Greg Rucka's Run

[Gail Simone]

Yep, I thought it was brilliant. Greg and I came at the character from two different routes, there's no question about it, but I thought he made a spectacularly cohesive backdrop for Wonder Woman, and we agree on all the main points about Diana's motivations and potential.

As some of you know, my three favorite elements of his run are not really available to me to use.

1) The embassy is gone,

2) DC has moved on from Greg's version of the gods (which I think is a shame, as I thought they were very inventive) .

3) And Greg himself has asked me not to use Veronica Cale at this time.

Greg's been very gracious about using all the other elements, and has more than once suggested I use Ferdinand (whom I feel really works best with Greg writing). And he's been very helpful in clarifying some questions I had about elements in his run, and he and I came up with a cool story for why Etta is more take-no-prisoners now than she used to be.

For many WW readers, Greg's run will always be definitive, and that's hard to pull off. Certainly, it's a major achievement and a milestone in Diana's history.

So, this thread is for Greg's run. Did you love it, hate it, love to hate it, hate to love it, what did you like about it, and what elements did you enjoy that Greg brought to the book?

[turnedm]

Yep, I thought it was brilliant. Greg and I came at the character from two different routes, there's no question about it, but I thought he made a spectacularly cohesive backdrop for Wonder Woman, and we agree on all the main points about Diana's motivations and potential.

As some of you know, my three favorite elements of his run are not really available to me to use.

1) The embassy is gone,

2) DC has moved on from Greg's version of the gods (which I think is a shame, as I thought they were very inventive) .

3) And Greg himself has asked me not to use Veronica Cale at this time.

Greg's been very gracious about using all the other elements, and has more than once suggested I use Ferdinand (whom I feel really works best with Greg writing). And he's been very helpful in clarifying some questions I had about elements in his run, and he and I came up with a cool story for why Etta is more take-no-prisoners now than she used to be.

For many WW readers, Greg's run will always be definitive, and that's hard to pull off. Certainly, it's a major achievement and a milestone in Diana's history.

So, this thread is for Greg's run. Did you love it, hate it, love to hate it, hate to love it, what did you like about it, and what elements did you enjoy that Greg brought to the book?

Well, the run was great. It's what got me reading WW again. The Gorgon storyline was excellent. And his part in the Sacrifice storyline was awesome, with repercussions still felt today.

It's a shame DC decided to change the Gods once again. However, I know that you will make it work. I have a question though: will you pick up the subplot concerning Lyta? Since she was reclaimed by Ares we haven{t hear a thing about her. It seems like now that Ares is supposedly dead, it would be a nice way to reintroduce her into your run.

[CYOTI]

I thought his idea of Athena overthrowing Zeus as an extension of her story in greek myth was particularly brilliant.

[spark627]

I LOVED Greg's run. I own every TPB and read it often. What I love so much was how he created a world where people had such strong feelings for Diana. Either they idolized her, put her on a pedestal or thought she was evil. Then we turn to Diana who is just so normal and human. I loved the contrast.

He created the BEST supporting cast and it overall just felt real.

[suedenim]

I had all of the Rucka run piled up, unread, for a long time and didn't get back to it until well into Gail's run, which I love.

Not sure why, exactly. I kept it on my pull list, but there was some now-forgotten thing in the early issues that rubbed me the wrong way, maybe, and/or I was having trouble keeping up with The Weekly Stack O' Comics anyway around then.

Anyway, once I *did* read them all, I loved them, almost as much as Gail's run. The key to both, I think, is simply getting Diana's character, and what distinguishes her from the typical superhero. One aspect: Amazons take oaths very seriously. For instance, if Superman says "I'll do whatever it takes to bring this villain to justice," he's speaking somewhat metaphorically. He's not being dishonest or anything, but if Diana said the same thing, you know she'll literally do whatever it takes. (And for that reason, she doesn't make promises like that lightly.)

Loved his take on the gods, too, and can't figure out why DC wouldn't want that to continue.

[Raven Of Rhiannon]

I cannot begin to describe how much I loved his run. From the moment his Diana appeared on the page, I knew this run would be epic. The scope of what he did was phenomenal, and yet, his Diana felt very personal and not at all aloof. One of the things that impressed me was the way Rucka seemlessly went from Diana's POV to that of the embassy staffers. Seeing her through there eyes painted a more complete picture of the entire character.
I loved the incorporations of the Greek Myths, and I HATE that you cannot use his version of the Gods, Gail. I think you could have done 'wonders' with them. The political elements were cool too, a little like 'Wonder West Wing.' All of the elements Rucka set up were rife with story possibilities for YEARS. It's a shame that Infinite Crisis and his departure from the book put an end to that phase of Wonder Woman. It would have been nice to see Rucka's set up remain for other writers to play with.

[Flâneur]

Rucka is to blame for my love of Wonder Woman and she's to blame for me reading DC.

I know that I never took Wonder Woman that seriously, I hated DC because I hated Superman and a lot of the overdone elements in play and then I read Rucka's run on a recommendation and I loved it. I didn't feel like I was reading some other universe which didn't make sense, I was just reading about Wonder Woman and she wasn't just a stupid superhero who flew around beating up bad guys - she was political, sociological, militant, charitable - she was complex and the Rucka run wasn't something I'd cringe in recommending to my more mainstream non-comic reading friends. It's smart, it's bright, it's shiny, it's spectacular, it's her.

