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Wonder Woman
Wonder Woman: The Hiketeia
When Danielle Wellys invokes the ritual of Hiketeia, Wonder Woman takes her on as student and servant and, by the laws of the gods, must protect her even against Batman, who wishes to bring Danielle to justice for past crimes.
94 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 2002
16 people are currently reading
2048 people want to read
About the author
Greg Rucka
1,504 books1,927 followersGreg Rucka, is an American comic book writer and novelist, known for his work on such comics as Action Comics, Batwoman: Detective Comics, and the miniseries Superman: World of New Krypton for DC Comics, and for novels such as his Queen & Country series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 407 reviews
October 23, 2015
(I totally love that image)
The Hiketeia is an ancient Greek ritual that bonds the master and servant in a relationship of mutual respect and servitude.
Danielle Wellys shows up and asks for Hiketeia with Wonder Woman/Diana. Wonder Woman is of course curious that an ancient custom is known must less practiced. She accepts the Hiketeia.
Then Batman shows up hunting her ward.
Under the bond no harm may come to her ward...so Wonder Woman kicks some Batman booty.
She is also being watched by some Greek weirdos that no one wants to mess with.
Wonder Woman knows that Wellys is hiding from something but she doesn't want to force her to tell her secrets.
This was one of the best comic/graphic novels that I've read! I love Wonder Woman but this one was especially well done. The art is some of the best and the story didn't try to make it into five million sequels like so many of them do. It didn't throw in tons of characters either. (I hate that crap) It just told the story and it was phenomenal.
Bookwraith's review is in agreement and he has read a ton more of these books than I have. So maybe I actually didn't read this one wrong?
June 5, 2017
A winning graphic novel in a no-win situation!
Creative Team:
Writer: Greg Rucka
Illustrator: J.G. Jones
LAW V. HONOR: DAWN OF A NO-WIN SCENARIO
Don’t get up...
...is the order that gives Wonder Woman to Batman, while he lies beaten on the ground and with her boot on his head.
It's Wonder Woman against The Batman, when a girl asks for help, putting the two superheroes on opposite sides of a conflict about honor against the law.
Danielle Wellys is wanted by GCPD for various murders and The Batman is on the case. Wellys is well versed in Ancient Greek culture, and having The Dark Knight chasing her, she is forced to put into use that said knowledge to pledge “The Hiketeia”, an ancient ritual for sanctuary that Wonder Woman knows well and she decides to honor.
Behind the murders made by Wellys there are more than meets the eye, but Batman is focused in that she is a murderer, not matter the reason behind that.
Wonder Woman is getting a slow way Welly’s story, but that doesn’t matter, since in any case “The Hiketeia” was called, and Wonder Woman honored it, so she will protect Wellys not matter what even if The Batman appears to arrest her.
NEVER TOO MUCH WORK FOR SPACE TO HONOR
Wonder Woman is a very busy person at that moment, she is Ambassador of Themyscira Island, with tons of political duties and meetings due that; she’s is protector of New York City; and also she is an active member of the Justice League, how can she manage all that? Easy, she is a woman.
Wonder Woman has a tight schedule, but she accepted the Hiketeia’s pledge from Danielle Wellys, so not matter how busy is Wonder Woman’s everyday, she’ll honor the sanctuary oath and do everything in her power to protect Wellys from anything even The Batman.
HOW GOOD IS REALLY BATMAN IN A REAL FIGHT?
It’s well known that Batman is one of the best hand-to-hand fighter and a master strategist, and nobody can beat the Dark Knight, but…
…is really true?
Let’s see some of his most memorable duels:
Superman in The Dark Knight Returns: While many fans would think that Batman beat Superman, it’s clear that the Man of Steel wasn’t looking to kill Batman and he tried to dialogue with the Dark Knight, and even at the end, Superman found out Batman’s plan and he remained silent.
The Joker never has wanted to kill Batman, even he had him knocked out and with a loaded gun at his head, and The Joker opted to spare him since it was so much fun to have Batman around.
Ra’s al Ghul discovered all Batman’s secrets and he could crush him in both grounds as Batman and Bruce Wayne, but Ra’s respects him so much, wishing to pass his own organization to the detective that he wouldn’t tried to kill him.
