Next Year in San Diego!

It's the cry of many comic book fans around the world. I know I've been thinking it, if not actually saying it, for ten years now.

NEXT YEAR IN SAN DIEGO!

In other comic news, Wonder Woman #11 really bugged me.

Ragnell wants to know if it's worth reading. The reply closest to encouragement, so far says, "it is not as bad as it could have been" which isn't saying much. The only encouragement I could offer was it give me something to complain about. That's not the best reason to read something, but it's a reason.

My complaint doesn't have to do with Wonder Woman, in particular. I've already written about how this most recent series has just been one big missed opportunity. This time, my problem has to do with Athena.

Now, as per usual when dealing with Wonder Woman, I have not read many of her comics. Other than the crossover with Batman and Circe in this volume, I don't know how any of the Greek gods have been characterized in the comic in the past. I do know a bit about Greek mythology, though. And I think I know a bit about their place withing the pantheon, which is why I'm going to comment about this issue.

First, I noticed the way she was dressed. She has a tiny breast plate that doesn't cover her whole stomach. Stupid enough on its own, but when Athena proclaims that she is a god of war, the armor is insane. It's too small to provide much protection, but, since it appears to be metal, too rigid to allow for good movement. Would any real warrior, let alone a god of war, wear something like that?

And what's with this god of war stuff? I suppose, the argument should be made, but really, she's a god of strategic battles. In war, she's there for the tactic, the draws and feints, the precision strikes, and the flanking maneuvers. Mindless attacks are not her way. Brainless battles are the way of Aries.

It seems to me that an Athena true to her roots would not support the blood lust of the Amazons during their attack on Washington D.C. There's no strategy except to overwhelm, which isn't Athena's way. Aries, on the other hand, must love the senseless fighting that's going on.

It's too bad there wasn't a big reveal in #11, made by Athena, that Aries and Circe are working together to bring chaos to the man's world and the destruction of Paradise Island. No such luck, though.

The worst thing about all this is that I shouldn't even expect a book that can't even keep the characterization of it's main character straight for eleven issues to know how to handle gods. Why bother?