The idea behind DC Comics' Rebirth event is to reset the company's comic book universe, taking characters back to who they were before the company's New 52 event.
However, in Wonder Woman: Rebirth #1, Diana struggles with her two identities: that of the demigoddess who recently loved and lost Superman, and that of the woman whose origin story dates back to the baby made from clay on the island of Themyscira.
Throughout the pages of this story, Diana realizes that there are two versions of herself, and goes in search of which version is actually the true one. This makes sense because the New 52 changed her origin story and made her the daughter of Zeus, angering many fans of the character in the process.
This new duality in the character gets handled deftly by writer Greg Rucka, who expertly avoids falling into the continuity confusion trap that is the bane of every new reader. Wonder Woman knows one of these versions is her true self, but her attempts to uncover the truth lead her to question everything she's ever known. In this, Diana becomes a compelling character again, more so than ever as she seeks answers not about the world and the nature of it, but about herself.
Rucka takes Diana on a journey that sets up this new title well, teasing an issue #2 that will actually cover two alternating stories. Although readers won't know where this will lead the Amazonian princess, it's likely she'll once more become the child of clay perhaps she always was.
The artwork by Liam Sharp gives the character some strong edges, making her seem tough, but still not entirely invincible. This is a woman struggling with the very core of her being, and that shows in the panels. When Wonder Woman takes off her New 52 costume and dons her new look (which is certainly a nod to Gal Gadot's portrayal of the character in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice), it's evident that she's on the path toward becoming herself again.
The coloring here is good, too, with both Sharp and Paulo Siqueira providing ink, bringing in the traditional red, white and blues with which longtime fans of Diana are familiar. Some of the panels are actually gorgeous, particularly those of Wonder Woman arriving on Olympus and her subsequent fight with Automatones there.
If Wonder Woman: Rebirth #1 is any indication of the continuation of the series, it's a strong re-introduction to a character that readers have loved since 1941.
Wonder Woman: Rebirth #1 is available now at comic book stores and online.
Story
★★★★★
Art
★★★★★
Overall
★★★★★
