Wonder Woman (2011-2016) Vol. 2: Guts

Since the beginning of the DC New 52, it was essentially about rebooting most of the company's characters for new readers, except Green Lantern and Batman (for the most part). So in rebooting DC's own characters, it meant changing them up in different ways. When it comes to changes, one of the biggest changes goes to the characters and world of Wonder Woman. Instead of the bright, positive side of Greek mythology WW has followed for many years now, writer Brian Azzarello and artist Cliff Chang decided to follow the darker, Greek tragedy into the Amazon princesses' world. Because of this, Azzarello's take on Diana Prince has become a comic that is either the most retched and vile version created...or one of the most different and biggest changes she ever needed. Personally, I love all versions of WW...but I do love what Azzarello is cooking up, and volume 2 further cements this.WONDER WOMAN VOLUME 2: GUTS collects issues #7-12 and picks up right where  Wonder Woman, Vol. 1: Blood (The New 52)  left off. Hades has taken Zola to the Underworld as payment for Diana's broken deal to share Hera to him and Poseidon for rule Olympus. Diana sets out to find Eros (god of love) and Hephaestus (blacksmith god) to aid her in going to Hell and taking back Zola herself. And as Zola is slowly becoming closer and closer to the day of giving birth to the offspring that will destroy the gods and take over, the gods themselves set their own plans and ambitions into play that is aiming for Olympus...or Zola's child.Much like I said about the previous volume, Azzarello wants this to be epic; akin to Homer's The Odyssey. So expect some adventure, humor, surprises, magic, revelations, future teases, and Hell itself. But to better get that feeling, readers must already be continuing from volume 1. So unless you already read the first volume, new readers thinking about trying out WW will be lost. Volume 1 is required.Most of the book takes place during Diana's descent into the Underworld and trying fight off Hades for Zola, and a fight for Mount Olympus itself with Wonder Woman going all out. That is the overall plot, but I don't want to delve on it much because I would be giving too much information away, and a lot happens from the get-go that carries over from Azzarello's dark world he has created. The mystery of how Amazons get their weapons, how Amazons are born, the fate of men for Paradise Island, the usages of souls in Hell, and yes, Diana's new demi-god powers(!?) that you have to see to believe are all little nuggets of what to expect without giving things away. And if your one who loved those hidden pieces of Azzarello's lore, then you'll love it even further here.I said it before for volume 1, but the real narrative here is on the world itself and the characters that inhabit it. It's all about making Diana a spectator in awe of the world she thought she knew. We don't get an actual focus of Diana, but her actions and thinking come through the world itself when need be. She gets angry what seems wrong to the reader. She gets tough when she needs to be tough. And she shows compassion when none usually show it. This is not done from her perspective, but again, from the world and characters actions themselves. This, to me, is what makes her still likable, even if it isn't about her specifically.The gods also make up the interesting parts of Diana's world, with their unique design, ideology, and quirkiness that Azzarello puts great effort into creating the complicated family ties. Eros, Hephaestus, Hades, Strife, Apollo, and a whole heap of other gods (even a Titan!) that get introduced in volume 2 (that I won't spoil who they are) all have deep thoughts that are interesting to read about. Every one of them makes it where they can be allies one minute, or enemy the next. That's the way Azzarello writes them I find it is one of the strongest points on this.Artist Cliff Chang makes some of the best art to suit Azzarello's dark world that I cannot get enough. The bold thick lines, the asymmetrical buildings, and the tongue-and-cheek designs for the designs just impress me every time. Fill-in artist Tony Akin does issues 9 and 10, and although his face expressions for Diana and Zola are nerve-racking, his art in general holds up just fine regardless.Like volume 1, I have almost zero complaints about volume 2, but I will still say some possible setbacks to stay subjective, most of which share the same problems with volume 1. The most obvious is the dark world Azzarello has created and because of it being very different from past WW stories. The other aspect is like I mentioned earlier, this series doesn't focus directly on Diana, but the world itself. And the other aspect is the book is wordy and might seem boring to some peoples eyes (but it does have it share of action over vol.1, especially the fight in Hell and battle on Mount Olympus). All of these possible negatives are common complaints that volume 1 has, meaning it is the trait of Azzarello's entire run on WW that is and, so long as Azzarello is on the title, it will be the hear consistently from those who dislike it and wish it were never made. So in other words: no matter where you are start out with volume 1 and if you like it, everything else will be interesting to read about. If you read volume 1 and hated it with a passion, just cut your loses and move on because volume 2 probably won't change your mind.WONDER WOMAN VOLUME 2: GUTS continues Diana's journey of the world and to protect Zola through Hell itself and even the wraith of Olympus. If you loved the first volume, pick up volume 2 ASAP. If you hated volume 1, move on to another book because you'll probably still this hate one. GUTS has everything about it that made BLOOD just as good. Even better is the soft ending to GUTS plot carries over from volume 1 to complete this 12 issue arc...but also leaves many story lines and future teases hanging enough where Azzarello and Chang have more to come (hint: the first New 52 introduction of Jack Kirby's New Gods!). This will end on a huge cliffhanger that you will wish volume 3 was available now. The next step in Diana's epic odyssey ends and continues to grow deeper here. See you then readers.

