Ben Caldwell's Wednesday Wonder Woman

[West Mantooth]

http://img44.imageshack.us/img44/7224/6caerllud.jpg (http://img44.imageshack.us/i/6caerllud.jpg/)
I haven't really loved all the character designs, but the background designs and details have simply been amazing.

[mgs]

I had a hate/love relationship with what he's done so far on this.

Initially, I was all discombobulated and confused, angry, and saddened by what I was trying to read/look at, but now, I am more appreciative of what he's been trying to accomplish on his run. It's unique and definitely opens up new territory for storytelling in this way. It's still a little confusing to read, but I 'get it' now. :smile:

[Maplecroft]

I have a hard time following it. confusing

[korok]

I haven't been able to get into this. It's confusing.

[spark627]

I wish I could get into this. I can't understand 80% of the drawings. The panels are hard to follow, the font is hard to read etc

I stopped reading Wednesday comics all together after #2

[4PointOh]

I have to say that I'm blown away by the imagination behind this story. It just feels so fresh, new, and youthful to me. The ideas, the reinterpretations are just so much fun, a little bit creepy, and just plain interesting.

At times, I have difficulty making out what's happening panel to panel, and the lettering is a little strange, but I have a lot of fun with that story and in the end, that's what matters.

[West Mantooth]

Agreed. The best part is that the modern WW is myth based, but the Pre-Crisis version was fantasy. Caldwell's version captures that fantasy spirit in spades adding modern touches.

I think it will get more fans in the trade format if they go ahead with the seperate character books proposed.

[Damo]

I'm in love with many of his ideas, and I'd like to see them again in the "main continuity." The "Five Stars of the Amazons" for example. Very nice.

[WonderCubb]

At first I hated it, especially comparing it to the completely different yet clear and big art on Supes and GL and Metal Men which is fab, I just didn't get why the creator didn't make better use of the ability to have much bigger panels!!!!

Some of the panels are confusing and hard to read, but now that I'm more than halfway done, I like the kind of fuzzy quality, kind of adds to the dream feel! It's not my favourite Wednesday Comics section, but I love his redesigns! Just wish he'd give us bigger panels!!!

[nerites]

I love his WednesdayWW.

I don't really follow on the confusion of it. It's been an easy read.
I feel sad when he's attacked on it. His last post on his blog showed he feels the same. And he explains what I got, his panels and choices for colors demonstrate how he thinks Diana felt.

It's a journey and I'm really happy I'm on board
:-D

[JKCarrier]

I am in the middle, I guess. I like it for the most part, but yeah, there are definitely some legibility issues. Some of that may be down to the printing...if it were on better paper, the panels might "pop" a little more and not seem so muddy. But the overall style and storyline is great. In a lot of ways, I think Diana fits better in this kind of dream/fairy tale milieu than she does in the more "gritty/realistic" modern day DCU.

[spark627]

I would love for this story to be released in its own TPB on nice paper and printed larger... I'll buy that, as is.. I can't figure it out at all.

[hondobrode]

IIRC, the characters are going to be collected in their own books, though I'm not sure if the size is going to translate for any of them. If that's the case, then panels need to be enlarged and printed as single panels page size.

That would greatly help Caldwell's work. First of all, his work doesn't flow top to bottom left to right, which in itself will throw most people off. Secondly, him trying to do too much per page, despite the oversized dimensions, is not translating well.

His ideas are good and I like what I see despite the aforementioned points.

[Captain Jim]

IIRC, the characters are going to be collected in their own books, though I'm not sure if the size is going to translate for any of them. If that's the case, then panels need to be enlarged and printed as single panels page size.

That would greatly help Caldwell's work. First of all, his work doesn't flow top to bottom left to right, which in itself will throw most people off. Secondly, him trying to do too much per page, despite the oversized dimensions, is not translating well.

His ideas are good and I like what I see despite the aforementioned points.

They've said the collection is also going to be oversized, so I can't imagine there will be separate character volumes. I've not read anything to indicate this.

[Captain Jim]

I'm sorry, no offense to the creator, but I struggled through this in issue #1, had no idea what I'd just read, and gave up on it after that. It's the only strip in WC I'm not reading and enjoying.

[realmjit]

I've tried reading the WC WW. The story is interesting, but the graphics are making me blind -- the lettering font is hard to read, and the nearly monochrome panels really drive me up a tree. I see wonderful detail and art style, but not enough contrast to showcase that detail. I hate giving up on anything WW, so I've been trying to tough it out.

[RayC]

I have to say that I'm blown away by the imagination behind this story. It just feels so fresh, new, and youthful to me. The ideas, the reinterpretations are just so much fun, a little bit creepy, and just plain interesting.

At times, I have difficulty making out what's happening panel to panel, and the lettering is a little strange, but I have a lot of fun with that story and in the end, that's what matters.

I totally agree. The best part is, I'm smiling at the end of each story! Each installment is a blast.

