Diana and the Hero's Journey

by Grace Ellis, Penelope Gaylord (Penciller), Jerry Gaylord (Penciller)

When a young and rambunctious Diana, along with her trusty goat Phyllis, accidentally destroys the painstaking preparations for a festival celebrating the story of Hero-the first hero in Greek mythology-she must embark on a painful journey to clean up her mess. But with the help of the Amazons’ vivid yet unreliable retellings of Hero’s story, what starts out as a boring chore becomes an epic adventure! Grace Ellis, the New York Times bestselling co-creator of Lumberjanes, and celebrated artist Penelope Rivera Gaylord tell the story of a young Diana discovering the truth about being a hero. 

Genres: Graphic Novels, Middle Grade, Fantasy, Comics, Dc Comics, Mythology, Childrens

147 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 10, 2023

About the author

Grace Ellis is a writer best known for co-creating and co-writing Lumberjanes, a New York Times bestselling, Eisner and GLAAD Award-winning comic, though you won't hear her brag about it unless you ask her directly. She has written several episodes of the animated series Bravest Warriors. Grace lives in Columbus, Ohio, where she co-parents a preternaturally smart cat, even though she's more of a dog person.

Reviews

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Diana and the Hero's Journey was an entertaining read following Diana as she learns about the first hero.

After Diana and her goat Phyllis accidentally destroy the preparations for the festival celebrating Hero, she must face the consequences and fix her mess. With the help of her fellow Amazons, Diana learns Hero's story in many forms and her day gets a lot less boring!

I have previously read Shannon Hale's Diana: Princess of the Amazons so I was looking forward to reading a different story following Wonder Woman as a child. Ultimately I didn't love this portrayal of Diana as she came across as a brat who didn't want to own up to her mistakes. Even when she's supposed to be working to fix the festival, most of the work gets pawned off on the other Amazons while Diana just listens to their interpretations of Hero's story. I will say though that I found the various retellings of Hero's story to be a lot of fun. I liked how each of the retellings fit the Amazon who was reciting the story. I also liked the art style and thought the illustrations were well done. The use of bright colors was nice and I was happy with how well fleshed-out some of the scenes were.

Overall Diana and the Hero's Journey was an enjoyable read although definitely not my favorite story following Diana as a child.

[Christine LaBatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Young Diana is excited for Hero’s Day because she gets a present. However, after she ruins the preparations, she has to help redo everything. While doing that, she learns about Hero’s story and what it means to really be a hero.

I thought this was a really cute read! I loved young rambunctious Diana and her goat Phyllis. I think the illustrations were really cute, and the message was great!

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Larakaa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorkable, funny and wise. I loved all the different art styles used to highlight the different point of views.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charming and breezy, with solid art, great for 3-6th grade readers and older folks too!

[Jenn Marshall · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the art SO much! It was really neat to see the art change as Diana was listening to a story. I think my students will really enjoy this book.

4 stars

[D.T. · Rating 3 out of 5]

In Diana and the Hero's Journey, we learn the value of a story and how it differs depending on who tells it. Overall, pretty cute

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Diana and the Hero's Journey tells of a young, precocious Wonder Woman on the day of a festival. When her childish hi-jinks cause the festival to almost be destroyed she is tasked with finding out exactly what the festival is all about. She soon discovers that the story of the great Hero means different things to different people.

First, the artwork was stunning! I loved that each person's perspective on the story was told in a different artistic style. It lent further emphasis on the differences in the stories. The personalities of each of the characters was well highlighted and the interactions between them was realistic. Diana was a typical work-avoidance kid with high opinions and even higher energy levels and I LOVED that her Aunt had to pull Mom aside to talk her down from her anger at Diana's antics.

Overall I thought this was a great book and I know that kids will love it. My only complaint was that I felt like some parts of Hero's journey were a little confusing in the telling. I thought it was a good touch when Diana would break in for clarification, but I still feel that there are a few parts that may still be a bit muddy.

