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Superman/Wonder Woman
Superman/ Wonderwoman (2012) Volume 1
Everyone knows Superman and Wonder woman has joined forces to stop evil, but what will happen when their enemies not to mention the general public- discover that the two of the strongest beings on earth are partnering up in more ways than one?
192 pages, ebook
First published September 23, 2014
91 people are currently reading
1865 people want to read
About the author
Charles Soule
1,520 books1,689 followersCharles Soule is a #1 New York Times-bestselling novelist, comics author, screenwriter, musician, and lapsed attorney. He has written some of the most prominent stories of the last decade for Marvel, DC and Lucasfilm in addition to his own work, such as his comics Curse Words, Letter 44 and Undiscovered Country, and his original novels Light of the Jedi, The Endless Vessel, The Oracle Year and Anyone. He lives in New York.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 309 reviews
August 14, 2021
(A-) 81% | Very Good
Notes: Boldly built, it's red meat fed, artistically-led, with clever plot threads: lavish with splashes and double-page spreads.
Notes: Boldly built, it's red meat fed, artistically-led, with clever plot threads: lavish with splashes and double-page spreads.
July 14, 2021
4.5 stars
Whoa. Fuck me.
No, seriously. I want Superman to fuck me. He's H-O-T!
Yeah, yeah. I know what you're thinking.
But, Anne, he's not real!
Whatever. Neither are the airbrushed dudes that keep popping up in my feed. Not that I don't appreciate the pics, ladies! *wink, wink*
But if you can fantasize about some random half naked fella (who, let's face it, is probably gay), then I can fantasize about a cartoon. It's only fair!
Ok, now that we've established that I'm a total weirdo, let's move on.
I always thought Batman was my comic book boyfriend. Brooding, dark, chiseled features...
Growr!
Superman? Ehhh. Not so much. He's boring. Vanilla. Whitebread. Nice enough, but not exactly what I'd call exciting, ya know?
In other words, a permanent resident of the Friend Zone.
But after reading this? Dear God, I want to have his little Super-Babies.
Ok, maybe not. I've got enough kids already.
But I'd definitely want to do the thing that would result in Super-Babies. A lot.
So what changed? Well, I'm not even sure I can pin it down, but from the first page, I was just drawn to him. He's so...cool in this thing.
I know, I know! It's unbelievable!
It's also true. Somehow, Soule managed to strip away all the things that made Clark so bland, and what was leftover was jet-black hair, blue eyes, a chiseled jaw...and all these barely leashed superpowers.
Move over, Bruce...we're making room for one more!
But don't think that Soule has totally gutted Truth, Justice, and The American Way. Clark is still Clark. He'll always have the polite mid-western farm boy sensibilities.
But at least now he seems more like an actual American...and less like a Canadian.
Kidding! I love all you sweet Canucks!
Alrighty. You didn't think I'd forgotten about the other half of this Power Couple, did you?
Wonder Woman.
I've been waiting and waiting for THIS Wonder Woman!
Finally. Finally! Someone (recently, anyway) got her right.
Diana. Is. Badass.
And that's the thing, isn't it? If you put anyone other than Superman next to her, they're just going to pale in comparison. Who else can go toe-to-toe with (quite literally, at this point) the Goddess of War?
Nobody.
Because she's the definition of hardcore.
And she certainly doesn't need Superman to rescue her from a burning building, a sinking ship, or a cackling villain. Nope. She can take care of herself. And for that reason alone, she's an awesome role model for all the tiny little fangirls out there.
I'm not going to go into any detail about the plot because that's not the reason this volume shines.
Doomsday, Zod, Apollo...
Yeah, those are your villains. But who cares? This is all about Diana and Clark trying to figure out what they are to each other, and how (or even if) that fits into their 'work'.
Do NOT miss this story. I mean it.
Highly Recommended.
Also, this has one of the best lines EVAH from Wonder Woman.
When he says...
And then she says...
God, I love this woman.
Digital arc provided by NetGalley and the publishers
Whoa. Fuck me.
No, seriously. I want Superman to fuck me. He's H-O-T!
Yeah, yeah. I know what you're thinking.
But, Anne, he's not real!
Whatever. Neither are the airbrushed dudes that keep popping up in my feed. Not that I don't appreciate the pics, ladies! *wink, wink*
But if you can fantasize about some random half naked fella (who, let's face it, is probably gay), then I can fantasize about a cartoon. It's only fair!
Ok, now that we've established that I'm a total weirdo, let's move on.
I always thought Batman was my comic book boyfriend. Brooding, dark, chiseled features...
Growr!
Superman? Ehhh. Not so much. He's boring. Vanilla. Whitebread. Nice enough, but not exactly what I'd call exciting, ya know?
In other words, a permanent resident of the Friend Zone.
But after reading this? Dear God, I want to have his little Super-Babies.
Ok, maybe not. I've got enough kids already.
But I'd definitely want to do the thing that would result in Super-Babies. A lot.
So what changed? Well, I'm not even sure I can pin it down, but from the first page, I was just drawn to him. He's so...cool in this thing.
I know, I know! It's unbelievable!
It's also true. Somehow, Soule managed to strip away all the things that made Clark so bland, and what was leftover was jet-black hair, blue eyes, a chiseled jaw...and all these barely leashed superpowers.
Move over, Bruce...we're making room for one more!
But don't think that Soule has totally gutted Truth, Justice, and The American Way. Clark is still Clark. He'll always have the polite mid-western farm boy sensibilities.
But at least now he seems more like an actual American...and less like a Canadian.
Kidding! I love all you sweet Canucks!
Alrighty. You didn't think I'd forgotten about the other half of this Power Couple, did you?
Wonder Woman.
I've been waiting and waiting for THIS Wonder Woman!
Finally. Finally! Someone (recently, anyway) got her right.
Diana. Is. Badass.
And that's the thing, isn't it? If you put anyone other than Superman next to her, they're just going to pale in comparison. Who else can go toe-to-toe with (quite literally, at this point) the Goddess of War?
Nobody.
Because she's the definition of hardcore.
And she certainly doesn't need Superman to rescue her from a burning building, a sinking ship, or a cackling villain. Nope. She can take care of herself. And for that reason alone, she's an awesome role model for all the tiny little fangirls out there.
I'm not going to go into any detail about the plot because that's not the reason this volume shines.
