- “Godwatch” bridges the gap from “Year One” to “The Lies” and “The Truth” by telling the years-long story of Veronica Cale trying to save her daughter.
- When Ares’s sons Phobos and Deimos steal Cale’s daughter’s face, they set Cale up to clash with Diana over and over as she tries to find Themyscira.
- Overall, I enjoy the structure of the arc and Rucka’s using the time gap between stories to take the rare opportunity to tell a story that unfolds over years that actually works.
- There’s a catch, though: the evens- and odds-only trade paperbacks aren’t an ideal way to read this arc, because it does eventually line up with issues that were printed in “The Truth” but are omitted here; either be prepared to double back, or grab this in a format that collects the issues in publication order*.
- The real stars of this arc of Wonder Woman are Bilquis Evely and Romulo Fajardo, Jr., whose art and colors are beautiful and expressive.
As far as a final verdict on Rucka’s Wonder Woman run goes, I enjoyed his even-numbered issue arcs. “The Lies” and “The Truth” left a bad taste in my mouth, though. I have trouble reconciling those arcs’ impact on Diana’s history. I have a lot of trouble accepting certain character moments, especially in “The Truth.” If you’re new to Wonder Woman, this is not the run I’d recommend you start with. But if you want some great art or to catch up on Diana’s current status quo, then go for it.
* Presumably, there will be a second hardcover that collects issues #15-25 and Annual #1. That’s probably the best way to go if you’re interested in reading this run.
Collected in
- Wonder Woman, Vol. 4: Godwatch (#16, 18, 20, 22, 24, Annual #1)
Credits
Writer: Greg Rucka | Artists: Bilquis Evely, Mirka Andolfo, Nicola Scott, Scott Hanna, Mark Morales, Andrew Hennessy, Raul Fernandez | Colorist: Romulo Fajardo, Jr. | Letterer: Jodi Wynne | Covers: Bilquis Evely & Romula Fajardo, Jr.