The Oracle

[turnedm]

We know (at least those of us who read 600), that Diana is in an alternate timeline. And we get that knowledge via the Oracle. The Oracle remembers what it used to be like, even when remembering herself. But Is it me or (according to the Oracle herself) is the Oracle remembering her past life as Queen Hippolyta?

What was your impression guys and gals?

[BnL]

I was hoping she was Menalippe, who could still be alive in this timeline. Probably isn't though, since she looks nothing like Menalippe.

[Spiffy]

It will be interesting if The Oracle is somehow someone we "know"... but I don't think its essential to the storyline. So I won't be too dissapointed if it doesn't happen that way.

[gbshabo]

It's just strange that while the whole lasso of truth is attached to her hip, Diana is missing the big picture? I wonder if the whole element of Diana being the avatar of truth living in a altered timeline unaware, will be addressed?

[Spiffy]

It's just strange that while the whole lasso of truth is attached to her hip, Diana is missing the big picture? I wonder if the whole element of Diana being the avatar of truth living in a altered timeline unaware, will be addressed?
Since the goal of this whole thing is seemingly a simplified continuity, I'm betting that the Avatar of Truth stuff is simply another of the hundreds of "pet" pieces of continuity out there which isn't necessarily valid anymore.

In other words... its more likely that she has a lasso. And its a tool. And she uses it like a tool, and any deeper mystical connection to her just may not exist.

[Tiberious]

Since the goal of this whole thing is seemingly a simplified continuity, I'm betting that the Avatar of Truth stuff is simply another of the hundreds of "pet" pieces of continuity out there which isn't necessarily valid anymore.

In other words... its more likely that she has a lasso. And its a tool. And she uses it like a tool, and any deeper mystical connection to her just may not exist.

Plus the Gods removed their magic. The lasso may not function that way anymore. This is an entirely new Diana. We don't know what her abilities are. She's going to go through a "Labors of Hercules" to get them back but as of right now, truth may not even be a factor.

[the4thpip]

We know (at least those of us who read 600), that Diana is in an alternate timeline. And we get that knowledge via the Oracle. The Oracle remembers what it used to be like, even when remembering herself. But Is it me or (according to the Oracle herself) is the Oracle remembering her past life as Queen Hippolyta?

What was your impression guys and gals?

I don't think it's an alternate timeline as much as an alteration of the DCU-timeline. If JMS felt that WW as a book was "too insular", he's not gonna shovel her off into an alternate timeline.

[CarolStrick]

Not only is Diana wearing a gift the gods gave her once she'd achieved adulthood and Championship in another timeline, but the oracle without a name wears an ankh, an Egyptian symbol.

The defeated Amazons are all bald, standing like statues, unable to communicate through word balloons, dressed alike in burqas, and now their oracle doesn't even have a name.

Hunh.

[Spiffy]

I don't think it's an alternate timeline as much as an alteration of the DCU-timeline. If JMS felt that WW as a book was "too insular", he's not gonna shovel her off into an alternate timeline.
This may be a nit we have to resist picking on. JMS comes damn close to calling it an "alternate timeline" here (http://www.bigshinyrobot.com/reviews/archives/14823), where he calls it a "shifted timeline".


In the case of Diana, because the timeline was shifted, most people only know her as she is. But there are some in the DCU who can see both timelines…the oracle, in the 600 and 601 issues, and down the road, the Phantom Stranger and Deadman, among others.

Does that mean its a toss away parallel world? I don't think so. Because he also talks in other interviews about how the endpoint of this may indeed be her long-term continuity being simplified. It sounds more like alternate timelines... leading back to a single ending merged timeline. A very high concept sci-fi thing I've seen before in stories... so it makes sense.

And it leaves the window open for Donna and Cassie to continue operating just as they always have... until this story is done. ONLY at that point (which would have a lot leading up to it) would any change be necessary--and if JMS and DC are smart then the end-result wouldn't shift them TOO much. Because THEY are in Timeline A, while this storyline we are reading is in Timeline B, and at the end we get Timeline AB.

[jelebino]

This Oracle is completely addled, as in, contradicts herself in a single sentence. She is what the author requires to push Diana one stage along the plot, no more, no less. It hurts.

[galactica]

We know (at least those of us who read 600), that Diana is in an alternate timeline. And we get that knowledge via the Oracle. The Oracle remembers what it used to be like, even when remembering herself. But Is it me or (according to the Oracle herself) is the Oracle remembering her past life as Queen Hippolyta?

What was your impression guys and gals?

The Oracle was supposed to have black hair, according to Don Kramer, but the colorist came back with blond hair.

[turnedm]

The thing about the lasso is tricky. It might still show the truth to Diana. I wasn wondering about this too, until I come to the realization that if the timeline was broken before dian got the lasso, it still works properly. If that's the case, then Diana sees the truth that the reality allows her.

[Burning Manazon]

And this lasso belonged first to Queen Hippolyta. It is not the lasso forged specifically for Diana sent by the gods to aid her in her fight against Ares... which didn't happen???

[IvCNuB4]

We know (at least those of us who read 600), that Diana is in an alternate timeline. And we get that knowledge via the Oracle. The Oracle remembers what it used to be like, even when remembering herself. But Is it me or (according to the Oracle herself) is the Oracle remembering her past life as Queen Hippolyta?

What was your impression guys and gals?

How in the world did you get that from those panels ? :biggrin:
The Oracle sees all. In that flashback/vision "..was not always what I am now", she sees herself how she was and would still be had the timeline not been altered: wearing flowing robes and looking over the island, instead of dressed all goth living under a bridge.