The Court of Owls trapped him for weeks in a demential maze, but it was clear that Batman was a valuable asset to the Court in their plans of keeping under control Gotham City.
And even here, on The Hiketeia while Wonder Woman won’t let Batman to take Danielle into police custody, it’s clear that she isn’t looking to kill Batman.
But what happened when Bane, a guy not so dumb as many people think he is, but neither is an enemy of the status of The Joker or Ra’s al Ghul, nor has the resources as The Court of Owls, or even as powerful as Superman or Wonder Woman, but clearly determined to really beat Batman?
Easy… Batman got his back broken.
And don’t get mistaken, I’m a fan of Batman. You can’t imagine how many comic books and reference books I’ve bought about this character, all movies in blu-ray (previously on dvd too) even having some action figures. However, I’m not blind (as a bat), and I know that Batman, not matter how good he is in hand-to-hand battle and master strategist, he has been real lucky that many of his most powerful opponents, they didn’t really want him dead.
DON'T GET UP
So, if you read The Hiketeia, very likely, you wouldn expect a better fight between Batman and Wonder Woman, but that’s not the point of the story, and again, Batman was again lucky that Wonder Woman didn’t want him dead…
…just don’t get up.
Since, trust me, Princess Diana of Themyscira, armed with deity-related weapons and trained for centuries for war; she doesn’t have the moral issues of Superman and Batman about killing an opponent, so don’t test her…
…of you won’t live another day.
She is WONDER WOMAN.
Creative Team:
Writer: Greg Rucka
Illustrator: J.G. Jones
LAW V. HONOR: DAWN OF A NO-WIN SCENARIO
Don’t get up...
...is the order that gives Wonder Woman to Batman, while he lies beaten on the ground and with her boot on his head.
It's Wonder Woman against The Batman, when a girl asks for help, putting the two superheroes on opposite sides of a conflict about honor against the law.
Danielle Wellys is wanted by GCPD for various murders and The Batman is on the case. Wellys is well versed in Ancient Greek culture, and having The Dark Knight chasing her, she is forced to put into use that said knowledge to pledge “The Hiketeia”, an ancient ritual for sanctuary that Wonder Woman knows well and she decides to honor.
Behind the murders made by Wellys there are more than meets the eye, but Batman is focused in that she is a murderer, not matter the reason behind that.
Wonder Woman is getting a slow way Welly’s story, but that doesn’t matter, since in any case “The Hiketeia” was called, and Wonder Woman honored it, so she will protect Wellys not matter what even if The Batman appears to arrest her.
NEVER TOO MUCH WORK FOR SPACE TO HONOR
Wonder Woman is a very busy person at that moment, she is Ambassador of Themyscira Island, with tons of political duties and meetings due that; she’s is protector of New York City; and also she is an active member of the Justice League, how can she manage all that? Easy, she is a woman.
Wonder Woman has a tight schedule, but she accepted the Hiketeia’s pledge from Danielle Wellys, so not matter how busy is Wonder Woman’s everyday, she’ll honor the sanctuary oath and do everything in her power to protect Wellys from anything even The Batman.
HOW GOOD IS REALLY BATMAN IN A REAL FIGHT?
It’s well known that Batman is one of the best hand-to-hand fighter and a master strategist, and nobody can beat the Dark Knight, but…
…is really true?
Let’s see some of his most memorable duels:
Superman in The Dark Knight Returns: While many fans would think that Batman beat Superman, it’s clear that the Man of Steel wasn’t looking to kill Batman and he tried to dialogue with the Dark Knight, and even at the end, Superman found out Batman’s plan and he remained silent.
The Joker never has wanted to kill Batman, even he had him knocked out and with a loaded gun at his head, and The Joker opted to spare him since it was so much fun to have Batman around.
Ra’s al Ghul discovered all Batman’s secrets and he could crush him in both grounds as Batman and Bruce Wayne, but Ra’s respects him so much, wishing to pass his own organization to the detective that he wouldn’t tried to kill him.
The Court of Owls trapped him for weeks in a demential maze, but it was clear that Batman was a valuable asset to the Court in their plans of keeping under control Gotham City.