Doomsday, Zod, Apollo...
Yeah, those are your villains. But who cares? This is all about Diana and Clark trying to figure out what they are to each other, and how (or even if) that fits into their 'work'.
Do NOT miss this story. I mean it.
Highly Recommended.
Also, this has one of the best lines EVAH from Wonder Woman.
When he says...
And then she says...
God, I love this woman.
Digital arc provided by NetGalley and the publishers
November 27, 2018
Love this!! I have always loved Wonder Woman and Superman. Well, and the Hulk.
I had a pair of little kid Wonder Woman underwear set! I might still have them packed away somewhere 😄
Anyhoo, I want more of this!!! I NEED more of these two together!
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
I had a pair of little kid Wonder Woman underwear set! I might still have them packed away somewhere 😄
Anyhoo, I want more of this!!! I NEED more of these two together!
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
April 28, 2018
You know, this makes the most sense. Wonder Woman and Superman feel like the perfect pair. They are both strong enough to really love each other safely. I can't believe it took so long to get this to happen. I don't know why they brought back Zod for this. Doomsday is back too. I guess they need the biggest villains to fight.
There was plenty I rolled my eyes at here and things I liked. Overall, I was entertained by this story. I might keep going with it.
There was plenty I rolled my eyes at here and things I liked. Overall, I was entertained by this story. I might keep going with it.
October 16, 2014
This has to be some kind of record: New 52 Savage Hawkman shows up in this book and it DOESN’T end up sucking - what the hell is going on!?
But I have to admit, I did like this book which surprised me because I read the monthlies and gave up after #3, disappointed. I didn’t think that the issues collected in a trade would work as well as they did so reading this book was a pleasant surprise. I guess some titles just read better in trade paperbacks than if you’re reading them month by month and vice versa.
Superman and Wonder Woman are a secret couple for no good reason than to have this forbidden fruit angle that I suppose romantic readers will respond to. Then for no reason the Phantom Zone starts farting out Superman villains - first Doomsday, then Zod and Faora. Actually there is a reason given at the end but it’s pretty stupid. Thankfully the romance is put on hold while Superman and Wonder Woman fight back the Phantom Zone intruders.
While I generally liked most of what’s in this book, a few things bothered me. The main problem was keeping their relationship a secret - why? Well, apparently if the two ever broke up, there’d be mass devastation as one or both would go on a rampage. Hmm. Superman and Wonder Woman are GODS. Is it conceivable that they don’t react to things the same way petty humans do? Is it possible that if they ever broke up, nothing would happen - they would be mature enough to walk away as adults rather than throw a spat like a baby tossing its toys out of the pram? Or maybe they never break up - some people fall in love once and for life.
But we’ve gotta have this secrecy subplot because of dummies projecting their own fears and shortcomings onto figures who are so far above them. And because we have to know: who leaked the shot of the two kissing?! I honestly don’t care and I really didn’t buy the hubbub over that pic in their world. Is it really that surprising that two god-like beings who’re both super-hot decide to bone? C’mon guys.
In Power Couple, Charles Soule has created a very strong story that does sweep up the reader and carry them through to the end - you do want to know what happens next - but it fails in a couple of instances. The jumping-around style of narration is unnecessarily complex. We’re in the present, then the near past, then the future, then the past again, then the present, and so on. It’s not like you can’t follow it but it’s a very choppy way to write what is basically a straightforward story.
And the story itself is fairly unmemorable. Superman and Wonder Woman fight another “power couple”, Zod and Faora, and win. Eh. It’s a bit thin, plotwise. But I get it, the book’s not really about plot so much as it is about character - and this is where Soule really succeeds.
This book isn’t a Superman book with Wonder Woman as supporting character; it genuinely is a Superman/Wonder Woman book. We learn about Superman’s past and culture through Wonder Woman just like we learn about her background through Superman (admittedly though for more experienced DC comics readers, it’s all stuff you already know). Soule’s written a really decent Superman book and a really decent Wonder Woman book and then spliced the two together!
That approach permeates the story so that Superman never dominates the fighting and isn’t in the spotlight doing the heroic act while Wonder Woman’s in the background. They both fight Doomsday. They both fight Zod and Faora. They both save cargo ships, planes and lives. And when it comes to the finale, the only way they can achieve victory is through being together. Besides a pants cameo from the New 52 JLA who get beaten pretty badly (which underlines how useless they are - I know, I’ve read their own title as well), the story is all Superman and Wonder Woman with no one else helping them out.
You could look at the pairing and think of course DC would put the two together; they’re high profile characters who’re going to be really, really well known, even more so, when the DCU movies start coming out in just a couple years, so it’s worth pushing them to front and centre in as many comics as possible. But actually Charles Soule had a plan for them and it’s turned out to be anything but a cynical marketing ploy to shove the two together into an arbitrary title.
Tony Daniel’s art surprised me too. I remember his work on the Batman books that spun out of Grant Morrison’s a few years ago, and the art was very much like Jim Lee’s (the less said about his writing, the better!). He hasn’t totally lost that look but in this book the lines are cleaner and leaner and the panels/pages are more dynamic. He’s gotten better as an artist and I don’t think I’ve seen better work from him before. His style definitely suits this modern, cinematic title with its hefty dose of splash pages, large panels, and BIG action. And, as a fan of Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight Returns, I liked that Superman looked a lot like he did in that book post-nuke – it’s a nice nod.
I didn’t love Power Couple partly for the reasons I mentioned earlier but also because for a book focused on two characters, I don’t think Soule really showed us anything new or insightful about them, either as individuals or as a couple. But, as light as it is, it’s still a solid superhero comic and entertaining to boot. And it ends really nicely with Clark and Diana dancing - woah, DC allowed their characters to have a little fun and smile for once! Superman/Wonder Woman, Volume 1: Power Couple is - shock! - a pretty good New 52 book!
Looks like Hawkman played (a very ugly and hairy) cupid in this one!
3.5 stars
But I have to admit, I did like this book which surprised me because I read the monthlies and gave up after #3, disappointed. I didn’t think that the issues collected in a trade would work as well as they did so reading this book was a pleasant surprise. I guess some titles just read better in trade paperbacks than if you’re reading them month by month and vice versa.
