Comics Reviews: Wonder Woman 49, Green Arrow 40, Green Arrow 41

Wonder Woman 49 coverWonder Woman #49 – (No Title) – George Perez/Colleen Doran

This is basically a retrospective of the first 48 issues of Wonder Woman, highlighting most of her adventures. It’s presented in the guise of a TV news special hosted by a reporter named Ronnie Sarasky (who looks a bit like Candice Bergen as Murphy Brown). The report touches on Ares’ plan to annihilate the world with nukes,ordinary people on Wonder Woman Decay’s attack on Boston, Myndi Mayer’s death, and the whole mess with Silver Swan. Along the way, various people (including Julia and Vanessa) are interviewed. Most seem to like Wonder Woman, but a few have negative opinions, or aren’t sure how to take her. Some of her fellow super-heroes speak too, and most of them are quite impressed (although Guy Gardner and Blue Beetle are impressed for different reasons than the others). Naturally, there’s speculation about her relationship status, trying to link her with Superman and heroes on Wonder WomanHermes. Lois Lane appears on the show too, giving a first-hand account of her time on Themiscyra and witnessing the return of Gaea’s Girdle to Hippolyte. All this is leading up to Hippolyte’s historic visit to the United Nations, which I think happens next issue.

 

 

 

Green Arrow 40 coverGreen Arrow #40 – “Spirit Quest” – Mike Grell

Last issue, Oliver (Green Arrow) Queen decided to roam the wilderness to get over all the crap he’d been through lately … mostly being framed as a traitor. He’s heading through the woods when he meets a Native American called Stalking Wolf, who seems like he was expecting Oliver to come along. They hike into the forest and talk about various things; Stalking Wolf tells Oliver he’s losing his hunter’s nature, becoming too civilized from city life. Stalkingmystical stuff Wolf also talks about letting go of anger and mentions how he used to walk everywhere and could escape notice when he chose. Spending time with Stalking Wolf helps Oliver find his inner peace again and refreshes his spirit. The issue ends with some quotations from various Native Americans.

 

 

Green Arrow 41 coverGreen Arrow #41 – “Hooray for Ollie-Wood” – Mike Grell/Denys Cowan/Bill Wray

Still journeying through the woods (having unknowingly crossed over into Canada), Oliver happens upon a woman dangling over a raging waterfall. He leaps out and “saves” her, but it turns out “she” is a stuntman (a Brit named Terry Marsh) working on a movie. The director isn’t happy about Oliver fucking up the scene, but Terry is impressed with Oliver’s actions, even though Ollie claims not to be a hero anymore. Oliver meets the star of the movie, Jason Maverick, who seems to be based on Sylvester Stallone. (The movie is part of a series called “Jimbo” and Maverick is shorter than he looks on screen.) Oliver and Terry bond over old movie stunts and when Terry sees what a good archer Ollie is, he suggests he do some stunt shots for the film. Oliver shots Terry in the chestbar brawl splash for a spectacular “death shot” which impresses the director. Later, Oliver and Terry make some bar bets over Oliver’s shooting skills and end up collecting a bit of cash. Terry gets into it with an Irish loudmouth and starts a big brawl. The next day, they prepare to shoot a big massacre scene (yup, definitely a Stallone movie), but all the guns on set are gone. Terry has the only key, but it could’ve been taken (and replaced) after he passed out from all the booze the night before. The Canadian cops figure the IRA stole the weapons (and one of the cops thinks Oliver looks familiar).