And even here, on The Hiketeia while Wonder Woman won’t let Batman to take Danielle into police custody, it’s clear that she isn’t looking to kill Batman.
But what happened when Bane, a guy not so dumb as many people think he is, but neither is an enemy of the status of The Joker or Ra’s al Ghul, nor has the resources as The Court of Owls, or even as powerful as Superman or Wonder Woman, but clearly determined to really beat Batman?
Easy… Batman got his back broken.
And don’t get mistaken, I’m a fan of Batman. You can’t imagine how many comic books and reference books I’ve bought about this character, all movies in blu-ray (previously on dvd too) even having some action figures. However, I’m not blind (as a bat), and I know that Batman, not matter how good he is in hand-to-hand battle and master strategist, he has been real lucky that many of his most powerful opponents, they didn’t really want him dead.
DON'T GET UP
So, if you read The Hiketeia, very likely, you wouldn expect a better fight between Batman and Wonder Woman, but that’s not the point of the story, and again, Batman was again lucky that Wonder Woman didn’t want him dead…
…just don’t get up.
Since, trust me, Princess Diana of Themyscira, armed with deity-related weapons and trained for centuries for war; she doesn’t have the moral issues of Superman and Batman about killing an opponent, so don’t test her…
…of you won’t live another day.
She is WONDER WOMAN.
December 31, 2025
A DC classic - the tension between two opposing concepts of duty and justice is palpable. One of the briefest (and most decisive) fights between two comic icons - ever (just look at the cover) - and you can see that Bats is WAY above his weight class here! Fantastic story and amazing art makes this GN a favorite of mine.
September 16, 2010
The story itself is short and...well, not sweet. After all, it is a Greek tragedy. Still, this story is a great example of why Wonder Woman is such an icon. The art is gorgeous, by the way!
December 30, 2016
I realize I am in the minority here, but the ways in which Wonder Woman: The Hiketeia tackles serious topics such as sexual assault, sexual slavery, drug abuse and suicide felt formulaic, cheesy, exploitative, and ultimately inadequate to me.
February 10, 2012
You could consider this Greg Rucka's audition for the job of regular Wonder Woman writer. After reading The Hiketeia, it was a foregone conclusion that he'd get it eventually.
I first read this book right after it first came out. It was getting a lot of buzz, for the Batman vs. Wonder Woman showdown, for the plot borrowing from (somewhat fictionalized) ancient Greek customs, for that awesome cover, but mostly for being a really good Wonder Woman story. It's all true.
There's a grim inevitability that haunts the story from the first panel. Diana herself points it out: tragedies are set in stone before they even really begin. And so it is here. From the moment that Danielle requests her protection, the rest of the story is written. Diana could have denied her, yes, but why would she? Danielle was a woman in need of help, and Diana is Wonder Woman. And so that sets up the conflict between doing the right thing, doing the just thing, doing the honorable thing, and which is which.
The story mostly works on that deeper level, but there's plenty of action, too. Mostly in the form of Wonder Woman taking down Batman. Satisfying, even if Batman's side in the argument is at least as sympathetic as Diana's.
The art was, for the most part, lovely. I liked the mosaic elements that were scattered through the book. I also can't say enough good about that cover, which quotes a panel near the end of the book.
Wonder Woman is a hero that I want very much to love, but I don't really know where to begin with her. This is as good of a place as any, maybe even one of the best.
I first read this book right after it first came out. It was getting a lot of buzz, for the Batman vs. Wonder Woman showdown, for the plot borrowing from (somewhat fictionalized) ancient Greek customs, for that awesome cover, but mostly for being a really good Wonder Woman story. It's all true.
There's a grim inevitability that haunts the story from the first panel. Diana herself points it out: tragedies are set in stone before they even really begin. And so it is here. From the moment that Danielle requests her protection, the rest of the story is written. Diana could have denied her, yes, but why would she? Danielle was a woman in need of help, and Diana is Wonder Woman. And so that sets up the conflict between doing the right thing, doing the just thing, doing the honorable thing, and which is which.
The story mostly works on that deeper level, but there's plenty of action, too. Mostly in the form of Wonder Woman taking down Batman. Satisfying, even if Batman's side in the argument is at least as sympathetic as Diana's.
