RENAE DE LIZ is the artist of the New York Times Best-Seller "The Last Unicorn," the creator and manager of critically acclaimed "Womanthology" project, and several other books including Anne Rice's "Servant of the Bones," Jennifer Love Hewitt's "Music Box," and her own creator-owned titled "Lady Powerpunch!" She works with her husband Ray Dillon (inker & colorist of all the projects listed) who she met and married at San Diego Comic-Con. They live in Cape Elizabeth, Maine with their two sons, Tycen and Drake. --from the author's website
But I had to break that new tradtion when I saw this on the shelf. The cover and interior art are both stunning, just the style that I love, and it addresses an exciting area that we haven't really seen before.
I loved everything about this title; here's hoping the standout quality continues monthly!
Before anything else, let me say this review comes from a total comic book newbie, and it’s entirely subjective and personal.
After Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice brought Wonder Woman back into the spotlight, it’s no surprise that DC Comics followed up with new takes on her story. One of those is the all-ages mini-series The Legend of Wonder Woman, which instantly caught my attention.
As the name suggests, this series retells Diana’s origin story, one of the many versions DC has released over the years. Written and illustrated by Renae De Liz and inked by her husband Ray Dillon, the series has something special about it. Personally, I think having a female artist behind the project added a deeper, more empathetic layer to Diana’s character and the world around her.
The story begins right at the roots, with the history of the Amazons and Queen Hippolyta, and then moves into Diana’s birth, her bond with her mother, and her internal struggles. What makes it stand out is how emotionally grounded it is. Every scene is told with care for how the characters feel, not just what they do.
The storytelling is clear and accessible. Instead of throwing readers into a confusing world of lore, De Liz lays the groundwork gently, guiding you through the history and background of the Amazons at a perfect pace. It’s easy to follow, and it makes you want to keep going.
As for the art? Absolutely adorable. It’s expressive, full of charm, and paired with clever layouts and thoughtful lettering that make every panel feel purposeful. When I grabbed a copy at my local comic shop, the staff member at the counter smiled and said, “Isn’t she just adorable in this series?” She then proceeded to share that she was reading this series with her young niece, which honestly says a lot about how warm, inclusive, and accessible this series is, especially for younger readers and girls.
Overall, this first issue felt magical, emotional, and even a bit spiritual. It doesn’t just tell Diana’s story, it lets us feel it. Her motivations, her past, the foundation of who she is. If you believe that our experiences shape how and why we do what we do, then this series offers a beautiful missing link to understanding Wonder Woman in a deeper way.
Does it fit into DC’s current continuity? Probably not. And that’s a little sad, because I’d love to see more of this Diana, the one whose story feels rich, vulnerable, and meaningful. But even if it stands alone, it’s more than worth the read. I can’t recommend it enough.
Received in a Comixology bundle that came with my advanced ticket for Wonder Woman
I liked this well enough and I think it's a very good addition to the bundle to read before the movie. It gives a good luck at what newer interpretations of Diana as a child are, how she was different from the other girls from the beginning. And it explains the mythology behind Themyscira, the Amazonians, and Hippolyta.
I've never read any Wonder Woman before, but I saw people talking about this and thought it might make a good starting point. I'm very keen on the art style, and so far it's more in mythological territory so I'm quite happy.
This is the listing for the digital #1. I just read the first 3 printed issues (which collects the digital version's #1-9).
This is the book I've wanted to exist since my niece was born and I began plotting to share with her all of the cool things I love... one of which is Wonder Woman.
But really, the idea of Wonder Woman has always been so much better than the comics have actually achieved in their execution. And who knows if The Legend of Wonder Woman will continue to embody the story that I always wanted to be told. But these first 3 issues made me tear up with how excellent they are so far.
This is all Renae De Liz --- her art, her story. And I can't believe I've gotten this far into this review without mentioning THE ART!!
Seriously, THE ART IS SPECTACULAR!!! If you haven't seen it yet, look at this trailer for the comic and see for yourself... unbelievable.