[Gail Simone]

I'm a bit behind, but I really enjoyed the art and the complex narrative. Can't wait to read it all together in one go.

[Spiffy]

I had a hate/love relationship with what he's done so far on this.

Initially, I was all discombobulated and confused, angry, and saddened by what I was trying to read/look at, but now, I am more appreciative of what he's been trying to accomplish on his run. It's unique and definitely opens up new territory for storytelling in this way. It's still a little confusing to read, but I 'get it' now. :smile:
I too have a love/hate relationship with this. (or is it hate/love like you order it?)

I love the design--both the character and the backgrounds. I love the idea of what's being done. But I kind of hate the actual execution. I feel like I'm wading through an Ocean of floating words everytime I look at it. The lettering just isn't cutting it for me--its distracting from all the other great elements to such an extreme I'm having to go back and pay special attention to properly appreciate them. It should be less work. Not the IDEAS, mind you, those can be big and complex (and should be) just the process of taking it in.

Like that Tim Gunn guy says on Project Runway [imagine Gunn's Snagglepuss voice saying this...], Caldwell is "someone who needs to learn to edit".

I agree with 4pointoh that its very youthful. Given that I've been known to harp a lot of how fans LOVE to age Wonder Woman into 40-something territory, that's very satisfying to see as a counterpoint. I just WISH that this great approach wasn't totally stepped on by how hard the strip is to actually READ.

[Rawhide Kid]

Until last issue (#9), I really didn't have the feeling of reading a Wonder Woman story.
I get that she is somewhat constructing herself with the search of the amazon's stuff but when I'm told that I'll be reading Wonder Woman, I expect to read the character already completed. Therefore, I don't think it was the good Wonder Woman story for Wednesday Comics.
I'm not blind and I can see that it is mostly beautifully drawn (and once you've read Kelly and Bachalo's Steampunk, nothing can be that confusing to read !) and the story is okay if you've been warned that it is a Origin one.
I will also add that it is one of the few stories (with Metamorpho and The Flash) that is actually doing something with the specific format of this publication.

[lariatofhestia]

I think it's great. I hope when it comes in trade format the panels are bigger so justice can finally be done to what is a really lovely magical take on WW.

[4PointOh]

I agree with 4pointoh that its very youthful. Given that I've been known to harp a lot of how fans LOVE to age Wonder Woman into 40-something territory, that's very satisfying to see as a counterpoint. I just WISH that this great approach wasn't totally stepped on by how hard the strip is to actually READ.

Please call me Bobby. :smile:

I must say that I'm rather smitten with the younger Diana. It was one of the things I really liked about the George Perez revamp.

Oh, and great way to work in a Project Runway term, Spiffy!

As Tim would say: Make it work!

:wink:

[From The Cellar]

I love Wednesday Comics, and the Wonder Woman strip is one of my favorites.

[ChrisDonaghy]

I'm sorry, no offense to the creator, but I struggled through this in issue #1, had no idea what I'd just read, and gave up on it after that. It's the only strip in WC I'm not reading and enjoying.

The ONLY one? You're actually finding enjoyment in Teen Titans?

I mean, the Superman story is not really moving -- still -- but at least it's beautiful to look at.

I am a huge fan of what Caldwell is trying to do -- if Kamandi is being rightly compared to Prince Valiant, this strip goes all the way back to Little Nemo in Slumberland. That's not to say that it's all a classic, but the idea that it's even being tried - and mostly succeeding. The depiction of Fenris Wolf alone elevates this up to the must-read level -- and every week, more threads make sense as it all comes together.

Right now, this and The Flash are the reasons I buy it every week.

[Nevermore999]

I've really enjoyed it- I don't really have a problem with the format, you just need to really sit down and read it carefully, which I'm happy to do. Besides, it's been less and less cluttered as it goes along- Caldwell's getting the hang of it!

I mean, it has a really fresh Diana, a boss Etta Candy, threatening Dr. Poison and really neat take on Cheetah, and I like how Caldwell fits so much story in.

Also, if you check out his site you not only see his ideas are amazing, but his research and attention to detail is INSANE!

It's a grand, detailed, mythological coming-of-age epic with a lovely fantasy landscape, and that works wonderfully for Diana.

Definitely one of my favorite strips (I also enjoy Kamandi, Flash, and Supergirl a lot),

[jerrymcl89]

I feel guilty about not liking it, because unlike most comics I dislike, it's inspired and original. But it's very difficult to read, and hard to decide what order the panels come in as well. I think it would have been much better served by a traditional comic book format.

[Captain Jim]

The ONLY one? You're actually finding enjoyment in Teen Titans?

Uh, very little. But at least I'm still reading that one.

[Mart]

I had real difficulty the first few weeks but something clicked around about issue six, and as has been said, the stories are getting less cluttered. I'm still confused as to how much of what we're seeing is a dream, but now we can actually see Diana, I'm happier. The various mythologies are fascinating, Priscilla Rich is great, and Ben has given me my favourite Etta Candy since pre-Crisis. Woo woo!

