Wonder Woman Comic Book Stories to Read Before The Movie

Wonder Woman is hitting stateside theaters tonight, but if you can’t make it to the theater there happens to be plenty of great Wonder Woman material already on store shelves.

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In fact, you might already havve some on your bookshelf at home, just begging for a revisiting. Regardless of whether you’re a new fan who’s just learned how amazing the heroine can be or a returning fan who’s loved the character since childhood, there’s somethign here that will interest you.

As this list proves, there isn’t one way to tell a Wonder Woman story. Each creator has something to add to the mythos, and the next creator can take what they left and reshape it with their own direction in mind.

Some like to focus on the mythological aspects of the character, as Diana possesses the power of Gods like Athena and Hermes. Some take a more human approach, focusing on the supporting cast of characters like Etta Candy and Steve Trevor. Others take the superhero lane and run with it, narrowing the window to epic battles and supervillains.

They all have their positives and negatives, but each of these runs are able to build the mythos in their own way while remaining true to the character, and as a Wonder Woman fan there isn’t much else you can ask for.

You’ll also notice that most of these already have trade editions easily found in comic stores and book stores. They can all be found for an afordable price as well.

If you’re new to Wonder Woman, first welcome to the tribe. Second, here are several recommendations to help you disvoer what all the fuss is about, and why this DC icon is wonderful in the first place.

Without further ado, hit the next slide to find one of the best storylines the New 52 produced.

Brian Azzarello & Cliff Chiang: Wonder Woman New 52

When the New 52 started, it was a chance to start fresh for the iconic characters of the DC Universe. For some that was a benefit while others lost their footing, but in Wonder Woman’s case, her foot was firlmy in the camp of the former.

Writer Brian Azzarello and artist Cliff Chiang took Wonder Woman on quite the thrilliing journey during their itme on the book. Azzarello introduced several new elements to the character while also expertly handling the heavy includiosn of the Gods. It also helps that the book is goregous thanks to Cliff Chiang’s stellar pencils.

If you’re looking for a more mythology heavy run, you can’t go wrong with this one.

Wonder Woman Vol. #1: Blood is in stores now, and you can find the official description below.

As a part of the acclaimed DC Comics—The New 52 event of September 2011, the first six issues of the critically acclaimed new Wonder Woman series are collected in trade paperback!

Hippolyta, queen of the Amazons, has kept a secret from her daughter all her life–and when Wonder Woman learns who her father is, her life will shatter like brittle clay. The only one more shocked than Diana by this revelation? Bloodthirsty Hera–so why is her sinister daughter, Strife, so eager for the truth to be told? Superstar writer Brian Azzarello creates a new direction for one of DC’s best-known heroes, with spectacular art by Cliff Chiang and Tony Akins!

Wonder-Woman-New-52 — (Photo: DC Comics)

Allan Heinberg: Who Is Wonder Woman?

If the name Allan Heinberg rings a bell, you’re probably associating him with the upcoming Wonder Woman film. This isn’t the first time he’s been linked to the character though, and his last attempt blended the classic throwbacks of iterations prior with some modern sensibilities.

Heinberg teamed up with the talented Terry and Rachel Dodson to tell a story about who Diana is, both in and out of costume. You’ll likely recognize some of the same themes. A fish out of water tale told with humor and charm without disrespecting the character at the center of it. She was also given back the Diana Prince identity, which thanks to a spell from Circe made her human while not in her Wonder Woman form. It presented some new challenges for the hero, and Circe was brought back as a credible villain.

The only thing that held this run back was its lateness, which is why the story didn’t wrap up until much later in the Wonder Woman Annual. The good news is that is now all collected into one edition, and you should

The good news is that is now all collected into one edition, and you should definitely give it a read.

Wonder Woman: Who Is Wonder Woman is in stores now, and the official description can be found below.

In this volume collecting WONDER WOMAN #1-4, plus WONDER WOMAN ANNUAL #1 by acclaimed writer Allan Heinberg (TV’s Grey’s Anatomy, Young Avengers) , the Amazon warrior Diana has gone missing, leaving Donna Troy to take up the mantle of Wonder Woman! When Diana returns, she goes under her former alias Diana Prince, acting as a secret agent and member of the Department of Metahuman Affairs. Her first assignment is to save Donna Troy – but will she retake the role of Wonder Woman?

Gail Simone: The Circle

Gail Simone has never shied away from difficult topics, evident in pretty much anything she’s ever written all the way back to her “Girls in Refreidgetor” days. She brought that same sensibility to Wonder Woman in her storyline “The Circle”.

Simone has a penchant for humor and witty banter, and this was no different, but this series also tackled the ramifications of Amazon life. Themyscira is a paradise in many ways, but that does have some drawbacks, including the lack of Men and possibility of children. Adapting to that way of life is fine for many, but some were driven a bit mad from it, which forms the crux of “The Circle”.

Wonder Woman: The Circle is in stores now, and the description can be found below.

Written by Gail Simone Art by Terry Dodson, Rachel Dodson, Bernard Chang and Ron Randall Cover by Terry Dodson & Rachel Dodson What is the deadly secret of the mysterious Circle? Wonder Woman will find out in this new hardcover collecting issues #14-19 of her hit series. Also in this volume, the reformed Secret Society of Super-Villains invades Paradise Island, led by Captain Nazi!

Geroge Perez: Wonder Woman Omnibus

While many talented creators have brought their ideas to Wonder Woman, one is credited with relaunching the character into the person fans know today. That is none other than the talented writer and artist George Perez.

His depiction of Diana is what still comes to mind for many, and all these years later his renditions of the character hold up as timeless. Perez and co-writer Len Wein spent a great deal of time fleshing out the supporting cast, as well as developing her rogue’s gallery, all of it done with a clear love of the character.

Wonder Woman fans all over owe a significant amount of appreciation to the job Perez, Wein, and their team did bringing Diana to life.

You can find Perez, Len Wein, Greg Potter, and Bruce Patterson’s work in the Wonder Woman Omnibus Vol. 1, which is in stores now. The official description has been included below.

This omnibus collects the first two years of George Pérez’s 1980s run on WONDER WOMAN, including issues #1-24 and WONDER WOMAN ANNUAL #1. These stories reestablished Wonder Woman’s heroic career with appearances by the gods of Olympus and villains including Cheetah and Silver Swan.

Wonder-Woman-Geroge-Perez — (Photo: DC Comics)

Greg Rucka: Wonder Woman Rebirth

Writer Greg Rucka wrote a previous and celebrated story arc on Wonder Woman before the New 52 took hold, but his encore performance is even better.

Rucka teamed up with artists like Nicola Scott, Liam Sharp, Matt Clark, and Bilquis Evely for an alternating tale that took fans into the hero’s past and present. In other’s hands, it would have been a convoluted mess, but Rucka is able to navigate it deftly, with her past experiences feeding directly into her current actions.

It helps to have such a talented array of artists, and Liam Sharp’s visuals are in a world of their own.

Suffice it to say if you’re looking to get reacquainted with the character or brand new to the fold, Wonder Woman Vol. 1: The Lies is a perfect place to get started.

Wonder Woman Vol. 1: The Lies is in stores now, and the description can be found below.

New York Times best-selling writer Greg Rucka returns to WONDER WOMAN! After suffering an unimaginable loss, Diana must rebuild her mission as Earth’s ultimate protector and champion. However, in the midst of her grief, her Lasso of Truth stopped working! Start down the rabbit hole as dark secrets from Wonder Woman’s past unravel her present! This new title collects WONDER WOMAN #1, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11, plus WONDER WOMAN: REBIRTH #1.