After that, I moved to Manhunter because of the Wonder Woman arc (and because there was a gay couple in it) and realised it was really cool. Rucka is also the reason that I took the time to come back to the current Wonder Woman book, even though I didn't really take it seriously at the time, and read through all of her other stories one at a time. After that I spread out into the rest of DC.

[PabloD]

I think the first...ten, fifteen issues or so of the run are extremely solid. I remember being absolutely crazy about them when I first read them. Those are still some of the best Wonder Woman comics I've ever read. I think after that you can sort of start seeing the Infinite Crisis pieces shifting around and influencing his run a bit, and that's more or less when it starts losing me. By the end it seemed like Rucka had to dump or cut short almost every interesting subplot he had going in order to make room for the IC stuff, and I think that's a bit of a shame. So I'd really like to see him go back to the character at some point (it'd be great if they gave WW a second title like Superman and Batman and handed it to him while Gail continued her run). And I believe I heard he's writing a Blackest Night: Wonder Woman miniseries? If so, I'm definitely picking it up.

[Hyperion322]

I'll never forget bemoaning about how slow Rucka's stories seemed at first, still well-written, but hardly living up to the hype I kept reading across the 'Net. But then suddenly I was won over and will fondly remember waiting with great anticipation for the latest issue of his Wonder Woman to hit stands! I loved the Embassy, Meduosa, Veronica Cale, Circe, Ares, and Athena with such great passion -- ! It was a great time to be a Wonder Woman fan! A great memory involving Rucka's =W= run was a trip my ex-boyfriend and I took to Miami and the trades I brought of Rucka's first two volumes. My ex (a Dartmouth graduate, but he can be a little pretentious) loves intelligent and creative writing, but didn't really believe me when I explained about the the high level of creativity and poise of Wonder Woman. All it took was for Mikee to look over my shoulder aboard the plane, and later to read alongside me while we sunned on the beach, but he was immediately hooked and devoured the material, desperately asking for more!

By the way, thank you, Gail, for keeping fans in the loop as to why you may or may not be touching on parts of Wonder Woman's past!

~ Hype

[Vigo the Carpathian]

The best run the character has ever had. Rucka wrote the definitive run for Wonder Woman in the new millenium. The fact that lesser minders tore everything he did down in a wave of Nostalgia does not change that fact.

[Kevenn]

I liked his run. I liked it even more starting with the Bronze Doors storyline. I think the artwork at the beginning of his run hampered my enjoyment of it overall.

[MinaRho1]

I thought his idea of Athena overthrowing Zeus as an extension of her story in greek myth was particularly brilliant.

That was one of my favorite elements. And consistent with mythology. Aren't Gods in constant fear of being overthrown (by their own children, no less?)

[LittleMissVixen]

Yep, I thought it was brilliant. Greg and I came at the character from two different routes, there's no question about it, but I thought he made a spectacularly cohesive backdrop for Wonder Woman, and we agree on all the main points about Diana's motivations and potential.

As some of you know, my three favorite elements of his run are not really available to me to use.

1) The embassy is gone,

2) DC has moved on from Greg's version of the gods (which I think is a shame, as I thought they were very inventive) .

3) And Greg himself has asked me not to use Veronica Cale at this time.

Greg's been very gracious about using all the other elements, and has more than once suggested I use Ferdinand (whom I feel really works best with Greg writing). And he's been very helpful in clarifying some questions I had about elements in his run, and he and I came up with a cool story for why Etta is more take-no-prisoners now than she used to be.

For many WW readers, Greg's run will always be definitive, and that's hard to pull off. Certainly, it's a major achievement and a milestone in Diana's history.

So, this thread is for Greg's run. Did you love it, hate it, love to hate it, hate to love it, what did you like about it, and what elements did you enjoy that Greg brought to the book?

This is very bittersweet for me to read. I loved-loved-loved Greg’s run. His take on the Gods was inspiring; it is how I would imagine them today. I think it would be natural for the Gods to grow and evolve, and adapt to the world today…rather than sitting on their thrones in white robes. The Gods became much more interesting supportive players in Diana’s world. And as discussed in other thread, I thought Veronica Cale was an excellent new foil for Diana. She still has a lot of potential.

The lack of these elements is symbolic of a reason Wonder Woman has struggled so much in gaining stability. Over last several years, there has been a lack of continuity between writers. Rather than carrying over the best contributions to her Mythos, it always seems like the slate is washed clean between runs. (Exit Supporting Cast and Villians, Enter New Supporting Cast and Villians).

While Greg’s take on the Gods is long gone, I do hope he lefts his embargo on Veronica.

It would also be line to revisit Ferdinand, Io and Lyta.

[PabloD]

Ah, Io. She was a great part of his run. I really liked her and would love to see her back at some point.

[Indigo Al]

If anything, the framing device of the Embassy was really one of the most intriguing aspects of the book, something that gave Diana a solid place in the modern world without relying on a secret ID.