Retelling an origin is hacky and overdone, especially in DC's world of twice-per-decade reboots - however, Rucka is very very good at his job and putting him in a place to show the earliest steps of what will become his understanding of the character in the present is very refreshing. Diana has a refreshing combination of naivete and charm but this combination of earnestness and power that comes from high-tier herodom (parenthetical; it's been too damned long since Rucka has had a crack at the Superfamily). Steve Trevor and proto-The Cheetah Barb Cavendish come across as fully formed before they become what they are under the later status quo. There's some fun action and dragon ball-fights with deities but most of the entertainment comes from Di as the stranger in strange land.

Verdict: Classic. It's hard to make any claim that this will become definitive for Diana as a character going forward, but it will represent a high-water mark for the characterization for me personally.

So far I am really enjoying the DC Rebirth Wonder Woman. After spending the whole first volume retconning her story we now get back to what got her to be in the human world unable to get back to Themiscyra. If you want a comic version of the Wonder Woman movie but in the modern era, you will find that here. Plus the art is gorgeous!

'Wonder Woman Vol. 2: Year One' by Greg Rucka with illustrations by Nicola Scott and Bilquis Everly collects even numbered issues 2-14 of the DC Rebirth series.

This story tells about the first year of Wonder Woman as Earth's protector, but before that, there is some backstory to take care of. We see Diana's early childhood on Themyscira and in alternating panels how her life and Steve Trevor's seemed to have some parallels. When Steve Trevor crashes on the island and is the only survivor of his plane, a decision has to be made to send someone. Diana is a bit of a fish out of water at first, but is a fast study. With Steve, Etta Candy and Dr. Minerva helping her out, she has found a solid team.

The book also includes a back up story about Dr. Minerva. There is a flashback to her childhood, then a search in the present for something involving the Amazons.

It's another origin type story, and it fits in a bit with the recent movie and other origins I've read. Did we need another origin for this character? There have been so many over the years, so why not. The art is good, and there is a cover gallery showing alternate covers for these issues.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from DC Entertainment and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.

I'm quite new to the DC universe and all of what I know about it is due to the movies. I've only recently begun reading their graphic novels and comics which I LOVE. When I saw DC had put some titles on Netgalley for members to request, I immediately jumped at the chance! I'm so excited to learn more about all the wonderful characters I now realise I know so little about and I'm so excited to go on extraordinary adventures with these fantastic heroes. Here's my first graphic novel review ever – and it definitely won't be my last!

I LOVED this graphic novel. I've read several Batman graphic novels over the past few months and I've read several single issues featuring a variety of DC's most-loved superheroes, but I've read a minuscule amount of Wonder Woman graphic novels. Those that I have read haven't blown me away and made me wonder if the character I'd imagined her to be in my head all these years, wasn't the same as her character represented in the comics. However, Wonder Woman: Year One gifted me with the Wonder Woman I had always imagined her to be. Strong and powerful with a touch of vulnerability that made her that much more relatable – and lovable.

I absolutely loved how Diana was represented in this book. I've read several issues of various Wonder Woman storylines that haven't portrayed her character in the greatest light. This novel captured her strength, her wisdom, her abundant eagerness and most importantly her kindness, her pursuit for truth and justice and her compassion perfectly. Her thirst for knowledge, her empathetic nature and her gentleness features prominently and I think that's what I loved most about this installment – how marvelously they managed to illustrate that one can have immense strength and power whilst simultaneously maintaining a caring, empathetic, humble nature and how beautifully all these traits compliment one another.

I also loved Steve Trevor in this book. There have been several comics I've read that have portrayed him as a lustful man, embodied as man's promiscuous thoughts. I appreciated that in this origin story, he wasn't laden with thoughts and comments that only focused on Diana and the other Amazons' bodies. Instead, he showed gratitude – not only to the Amazons for their respect towards Steve and his comrades – but also for Diana's kindness and compassion. He viewed them as equals, admiring them for the right reasons and respecting them. THAT MADE ME HAPPY.

Romance wasn't the central focus and I appreciated that as I read a Wonder Woman graphic novel that was inundated with romance and it got quite frustrating at times! I loved the fact that in Wonder Woman: Year One, Diana's main focus was on trying to familiarise herself with our world and protect Earth and its humans from doom and disaster and not on romance - she got her priorities right! I also loved Steve and Diana's relationship that was filled with loyalty, care and kindness - it was so sweet!