The art was, for the most part, lovely. I liked the mosaic elements that were scattered through the book. I also can't say enough good about that cover, which quotes a panel near the end of the book.
Wonder Woman is a hero that I want very much to love, but I don't really know where to begin with her. This is as good of a place as any, maybe even one of the best.
January 23, 2019
Wonder bloody shrimping Woman, I am most officially giving up on you. I failed to succumb to your Supposedly Irresistible Super Heroine Wiles (SISHW™) despite Wondrous Mr Rucka's intervention, ergo hope for me there is no more, seems like. So I think I'll just stick to my Kick Ass Rucka Chicks (KARC™) Forever Carlyle and Rowan Black from now on. At least they know how to behave in society, and refrain from displaying their generous cleavages and shapely derrieres full frame every chance they get, like someone I shall not name out of common decency and stuff.
Such delightful sights indeed.
P.S. By the way, Wonder Gurl, Miss Piggy's got nothing on you, just so you know.
Such delightful sights indeed.
P.S. By the way, Wonder Gurl, Miss Piggy's got nothing on you, just so you know.
April 1, 2022
A rare pairing when it comes to confrontation, the actual conflict is a bit of a let down. It's more of a clash of moral duties that amounts to nothing more than a few pages of punching than an actual feud. That being said, it's an interesting premise with pretty on point characterisations. Given a few more pages to flesh itself out, this could have been amazing rather than just good.
October 10, 2014
Bullet Review:
Probably the best damn Wonder Woman comic I've had the pleasure to read. GORRAM is this good!! WW is in PERFECT form, the story is SUPERB, art is great and Batman makes a GREAT unlikely foil.
Rucka is quickly becoming a fav.
Probably the best damn Wonder Woman comic I've had the pleasure to read. GORRAM is this good!! WW is in PERFECT form, the story is SUPERB, art is great and Batman makes a GREAT unlikely foil.
Rucka is quickly becoming a fav.
December 2, 2017
Does this image make you super excited to read The Hiketeia? Excited to see a Batman vs. Wonder Woman smackdown where the Amazon hands Batman's ass to him? Yea well, don't expect much of that here. Hiketeia is such a disappointment and a book full of missed opportunities. But it seems like I'm in the minority with that opinion.
It has a premise full of so much promise. A desperate woman pleads with Diana for her protection, evoking the ancient ritual of Hiketeia, where the protector is bound by oath to protect the supplicant no matter what. Unfortunately, the woman is being hunted by the Batman of Gotham City to pay for her crimes there, pitting the two morally unshakeable heroes against one another. This could have been a wonderful story, providing a very good reason to see these two duke it out. Both Bruce and Diana are dogged in their sense of duty and it would be interesting to see their values at odds.
But the big mistep here is introducing a group of demon ladies that protect the sanctity of Hiketeia and will kill Diana if she breaks the oath. This completely took away all of the interesting tension and made for a way less compelling story by making the conflict less about Diana's commitment to honor bumping up against Bruce's commitment to justice and more about Wonder Woman trying not to get eaten by these random-ass obnoxious demon ladies. Not only that, but Batman is only in about 5% of the whole book, so don't expect the knock down fight that the premise and cover promises.
This could've easily been awesome and really could've really highlighted both of the characters and what. makes them tick, but instead it's rather disposable.
November 7, 2016
The ritual of Hiketeia is one of supplication, servitude and protection. Diana finds herself in a tricky situation with Batman on one side, the furies on another, and the life of a young girl in the balance. Quick but not easy read, with beautiful art throughout.
February 28, 2017
Very good! So quite often, we see Superman and Batman go head to head for whatever reason, but very rarely do we see Batman and Wonder Woman fight, this one being one of the few! So the story is of a Woman named Danielle who has murdered several men which has gotten Batman's attention; needing protection she performs Hiketeia, an ancient Greek custom, which bounds Wonder Woman as her protector; that's as you can imagine how her and Batman fight. Going into this it was not what I was expecting, Danielle is very interesting character, and you learn why she did what she did. and you almost want her to be safe! Diana is how she should be really, loving and caring, while still not taking shit from anyone, especially not Batman; and Batman as usual doesn't give a fuck, she broke the law, and that's enough for him to go head to head with Demigod! Overall this was a short, but surprisingly very good Wonder Woman story, which I will definitely be on the look out for a physical copy!
