It is time to wrap up Wonder Woman Vol. 1: The Lies. In this post I am coving the last two issues, #9 and #11. If you still need to read the first two parts of this recap check the links at the bottom of this post. Lastly, when we left our hero she had saved Steve and cured Barbara of her curse, but there are still some mysteries to be solved and the lost island of Themyscira to find.
The Lies, Part Five: Steve's team is reporting in with Director Sasha (last name Bordeaux). They give her the God flower that was once Urzkartaga. She is unimpressed with the now, plant shaped God. They further report that most of the women have returned home but some stayed to become guardians against the "God's" return. As the director is dismissing Steve's team she asks if Wonder Woman's involvement will be in his report. He assures her that it will. She also asks where Wonder Woman is now, in case she needs to speak to her. Steve mentions a shopping trip.
Speaking of shopping, Etta, Diana, and Barbara are out getting Barbara some new duds. Diana is happy to see her old friend back to her human self. Many people are showing up at the store to see Wonder Woman. Barbara tells Diana that she might know where to start in the quest to find Themyscira. Before they can talk about it more, the crowd outside grows bigger. Diana goes out to speak with the people, giving Etta and Barbara a chance to slip away.
In Washington D.C. a powerful looking woman is talking to a floating orb. The orb reveals a woman who reports that Urzkartaga is now a plant. Business woman (name revealed to be Veronica Cale) tells orb woman she is going to need the plant (of note, she is petting two Doberman dogs, they matter). Orb woman further reports on what Etta is doing, looking up maps and how "The Amazon" cannot find her way home. The Orb woman's name is Adrianna and she likes to give Veronica sass. These two women are the ones controlling the director and plan to control Wonder Woman.
Back at The Picket, aka, Etta's base of operation, the team is looking at geo satellite pictures. They are hoping to figure out where Themyscira is but Barbara tells them they are doing it wrong (she is very cryptic). She does eventually explain that Themyscira is protected and more of a spiritual location than a literal place. Diana joins the conversation adding that she always found it by just knowing where it was, but that doesn't seem to be working anymore. The team plans to keep looking, but Diana has to bounce, she has a date.
A little later on a lovely looking beach, Diana meets up with Steve. They catch up and both admit to missing each other. She points out that he could have reached out. He didn't because she was with him (Superman). She discusses her feelings and thoughts on the matter, being with Superman was easier in some ways, uncomplicated. I like the way she puts it. She is good at loving, but not so great at romance. She is also not in the best head space, but she does now that she will never forget him. He tells her that he is always in her corner and always will be. She tells him he is going to kiss her and he says he is cool with that. They have an epic kiss. They have a nice moment that is interrupted by a call from Etta, who has some news.
Again at The Picket, Barbara explains that they aren't really trying to figure out where Themyscira is but how to reach it. It is more divine than literal. Diana doesn't think she is divine, but Barbara disagrees. Diana might not be divine but her gifts are from her patrons (Gods) and they are still working so something else must have changed for her to no longer be able to go home. Barbara suggests a location where the barrier between worlds might be weak.
Steve and Diana go to the place that Barbara suggests. At first there is nothing but then someone speaks to Diana. Suddenly Steve and her are surrounded by many Amazons and Diana's mother is welcoming her home.
The Lies, Conclusion: In the Picket, Etta and Director Bordeaux are discussing how Steven and Diana went dark about four hours ago. Etta supposes that is good. Bordeaux asks about Dr. Minerva (Barbara). Etta is not sure how she is doing, it is a lot to come back from. Bordeaux is understanding and tells Etta to head home and get some rest and that she will be calling it a not too, right after she drops off the God flower. Before the director can get very far though, she gets a call and goes into zombie mode. Etta sees what happened and is not happy.
On Themyscira there is a feast happening, but Diana is very confused, because she thought that her mother was dead. Diana recaps how Hera turned her mother to clay and how Ares also died, but then she trails off not really sure how to finish or recap all the stuff that happened (New 52 was a crazy time). Steve excuses himself and Hippolyta warns that he shouldn't be left to wander alone as it will anger the other Amazons.
Steve does immediately get in trouble as he is looking for Castalia, someone he met the last time he was in Themyscira. The woman he meets doesn't know the name and not so subtlety threatens him. Diana catches up with him and the scary woman leaves. He points out how wrong everything is, that it is weird everyone is speaking English and the buildings are all different. At first she is not sure about what he is saying but her wrist starts to hurt and she is bleeding.
Etta follows Director Bordeaux to a park where she drops off the God plant on a park bench. Veronica shows up with her two dogs to pick it up. Etta pulls her gun to stop her. The confrontation is tense and Etta doesn't back down. For a moment you think Veronica's dogs are going to attack, but it is Sasha who attacks. It is rough as her face kind of melts off revealing she is a robot or cyborg maybe. Etta shoots the robot right in the face, taking it down at least for now. Veronica decides maybe it is time to use the dogs.
Diana is very stressed about how everything is wrong. She is still in pain as she admits that nothing looks right and it is a parody of the home she remembers. Steve is trying to help her get her gauntlet open. There are two puncture wounds and Steve asks what happened. Diana begins to tell a story from when she was young, but her lasso seems to activate and reality shatters revealing a large maybe dead looking tree. It disappears quickly and Diana collapses completely breaking down. She has never been home, it was all lies!
Thoughts: A bit of a cliff hanger, also remember that this is only half of the story. The even numbered issues clear up a few things that are not super clear in this volume. It is interesting to watch Wonder Woman, who is usually so confident and sure, to now struggle with her identity. I am a little unsure how I feel about it. I like that she is confident and strong. So I am not going to write this story off just yet, but I plan to tread lightly and hopefully.
My favorite line belongs to Steve Trevor. I think in my mind he is delivering this totally dead pan.
This is my favorite cover from this volume. The artist Jenny Frison captured all the beautiful Wonder Woman vibes. Click her name to see more of her great work.
Friday I am going to keep this Wonder Woman train going so that we can see the other side of this story. Looking forward to continuing this journey with her and with you.
Last Week: Wonder Woman Vol. 1: The Lies, Part 1
Wonder Woman Vol. 1: The Lies, Part 2
Next Post: Wonder Woman Vol. 2: Year One, Part 1
Note: All images belong to DC™
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