This was truly a fantastic read that will make anyone fall in love with the tale of Wonder Wonder. A total of 3 epic arcs and 1 long comprehensive story that explores the themes of one's destiny, a calling to achieve a goal to benefit all those suffering, and how 1 good friend can help you to become a legend. The 1st arc focuses on Queen Hippolyta and the warriors of the Amazon including Alcippe the chosen guard for the island of Themyscira. We are gifted the origins of the island as well as Hippolyta's rise to becoming queen, her betrayal of her people, and her feelings of complete despair that moved the stars to gift the queen her daughter Diana formed from clay. We are given a glimpse of Diana's childhood and her intuned connection to the island as she senses a great evil arise. Alcippe senses the same darkness and when Diana approaches her asking to be trained the warrior agrees. We then cut to Diana as she has emerged as a beautiful young woman whose plans do not align with her mother who one day wants her daughter to become the queen of the Amazons. A coup is formed as the high priests of Ares seek to steal the throne from Queen Hippolyta by making her look like an incompetent ruler when an outsider crashes on the island. A man named Steve Trevor who is severely wounded requires aid from Diana when Alcippe falls to a deep slumber in his defence and the high priests threaten to slaughter the man. Diana hides Steve away and protects him for as long as she can until the Amazons hunt him down and threaten to kill the man. A contest for a champion is requested by the Gods. Diana enters and successfully vanquishes her competition against her mother's wishes. Diana is then awarded champion and seeks to bring Steve back to the outside world. As she & he become lost at sea Diana must embark on a new adventure to return home which turns into a quest to learn more about the evils of the outside world that threaten Themyscira. In the 2nd arc, Diana meets a college girl named Etta Candy who helps her learn more about the horrors of WW2 as a story about the 'Duke of Deception' rises in the newspaper. Diana is now a woman on a mission who seeks to vanquish this great evil with the help of Etta who gets her to the front lines of France as a volunteer nurse. Along the way, we are reacquainted with Steve Trevor who has no knowledge of Diana at 1st but as the adventure continues his mind is finally able to recall Diana as his guardian angel. A war has commenced as Nazis begin rising from the dead due to the 'Duke of Deception' the chosen champion of Ares & Hades. Diana must now emerge as Wonder Woman a beacon of justice and truth adorned in the gifts from her mother that were gifted by the Gods to rescue the Allied forces from destruction. The 3rd and final arc focuses on a Titian that has arisen due to a great evil act committed by the Duke. Diana must now choose whether to defy the Gods and fight this great evil to save the world on her own or to submit herself to them ensuring the safety of her home as Zeus's champion. The illustrations are breathtaking and this comprehensive story arc is incredible. I loved this graphic novel so much and it is definitely a legend that I look forward to visiting again. 10/10 😁👍🌟❤️!!
I cringed hard at the implication that not having a child is an unimaginably terrible fate, but this story is so good that I loved it anyway. Structurally, it feels like a fairy tale or a children's book, heavy on narration rather than dialogue and bursting with beautiful art.
Seriously, I loved this. We have Diana growing up and learning from her friend and mentor what it means to be a warrior and to be strong and about the power of friendship, love, loyalty, and family. She’s got a wonderful relationship with her mother and they may not always see eye-to-eye about things but they love and respect one another and their choices. We have Diana growing as a warrior, leader, and woman. We have different women, with different tastes, attitudes, and personalities. Girls sticking up for girls. Diana learning how to live outside her island. The fates of Themyscira and the outside world on the line and Diana willing to fight to defend it all. Girls with different sizes and shapes and confident with her bodies. Cameos of other DC characters. Girls teaching girls and sticking up for other girls. Diana dealing with patriarchal bullshit and other girls being displeased with it as well. Did I mention girls sticking up for other girls? I liked how they did not romanticized war and how they showed how girls were very important. Steve Trevor is not an idiot and didn’t go all “not like other girls” on Diana. Girls fighting the war and being overall awesome. Girls being friends and supporting each other through it all. Loved it! Can’t wait for more!!!
The Legend of Wonder Woman is not a retelling of Wonder Woman's golden age origin. It takes the splendor of those first comics and imagines it in a fresh, creative fashion. A maternal narrative beats at the center of the story and the focus remains on Diana, Hippolyta's love for her, and the will to help others. This is a series everyone should pick up, especially if you live Wonder Woman. There's magic to be explored on Themyscira and beyond!
"Hippolyta built a nation of women, apart from greed and hatred." Diana grew up on the hidden island of Themyscira. She was raised to be queen one day but trained in secret to be a warrior. She felt that she had a different destiny than the one her mother wanted for her. Diana eventually finds her destiny as Wonder Woman. The characters in this graphic novel have depth and are fun to follow. The illustrations reflect the era well.
I watched Linda Carter's Wonder Woman as a kid, but I don't recall the character's origin story, and I never read any of the other comics. Whether or not this story is true to Wonder Woman's history I don't know, and I don't care. This story sets up nicely how Wonder Woman came to be, and it does so with strong, vibrant art.
I was initially put off with the idea of doing yet another origin story. Then I saw the cover for #5
With that said, this IS an origin story in the first issue, but it's not a bad one. Is it reconning how terrible New 52's was? God, hopefully. Either way, the art is good and it's not a bad read. I just hope it gets more interesting.
This comic book is a great introduction to the format of the series. It takes the Amazon's origin and return it to a modern twist of the original origin of the Amazons. I prefer this to the New 52's origin. I hope the live action Wonder Woman Movie will follow this origin. I recommend it to all ages.
Not sure if it is a retelling or a reboot, but the first issue is cool if about 1/4 as long as it should be. Good art, nice pacing,great price for what you get.
Leído hasta el nº 10. Desarrolla el origen de Wonder Woman. La historia avanza lentamente y , si bien supone una mejora frente al engendro de Azarello, no consigue la épica de la serie de George Perez. Buenos dibujos. A la espera de acontecimientos.
A very interesting look at the origin of Diana and her road to becoming Wonder Woman. It fits into the New 52 pretty good and I'm hoping is the basis for the movie's Diana.