July 7, 2016
For something that was less than 100 pages, this really packed a punch.
There's a good bit of ancient Greek history and mythology in this, which makes it more interesting. They explain what hiketeia is and how this young woman Danny (who idolizes Wonder Woman) uses it after she goes on a rampage to avenge her younger sister's death at the hands of a form of sex trafficking. Batman is out to hand Danny to the authorities but Wonder Woman can't let that happen because that would have broken the bond of hiketeia. So she puts Batman in his place (and it was totally awesome, as evidenced by the cover).
I really liked this artwork and the dialogue was strong as were the characters. The plot was very strong, especially because it drew on social issues like sex trafficking and the objectification of women.
There's a good bit of ancient Greek history and mythology in this, which makes it more interesting. They explain what hiketeia is and how this young woman Danny (who idolizes Wonder Woman) uses it after she goes on a rampage to avenge her younger sister's death at the hands of a form of sex trafficking. Batman is out to hand Danny to the authorities but Wonder Woman can't let that happen because that would have broken the bond of hiketeia. So she puts Batman in his place (and it was totally awesome, as evidenced by the cover).
I really liked this artwork and the dialogue was strong as were the characters. The plot was very strong, especially because it drew on social issues like sex trafficking and the objectification of women.
July 10, 2010
For some reason I don't read Wonder Woman regularly, even though she is exactly the kind of character I love best: an unapologetic, strong-willed, opinionated, bad-ass woman. In this comic, a young woman begs for Wonder Woman's protection, and she grants it. WW speaks with a precise, antiquated style that I love, particularly in contrast to the colloquial speech around her. Her life is one of service and duty--and she likes it that way. The demands placed upon her by hospitality and honor place her in direct opposition to Batman. A series of fuck yeah moments ensue. I nearly fist-pumped while reading, but caught myself just in time.
June 5, 2017
If there is one thing that I have learned its that Greg Rucka writes Wonder Woman particularly well. Diana's narration in The Hiketeia is beautiful and engaging. The plot is good and well-paced. And of course, the cover.
Like me, many pick this one up because of the cover. Its hard to imagine a scenario where Wonder Woman would have Batman pinned to the ground. With her boot. To his face. OMG what have my two favorite superheroes gotten themselves into this time?! And as is usual between them, its honor vs the laws. Classic. Do read this to know more. But talking about the boot scene...
In these four words Wonder Woman is telling Batman that he can never win against her. That the only reason he is even alive at this moment is because Diana considers Bruce to be her friend and ally. She is warning him to not test her patience. To bloody stay down. I don't even know how Bruce keeps his wits about him in her presence which, to put it nicely, is very intimidating and majestic. Seriously I would either shit my pants or intermittently deliver some ear-splitting fangirl-shrieking. (which is not the same as just shrieking I must say)
Unfortunately the art was clunky and I didn't like the character designs at all. Its very important to me how the expressions of a character is given life in a graphic novel and here it was a complete disappointment.
Like me, many pick this one up because of the cover. Its hard to imagine a scenario where Wonder Woman would have Batman pinned to the ground. With her boot. To his face. OMG what have my two favorite superheroes gotten themselves into this time?! And as is usual between them, its honor vs the laws. Classic. Do read this to know more. But talking about the boot scene...
…just don’t get up
In these four words Wonder Woman is telling Batman that he can never win against her. That the only reason he is even alive at this moment is because Diana considers Bruce to be her friend and ally. She is warning him to not test her patience. To bloody stay down. I don't even know how Bruce keeps his wits about him in her presence which, to put it nicely, is very intimidating and majestic. Seriously I would either shit my pants or intermittently deliver some ear-splitting fangirl-shrieking. (which is not the same as just shrieking I must say)
Unfortunately the art was clunky and I didn't like the character designs at all. Its very important to me how the expressions of a character is given life in a graphic novel and here it was a complete disappointment.