[Sirah · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's the day of the Hero's Festival, and Diana, the only child among the Amazons, is eager for her present and frustrated that her part in the festival doesn't involve any fighting. When she steals her gift, a bow and some plunger arrows, from her mother's room and shoots her goat best friend, Mother punishes her by sending her to fix the many parts of the festival that got broken. Along the way, Diana hears the story of Hero, in whose honor the festival is being held. But Diana quickly gets confused because none of the stories match, and she'd really just like to punch stuff and eat baklava.

Yet another graphic novel that had no right to take me so long to finish. The story itself has a good plot, clever artwork, and charming characters. They're just a little too silly at times. This book is clearly meant for early middle grade readers who want more Wonder Woman but aren't ready for the more adult-themed comics. It's a cute story, but I ended up more confused than Diana and feeling like I was missing out on a joke.

[Sesana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Focusing on a very young Diana, this is a children's graphic novel about the power and malleability of stories. Diana and her pet goat, Phyllis, accidentally make a huge mess just before a huge Amazonian festival celebrating Hero, of Greek myth. As she tries to help puts things right, she hears many versions of Hero's story, each of which is important to the person telling it. It's a cute way to show that stories can mean different things to different people, even if it does strain plausibility that one Amazon could think Hero's story is told entirely on the sea while another believe it takes place in an enchanted forest. Diana herself is adorable here, very rambunctious in a way that leads to a lot of madcap shenanigans. She's very funny, without being impossible to reconcile with her adult self.

[Vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Diana is a little annoying at times, but that's how I find most children to be.

Where this book shines is the story telling. Or rather, the point it makes about story telling. Everyone envisions a story differently and puts their own spin on things. This is so cleverly and clearly shown by the different versions of Hero's Journey Diana receives from her fellow Amazons. We have a tradition scroll paired with a style reminiscent of ancient Greek pottery. We have an oral story with an emphasis on action. A sea shanty with sailor tattoos. Old and morally poignant tapestries. And it all ends with Diana telling her version, which is in old school comic styling. It's just such a great way to talk about story telling.

The messaging about honesty and responsibility are a dash heavy handed, BUT the idea of honesty/truth pairs VERY well with the idea of story telling.

[Tabitha (Reading Tabby) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and DC comics for the advanced copy.

This is a very cute story about young Diana, aka Wonder Woman, as she goes on a little 'adventure' with her goat friend, Phyllis. Diana is then told a few versions of the story of Hero, as she's fixing her mistakes, and I loved that the illustrator, Penelope Rivera Gaylord, used different art styles for each story - this a great way to keep kids engaged, and it also makes this children's story a bit more interesting for the grown ups as well.

Grace Ellis does a great job at bringing young Diana to life and showing how she eventually grows into the hero that is Wonder Woman. I've not read anything by Ellis before, though I have friends who rave about Lumberjanes, and after this I am more interested in checking out her other work.

DC has been doing well with their releases for children lately!

[Ashley Dang · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun look into the life of Diana also known as Wonder Woman but in her younger years! Diana wants to be a warrior, but growing and training to become one is never easy. During the preparation for a festival celebrating the story of Hero, the first hero in Greek mythology, Diana and her goat accidentally get into a chaotic mess and now she'll have to clean up said mess. With the help of her Amazonian sisters, Diana will learn the story of Hero while also going on an adventure herself. This was such a delightful and fun read. It's a great one for kids starting to get to know Wonder Woman's story!

*Thanks Netgalley and DC Entertainment, DC Comics for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

[Artemis Crescent · Rating 4 out of 5]

'It takes a village to raise a warrior - and the Amazons have their hands full with Diana.'



A surprisingly charming little children's DC comic about Wonder Woman as a child on Themyscira, especially after reading a similar comic from 2024, 'Wonder Woman: The Adventures of Young Diana', which is so bizarre, confusing and all over the place (a shame considering Paulina Gaunucheau's great artwork).

'Diana and the Hero's Journey' is a simple tale with no high stakes. There isn't any real danger or threat. It is about little Princess Diana of the Amazons getting up to shenanigans, and interacting with one Amazon after another, each with their own unique personality and skills, and who each tell their own version of a famous Amazon story and legend, 'Hero's Journey', about Hero, the first hero.