I also liked the other relationships that were explored in Year One. Diana's relationship with her mother was beautifully illustrated, their care and love for one another radiated off of the pages. I also loved the relationship between Diana, Barbara Minerva and Etta Candy. It was fuelled with enlightening one another and looking out for one another. It was great seeing females empowering each other!

The artwork is utterly magnificent and inspired me to work on my own art in hopes that one day I could create something half as beautiful as the illustrations in Year One. There were several pages that had me completely enraptured, drinking in every detail. It's seriously stunning.

The plot wasn't the most exciting, the stakes weren't that high and the villains were defeated fairly easily. However, that didn't detract from my enjoyment as I was too in awe of the beautifully written characters and the breathtaking art. The fight scenes – although not terribly exciting – were drawn so beautifully I didn't want to remove my eyes from the pages.

Wonder Woman: Year One is a gorgeous retelling of Wonder Woman's origin story that captured her strength, compassion and gentleness in the most wonderful way! With a variety of incredibly smart female characters that empower one another, a love interest that views women as equals and illustrations that are out-of-this-world beautiful – Wonder Woman: Year One is a must read!

Yet another origin story that has been updated for another generation. Greg Rucka brings fresh ideas to an age old story. As usual the book is beautifully drawn and our heroine has never looked better.

A retelling for the present age of the origin of Wonder Woman. Includes Steve Trevor's plane crash, Princess Diana's choice, the invisible plane, the Lasso of Truth, plus a really nasty foe. Overall, a good "Rebirth" tale that reminds present day readers of Wonder Woman's history with tweaks. Also include a back story on Dr. Barbara Ann Minerva's obsession with the Amazons.

In my review of Vol 1 I said the story was a little confusing as Wonder Woman herself was trying to merge the various storylines and find who she really was, which version was real. Well, then be prepared to go back in time, and once again read her origin story.

On an isle of only woman a plane crashes and brings forth it’s first man, Steve. Diana, as she is known in her world, is sent from her world to return Steve and the bodies of his comrades to his home. She is also sent to be the defender of Steve’s people. We see her first battles, and grow with her as she discovers her powers.

While much of the story seems like a new dose of the same cough medicine, there are new parts to love and hate. It brings the timeline forward to a world of guns, explosives, and suicide bombers. But it leaves behind the invisible plane and instead gives WW the ability to fly. I don’t care for this aspect of her powers, but overall I like the direction of the new story line so far. We shall see if this keeps up for Vol 3.

Rucka is courageous as he creates a new beginning for Wonder Woman. With the loss of her homeland, Wonder Woman must decide if her homeland is real or a myth. A terrific fleshing out of a character that has finally come into her own. Excited to see where this series goes!

This is the second volume of Rucka's Wonder Woman, and it basically starts over without reference to the first volume. Initially, this threw me off, but given where the first volume left off, I think this backtracking will tie back to it eventually.

This is an origin story for Wonder Woman, and I really enjoyed some of the personal details about Diana's studies, life, and relationships when she lived in Themyscira. Unlike most of the reviewers, I haven't read a lot of Wonder Woman storylines, so I didn't spend much time comparing it to what I'd read before.

I also don't feel like there's too much to say about this one by itself. There's some really good material here, but it definitely feels like the beginning of something larger. The complete storyline that is contained within the book leaves more questions than answers, although I love how involved the gods were with Wonder Woman's abilities and intentions. The story has a good flow to it. I think Greg Rucka is doing well with an old favorite right now. And I'm still loving the art in this series! There's beauty and variety, but also consistency and sense. I have so many questions propelling me toward the next volume!

Solid story, great artwork, though the layouts get pedantic after we leave Diana's home island. Good stuff.

ARC from Netgalley.
A very well written and explained origin story for Wonder Woman. It is set over a much longer time period and has Diana meeting Steve in a very modern day setting, but the addition of a language barrier, and the subtle hints of Diana's (always thought of, yet never mentioned) bisexuality make this tale very modernized and will resonate stronger with modern readers.

It is obvious to me now why these even numbered issues were pulled to remain separate from "The Lies" storyline. In the previous Volume, we have a very current day (in the Rebirth DCU) and meta Diana story about the truth behind her actual origins. Yet in "Year One", the feel is very straightforward and basic, while still remaining entertaining and engaging. I do like the dichotomy, and may re-read the first two Volumes in the their true published order to see if the opposing stories help solidify the other.

Really interested in the next Volume, "The Truth". How will these stories pan out for Diana? Will she have a huge role in the DC storyline "Doomsday Clock"?

