Wonder Woman: where to start?

[Animation]

All,

I've only been a peripheral DC fan for the most part (over the years). Over the last year, I've been watching the Batman TAS, Superman TAS, Justice League, JLU, and Batman Beyond on DVD. Also, on a whim, I bought all the 90s Starman trades. I also do follow some of the Batman family. I used to read Green Lantern as a kid. Thats about it.

Anyway, since watching the JL/JLU stuff, I'm wondering where to start collecting trades on Wonder Woman?

I know she has a complex and self-contradictory history, even more than most DC characters, but I do like her in the JL cartoon. I also know the characters in the JL/JLU cartoon are different versions or different takes on the characters, sometimes better than the comics (I like the animated JLU John Stewart much better than the comic book John Stewart).

Still, I want to read more about the characters. What's the essence of Wonder Woman, in terms of trades? Where should I start?

Thanks,

Lewis

[Eliseu Gouveia]

Borrow/buy/steal the George Perez arc where he revamped the character following Crisis in the Infinite Earths.

It´s the ultimate Wonder Woman story.
All the following teams built on that (some with greater success than others) but the essential is all there.

[shaxper]

Agreed. Seek out reprints of Wonder Woman (vol. 2) #1-62 (the full Perez run, most of which has been reprinted in trades). Some of the antagonists are downright silly, but the characterization, backstory, and supporting cast are legendary. This is Diana at her finest.

I'd also recommend the Greg Rucka run (WW vol. 2 #195-215), but that run is a little more controversial with the fans.

[Young Avenger]

I'd also recommend the Greg Rucka run (WW vol. 2 #195-215), but that run is a little more controversial with the fans.

His run lasted to 226 not 215.

[Damo]

Greg Rucka run WW vol. 2 #195-226. It was composed of pure awesomeness, and should be a map for future writers.

[shaxper]

His run lasted to 226 not 215.

Oops. I meant 225. I intentionally omitted 226 though. Waste of an issue. I strongly suspect Rucka wanted to end the run with 225, but was forced to add the final issue as an Infinite Crisis tie in.

[abyss]

I grab Greg Rucka run is was the definitive run for for me at least. But Perez also did a great rebbot of the cahracteer either one will be a great read.

[Ontir]

Since Wonder Woman's history is being... updated at the moment, I'd suggest holding off on buying anything, and just going with the new issues to see where things are going. You may not need any prior TPBs for what's under way.

The 1st year of Perez was really good. Unfortunately it's like Byrne's "Superman." It was something that required the person responsible for it, and after he left, actually when Perez stopped drawing it, it quickly went into the dumper. Chris Marrinan's work was hideous, and all the more, for following immediately on Perez' heals. Beyond that, there were bright spots here and there; but never for very long. I'm at odds with a good many people, in that I found Rucka's run to be exceedingly boring, and a contradiction to pretty much everything the character's been for 65 years.

[Black Atom]

My advice is to hold off, too. Perez's reboot origin is very convoluted and may be obsolete reeeeeeal soon as I expect they intend to retell it in the wake of Infinite Crisis. Furthermore, the WW from those books isn't a whole lot like recent WW, anyway. If anything, I'd say get Rucka's run as others have suggested, or just jump in with the new series and start fresh.

[Animation]

Thanks, gang! I'll try use the tplist site to figure out which trades to get based on the recommendations, and I'll maybe try some of the new stuff as well.

Lewis

[shaxper]

Since Wonder Woman's history is being... updated at the moment, I'd suggest holding off on buying anything, and just going with the new issues to see where things are going. You may not need any prior TPBs for what's under way.

The 1st year of Perez was really good. Unfortunately it's like Byrne's "Superman." It was something that required the person responsible for it, and after he left, actually when Perez stopped drawing it, it quickly went into the dumper. Chris Marrinan's work was hideous, and all the more, for following immediately on Perez' heals.

Marrinan's artwork was atrocious, but Perez's storytelling actually got stronger, in my opinion, when he stopped dividing his time between writing and pencilling. Those are still great issues, even if the art is lacking.

As for Rucka, well you love it or hate it. I'm actually pleased to see how many people in this thread love it. I thought the conclusion of the series was particularly poigniant, and quite in keeping with Perez's work.

[a-spidey]

i had a look once at the deodato run. Not because of the story, but i liked the art :D