Superman and Wonder Woman are a secret couple for no good reason than to have this forbidden fruit angle that I suppose romantic readers will respond to. Then for no reason the Phantom Zone starts farting out Superman villains - first Doomsday, then Zod and Faora. Actually there is a reason given at the end but it’s pretty stupid. Thankfully the romance is put on hold while Superman and Wonder Woman fight back the Phantom Zone intruders.
While I generally liked most of what’s in this book, a few things bothered me. The main problem was keeping their relationship a secret - why? Well, apparently if the two ever broke up, there’d be mass devastation as one or both would go on a rampage. Hmm. Superman and Wonder Woman are GODS. Is it conceivable that they don’t react to things the same way petty humans do? Is it possible that if they ever broke up, nothing would happen - they would be mature enough to walk away as adults rather than throw a spat like a baby tossing its toys out of the pram? Or maybe they never break up - some people fall in love once and for life.
But we’ve gotta have this secrecy subplot because of dummies projecting their own fears and shortcomings onto figures who are so far above them. And because we have to know: who leaked the shot of the two kissing?! I honestly don’t care and I really didn’t buy the hubbub over that pic in their world. Is it really that surprising that two god-like beings who’re both super-hot decide to bone? C’mon guys.
In Power Couple, Charles Soule has created a very strong story that does sweep up the reader and carry them through to the end - you do want to know what happens next - but it fails in a couple of instances. The jumping-around style of narration is unnecessarily complex. We’re in the present, then the near past, then the future, then the past again, then the present, and so on. It’s not like you can’t follow it but it’s a very choppy way to write what is basically a straightforward story.
And the story itself is fairly unmemorable. Superman and Wonder Woman fight another “power couple”, Zod and Faora, and win. Eh. It’s a bit thin, plotwise. But I get it, the book’s not really about plot so much as it is about character - and this is where Soule really succeeds.
This book isn’t a Superman book with Wonder Woman as supporting character; it genuinely is a Superman/Wonder Woman book. We learn about Superman’s past and culture through Wonder Woman just like we learn about her background through Superman (admittedly though for more experienced DC comics readers, it’s all stuff you already know). Soule’s written a really decent Superman book and a really decent Wonder Woman book and then spliced the two together!
That approach permeates the story so that Superman never dominates the fighting and isn’t in the spotlight doing the heroic act while Wonder Woman’s in the background. They both fight Doomsday. They both fight Zod and Faora. They both save cargo ships, planes and lives. And when it comes to the finale, the only way they can achieve victory is through being together. Besides a pants cameo from the New 52 JLA who get beaten pretty badly (which underlines how useless they are - I know, I’ve read their own title as well), the story is all Superman and Wonder Woman with no one else helping them out.
You could look at the pairing and think of course DC would put the two together; they’re high profile characters who’re going to be really, really well known, even more so, when the DCU movies start coming out in just a couple years, so it’s worth pushing them to front and centre in as many comics as possible. But actually Charles Soule had a plan for them and it’s turned out to be anything but a cynical marketing ploy to shove the two together into an arbitrary title.
Tony Daniel’s art surprised me too. I remember his work on the Batman books that spun out of Grant Morrison’s a few years ago, and the art was very much like Jim Lee’s (the less said about his writing, the better!). He hasn’t totally lost that look but in this book the lines are cleaner and leaner and the panels/pages are more dynamic. He’s gotten better as an artist and I don’t think I’ve seen better work from him before. His style definitely suits this modern, cinematic title with its hefty dose of splash pages, large panels, and BIG action. And, as a fan of Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight Returns, I liked that Superman looked a lot like he did in that book post-nuke – it’s a nice nod.
I didn’t love Power Couple partly for the reasons I mentioned earlier but also because for a book focused on two characters, I don’t think Soule really showed us anything new or insightful about them, either as individuals or as a couple. But, as light as it is, it’s still a solid superhero comic and entertaining to boot. And it ends really nicely with Clark and Diana dancing - woah, DC allowed their characters to have a little fun and smile for once! Superman/Wonder Woman, Volume 1: Power Couple is - shock! - a pretty good New 52 book!
Looks like Hawkman played (a very ugly and hairy) cupid in this one!
3.5 stars
December 28, 2014
This was certainly better than I'd hoped. It wasn't because of the story. Doomsday? Meh. Zod? Meh. Nothing terribly special. I wouldn't read this for the story at all.
I would, however, read it for the relationship, and the characters. Here's the thing: I'm not exactly a fan of the concept of Superman and Wonder Woman dating. I don't suppose I have a particular reason, it just doesn't appeal to me. However, Soule made it work, and turned it into a really good relationship. The key, as I see it, is that the relationship is built on a deep mutual respect, and Soule perfectly captured that. Which leads back to the characters. I feel like he wrote them both very well. This version of Clark isn't exactly a Boy Scout, but he is a good man trying to do the best he can with his abilities. And Diana is a warrior. Soule lets her be strong and in command without being shrill, and he lets Clark be somewhat naive without being gullible or dull. It seems like both of these characters are hard to write, and Soule had it.
Am I convinced of the relationship now? Hm, maybe. At least the way Soule writes it. And I dearly wish that he'd been given the main Wonder Woman title after Azzarello left. Alas.
I would, however, read it for the relationship, and the characters. Here's the thing: I'm not exactly a fan of the concept of Superman and Wonder Woman dating. I don't suppose I have a particular reason, it just doesn't appeal to me. However, Soule made it work, and turned it into a really good relationship. The key, as I see it, is that the relationship is built on a deep mutual respect, and Soule perfectly captured that. Which leads back to the characters. I feel like he wrote them both very well. This version of Clark isn't exactly a Boy Scout, but he is a good man trying to do the best he can with his abilities. And Diana is a warrior. Soule lets her be strong and in command without being shrill, and he lets Clark be somewhat naive without being gullible or dull. It seems like both of these characters are hard to write, and Soule had it.
Am I convinced of the relationship now? Hm, maybe. At least the way Soule writes it. And I dearly wish that he'd been given the main Wonder Woman title after Azzarello left. Alas.
August 13, 2017
I'll go on the record saying I love Clark and Lois together. However, this isn't the Clark we know. This is New52 Clark, who is more of a assholeish young kid who has almost no game, so he never gets this universe Lois. So instead we get Clark hooking up with Wonder Woman! The power couple! The Gods be thumping and bumping!
