Wonder Woman: Who is Wonder Woman?

Title: Wonder Woman: Who is Wonder Woman?
Author: Allen Heinberg
Illustrator: Terry Dodson, Rachel Dodson, Alex Sinclair, et. al.
Publisher: DC Comics
Copyright: 2006/2007
Price: $14.99
ISBN: 978-1-4012-1234-6
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Summary and Quick Thoughts: This is Wonder Woman as you have never seen her before. Seriously. Gone is the weak, female super hero who trailed behind Batman and Superman. Instead, Wonder Woman, aka Diana, is forced to face hard facts about herself and what it means to be Wonder Woman. Readers do not need to know the events of the story Infinite Crisis to know that Wonder Woman is attempting to live as a human and stay under the radar until her actions are forgiven. Unfortunately for Diana, Circe is looking for her and will do anything to get her, especially if it means baiting her with her own assistants: Donna Troy and Wonder Girl. This trade collects issues #1 to 4 of the Wonder Woman comics.
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Recommended Audience: Mature teens; adults
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Things to be aware of: Some cleavage.
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Further Thoughts: I actually read this one after reading the second volume and I have to say, you can pretty much read the first three out of order (which I did). There is enough story in here that if you did know or didn’t know of Wonder Woman’s lackluster history (she was pretty wimpy most of the time as the introduction suggests) you won’t care. Wonder Woman is now the awesome hero she was always meant to be. The comic is now a possible platform for women’s rights. Her attitude and her need to discover who she is kept me glued to the pages wanting to know what happens next. My only qualm is that Wonder Woman is still in the traditional outfit she has always been, but at least when she dons a normal suit, it is not busty or over-sexualized at least (pants instead of mini-skirt, woo!). As a female reader, I’m happy to enjoy these stories. I’m glad that the artists of these volumes don’t make her voluptuous, only slightly busty, but mostly normal. Yes, there are still body suits, cleavage, and such, but not enough to turn this female reader off (who uses the 1980s Catwoman as an example of over-sexualized women in comics). The writers have even given Diana a formidable match in her partner in her undercover job, although, he is conveniently gone when she transforms into Wonder Woman.
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Bonus: Bonus art, Intro by Brian K. Vaughan

Source:  Library copy.

The Little Endless Storybook

Title: The Endless Storybook
Author: Jill Thompson
Illustrator: Jill Thompson
Publisher: DC Comics (Vertigo)
Copyright: 2001/2004
Price: $9.95
ISBN: 1-4012-0428-7
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Summary and Quick Thoughts: Delirium has a puppy, named Barnabas, and together they have adventures (well, as much as Delirium can have adventures I think). As she goes off to play, so does her puppy and suddenly, both realize the other is lost. So begins Barnabas’s journey to find Delirium since he is her playmate and also her protector. Barnabas’s journey takes him to the homes of the other Endless siblings who offer advice and a charm, but will that help him find Delirium? Based on Neil Gaiman’s Sandman characters, this story book tells a single story from Delirium’s childhood for fans to enjoy and go “awww.”
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Recommended Audience: Adults (book recommends “mature”)
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Things to be aware of: Nothing
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Further Thoughts: Yes, this is a spinoff from the popular Sandman stories written by the fantastic Neil Gaiman (Newbery winner of The Graveyard Book). Jill Thompson has worked with Gaiman and crafted the “chibi” style and Dream’s family as children. Simply put, this is a delightful, fun and cute tale illustrated with what looks to be line art and water colors. I will admit, I didn’t know what to expect from this little story, but was happy to find a fun, sweet-hearted tale of crazy little Delirium and her siblings. The only side-note I have to offer is that this isn’t exactly a graphic novel. It is more of an illustrated story as there is a story on one page and an illustration on the other page. It is best placed with graphic novels so that Sandman fans can find it, although fans who want to read it will find it one way or another. I found it by browsing the graphic novel section of the library. This title is a must-read for Sandman fans and a story that helps to broaden the story realm of The Endless.
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Bonus: I’m posting this now because I remember coming across Delirium’s further adventures with her sister. The latest Little Endless Storybook was recently highlighted in a review journal (I can’t remember which! Sorry. I read VOYA, Kirkus, and School Library Journal so it was one of those three in the last two months).

Source: Library copy.

Christmas Gifts and Musings

Things have been crazy. I didn't realize my last update was in October. My thought was the last update was in November sometime. A lot happened in November.

What has happened since that last update? Well, in the whirlwind that was the end of October I made a professional move from teen services to all youth services, changed libraries, changed counties, got an apartment with the Philosopher Musician, moved (am still moving stuff over), and found myself basically being an adult. All in the span of about two weeks. It was impressive. It has been a great move.

Now, according to last week or so, I finished grad school. Yes, I'm done (with a few exceptions). I can focus on my life again, whatever that is. One thing I've discovered as of late is that I'm a gamer. Yes, a video gamer. I purchased a Red Nintendo Wii (anytime I can get a red electronic, I do) which came with the awesome Super Mario Bros Wii. We lucked into a cheap, working Xbox and picked up a few games for that. I was getting into Steam again until my old computer tower (at least 10 years old) decided it wasn't going to see the Slave Drive. SimCity 4 was just on sale (I "have" it, but can't play it). The Netbook is just not good for gaming.

That's where I'm at and what I've been up to. The Philosopher Musician is coming on as a full partner here when we can get focus.
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For the goodies! For Christmas, The Philosopher Musician got me...COMICS! (I had figured out one of these things because he said he looked at my comic collection! HA!)

Ruse Issue 16, which I may or may not have all ready. Catwoman Issue 2 since I have number 1!

Catwoman Issues 25 and 34. Filling in some story arcs. Very well done.

YES YES YES YES. The store, he says, was surprised they even had this one! One of the few that I willingly own the Issues AND the book. :)

My apologies for the bad pictures. My camera took a dive a few weeks ago (it rattles) so these were taken with a cheaper camera.

I got him Axe Cop vol. 1 for Christmas which we're both pretty excited for.

Life is good.