[ScottyQuick]

It's one of the best strips. The art and coloring is breathtaking, no doubt, and the story is so fresh and original that I really hope everyone who hasn't been reading it will give it another chance. Aside from possibly Flash or Supergirl it's my favorite.

I dislike the lettering, though.

(and Jim, you're reading Teen Titans and Superman over this? The art on all three is amazing, but Wonder Woman is well written!)

[King Rockwell]

I don't really have a problem with the format, you just need to really sit down and read it carefully, which I'm happy to do.
Yeah, this exactly. It can be confusing if you jut glance at it, but if you actually take the time to read it then it's beyond delightful! Along with Flash, Supergirl and Metamorpho, it's one of the strips I really really look forward to each week (he others are all fine as well, except Teen Titans, i won't even give that one credit for the art; Superman is at least finally going somewhere).

Also, WC Etta is my favorite person ever.

[Captain Jim]

Jim, you're reading Teen Titans and Superman over this? The art on all three is amazing, but Wonder Woman is well written!)

I don't think Superman is all that bad (then again, nothing really special either). Teen Titans is my second least favorite, but at least I don't have to struggle to read it.

Maybe I need to give the WW strip another chance once this is all done, try reading a few week's worth in sequence. When #2 came out, I knew I'd have to re-read #1 before I could attempt it, and I simply wasn't motivated enough.

[AndyMangels]

Caldwell explains a LOT about his thinking in the strip (and gets a bit defensive) and gives ANNOTATIONS (!) on his blog. Definitely check it out!

http://purgetheory.blogspot.com/2009/09/refutations.html

[Kevenn]

This is my favorite story of Wonder Woman being published right now. It's so dreamy and ethereal and wacky. It's a great mix-up of many of Wonder Woman's incarnations rolled into one with a new perspective. LOVE IT.

[Gail Simone]

Caldwell explains a LOT about his thinking in the strip (and gets a bit defensive) and gives ANNOTATIONS (!) on his blog. Definitely check it out!

http://purgetheory.blogspot.com/2009/09/refutations.html

You're becoming invaluable, Andy.

[RayC]

Caldwell explains a LOT about his thinking in the strip (and gets a bit defensive) and gives ANNOTATIONS (!) on his blog. Definitely check it out!

http://purgetheory.blogspot.com/2009/09/refutations.html

It's awesome he defends his work and I agree with him that he brought something totally new to the format. I'm in awe of his storytelling ability.

[AndyMangels]

You're becoming invaluable, Andy.

Awww, I try!

[Reptisaurus!]

A little tough to read, but I like the amount of content that I'm getting from the strip. Stuff actually happens! In every episode!

Which is a nice change from Superman, Teen Titans, Metal Men, Metamorpho, Sgt. Rock and Green Lantern.

[West Mantooth]

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=22895

Ben's interview.

I "wonder" what the next Wondy project is that he's involved with?

[spark627]

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=22895

Ben's interview.

I "wonder" what the next Wondy project is that he's involved with?

I wish the artwork actually looked like those images :frown:

[King Rockwell]

I wish the artwork actually looked like those images :frown:
It does! It's just a little smaller sometimes.

[DHacker615]

I get the feeling that Caldwell could have used a co-writer that knew the medium. Great ideas. Great visuals. Totally impossible to follow.

[West Mantooth]

I don't think so. The story makes sense and the pictures are excellently researched and executed. They're just small.

[mgs]

I get the feeling that Caldwell could have used a co-writer that knew the medium. Great ideas. Great visuals. Totally impossible to follow.
that was my first impression, but when you think about it, he's being innovative. Sometimes the strip runs left to right, sometimes up to down. But it's something not seen (esp. in Wednesday Comics) and once you get that he's not simply doing a straight-across panel to panel page, it's quite impressive!

[Wonder Watcher]

It's a lot of fun, Im enjoying it. Extremely creative and a fresh take on Wonder Woman and her origin. Cadwell is really trying to use the large format presentation to pack a lot of information in.

It's true it can be a little difficult to follow and I do wonder if the younger reader at which it's aimed might get a bit lost but on the whole he deserves plenty of applause for trying this new approach.

[suedenim]

From Caldwell's interview:
"Mark’s known me and my work since I did the Wonder Woman children’s books in 2004"

Argh, why does no one tell me of such things? My niece would love these, but they're out of print and spendy now....

[Schornforce]

I loved the latest issue and enjoy the new take on Dr. Poison and Cheetah who both are actually threatening. I also like crazy Etta. I also join with the folks who lauded the fresh take on Diana and her mythos.

I do agree it can be hard to follow, but I think it's great that the artist had a vision of what he wanted to do and defends it.

I love what he's trying to do and I love a lot about it, but like others, I may have to give it another go-around as a complete story to fully appreciate it.