Recommend, especially for anyone who enjoyed the recent film.

When I read the first volume of Greg Rucka's Wonder Woman I liked it, but I wasn't in love with it. THIS I LOVED. It filled in the missing pieces of Volume 1, and gave more context to Diana and her story. I've listened to a few interviews with Rucka about his vision for Wonder Woman, and I can't wait to keep reading the series and see where it goes next! This was a great origin story and a good setup for the rest of the story!

Wonder Woman: Year One is an origin that reflects these characters best selves, with all the more pure and tragic motivations now for Diana, her mother Hippolyta, and the other gathered Amazons especially. We have lacked a clear Wonder Woman origin for almost a decade now, not just for the New 52 but since Infinite Crisis, so the fact that we actually have one at all is something of a welcome miracle.

DC knew what they were doing when they did a Year One story for Volume 2 to coincide with the Wonder Woman movie that also has an origin/year one story. I have loved reading Wonder Woman but have missed a few during New 52. I will catch up at some point but for now I am trying to keep up with Rebirth and not miss a thing. Thanks to NetGalley and DC Comics I was able to read this for an honest review. I fell down on my reading a bit so I am a bit late getting this review up but I'm back and ready to read.

Greg Rucka is a great writer and I have loved his stories in the past. This one just wasn't my favorite. I really liked Vol 1 of Wonder Woman. Diana is dealing with conflicting memories of her origin and has partnered up with Cheetah to take down a demon. It had a really goo start to a larger story line and then it was a bit unsettling to interrupt that with a Year One story. I'm not saying this isn't a good book, just that the timing on this book was a little poor. It is great that it came out with the release of the movie, but here I got all excited to continue on with what I read in Vol 1 only to go backwards and move away from that story.

We still got a very good Wonder Woman story it was just out of place for me. Instead we get to see Diana train to become the champion of the Amazons. We get to see her meeting with Steve Trevor and the tough decision to leave everything behind to help save the world of Man and stop Ares from his torment over mankind.

Ares is impressive and I always enjoy the stories he is in. I feel like I am being a little unfair on this book just because it didn't really fit in with what my expectations were. I give this book 3 out of 5 stars, I still look forward to getting to vol 3 now that the year one story has been done I hope to get back to the now.

I liked that it was a different twist to the Wonder Woman origin story line, but also very similar. Diana had to win a tournament to prove her worth and Steve Trevor crash landed on Themyscera. The plot was unique and refreshing that was closely related to what's going on around the world today. I did find it a bit confusing with the pictures that led up to the main plot because it seemed a bit random.

Wonder Woman gets retconned again. The new origin takes a lot of the elements of George Perez's version of WW's origin but with better storytelling. Diana leaves Themyscira to take Steve Trevor back to the outside world. Because she doesn't speak any English, Dr. Minerva is brought into communicate with her. I loved this addition to the supporting cast. I really liked enjoyed Minerva and Diana becoming friends when you know she will eventually become Cheetah. Rucka does a wonderful job of writing Diana as someone experiencing modern society for the first time. The Gods show up in animal form to grant Diana her powers. I'm curious how Rucka will integrate this take on the Gods with Azzarello's surreal take since both stories are still set in the new 52. Wonder Woman first appears in public when terrorists attack a mall she's visiting. Nicola Scott's art really shines here. I love how she portrays Wonder Woman's powers in the action scenes. It's absolutely fantastic. The only let down in the book to me was when she fought Ares. There was this big build up for him and then he's defeated in no time. It would have worked better if we built up to him over a few story arcs. The last issue was a stand alone story from Dr. Minerva's past.

Liked this but didn't love it. Artwork eas amazing and the cover gallery was fun to see. I particularly liked the gods as animals. Would read more of this series.

The second volume of Greg Rucka’s popular Wonder Woman: Rebirth run collects the even numbered issues that comprise the Year One storyline, illustrated by Nicola Scott and Bilquis Evely. I admit, even though Rucka is a franchise veteran, I was concerned when DC put another male writer at the helm of a strong female title, especially considering the backlash they faced with the choice of writers on the film. Retooling Diana’s origins wouldn’t be an easy task, and I was afraid DC was poised to miss the mark on revamping Wonder Woman’s image. But by Wonder Woman #2 Rucka had really set the tone for what he wanted to do with the character. Shedding light on the truth of who she is and what she represents was quickly established as the driving force of the series, and each thread in the web of lies leads back to Year One.