The story basically revolves around them first dating. Trying to figure out their relationship like any other couple. Then the news gets out that they're dating and people are freaking out! Then Zod comes to earth and wants to open up the Phantom Zone! And then Doomsday is here! Kind of...And yeah, a whole lot of shit happens in 8 issues.
What I liked: The art is reallllllly solid. Everything looks great and the fights flow really well. I like Clark and Diana together. They a bit off beat but it works for who they are. Plus they fight just like real people! Oh and I also thought the moment Superman beat down a God was cool. The 2 on 2 fight was great!
What I didn't like: Doomsday is getting tiring. Why is he always the big bad? Also the ending seemed to be missing huge chunks of the story and got a bit confusing. I think the pacing in general is just off. Like it's missing moments?
Overall this was fun and enjoyable. Similar to Batman/superman it has a lot of fun ideas, some even great, but it feels uneven. Maybe because they tie it to the main universe and that holds it down. I'd love to see a separate universe for both of them to have freedom. But overall it's good stuff and I'll check out more!
The story basically revolves around them first dating. Trying to figure out their relationship like any other couple. Then the news gets out that they're dating and people are freaking out! Then Zod comes to earth and wants to open up the Phantom Zone! And then Doomsday is here! Kind of...And yeah, a whole lot of shit happens in 8 issues.
What I liked: The art is reallllllly solid. Everything looks great and the fights flow really well. I like Clark and Diana together. They a bit off beat but it works for who they are. Plus they fight just like real people! Oh and I also thought the moment Superman beat down a God was cool. The 2 on 2 fight was great!
What I didn't like: Doomsday is getting tiring. Why is he always the big bad? Also the ending seemed to be missing huge chunks of the story and got a bit confusing. I think the pacing in general is just off. Like it's missing moments?
Overall this was fun and enjoyable. Similar to Batman/superman it has a lot of fun ideas, some even great, but it feels uneven. Maybe because they tie it to the main universe and that holds it down. I'd love to see a separate universe for both of them to have freedom. But overall it's good stuff and I'll check out more!
August 13, 2015
The 52 reboot has a young Superman and Wonder Woman attempting to hide their romance from the public amidst ordeals with General Zod, Doomsday, The Phantom Zone and other issues.
Unlike a lot of graphic novels the romance is exhibited well and doesn't go down the juvenile road.
OVERALL GRADE: B plus to A minus.
Unlike a lot of graphic novels the romance is exhibited well and doesn't go down the juvenile road.
OVERALL GRADE: B plus to A minus.
November 2, 2014
Fine story, decent villains, and a good setup for future stories (if they're willing to focus on the action and flush the melodrama).
This story brings up a lot of flaws though - some that are baggage from New 52, some that are poorly-handled details of Azzarello's very isolated run in WW, and some that are just plain poor choices by Soule and Daniels. At the root of it, I feel like people aren't taking this shit seriously. I mean, have fun and make fun stories and all, but let's not screw up the details so much that it gets in the way of a fun story (not that this was one - oh no DC, no fun for you).
This sword shit really bugs me, Tony Daniels. You spend all this unnecessary time putting superfluous lines and piping on Superman's costume - hell, on page 6 you draw what is likely the most beautiful USB port in all of comics. So why can't you spend ten seconds showing us how Wonder Woman's sword stays on her hip? Is it magic? Is there some hidden clip thing? Magnets? What the hell people, unless you give us some reason to understand, this looks like everyone just agreed that it wasn't necessary for us norms to get a clue how the damned sword just doesn't fall to the ground. Grr.
What else bugs me? (1) The star on her ass. (2) That a warrior born would wear two-inch heels. Seriously folks? You think she's into "cute boots"? Steel toes, maybe. Hidden blades in the heel, sure. A two-inch heel to give her height, put her on her toes, and make her hips sway more when she walks? Pffft. Idjits. (3) When did Diana acquire Wolverine's healing factor? It's ridiculous enough on him - now Diana too? Is that new?
There's a noticeable problem with damsel-in-distress treatment of WW, and of treating Superman as the only worrisome threat. If WW is truly a god, carries herself like a warrior and knows how to take down everyone, there's only a few (and especially not the military tacticians) who would underestimate her.
Finally, what's with the middle of this book treating this like two single-character ongoings instead of one dual-character story? There's plenty of room in other books to spend an extended amount of time with these two as separate people - but if I buy a team-up book, I expect them to operate as a team. World's Finest got the tone exactly right, and while those characters have had years as a twosome, it's not like Supes & WW haven't been part of one team for five years already. I'll tell you this Soule: if you're just getting the initial wavering angst out of the way early, and we get on with shit in the future, great. If you're gonna keep up this BS, take it to your LiveJournal - don't take it out on us.
Lord help me, the variant covers. Oh so many 20th-century sins buried in these (which I'm sure got tons of attention from editorial so these were all approved well in advance), but mostly just putting Supes above/ahead of WW:
- romance-cover: she looks like she's on a date-rape drug, spacey and cold
- 40's wartime cover: head tilted back, eyes closed, and he gets a different but-head-to-toe uniform but she doesn't deserve function or modesty?
- stupid-comic cover: she's smaller and behind him
This story brings up a lot of flaws though - some that are baggage from New 52, some that are poorly-handled details of Azzarello's very isolated run in WW, and some that are just plain poor choices by Soule and Daniels. At the root of it, I feel like people aren't taking this shit seriously. I mean, have fun and make fun stories and all, but let's not screw up the details so much that it gets in the way of a fun story (not that this was one - oh no DC, no fun for you).
This sword shit really bugs me, Tony Daniels. You spend all this unnecessary time putting superfluous lines and piping on Superman's costume - hell, on page 6 you draw what is likely the most beautiful USB port in all of comics. So why can't you spend ten seconds showing us how Wonder Woman's sword stays on her hip? Is it magic? Is there some hidden clip thing? Magnets? What the hell people, unless you give us some reason to understand, this looks like everyone just agreed that it wasn't necessary for us norms to get a clue how the damned sword just doesn't fall to the ground. Grr.
What else bugs me? (1) The star on her ass. (2) That a warrior born would wear two-inch heels. Seriously folks? You think she's into "cute boots"? Steel toes, maybe. Hidden blades in the heel, sure. A two-inch heel to give her height, put her on her toes, and make her hips sway more when she walks? Pffft. Idjits. (3) When did Diana acquire Wolverine's healing factor? It's ridiculous enough on him - now Diana too? Is that new?