Collects issues 7-12.The series continues right from the previous volume. The pregnant Zola is still a captive of Hell, ruler of the underworld. Diana, Wonder Woman, is furious at this setback and gears up to challenge her uncle in his twisted realm. She still has the aid of Hermes, messenger of the gods and Lennox, another illegitimate child of Zeus like herself and Lola's unborn. The trio seek aid from Eros, god of love, and his master-smith father, Hephaetus. The journey takes them to the height of Mt. Olympus itself as the gods of sun and moon, Apollo and Artemis, challenge for Zues' vacant throne.Readers should definitely start with volume 1 and realize that this is a continuing series that will probably only end with writer and artists Azzarello and Chiang's departure. This story is a continuing study of the world of the ancient Greek gods in the world of today. The through line is of Wonder Woman devoting herself to the protection of Zola and her baby, who is another abandonment of the King of the gods, Zues. Having said that this is a real treat to read. Wonder Woman is on a really fascinating adventure that really takes advantage of the "New 52" relaunch in giving her world new life and intrigue.Previous takes on Wonder Woman, at least from what I have read, just borrowed lightly from the rich nature of the Greek gods mythos. Azzarello really puts it up front and center and turns them into the most epic family feud. He also gives new and interesting takes on certain characters that go against their past incarnations. Take Ares for example, the god of war. In the past storylines, he always played to conniving for what his name was, war, and was always lusting for power. In this take, he just happens to in the midst of wars going on more like an observer not instigator. He is always pictured drinking heavily as if to drown out the senseless slaughter around him.The title character is at her top form here. She has one of the most strictest of moral codes and of honor than any other hero in tights, a trait familiar from her old DCU takings. The commitment she gives to the protection of Zola and her unborn demi-god half brother is moving. Her world had been pulled out from under with revelation that Zues had been her father and she wants to help a mere mortal with this dilemma by battling creatures of ancient myth who just happen to be family as well.The art is spot on for this series. Cliff Chiang (issues 7, 8, 11, 12) is very expressive and vibrant. His take on the characters, there are some character sketches of the newcomers in the back of this volume, are both fun and feel right for this dark comedy of an adventure. Tony Akins (issues 9, 10) does a nice job of intimating Chiang while still having his own mark but he leaves the audience missing Chiang.There has been a lot of controversy surrounding a reveal of the Amazons, Wonder Woman's sisters and non-blood family living on an island in isolation from Greek myth as well, in issue 7 that had passionate longtime Wonder Woman readers in rage ever since it's release. Some went as far to call Azzarello a misogynist and that it undermined the recent decades of triumphs to how women are portrayed in comics. I do not understand how such accusations can be made about an individual without every meeting them, but comic fans are passionate and enraged lot. The reveal, let's say makes the Amazons seem less noble to be blunt. This information is delivered by a god, who could be lying, as this band of gods do like to play games. Also, in the flashbacks drawn by Chiang, it showed these acts be carried out in the night and in secret as if if to imply it is supposed to be a secret. That last bit leads to my next point of fan outcry as to how Diana could not know of such viscous acts or perhaps she did and choose to ignore it. Well, she seemed pretty shocked and enraged by the news so I do not think it is old news to her. Secondly, as these acts were seemed to be acted in secret by a few Amazons it is not so far fetched that a 23 year old citizen may be unaware of what their government has been doing for centuries with a very limited amount of technology and only getting their information from that ruling government. Plus, this is a work of fiction. Not real. Wonder Woman may not be real but she is portrayed very heroically and as a very compassionate individual. Please calm down and have an open mind.All in all a wonderful take on an iconic superhero but not for fans that what a fast one in down read as this adventure seems to just be getting started. Fantastic cliffhanger on the last page. I will not say anything excpet....BOOM!

The Greek mythining of Wonder Woman continues. This is a good volume, I did like the are work slightly more in this volume, but I did not enjoy it quite as much as the first volume. It starts out well but for me seemed to lose it's way slightly from issue 9 onwards, (this volume covers issues 7-12).I like the more warrior aspect of Wonder Woman, following that to save Zola from the underworld and Hades, Diana and her friends think they might need some more armaments so they seek out Hephaestus the blacksmith of the Mount Olympians. Now if you though that all Amazons dark secrets are not out in the open think again, In this volume we learn that the Amazons are not as pure as Diana thought and the why are there not male Amazons?This is the part that kind of lot me after about Diana's new amour and weapons were pretty much useless, and completely forgotten after this 3 issue arc. The next couple of issue really has Diana physically trading fist with her "family", but at the end we do see a glimpse of Diana embracing her "Greek" heritage. Around all this other drama there is also the small matter of who is going to take Zeus' throne. Also as with any Greek tragedies could betrayal be far behind. This is an all round volume just a shade below the last volume for me but still one of the better stories in the New 52.

I'm absolutely loving Wonder Woman's run in the New 52 so far. Brian Azzarello and Cliff Chiang are knocking it out of the park with every issue. I love the history of the Greek Gods, probably why i love this book, and we are introduced to many of them in this trade. Wonder Woman finds out that you don't just mess with Gods and expect to walk away 'scott free'. After humiliating Hades in vol 1, she now finds herself in an unknown place looking for the girl she promised she would protect. Lot's of twists and the art is A+ on every panel. Great stuff.

Volume 1 was good but, volume 2 is better. The story in the second volume is darker than the first one. It also moves along at a faster pace and, gathers more momentum with each page. Yet again Brian azzarello's writing is very good and cliff Chiang's artwork is superb. Can't wait to read volume 3.

Love this series and can't wait to read more. Took roughly two weeks to arrive which was estimated when ordering but still slightly disappointing.

Great team of writer and artist! Wonderfulll booK!