Wonder Woman #40

Writer: James Robinson

Artists: Emanuela Lupacchino and Carmen Carnero

Inkers: Ray McCarthy and Carmen Carnero

Colourists: Romulo Fajardo Jr and Hi-Fi

Letterer: Saida Temofonte

This issue was filler of the highest order. At this point, it's abundantly clear that James Robinson has absolutely no direction for his run other than the Darkseid scenes which have progressed at a snail's pace over the past few issues. Wonder Woman is given the bland, forgettable stories while Steve Trevor is out there being a part of the grander narrative that will seemingly affect the DC Universe.

It's genuinely bothersome to me when I read something where I can very clearly see the intention of the writer, in a negative way; the opening three pages are hilariously stretched into a full, boring conversation that contributes nothing to the issue at hand. Whatever tension there was in finding Silver Swan, an incredibly unstable and dangerous person, is gone as Diana and her brother Jason jump around in conversation topics. It has to be seen to be believed, honestly. This is a non-story. It could have been told in one issue, maybe two.

The art, however, was on the strong side. It's been a while since Emanuela Lupacchino has provided consistent, semi-monthly work as far as I know and I think she's one of DC's strongest artists. Having her on this book is a no-brainer and Carmen Carnero's brief scenes were great as well. A female art team on this book is something I'd prefer if they won't give a woman the writing gig.

I have never said this about any writer in any of my reviews but, frankly, James Robinson should be ashamed of himself. The intentional padding of scenes is astronomically blatant and it deeply frustrates me. Lupacchino and Carnero provide great work and I hope they could provide rotating art like the beginning of this series.