There's a noticeable problem with damsel-in-distress treatment of WW, and of treating Superman as the only worrisome threat. If WW is truly a god, carries herself like a warrior and knows how to take down everyone, there's only a few (and especially not the military tacticians) who would underestimate her.
Finally, what's with the middle of this book treating this like two single-character ongoings instead of one dual-character story? There's plenty of room in other books to spend an extended amount of time with these two as separate people - but if I buy a team-up book, I expect them to operate as a team. World's Finest got the tone exactly right, and while those characters have had years as a twosome, it's not like Supes & WW haven't been part of one team for five years already. I'll tell you this Soule: if you're just getting the initial wavering angst out of the way early, and we get on with shit in the future, great. If you're gonna keep up this BS, take it to your LiveJournal - don't take it out on us.
Lord help me, the variant covers. Oh so many 20th-century sins buried in these (which I'm sure got tons of attention from editorial so these were all approved well in advance), but mostly just putting Supes above/ahead of WW:
- romance-cover: she looks like she's on a date-rape drug, spacey and cold
- 40's wartime cover: head tilted back, eyes closed, and he gets a different but-head-to-toe uniform but she doesn't deserve function or modesty?
- stupid-comic cover: she's smaller and behind him
January 27, 2024
This short volume seems to echo the Starship Enterprise tagline, to boldly go where no man has gone before and that is credible enough for Charles who has come up with a volume packed to the rafters with emotion and action and some interaction.
With such a power packed couple at the helm of the book it was expected that the villains had to be equally larger than life and we have a bevy of villains parading the bookish ramp in an effort to negate them.
The art is raw and savage looking giving the protagonists angles and looks not usually seen when compared to their standard characters. The premise for the secrecy of the relationship is weak and doesn't stand up to scrutiny but then I did not wade into this volume expecting steamy lovelorn and corny scenes. It is an action frenzy and with two of the DC Trinity deciding to bond wasn't going to take the focus too much away from the kickass action. For people who thought otherwise and have come-off from too many YA/A romances this volume would be a letdown. For the rest of us this volume seems a culmination of expectations, two supers who are equally matched in terms of strength, IQ and otherwise decide to take the friendship to another level. Expected and fine.
The relationship blues reflect their own personalities with Superman/Clark always shy and reticent and very conservative about his family life while Wonder Woman/Diana is a god, bold in your face and transparent. The clashes of the personalities is a small but palatable side dish in this slugfest and we can understand how Clark is reluctant to make his relationship public and how he is horrified when there is a leak while Diana is not bothered by the world knowing, her siblings and relatives at Olympus have done worse and it is acceptable.
Batman as a counsellor for their relationship is the ROFL moment in the book.
Loved the story.
With such a power packed couple at the helm of the book it was expected that the villains had to be equally larger than life and we have a bevy of villains parading the bookish ramp in an effort to negate them.
The art is raw and savage looking giving the protagonists angles and looks not usually seen when compared to their standard characters. The premise for the secrecy of the relationship is weak and doesn't stand up to scrutiny but then I did not wade into this volume expecting steamy lovelorn and corny scenes. It is an action frenzy and with two of the DC Trinity deciding to bond wasn't going to take the focus too much away from the kickass action. For people who thought otherwise and have come-off from too many YA/A romances this volume would be a letdown. For the rest of us this volume seems a culmination of expectations, two supers who are equally matched in terms of strength, IQ and otherwise decide to take the friendship to another level. Expected and fine.
The relationship blues reflect their own personalities with Superman/Clark always shy and reticent and very conservative about his family life while Wonder Woman/Diana is a god, bold in your face and transparent. The clashes of the personalities is a small but palatable side dish in this slugfest and we can understand how Clark is reluctant to make his relationship public and how he is horrified when there is a leak while Diana is not bothered by the world knowing, her siblings and relatives at Olympus have done worse and it is acceptable.
Batman as a counsellor for their relationship is the ROFL moment in the book.
Loved the story.
June 7, 2017
Superman and Wonder Woman, newly dating, are ambushed by a monster named Doomsday and meet a strange kryptonian named Zod.
Doomsday is introduced in almost a cameo appearance while the threat posed by Zod is hidden at first; things rapidly spiral out of control once Clark takes Zod to the Fortress of Solitude in what felt like a nice revamp of Zod's introduction into the New 52 stories. Zod seems a little more sane this time around, not making it personal by not especially caring who Clark is as he only focuses on Earth's domination.
Of course the secondary story running through every scene is Clark and Diana being together and how they relate. Clark visits Diana's new family on Olympus which makes for a few entertaining scenes. Clark wants to maintain privacy while Diana prefers to be open about who they are, which I enjoyed as a dichotomy. They speak to each other with their eyes open and without sappiness, they solve problems as a team, and form the kind of equal partnership that seems worth aspiring to. In short, Charles Soule presents them as a true "power couple" and for the first time it seems like they're presented as iconic a duo as Superman and Batman are usually shown. This combination also makes at least as much sense as the traditional Clark/Lois pairing.
Tony Daniel kills it with the art, providing appealing action scenes and some of my favorite depictions of these new designs of the characters.
(P.S. This is the Superman/Wonder Woman I remember from years ago.)
Doomsday is introduced in almost a cameo appearance while the threat posed by Zod is hidden at first; things rapidly spiral out of control once Clark takes Zod to the Fortress of Solitude in what felt like a nice revamp of Zod's introduction into the New 52 stories. Zod seems a little more sane this time around, not making it personal by not especially caring who Clark is as he only focuses on Earth's domination.
Of course the secondary story running through every scene is Clark and Diana being together and how they relate. Clark visits Diana's new family on Olympus which makes for a few entertaining scenes. Clark wants to maintain privacy while Diana prefers to be open about who they are, which I enjoyed as a dichotomy. They speak to each other with their eyes open and without sappiness, they solve problems as a team, and form the kind of equal partnership that seems worth aspiring to. In short, Charles Soule presents them as a true "power couple" and for the first time it seems like they're presented as iconic a duo as Superman and Batman are usually shown. This combination also makes at least as much sense as the traditional Clark/Lois pairing.