Diana becomes desperate to know how the legendary Hero's story ends - really ends - as she's handed off (or she leaves of her own volition) from one job to another, one Amazon to another, in preparation for a festival celebrating Hero, which she initially, inadvertently destroys, via scaring her pet goat Phyllis, at the beginning of the comic (yes, that happens).

'Diana and the Hero's Journey' is a story about stories, and how they can shape people in their childhood. Maybe this hero's journey will help shape Diana into becoming the beloved, iconic superheroine we all know and love today...

'Diana and the Hero's Journey' is similar to 'Wonder Woman: The True Amazon', only far less tragic. Even the artwork is identical, if more cartoony. Diana is such a brat here, too, though she is a lot younger than she is in 'The True Amazon', so it's easier to understand and let it slide.

Diana is a regular child. A spoiled, boisterous, hyperactive, curious princess raised among warrior women, who is absolutely obsessed with punching things. She thinks violence and punching your problems away are the only solutions to everything in life, and the adult Amazons around her, individually and together, will she show her that no, there is more to being an Amazon than fighting. The Amazonian sisters will achieve this through storytelling.

As vastly different as the rascally, arrogant, aggressive young Diana is from the warm, kind, loving Wonder Woman we generally know, she is not all bad. She's funny, playful, inquisitive, apologetic when she needs to be, and tries to obey her elders some of the time. One of her goals throughout the comic is finding a gift to give to her mother, Queen Hippolyta.

Like I said, she is just a kid. A kid living in a small, secluded environment where she can do anything and go explore anywhere within those limits. She is surrounded by cool warrior women who are often too busy for her, including her mother to an extent, and who are more her teachers than companions... and she's the only child on her entire island. Her only real friend is her goat Phyllis, who she projects her true emotions onto to hide her own hurt feelings - I've known children who have done this with their pets and toys!

Looking at these factors, of course Diana is an attention seeker and troublemaker, looking for anything to be excited about, to boost her ego and sense of validation and importance. The child who doesn't know any better will subtly grow and develop by the end of the comic.

She will learn that there is more to being an Amazon than punching.

'Diana and the Hero's Journey' is, ultimately, about how the Amazons - the sisterhood, the culture, the functioning society - are all about community, support, and being there for each other, and working together. And taking responsibility for your actions. And when it comes to stories and legends, sometimes the truest version of events - the truth, period - is hard to find, hard to pin down, hard to interpret and agree on. But as long as you can find your truth in it, and learn from it, that's what matters overall.

It's a sweet and hilarious children's comic, and the OTT art grew on me. I love the 'Hero's Journey' storytelling segments with their own different art styles, moods and tones, and the ones featuring the traditional Wondy (as Hero) are fantastic, and nostalgic. It's not a saving-Themyscira-and-the-world crisis Wonder Woman story, and it barely counts as an adventure, nor is it an actual hero's journey (though it could be for Diana, as an understated metaphor). But it is a nice bottle episode from Diana's youth. Her energetic, blooming, not-so-humble youth.

Plus, the legendary heroine from 'Hero's Journey' being literally named Hero - a stand-in and inspiration for Wonder Woman - and the comic being about women telling empowering stories to one another, reminds me of my favourite graphic novel of all time, 'One Hundred Nights of Hero', so there's that for a personal recommendation!

True, I recommend 'Diana and the Hero's Journey', by Grace Ellis and Penelope Rivera Gaylord, if you like 'Wonder Woman: The True Amazon', 'Diana: Princess of the Amazons', and 'Diana and Nubia: Princesses of the Amazons'. They are awesome, young pre-Wonder Woman Diana books (avoid the rubbish 'Wonder Woman: The Adventures of Young Diana', though, and I dislike 'Wonder Woman: Warbringer' and 'Diana and the Island of No Return', too. Still, they are better than Brian Azzarello's New 52 run on Wonder Woman.)

Final Score: 3.5/5

P.S. As obsessed with punching as Diana is in this, it is nothing compared to the Amazon Tal's obsession with horses.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this graphic novel, we follow Diana, as she learns the story of Hero the first hero in Greek mythology. Diana is very excited about Hero's Day because there's a feast AND she gets a present! But Diana doesn't want to help set up for the festival, she just wants to punch things! Diana and her pet goat Phyllis wreck all the Amazonian's hard work and as a punishment, Diana's mom tells her that she needs to learn the story of Hero and take responsibility for her actions. So off Diana goes to learn what it really means to be a hero.

