work. You are a magician. And like, Romulo Fajardo Jr colors? Get outta here with all that. So freaking great.
- Brosseau’s sound effect lettering continues to rock! He’s subtle, but it’s unmistakable once you notice it.
Andrea Ayres is a freelance writer and pop culture journalist.
Cat Purcell is a Career Services Librarian, cosplayer, artist, and massive coffee consumer.