March 25, 2010
There is something about Wonder Woman. Like Batman and Superman, just looking her sometimes takes my breath away. Of course, those three inspire different feelings each. And with Diana, it's - it's a different kind of awe, one I haven't found a word for yet. Earlier this evening I was reading a single issue of Wonder Woman where women who were victims of physical abuse were talking about how Wonder Woman - just by existing - helped them to stand up for themselves. And when finally you saw her on the page, you just - you get it.
But to talk about this particular story - Greg Rucka uses an ancient Greek ritual to tell a story that results in a conflict between Wonder Woman and Batman, and the inevitability of it all - including the ending - makes it "just like a Greek tragedy". The tragedy, like the hiketeia, I suppose, has its own rules, and I would like to think that ordinarily, Wonder Woman and Batman might have discussed the problem a little longer, but that doesn't matter. This is a very good story, and one that left a deep impression on me.
The art is gorgeous as well, and some of these images - well, let's just say they'll stick with me for some time.
But to talk about this particular story - Greg Rucka uses an ancient Greek ritual to tell a story that results in a conflict between Wonder Woman and Batman, and the inevitability of it all - including the ending - makes it "just like a Greek tragedy". The tragedy, like the hiketeia, I suppose, has its own rules, and I would like to think that ordinarily, Wonder Woman and Batman might have discussed the problem a little longer, but that doesn't matter. This is a very good story, and one that left a deep impression on me.
The art is gorgeous as well, and some of these images - well, let's just say they'll stick with me for some time.
July 20, 2020
Damn I wasn't expecting to really love this but I liked how they gave us a little overview at the start of what a Hiketeia is. But that was powerful and the ending was so sad.
March 1, 2023
I was a little disappointed after reading this graphic novel, because I had very high hopes for it and it just didn't meet my expectations.
A girl is under the protection of Wonder Woman, after partaking a ritual known as Hiketia, which is an honor bound ritual of ancient Greece and Themyscira. But the girl is not an innocent one and Batman is after her for the crimes she has committed. These two heroes now go through a conflict, not only a physical but a moral one as well.
Wonder Woman : Hiketia is a modern Greek tragedy, a good one at that. The translation and integration of the Greek mythology into the superhero mythos is indeed well done and sublime. There are problems in the writing, though, where a number of times it feels quite dull and bland. The art is pretty most of the times, but there are more than a couple of instances when the posture and faces of the characters look absurd.
A girl is under the protection of Wonder Woman, after partaking a ritual known as Hiketia, which is an honor bound ritual of ancient Greece and Themyscira. But the girl is not an innocent one and Batman is after her for the crimes she has committed. These two heroes now go through a conflict, not only a physical but a moral one as well.
Wonder Woman : Hiketia is a modern Greek tragedy, a good one at that. The translation and integration of the Greek mythology into the superhero mythos is indeed well done and sublime. There are problems in the writing, though, where a number of times it feels quite dull and bland. The art is pretty most of the times, but there are more than a couple of instances when the posture and faces of the characters look absurd.
September 15, 2023
Hiketeia is simply a great WW story.
January 7, 2019
The story was short and I wanted more... I feel I was just starting to grasp the story, what was happening, the Heiketeia and it was over before I know it. When it comes to Wonder Woman I think I know/I've read the least amount of comics and I want to catch up.
I love reading about the connection/interaction/dynamic between Wonder Woman and Batman and that's something I want to read and know more of. The art in here was great, and I loved the color scheme.
I love reading about the connection/interaction/dynamic between Wonder Woman and Batman and that's something I want to read and know more of. The art in here was great, and I loved the color scheme.
August 29, 2021
Amazing art, compelling story, great action.
May 16, 2018
No había leído nada de Wonder Woman y me ha encantado. Ilustraciones de diez y una historia que te toca la patata. Una chica se ha cargado a unos cuantos hombres, Batman quiere capturarla pero ella siempre logra escapar. Finalmente la misteriosa asesina decide pedir protección a Wonder Woman con el ritual Hiketeia, Diana se verá obligada a darle asilo y protección sin saber quien es y lo que ha hecho.
March 21, 2019
Goodness Glorious Graciousness!!!
This was a very short story but its so AWESOME! Truly one of the best comic book stories if not one of the best Wonder Woman stories.