Tony Daniel kills it with the art, providing appealing action scenes and some of my favorite depictions of these new designs of the characters.
(P.S. This is the Superman/Wonder Woman I remember from years ago.)
September 30, 2014
I was pretty prepared to not like this, because of the whole putting Superman and Wonder Woman together for publicity. They first got together over in Geoff Johns Justice League (I think it was the end of the second arc) and it seemed to come out of nowhere. There was no tension or flirtation between the two in the previous issues of Justice League, which made the coupling seem even more forced.
I also love the current Wonder Woman ongoing, so extra titles with her in just make that book harder to figure out timeline and continuity wise.
But this was pretty good. I think a lot of it is down to it looking amazing. Tony Daniel is a great clear and clean artist. His storytelling is easy to follow and his stuff always looks great. It's also decently written by Soule, who never seems to ponder too much on the two expressing their feelings towards each other, and instead has them going out and hitting stuff.
I think the type of relationship they're trying to push for these two is that they're together more out of respect for each other and because there's few other people they're on a level field with. With Lois and Superman, you could see the passion a little more. This is more Han Solo/Princess Leia in the "I love you/I know".
And then Batman is all "if you two spat, the planet will blow up", which was kinda funny.
I also love the current Wonder Woman ongoing, so extra titles with her in just make that book harder to figure out timeline and continuity wise.
But this was pretty good. I think a lot of it is down to it looking amazing. Tony Daniel is a great clear and clean artist. His storytelling is easy to follow and his stuff always looks great. It's also decently written by Soule, who never seems to ponder too much on the two expressing their feelings towards each other, and instead has them going out and hitting stuff.
I think the type of relationship they're trying to push for these two is that they're together more out of respect for each other and because there's few other people they're on a level field with. With Lois and Superman, you could see the passion a little more. This is more Han Solo/Princess Leia in the "I love you/I know".
And then Batman is all "if you two spat, the planet will blow up", which was kinda funny.
February 23, 2023
WOAH.
So I randomly saw this the other day and I had to read it jsut out of curiosity. I actually thought that I would just make fun of it.
Not only is this not bad, but it's also really good.
Not like five star material or anything, but a really fun and enjoyable story. Nuff said.
So I randomly saw this the other day and I had to read it jsut out of curiosity. I actually thought that I would just make fun of it.
Not only is this not bad, but it's also really good.
Not like five star material or anything, but a really fun and enjoyable story. Nuff said.
February 14, 2015
Not bad but a little to sappy at times.
December 10, 2021
This sure was something to read!
Clark and Diana are a couple and well they wanna hide it as they wanna keep that part of their lives to themselves but the news gets out but whose behind it seems to be a future plot but most of the story is each of them meeting with the others threats like Clark fighting Apollo and incurring the wrath of a god or the emergence of Zod who at first was a friend and then an enemy and then comes Ursa so its pretty much a battle of the power couples with Apollo empowering Zod!
Its a cool volume with lots of badass art and that maybe the only good thing about it as the story sometimes feels stretched to the point it seems boring and yeah that plot could have been shorter and the writer should have focused more on the worlds reaction to this couple but nonetheless cool fight but it ended weirdly but I like the moment where Clark protects Diana and that was quite romantic and in the end them accepting their relationship and moving on!
Its a cool volume from the New 52 era and I remember reading it this time in 2015 and it was a cool read and well one of my first comics and I love it more for that! Anyways a good recommendation and next up: Doomsday!
Clark and Diana are a couple and well they wanna hide it as they wanna keep that part of their lives to themselves but the news gets out but whose behind it seems to be a future plot but most of the story is each of them meeting with the others threats like Clark fighting Apollo and incurring the wrath of a god or the emergence of Zod who at first was a friend and then an enemy and then comes Ursa so its pretty much a battle of the power couples with Apollo empowering Zod!
Its a cool volume with lots of badass art and that maybe the only good thing about it as the story sometimes feels stretched to the point it seems boring and yeah that plot could have been shorter and the writer should have focused more on the worlds reaction to this couple but nonetheless cool fight but it ended weirdly but I like the moment where Clark protects Diana and that was quite romantic and in the end them accepting their relationship and moving on!
Its a cool volume from the New 52 era and I remember reading it this time in 2015 and it was a cool read and well one of my first comics and I love it more for that! Anyways a good recommendation and next up: Doomsday!
October 23, 2017
The first time I read this I enjoyed it. The second time it was pretty meh, only the art saving it from being completely forgettable.
My main problem with Power Couple the second time around was Charles Soule's version of Diana; this WW completely different in so many ways from Azzarello's Diana and not in a good way. Now, I grasp that two writers cannot write a character EXACTLY the same way. I mean, they are definitely going to put their own spin on said person, but, honestly, Soule couldn't have come a little closer to the Azzarello version? It shouldn't have been too hard, since he obviously was quite familiar with the New 52 WW, incorporating elements of Azzarello's ongoing story (including Olympians and God of War themes) into this arc. For whatever reason though, Soule gave us a very different WW whom I personally just couldn't seem to care about at all this time around.
My main problem with Power Couple the second time around was Charles Soule's version of Diana; this WW completely different in so many ways from Azzarello's Diana and not in a good way. Now, I grasp that two writers cannot write a character EXACTLY the same way. I mean, they are definitely going to put their own spin on said person, but, honestly, Soule couldn't have come a little closer to the Azzarello version? It shouldn't have been too hard, since he obviously was quite familiar with the New 52 WW, incorporating elements of Azzarello's ongoing story (including Olympians and God of War themes) into this arc. For whatever reason though, Soule gave us a very different WW whom I personally just couldn't seem to care about at all this time around.
September 29, 2017
Really liked this volume..
We're getting a good picture on both Superman and WW ... Seeing how their relationship is being handled and suddenly sent all over the world.. Bit strange though, why would they even try to keep it hidden.. Nothing to be ashamed about, right? :)
Oh, and always fun to see Doomsday AND Zod/Feora as bad guys again...
Enjoy this volume!
We're getting a good picture on both Superman and WW ... Seeing how their relationship is being handled and suddenly sent all over the world.. Bit strange though, why would they even try to keep it hidden.. Nothing to be ashamed about, right? :)
Oh, and always fun to see Doomsday AND Zod/Feora as bad guys again...
Enjoy this volume!