In Wonder Woman: Rebirth Rucka manages to deliver two tandem storylines, simultaneously establishing Wonder Woman’s true origins in Year One and dismantling the inconsistencies in her character, remnants of countless reboots, in The Lies (which is collected in Volume 1). Initially both could be read separately as Rucka focuses on laying the groundwork in the opening issues, but eventually the loose threads from one are picked up in the other. He weaves a strong narrative that aims to detangle the Gordian Knot that is Diana’s origin by diving head first into its heart, instead of just cutting the cord. Rucka questions everything we knew about Wonder Woman through the lens of her self discovery and empowerment. It’s honestly a refreshing read and is certainly my favorite Rebirth title. Both storylines are solid and they really fill each other out, but from the get go I’ve been more partial to Year One as I felt it offered a more consistent throughline and bigger payoff than The Lies.

Maybe it’s the air of anticipation building up for the new Wonder Woman film, but going back to her true roots felt almost therapeutic in our current climate of misinformation and distrust. Even though the story mainly tackles the theme of deception in The Lies, it’s in Year One that the cloud of doubt is lifted and we get to see Diana’s true character. Her integrity, her strength, her resolve as she fights for the honour of being the champion of Themyscira, to leave her home forever to protect the outside world. It isn’t until her climactic fight with Ares in the final leg of the story, which echoes the shattered image of herself as the God of War early in The Lies, that we truly understand the piece of herself that Diana has sacrificed.

I’ve always loved the mythology in Wonder Woman, and Year One is precisely what Diana’s origin always should have been. It feels true, it feels authentic. Rucka takes an honest approach at depicting the society of fierce and loyal Amazons in which Diana was raised and doesn’t tip toe around establishing her as a queer character (which he later confirms in an interview with Comicosity, not that it needed confirming.) Rucka also takes a lens to our own society through Diana’s fresh eyes by revisiting origin story staples, such as taking her out to a shopping district, where this time she uncomfortably eyes the foreign representations of modern-day femininity that surround her. Rucka isn’t hitting the reader over the head with it, but unlike many of his peers, he knows how to keep his footing when writing a strong female lead. Though there were a few encounters with Steve that screamed out to the straight female audience a little too loudly in my opinion.

Nicola Scott simply blew me away in Year One, her depiction of Diana is so wonderfully authentic. Her aquiline nose, her long face, her muscular frame; she is every inch an Amazonian princess. As Diana tests the limits of her new powers, gifted to her by her patron gods, Scott puts her raw power, agility, and grace on the page. Her fight with Ares featured some particularly stunning spreads. The “Interlude” issue illustrated by Evely was placed at the end, despite being published midway through the run. This is likely because the series was handed off to Evely as Scott finished up Year One, so this works as a better transition when the next volumes are released. It’s a wonderful little issue that plants a few narrative seeds and really gives a richer backstory to Barbara Ann’s character, who rivals Diana’s strong presence on the page with her own compelling character arc. It’s almost like a mini-Year One issue, and Evely’s rendering of Barbara Ann as a roguish and fervent archaeologist is my favourite yet!

The Verdict
Buy it! You should be reading this title. Right now. Seriously. Though I do prefer Wonder Woman Vol. 2: Year One to The Lies, they are kind of a package deal. You can certainly get away with only reading Year One, but the reverse isn’t completely true. Even though The Lies was collected in the first volume, it relies on some key plot points revealed in the flashback storyline to fill in the narrative gaps. So whether you’re coming off the first volume or simply interested in a solid Wonder Woman origin story, you should absolutely be looking to pick up Year One this week!

Greg Rucka and Nicola Scott have returned with Wonder Woman Vol 2: Year One. With the island of the Amazons breached by a mission from Americans trying to stop a terrorist attack, Diana enters the world to be a great protector. Ares is stirring and his effect is terrifying. Will Diana be able to protect those who she's come to be fascinated by with new found gifts from the gods?

Wonder Woman Vol 2: Year One is delightfully fun and highly enjoyable. It collects issues #2, 4, 6, 8,10, 12, and 14. This collection puts a modern twist on Wonder Woman with a modern setting. I absolutely love Diana's interactions with animal representations of famous gods, and Doctor Barbara Ann Minerva is my new favorite character. Need someone human to cosplay who is part Indiana Jones and completely badass? Barbara Ann.

While I rarely find myself interested with the variant covers, I most highly recommend spending some time going through these incredible images.

Wonder Woman Vol 2: Year One is now available from DC Comics.