[bulldog_milt]

Not only is Diana wearing a gift the gods gave her once she'd achieved adulthood and Championship in another timeline, but the oracle without a name wears an ankh, an Egyptian symbol.

The defeated Amazons are all bald, standing like statues, unable to communicate through word balloons, dressed alike in burqas, and now their oracle doesn't even have a name.

Hunh.

Carol... hun... honestly... did you actually read the issue or just 'skim it' cause alot of your facts are just wrong...

Diana doesn't have the lasso yet... Not in any panel of the story, therefore we don't know if it will show her the 'truth' or not...

As to the Eqyptian Symbol... Don't some of the Amazon's worhip gods other than the Greek/Roman ones... I seem to recall that... Something about Bana...

The Guardians aren't bald... they are all wearing some sort of helmet with a veil of some kind...

[Eliseu Gouveia]

I am impressed by the number of surviving amazons.
I thought they were like 3 or 4 and there we see a bazilion of them.

[Major Comma]

Carol... hun... honestly... did you actually read the issue or just 'skim it' cause alot of your facts are just wrong...

Diana doesn't have the lasso yet... Not in any panel of the story, therefore we don't know if it will show her the 'truth' or not...

As to the Eqyptian Symbol... Don't some of the Amazon's worhip gods other than the Greek/Roman ones... I seem to recall that... Something about Bana...

The Guardians aren't bald... they are all wearing some sort of helmet with a veil of some kind...
Thats true.
But the Lasso is in the initial Preview image.
Which can be confusing.

[DisneyBoy]

I was hoping she was Menalippe, who could still be alive in this timeline. Probably isn't though, since she looks nothing like Menalippe.

Loved Menalippe. Was kinda hoping it was her, too.

[CarolStrick]

Carol... hun... honestly... did you actually read the issue or just 'skim it' cause alot of your facts are just wrong...

Diana doesn't have the lasso yet... Not in any panel of the story, therefore we don't know if it will show her the 'truth' or not...

As to the Eqyptian Symbol... Don't some of the Amazon's worhip gods other than the Greek/Roman ones... I seem to recall that... Something about Bana...

The Guardians aren't bald... they are all wearing some sort of helmet with a veil of some kind...

Hun back... Absolutely right about the lasso. No, the Amazons of 20 years ago did not worship Egyptian deities. And I didn't see any helmets; I saw (Caucasian) flesh-color under netting that covered heads. From where do you get that this equates to "helmets"?

[bulldog_milt]

Hun back... Absolutely right about the lasso. No, the Amazons of 20 years ago did not worship Egyptian deities. And I didn't see any helmets; I saw (Caucasian) flesh-color under netting that covered heads. From where do you get that this equates to "helmets"?

The coloring is misleading... They are helmets with ornate mesh design and small raised dots where the lines cross... You can tell it is a helmet because of the metal ring... I would have used a different color myself, but it is a typical "British" design for a helmet...leather I believe...

[Tiberious]

For those that analyze dialog, what's the deal with the gum? Its obviously important because she brought it up repeatedly.

Was it to highlight that Wonder Woman the title is no longer bubble-gum-ish but all serious and dark?

Was it to highlight that Diana is no longer a sweet fun person to be around?

Was it to set up how Diana is changing when she brings her gum next time?

Anyone have any ideas?

[NeoStar9X]

Maybe she just likes gum and can't always get any for herself.

[BnL]

For those that analyze dialog, what's the deal with the gum? Its obviously important because she brought it up repeatedly.

Was it to highlight that Wonder Woman the title is no longer bubble-gum-ish but all serious and dark?

Was it to highlight that Diana is no longer a sweet fun person to be around?

Was it to set up how Diana is changing when she brings her gum next time?

Anyone have any ideas?

I just took it to signify how dreary the oracle's life is. She yearns for something as simple as gum just so she can experience some kind of sensation to break the monotony of her existence.

[pariah-1972]

Am i the only one who assumed she was a prostitute ?

I don't recall it being said outright but that was the impression i got.

[BnL]

Am i the only one who assumed she was a prostitute ?

I don't recall it being said outright but that was the impression i got.

If that was the case, she'd probably have lots of opportunities to put things in her mouth to taste. :wink:

[pariah-1972]

If that was the case, she'd probably have lots of opportunities to put things in her mouth to taste. :wink:Maybe she needed gum to keep her saliva going?

[Spiffy]

For those that analyze dialog, what's the deal with the gum? Its obviously important because she brought it up repeatedly.

Was it to highlight that Wonder Woman the title is no longer bubble-gum-ish but all serious and dark?

Was it to highlight that Diana is no longer a sweet fun person to be around?

Was it to set up how Diana is changing when she brings her gum next time?

Anyone have any ideas?
You know, I almost think you aren't joking, and in part actually believe that the incidental mention of bubble gum was an insult directed right at the fans. :eek:

[DarkKnghtJared]

For those that analyze dialog, what's the deal with the gum? Its obviously important because she brought it up repeatedly.

She's a blind, homeless woman living under a bridge. Getting a fresh piece of gum is probably a rarity.

[the new sensation]

She looks to me like a drugged-up Black Canary, which i find slightly insulting to Dinah.

[elbobbo]

We know (at least those of us who read 600), that Diana is in an alternate timeline. And we get that knowledge via the Oracle. The Oracle remembers what it used to be like, even when remembering herself. But Is it me or (according to the Oracle herself) is the Oracle remembering her past life as Queen Hippolyta?

What was your impression guys and gals?

I don't think the Oracle is Hippolyta, I think she's a reference to Cassandra of Greek myth who was destined to see the future but have no one believe her.

I get a complete Buffy the Vampire "The Wish" feel from this story. Like once Diana figures out what's going on and defeats the villain then things can reset to what we know as her past