April 15, 2024
Whilst this iteration of Superman remains one of my least favourite, his personality somewhat works alongside this rendition of Wonder Woman. The story is pretty one note with powerhouse couple vs. powerhouse couple in gender split one-on-ones. Lacking any kind of coherent conclusion, it does have some well drawn action sequences and moments that make it work overall.
September 10, 2016
Superman and Wonder Woman are hot and sweet, like Vietnamese barbecue. The Kryptonian subplot isn't the best, although interesting, but it's great to watch Supes and Wonder Woman find love, balance, and bloody life-threatening violence! And Tony S. Daniel's artwork is incredible. 3.5 stars.
December 14, 2023
Really nice art. I like the premise of the story but it seemed extremely disjointed.
Read 2: I still think this is extremely disjointed, but I love this "New 52" art style.
Read 2: I still think this is extremely disjointed, but I love this "New 52" art style.
March 15, 2015
Once again, we have DC trying to push something that is so far out of canon that it barely resembles what it should look like. In a desperate attempt to make Clarke and Diana to work together, there is this imbalance in power in their relationship. That's why they would never have worked in the first place: they're both fighting each other for the role to be the dominant. It instead makes Diana seem like a giggling teenage girl in order to make Clarke be the big strong manly man that DC want him to be. Whenever Diana talks to her friend, the topic is always about Clarke. The real Diana wouldn't worry herself over high school dramas like that.
Apart from that, the writing is just sloppy, and the art sexualises Diana way too much. But that's a given, since Diana is a female and DC's law that all females must have their asses and crotches and breasts drawn as detailed as possible (hello camel toes! Butt muffins! Breasts that defy the laws of physics!).
I've long given up on DC. Everything in the New52 is just a mess, and this joins the steaming pile of crap, which is unfortunate, because Wonder Woman is a character with so much potential, and I absolutely adore her.
Apart from that, the writing is just sloppy, and the art sexualises Diana way too much. But that's a given, since Diana is a female and DC's law that all females must have their asses and crotches and breasts drawn as detailed as possible (hello camel toes! Butt muffins! Breasts that defy the laws of physics!).
I've long given up on DC. Everything in the New52 is just a mess, and this joins the steaming pile of crap, which is unfortunate, because Wonder Woman is a character with so much potential, and I absolutely adore her.
February 16, 2015
Charles Soule writes some great dialog here between Superman and Wonder Woman, as the power couple themselves comes to grips with how their relationship affects their super-heroic interactions with each other.
Plus, General Zod and Faora escape from the Phantom Zone and almost kill our beloved duo in the process.
And, although S/WW seemed to forget about Doomsday, looks like he's about ready to unleash some huge damage on the world while Clark and Diana dance the night away at a London disco.
Tony Daniel draws some nice looking people. Enough about that.
Plus, General Zod and Faora escape from the Phantom Zone and almost kill our beloved duo in the process.
And, although S/WW seemed to forget about Doomsday, looks like he's about ready to unleash some huge damage on the world while Clark and Diana dance the night away at a London disco.
Tony Daniel draws some nice looking people. Enough about that.
July 13, 2017
This was an impulse grab at the library. Well, it ended up grabbing me alright. I admire a book that can combine the harsh, bone-crunching, blood-spurting fight scenes with the sensuality of the developing romance and both aspects remain effective and not too over-the-top. (Oh, and that cover artwork - simultaneously 'hot' and 'cool' if there is such a thing!) The cameos from various Justice Leaguers are welcome as well. Too bad my library only has the next two (of five) volumes - cue the sad trombone sound effect.
October 15, 2014
Don't hate me Anne.
http://saraandmikeoncomics.wordpress....
http://saraandmikeoncomics.wordpress....
July 7, 2016
I really enjoyed this! I guess this is how a lot of women feel about Nicholas Sparks books.
October 2, 2017
73rd book read in 2017.
Number 24 out of 637 on my all time book list.
Something always wished for done extremely well.
Number 24 out of 637 on my all time book list.
Something always wished for done extremely well.
May 24, 2015
What to say here...I think it's a shade better than 3 stars, but not rounding it up past that.
The art for the most part is a strong point, and both Clark and Diana look great. I can see why Anne got girl wood looking at Supes...
I'm not a huge fan of all the Olympian Gods shit, at least not in the DC version...however, Soule does something great here; he lets us see just how powerful Supes is when he goes toe to toe with Diana's big bro, Apollo. It is definitely one of those scenes that had me smiling, even more so because Clark is telling Apollo not to talk shit about Diana.
New 52 continues having Diana be the gigantic shit kicker she always has been which is nice.
We also see what I think are the first New 52 appearances of Doomsday and Zod. Unfortunately, I'm not sure where thing in the Superman storylines are rite now...or the JL ones for that matter...where does this sit in conjunction with those books? Anyone?
This is great to see the biggies in the Superman roster showing up, and the JLA is actually used well too! Martian Manhunter takes on Zod! Of course Steve Trevor is a douche, and Vibe is there...ugh. But for what could have happened...not bad.
Bats, the other member of the Holy Trinity, is here in a smaller role, more as a sounding board and friend to Clark, but also keeping an eye on things between the 2. I thought he would have been angrier about this, but here he's acting like he is trying to prevent an awkward breakup between the two powerhouses...
There's a bunch made about them both being outsiders, Alien and God, but that connects them strongly. If anything, I could see Diana turning against the Earth first, in a point that Bruce nails on the head: Clark may be an all powerful alien, but he was raised as a small town dumb farm kid, which is why Bruce of New 52 seems to trust him more, or not be as afraid of what might happen...yet...
It sure would be cool if Diana went evil lol, except that's all that DC does...so it was refreshing to see Diana Christmas shopping for Clark.
It's good enough for me to tell you you won't regret reading it, and heck, I might even read Vol. 2 if it exists...a solid, nearly very good book.
The art for the most part is a strong point, and both Clark and Diana look great. I can see why Anne got girl wood looking at Supes...
I'm not a huge fan of all the Olympian Gods shit, at least not in the DC version...however, Soule does something great here; he lets us see just how powerful Supes is when he goes toe to toe with Diana's big bro, Apollo. It is definitely one of those scenes that had me smiling, even more so because Clark is telling Apollo not to talk shit about Diana.
New 52 continues having Diana be the gigantic shit kicker she always has been which is nice.
