Olympus: Rebirth is written by Michael W Conrad and Becky Cloonan, with art by Caitlin Yarsky, colors by Jordie Bellaire and letters by Pat Brosseau.
Many talk of how phenomenal storytellers weave the threads of their story’s parts into a wide, encompassing tapestry. Cloonan and Conrad have truly done that with so many threads from the beginning of their Wonder Woman run to the most recent “Trial of the Amazons” crossover, bringing to fruition a greater story to tell in Olympus. But they also leave us the ability to take this issue in at its full expanse as well.
Themyscria is still grieving their former Queen as Phillipus finishes her statue. They miss her and long to speak with her. Meanwhile, the former queen herself is crossing the River Styx and wondering what the afterlife has in store for her.
Surely you didn’t doubt that a woman as powerful as Hippolyta, one who has led her women into battle, secured a safe haven from the world of men for them, and willed her own child into existence would NOT have a place in Olympus? None of the gods and goddesses already there did. They celebrate her addition to their ranks, but an undertone of unease threads through the deities. Hera is nowhere to be seen. Instead she is seething in her chambers.
The question that haunts all god’s minds is Will I be remembered? David Engleman posits that there are three deaths; one when your body dies, two when your body is buried, and the third and final when you are no longer remembered. This of course applies to the gods of Olympus as well, and they are afraid that with a goddess as beloved as Hippolyta, their own followers will abandon them. As Justice points out, that fate has already befallen Janus.
Plans and counter plans spin their web in Hippolyta’s mind as she learns she can’t contact her Amazons or her daughter; Zeus, in his worry, has prevented contact with the outside. So she takes Zeus on. And she takes Hecate on. And she takes on Hephaestus and Aphrodite as well to right all the wrongs in Olympus on her first day. Hippolyta has always been a problem solver and she won’t let death stop her now. Off she goes back to The Keeper of the Grounds. She goes to revisit some of the things her daughter put into motion.
I’ll spare you the details of the twist that Hippolyta pulls on the keeper of the dead because I think you should read it for yourself. This issue perfectly illustrates how Hippolyta is beloved not only for her brute strength, her cunning, her will power, her just nature, but also her intelligence. Is it any wonder the gods of Olympus worry she will steal their love and prayers? I’m delighted by the way Cloonan and Conrad have expanded one of my favorite characters in the DC universe and am entranced by the way Yarsky and Bellaire depicted not only her nose, but the wonderful variety of faces and feelings this cast of characters experience. This standalone gives us a lot to chew on for the future of the Amazons, the gods and for what our own afterlife might mean.
- As a gal who also has a strong nose, they better capture mine and not play it down!! I spent a decade learning to love it!
- Love Hermes as the gossip
- Whoa. Hippolyta throwing a lightning bolt back at Zeus! You love to see it!
Cat Purcell is a Career Services Librarian, cosplayer, artist, and massive coffee consumer.