This was really cute! I think that this is a great starting point for younger DC fans to be introduced to Diana and the Amazonians.

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the way this story is told! I feel it is a great one for all ages and loads of fun just romping through the young Princess Diana's growth and learning. For the one who will one day be the unyielding, unbreakable, Wonder Woman, this is a fun way to see the character. My oldest daughter read this book and then recommended it to me. I was happy to see why she did. The story revolves around Diana ruining the preparations for the festival for Hero; the first hero in Greek mythology. She then attempts to assist others in the repairs, all the while learning more and more about why Hero is beloved and adored by so many Themyascirans.

[Matt Glaviano · Rating 4 out of 5]

Working my way through a stack of Grace Ellis. Which, if you're counting, is the only reason I've ever picked up a DC title.

I liked this one a lot. Thematically, it made me think of Flung Out of Space. Both explore subjects - people and storytelling, respectively - that are more than black and white. In this book, Ellis explores the nuance and ambiguity of the act of storytelling and succeeds admirably.

Bonus points for the many different art styles. This was a fun, engaging, and even a thought provoking read.

[Gretchen · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Diana accidentally ruins the preparations for the Hero festival, she and her goat Phyllis are sent to discover the story of Hero. The only problem is that each of the Amazons has their own version of the story. Which version is true, and will Diana be able to accept it? #DianaandtheHerosJourney #NetGalley

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy stories of super heroes as children, especially when those children act like children do. This is a fun story where you see a goofy, inpatient, child side of Wonder Woman trying to understand the point of a story if no one knows if the story is the truth. Ultimately she learns what makes the story important, and what is important to her and the Amazons.

[SaraKat · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a story set in the land of the Amazons and it tells the story of Hero and Leander and then the Amazons all add to the story and give it pizzazz and we get to learn it along with Diana. She is a bit of a spoiled brat, but lovable. There's some nice poetry included, and some humor. It's a short, fun read.

[doowopapocalypse · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this was a little bit twee for my liking. I’ve been enjoying the Hales’ young Diana books and though different this isn’t miles away. I just felt like something was lacking.

ARC from NetGalley.

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun graphic novel about little Diana living in Themyscira and learning about the first hero, named Hero, in Greek myth. I actually really liked the message behind this book -- everyone's story is personal to themselves. The art is pretty and the story is meaningful.

[Megan Mann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so much fun! I loved that each person had their own version of the story, so the whole premise of the book was to show the importance of oral storytelling and keeping a community’s stories alive. It was so great.

[Leslie Carnahan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this title more. ESPECIALLY BECAUSE OF PHYLLIS THE GOAT. But honestly, Diana came off as such an annoying brat. True, kids act up. True, kids are curious about things. But man, she was just really unlikable to me. :/ Other than that, I loved the rest of the book.

[Elaine Fultz, Teacher Librarian, MLS · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though not as snarky and hilarious as Nimona, this is a close attempt for MG GN readers. Diana is the young, incorrigible Wonder Woman learning (reluctantly) about her Amazonian history and pedigree after she wrecks their Hero celebration with all of her over-the-top misbehavior.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

An adorable graphic novel that will appeal to fans of Wonder Woman. Diana's character was engaging, and the illustrations are appealing. Reads a little young for high school, but probably will still purchase since it's good for reluctant and emerging readers.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The library is where many heroes begin their journey."

Very cute story about a young Diana. I loved the art! I'm a sucker for "every storyteller has a different art style" type story and the art in the main story was so cute and expressive.

[Foxy · Rating 4 out of 5]

an utter delight

[Holly Letson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love how everyone told Diana the Hero story in their own special way, and how different it was for each of them.

[Mary Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this Wonder Woman origin story. Diana is so spunky!

A great story about storytelling and collaboration.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️? For me, it’s lacking something, but I can’t quite put my finger on what it is 🤔