Book

Wonder Woman: Gods and Mortals

📖 Overview

Wonder Woman: Gods and Mortals presents George Perez's influential 1987 reboot of the iconic superhero's origin story. The narrative follows Princess Diana as she leaves her home of Themyscira for the first time to enter the world of men. The story chronicles Diana's discovery of her powers and purpose as she confronts threats that bridge both the mortal and divine realms. Supporting characters include the Amazons of Paradise Island, Greek gods and goddesses, and key figures from the modern world who become part of Wonder Woman's new life. Military officer Steve Trevor serves as Diana's initial connection to modern society, while the god Ares emerges as a central antagonist. The plot moves between Olympian heights and earthly settings as Diana works to prevent an escalating conflict with cosmic implications. This foundational Wonder Woman tale explores themes of duty, cultural identity, and the relationship between ancient mythology and contemporary life. The story establishes core elements of Wonder Woman's character that would influence decades of subsequent comics and adaptations.

👀 Reviews

Readers appreciate Perez's fresh take on Wonder Woman's origin story and his detailed artwork that brings Greek mythology to life. Many note how the story grounds Diana's character while maintaining epic scope. Comic fans highlight the balance between action and character development. Readers liked: - Clear introduction to Wonder Woman's world for new readers - Integration of Greek mythology - Perez's intricate art style - Strong female characters beyond Diana Common criticisms: - Pace moves slowly in middle chapters - Some dialogue feels dated - Too much exposition in certain scenes - Supporting characters need more development Average ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (2,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (150+ ratings) One frequent reader comment notes: "Perez respects Wonder Woman's history while making her relevant for modern audiences." Critics point out that "the story takes too long establishing basic plot points that could be covered more efficiently."

📚 Similar books

Wonder Woman: The Hiketeia by Greg Rucka A tale of Greek mythology colliding with modern superhero action as Wonder Woman upholds an ancient oath of protection while facing off against Batman.

Amazons Attack by Will Pfeifer and Pete Woods The mythical Amazons wage war on the modern world, forcing Wonder Woman to choose between her Amazon heritage and her role as a superhero.

Superman: Red Son by Mark Millar This reimagining of Superman landing in the Soviet Union explores themes of power, mythology, and destiny that parallel Wonder Woman's own story.

Thor: Goddess of Thunder by Jason Aaron A female Thor takes up Mjolnir in this series that blends mythology, heroism, and female empowerment in ways similar to Wonder Woman's narrative.

The Sandman by Neil Gaiman Ancient gods and mythological beings navigate the modern world while exploring themes of power, divinity, and humanity's relationship with its deities.

🤔 Interesting facts

🔱 This book marked George Perez's revolutionary reboot of Wonder Woman in 1987, redefining her origin story and strengthening her connections to Greek mythology. 📚 Perez not only wrote the story but also provided the detailed artwork, bringing a level of intricacy to Wonder Woman's world that became a benchmark for future artists. ⚔️ The collection introduces Ares as Wonder Woman's primary antagonist, shifting away from previous versions to present a more complex and threatening god of war. 🏺 Perez extensively researched Greek mythology and incorporated authentic elements into the storyline, including lesser-known deities and accurate mythological references. 👑 This version established that the Amazons were reincarnated souls of women who had died violent deaths at the hands of men throughout history, adding a deeper layer to their backstory.