We also see what I think are the first New 52 appearances of Doomsday and Zod. Unfortunately, I'm not sure where thing in the Superman storylines are rite now...or the JL ones for that matter...where does this sit in conjunction with those books? Anyone?
This is great to see the biggies in the Superman roster showing up, and the JLA is actually used well too! Martian Manhunter takes on Zod! Of course Steve Trevor is a douche, and Vibe is there...ugh. But for what could have happened...not bad.
Bats, the other member of the Holy Trinity, is here in a smaller role, more as a sounding board and friend to Clark, but also keeping an eye on things between the 2. I thought he would have been angrier about this, but here he's acting like he is trying to prevent an awkward breakup between the two powerhouses...
There's a bunch made about them both being outsiders, Alien and God, but that connects them strongly. If anything, I could see Diana turning against the Earth first, in a point that Bruce nails on the head: Clark may be an all powerful alien, but he was raised as a small town dumb farm kid, which is why Bruce of New 52 seems to trust him more, or not be as afraid of what might happen...yet...
It sure would be cool if Diana went evil lol, except that's all that DC does...so it was refreshing to see Diana Christmas shopping for Clark.
It's good enough for me to tell you you won't regret reading it, and heck, I might even read Vol. 2 if it exists...a solid, nearly very good book.
May 22, 2015
After being disappointed by the first collection of the New 52 Justice League, I didn't have high expectations for the first set of stories surrounding the relationship between Superman and Wonder Woman. So, I was pleasantly surprised at not only how well this collection of six issues worked but how much I ended up enjoying what was unfolding on these pages.
With two of the DC Universe's iconic characters dating, Superman/Wonder Woman seeks to give us some insight into what a relationship between Superman and Wonder Woman would be like. It shows the connections these two have as well as the differences they have -- one of the biggest early stumbling blocks for the two is if and when they should publicly acknowledge their relationship. Superman wants to keep things on the down low for now while Wonder Woman says that they should acknowledge their relationship. The decision is quickly taken out of their hands by a tabloid blog run by Cat Grant (who is in this venture with Clark Kent, ironically enough). The news and its impact on the characters and their world is nicely done.
The story ties their romantic relationship in with their battles with certain villains. In this case, it's Zod who is freed from the Phantom Zone and comes to threaten our heroes and the world at large. As threats go, this works well and what is presented on these pages easily beats what we saw in Man of Steel. I'll admit the battles with various villains worked far better than what we got in the first Justice League collection, where it seemed liked the heroes were given mindless and faceless bugs to pound on, all while destroying several cities.
How long these two remain together remains to be seen. But I'll give DC and the creative team props for bringing them together in an interesting, believable and readable collection.
With two of the DC Universe's iconic characters dating, Superman/Wonder Woman seeks to give us some insight into what a relationship between Superman and Wonder Woman would be like. It shows the connections these two have as well as the differences they have -- one of the biggest early stumbling blocks for the two is if and when they should publicly acknowledge their relationship. Superman wants to keep things on the down low for now while Wonder Woman says that they should acknowledge their relationship. The decision is quickly taken out of their hands by a tabloid blog run by Cat Grant (who is in this venture with Clark Kent, ironically enough). The news and its impact on the characters and their world is nicely done.
The story ties their romantic relationship in with their battles with certain villains. In this case, it's Zod who is freed from the Phantom Zone and comes to threaten our heroes and the world at large. As threats go, this works well and what is presented on these pages easily beats what we saw in Man of Steel. I'll admit the battles with various villains worked far better than what we got in the first Justice League collection, where it seemed liked the heroes were given mindless and faceless bugs to pound on, all while destroying several cities.
How long these two remain together remains to be seen. But I'll give DC and the creative team props for bringing them together in an interesting, believable and readable collection.
September 19, 2014
Coming off my high praises for 'Injustice: Gods Among Us' I can't help but feel somewhat betrayed by DC. I finally thought I may be getting hooked back on Superman - I felt like I was experiencing some of my childhood joy again - until I read this graphic novel. I was gritting my teeth through the entire storyline. There was too much blubbery romance, too much dwelling on complex emotions and not enough ass-kicking. The storyline was just not great at all. It's not like this is a long graphic novel... and yet I almost didn't even finish it.
I enjoy a bit of complexity and real life in my comics but this was just too much. Luckily I was given a free electronic copy of this graphic novel through NetGalley because I certainly would have felt ripped off if I paid for it.
I'm at a crossroads here: Do I continue reading Superman comics and take the chance of DC ruining my childhood hero or just drop him into my memory bucket with all the good comic memories from yester-year and live with my happy memories of books I enjoyed?
I recommend skipping this one unless you like your superheroes written like Twilight novels.
I enjoy a bit of complexity and real life in my comics but this was just too much. Luckily I was given a free electronic copy of this graphic novel through NetGalley because I certainly would have felt ripped off if I paid for it.
I'm at a crossroads here: Do I continue reading Superman comics and take the chance of DC ruining my childhood hero or just drop him into my memory bucket with all the good comic memories from yester-year and live with my happy memories of books I enjoyed?
I recommend skipping this one unless you like your superheroes written like Twilight novels.
July 2, 2015
I'm surprised to say that I really enjoyed this! My expectations were quite low going into this collection because everywhere else in the New 52 that makes reference to the Superman-Wonder Woman relationship does so in such a one-dimensional way.... But in this collection, the relationship is explored from several different points of view and the consequences of the relationship are fully played out with heightened stakes.
There is some really strong writing when it comes to the dialogue and the character development. The dynamic between Superman and Wonder Woman is really intriguing because we see Superman revert more to his Clark Kent personality when in costume and Wonder Woman takes on a more "alpha" role that shows Supes' humanity a lot more clearly, and it shows WW in the inspirational, leadership role that her fans tend to love most.
A really strong balance between exposition and action. An interesting exploration of characters. Some solid artwork to boot.
4/5
There is some really strong writing when it comes to the dialogue and the character development. The dynamic between Superman and Wonder Woman is really intriguing because we see Superman revert more to his Clark Kent personality when in costume and Wonder Woman takes on a more "alpha" role that shows Supes' humanity a lot more clearly, and it shows WW in the inspirational, leadership role that her fans tend to love most.
A really strong balance between exposition and action. An interesting exploration of characters. Some solid artwork to boot.
4/5
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