Wonder Woman #51

Writer: Steve Orlando

Artist: Laura Braga

Colourist: Romulo Fajardo Jr.

Letterer: Saida Temofonte

Wonder Woman hasn’t been good as of late. I say this without pretense or any doubt. I really liked Greg Rucka’s run and this series has been going downhill since he left around this time last year. What Steve Orlando manages to do with this issue, in one issue, is better and more character-focused than anything any writer has come up with for the past year. Maybe even more.

The premise of the issue is very simple. Wonder Woman visits a villain she imprisoned during Shea Fontana’s run last year, Moon Robinson. The issue details their relationship as the years go by and their relationship grows from one of hostility to one of respect and friendship. As far as I’m concerned, this is one of the best showcases of Diana’s character I’ve ever read, and I’ve read a lot of Wonder Woman. Orlando recently has made a name for himself in telling these big, bombastic stories featuring multiple characters and multiverse-level threats. I’d love to see him tackle these more personal, character-focused stories like he did with Midnighter.

Laura Braga’s art is stupendous. There’s a Joelle Jones-level of linework here that I really appreciated, and Romulo Fajardo’s colouring made for a gorgeous issue. I’d love to see more of these two as this issue was plain gorgeous.

There just isn’t much to say. Pick this up! It’s completely standalone and doesn’t warrant any required reading. The art is pretty and fantastic, so this is the complete package.