Where do I start? From the beginning, of course.
Wonder Woman has done what she's done as an ambassador for her people to the world of men, then one day she receives a knock on her door by a woman who's on the run as she prostrates herself before Wonder Woman and invokes a ritual called Hiketeia. For all intents and purposes its an oath of servitude, but its more than that, its an oath of protection.
The Hiketeia in many ways reminds me of another ritual that I've read before in Sicilian gangster novels called Omerta. Basically, its an oath of loyalty and in turn an oath that guarantees protection and mutual respect. For Wonder Woman it truly is something that brings her great honor and she accepts it and all the responsibilities for it. I say responsibility because if she doesn't honor this ritual, she dies. Dies via the hands of the wicked Erinyes that enforce the Hiketeia.
A part of me can't help but feel that Wonder Woman has allowed herself to be taken advantage of by a woman she doesn't know because she so loves the tradition that once used to be done in Ancient Greece and is still appreciated by her sisters on Themiscyra. But once Danielle Wellys, the young woman who indentures herself to Wonder Woman explains her need for her protection even I got to admit I not only respect Danielle for seeking protection but Diana for protecting her.
Make no mistake Danielle is a criminal but I can't help but sympathize. But while Danielle is being hunted by the authorities she hunted by someone far worse. Diana's friend Batman.
Batman. What can it be said of the Godd##m Batman? Great respect for the Dark Knight but every once in a while he lets his ego get in the way and he becomes a real pain in the butt. With that epic comic book cover, let's just say it is up there with Batman kicking Superman's face in Dark Knight Returns. Only the honor of getting their butt handed to them belongs to Batman this time. I don't blame Wonder Woman at all for it too.
Though thankfully nothing is that terrible between the two, this story ends tragically with Diana losing a friend. But it was well worth it.
I cannot give this story enough praise. Truly one of the best stories ever written. A+
This was a very short story but its so AWESOME! Truly one of the best comic book stories if not one of the best Wonder Woman stories.
Where do I start? From the beginning, of course.
Wonder Woman has done what she's done as an ambassador for her people to the world of men, then one day she receives a knock on her door by a woman who's on the run as she prostrates herself before Wonder Woman and invokes a ritual called Hiketeia. For all intents and purposes its an oath of servitude, but its more than that, its an oath of protection.
The Hiketeia in many ways reminds me of another ritual that I've read before in Sicilian gangster novels called Omerta. Basically, its an oath of loyalty and in turn an oath that guarantees protection and mutual respect. For Wonder Woman it truly is something that brings her great honor and she accepts it and all the responsibilities for it. I say responsibility because if she doesn't honor this ritual, she dies. Dies via the hands of the wicked Erinyes that enforce the Hiketeia.
A part of me can't help but feel that Wonder Woman has allowed herself to be taken advantage of by a woman she doesn't know because she so loves the tradition that once used to be done in Ancient Greece and is still appreciated by her sisters on Themiscyra. But once Danielle Wellys, the young woman who indentures herself to Wonder Woman explains her need for her protection even I got to admit I not only respect Danielle for seeking protection but Diana for protecting her.
Make no mistake Danielle is a criminal but I can't help but sympathize. But while Danielle is being hunted by the authorities she hunted by someone far worse. Diana's friend Batman.
Batman. What can it be said of the Godd##m Batman? Great respect for the Dark Knight but every once in a while he lets his ego get in the way and he becomes a real pain in the butt. With that epic comic book cover, let's just say it is up there with Batman kicking Superman's face in Dark Knight Returns. Only the honor of getting their butt handed to them belongs to Batman this time. I don't blame Wonder Woman at all for it too.
Though thankfully nothing is that terrible between the two, this story ends tragically with Diana losing a friend. But it was well worth it.
I cannot give this story enough praise. Truly one of the best stories ever written. A+
August 9, 2016
I think the biggest criticism I have of this book, is that it's too short to really do itself justice.
Rucka asks some really interesting and thoughtful questions by pitting Wonder Woman and Batman against each other. What is legally moral and what is righteously moral are not always the same thing, and in reality there's very nuanced and compelling arguments for both sides.
