Wonder Woman: The True Amazon

Wonder Woman: The True Amazon is an elegant and beautifully painted one volume storybook-style origin story for the Amazon Princess Diana. Its is written and illustrated by Jill Thompson,an Eisner Award-winning American comic book writer and illustrator (her work is wonderful). The comic itself is certainly beautiful and emotionally engaging. The story is an interesting take on Wonder Woman's origins dealing with the idea that she wasn't always the most compassionate superhero out there but instead she was a selfish girl all too aware of her gifts. Diana's compassion is certainly why I think she is my favorite superhero, and why many people love her, but I think this story illustrates that to become compassionate and in order to make a show more commitment to Peace and Justice the way Diana does
one must truly understand loss, suffering, and come to terms with issues of the ego. Compassion is the transcendence of the self after all. The story does make it seem like Diana doesn't have a choice when it comes to pursuing compassion, peace, and justice because in a way, she is atoning for her sins but perhaps she quickly does come to love mankind and become the noble superhero we adore. show less

In Wonder Woman: The True Amazon, Jill Thompson reimagines Wonder Woman's origin, presenting Princess Diana as a spoiled, impetuous child living on Themyscira. This allows her to explore Themysciran society and how the Amazons live. They indulge Diana because, while she is spoiled, she also has the qualities they value in an Amazon warrior. In this alternate origin, Diana must lean humility and the consequences of her actions. Thompson's artwork is positively gorgeous, using watercolors portray a world full of vibrance and motion. She modifies Diana's armor and the Amazon's costume to suit the aesthetic she created, all to great effect. Various writes have explained why Diana's armor features motifs common to the United States flag and show more seal, but Thompson's explanation is one of the most meaningful while simultaneously looking like traditional Greek armor. Fans of the character will delight in this story and newcomers will find a tale that introduces them to Diana of Themyscira's world. show less

I give the author kudos for being both the writer and illustrator of this book. I enjoyed the watercolor panels. That said, all I know of Wonder Woman was the television show from the 70’s and read a few of the comics way back when. This story of her origins and how she left her secret island is strange to say the least. I don’t think any superhero would have been a spoiled brat and narcissistic as portrayed by this young princess. You would think with all the trouble the Amazons faced to get where they were, the queen could have had more control over her daughter. This destroyed my view of who Wonder Woman is.

This umpteenth retelling of the Wonder Woman origin story treats it more like a fairy tale. It's nicely told and drawn, but I would have preferred to have Thompson's talent applied to anything except the umpteenth retelling of the Wonder Woman origin story. I am tired of having the umpteenth retelling of the Wonder Woman origin story put in front of me. Aren't you tired of having the umpteenth retelling of the Wonder Woman origin story put in front of you?

I picked this up hoping I would like this retelling more than the last one I read. I liked it so much more than Wonder Woman Earth One version of her beginnings. The art is great and tells the story perfectly with the dialogue. Diana is a precious child and is wildly spoiled as a child and an adult. Only one person doesn’t trip over themselves to do what they can for her and it drives her crazy to try and prove to this person that she is worthy of all the attention she does get. Needless to say this doesn’t work the way she wants it to work and it sets Diana onto the path to become Wonder Woman.

A great read and I’m glad to see this version out in the world. It makes me happier than the last retelling of her beginnings that I show more read.


Digital review copy provided by the publisher through Edelweiss show less

Refreshing re-telling of Diana's origin story. While this character has been rethought many times, Thompson's version is unique and brings something worthwhile to her history.

I am embarrassed to admit that I never knew much about Princess Diana's birth or training. The finesse and brilliance presented in Jill Thompson's version enthralled me. Thanks to the art and dialogue, my interest in Wonder Woman was reinforced.