Unfortunately we don't really get that depth here, the motivations never progressing from basic stereotypes - Wonder Woman protecting a girl because of honour/magic and Batman hunting a girl because killing is always wrong.
The ending was disappointing and unnecessary,
I have mixed feeling on the art. The colouring is always beautiful, but some of the poses Wonder Woman pulled near the start were ugly and awkward looking. I'm not sure if they were using photos as reference or something, but whatever it was, it was bad enough to make me pause.
Over all, I'm not sure this deserves the hype it gets, but it was certainly worth the read.
Rucka asks some really interesting and thoughtful questions by pitting Wonder Woman and Batman against each other. What is legally moral and what is righteously moral are not always the same thing, and in reality there's very nuanced and compelling arguments for both sides.
Unfortunately we don't really get that depth here, the motivations never progressing from basic stereotypes - Wonder Woman protecting a girl because of honour/magic and Batman hunting a girl because killing is always wrong.
The ending was disappointing and unnecessary,
I have mixed feeling on the art. The colouring is always beautiful, but some of the poses Wonder Woman pulled near the start were ugly and awkward looking. I'm not sure if they were using photos as reference or something, but whatever it was, it was bad enough to make me pause.
Over all, I'm not sure this deserves the hype it gets, but it was certainly worth the read.
February 2, 2017
This was different. Basically it was a Greek Tragedy in comic book form. Oh, and also Wonder Woman beats up Batman.
Hiketeia is an ancient ritual where one person offers supplication. If the supplication is accepted, than the host becomes responsible for the other person until the other person willingly leaves. So Wonder Woman ends up being indebted to a murderer, and when Batman shows up to bring her in Wonder Woman has to stop him. There are also 3 Furies waiting to literally tear apart anyone who violates the Hiketeia, so there are consequences.
Great art, and a pretty deep story. A lot of was probably lost on me since I was reading it more in a traditional "comic book" frame of mind, but it was entertaining. It's probably worth a read if you're a Wonder Woman fan, but otherwise you may not be as impressed.
Hiketeia is an ancient ritual where one person offers supplication. If the supplication is accepted, than the host becomes responsible for the other person until the other person willingly leaves. So Wonder Woman ends up being indebted to a murderer, and when Batman shows up to bring her in Wonder Woman has to stop him. There are also 3 Furies waiting to literally tear apart anyone who violates the Hiketeia, so there are consequences.
Great art, and a pretty deep story. A lot of was probably lost on me since I was reading it more in a traditional "comic book" frame of mind, but it was entertaining. It's probably worth a read if you're a Wonder Woman fan, but otherwise you may not be as impressed.
April 18, 2010
Wow, that's not at all what I expected. This is a serious meditation on the nature of justice and the conflict between varying belief systems, in the form of a Wonder Woman and Batman comic with a plot that is (literally) from Greek tragedy. That doesn't sound like it should work, but Rucka pulls it off. There's lovely art by J. G. Jones, too. This is a very short book, but it's the kind of thing that sticks with you.
November 1, 2015
A quick read with great art!
July 13, 2017
I loved the run of Greg Rucka on the Rebirth series, but I just couldn't get into this one...
December 8, 2019
Fantastičan strip, stilski divan, poučan i moćan. Wonder Woman i Batman, suptilni prikaz feminizma i veoma interesantna priča. Quick and fun read.
August 15, 2023
Greg Rucka explores a deliciously dark Greek concept in this tight little Wonder Woman tale. A young woman, on the run from Batman, shows up at Wonder Woman's doorstep one night, submitting to her via the ancient rite of "Hiketeia." This means Wonder Woman must protect this stranger (and be respected in turn) or the ancient Furies will strike her down.
You can imagine how this goes, particularly with Batman still on the hunt. The Hiketeia is only 90 pages, so this is essentially a Wonder Woman short story. It's extremely effective, though, especially with J.G. Jones' atmospheric art.
Modern DC should produce more one-shots like this.
You can imagine how this goes, particularly with Batman still on the hunt. The Hiketeia is only 90 pages, so this is essentially a Wonder Woman short story. It's extremely effective, though, especially with J.G. Jones' atmospheric art.
Modern DC should produce more one-shots like this.
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