New to WW, wondering where to start off.

[WhiteEyedWonder]

I've always liked the character herself, but I've never really read any of her comics. Mainly just seen her in justice league stuff.

So I'm wondering where is a nice place to start? I don't want to go back to the 1st WW comic so is there an arc that is favored by most WW fans I could start off on?

[Burning Manazon]

You'll get a lot of different answers to this question. Each writer's take is unique. My favorite run is George Perez, which has been collected into four TPBs. The first two, "Gods and Mortals" and "Challenge of the Gods" are some of the best WW stories ever, IMHO.

I also like Gail Simone's "The Circle" arc, which covers Wonder Woman's origin in a new and interesting way.

Two awesome stand-alone tales are "The Hiketeia" and "Justice League: League of One".

Greg Rucka's run is widely well-regarded, but I don't much care for it. It's just too slow and soapy for me.

[RandomFalls]

I've always liked the character herself, but I've never really read any of her comics. Mainly just seen her in justice league stuff.

So I'm wondering where is a nice place to start? I don't want to go back to the 1st WW comic so is there an arc that is favored by most WW fans I could start off on?

Why not just start with the new run? It's only seven issue in and is shaping up to be a very strong run.

Personally I'd say The Hiketeia is the best standalone WW story and is sort of a spiritual prologue to Greg Rucka's run which I'd happily argue is the best WW run to date. Though it does have a fairly slow start.

[The I.A.D.C.]

I know you said you did not want to go back to the first WW comics, but that's exactly what I would recommend you do...especially if you're new to the character's comic book history.

Pick up WONDER WOMAN CHRONICLES VOL.1. That will show you how the character was originally conceived and presented by her creators.

Then I'd pick up the first two Perez trades - GODS AND MORTALS and CHALLENGE OF THE GODS.

If you can find them you should read THE CONTEST and THE CHALLENGE OF ARTEMIS. I think they're out of print though so you may have trouble getting your hands on them.

Next on the list would be PARADISE LOST and PARADISE FOUND by Phil Jimenez. "Gods of Gotham" from the first volume is one of my favorite WW stories showing how the WW and Batman families contrast but ultimately compliment each other.

Rucka's run comes after that. EYES OF THE GORGON and THE BRONZE DOORS are the best from that series.

I may get crucified but I really enjoyed WHO IS WONDER WOMAN by Alan Heinberg and Terry Dodson. It took some flavor at the time- mainly because it was so late- but I thought it was a good story. Brought back some of the "super hero fun" of the PreCrisis days.

Gail simone's run followed. THE CIRCLE is a good story that laid some groundwork for the rest of her run.

Hope that helps you out. Enjoy your reading!

[The I.A.D.C.]

"Took some flack" is what i meant to say. Stupid auto-correct...

[Rob_Olivera]

Why not just start with the new run? It's only seven issue in and is shaping up to be a very strong run.

Personally I'd say The Hiketeia is the best standalone WW story and is sort of a spiritual prologue to Greg Rucka's run which I'd happily argue is the best WW run to date. Though it does have a fairly slow start.

I would have to agree with you on this one.

The NEW52 Wonder Woman is absolutely nothing like what had come before in terms of look and feel. I think recommending a starting point prior to the new52 could be considered misleading to someone who likes that and expects to get the same moving forward.

It'll be a while before they revert the book to what it once was (a reboot) so I think what we have now is here to stay for quite some time.

[WhiteEyedWonder]

Well I already read the new WW stuff. It's only a few volumes. Just wondered if there were any specific arcs that were favored by anyone since WW doesn't really have volumes like other superheroes.

It's just on massive comic :c

I guess I'll just continue reading the NuWW. Thanks for the input :)

[no1wonderfan]

The Perez retelling trades starting with "Gods and Mortals" and "Challenge of the Gods" are amazing storytelling, rich in Greek mythology and have great artwork.

Of course a lot of the Silver and Bronze Age stuff is quite affordable and really quite "Wonderful."

I personally like the Phil Jimenez run as he's very creative and has a great respect for the character, her supporting cast and her history.

The Rucka run was good and the Simone run was decent, interesting storytelling.

I also enjoyed the beginning arc of Vol. 3 "Who is Wonder Woman?" by Heinberg.

The DCnU WW is garbage and should be avoided at all cost...sorry you had to read that. Sad that that was your introduction to Wonder Woman comics. Same goes for the recent "The Odyssey" arc by Straczynski...just putrid.

[MajorHoy]

Well I already read the new WW stuff. It's only a few volumes. Just wondered if there were any specific arcs that were favored by anyone since WW doesn't really have volumes like other superheroes.

It's just on massive comic :c

I guess I'll just continue reading the NuWW. Thanks for the input :)

I think you're causing confusion here.

When you say "I already read the new WW stuff. It's only a few volumes," do you mean the DCnU version that started in September of last year? When you say "volumes", are you meaning "individual, monthly issues" or something else?

When you say "since WW doesn't really have volumes like other superheroes", are you talking just DC heroes or are you including heroes from other comic book companies like Marvel, etc.?

Because, really, when it comes to the main DC heroes, almost everybody had a reset beginning in September 2011, so there wouldn't be "volumes" (if you mean something other than the seven or eight most recent individual monthly issues for each individual character) that truly still apply to the most recent version of the character. (The two exceptions to that at DC would be Batman and Green Lantern.)

The DCnU WW is garbage and should be avoided at all cost...sorry you had to read that. Sad that that was your introduction to Wonder Woman comics. Same goes for the recent "The Odyssey" arc by Straczynski...just putrid.

But not everybody will agree with that opinion. I do admit the new take on Wonder Woman is quite different from what came before, but I'm enjoying this different take so far. Some people are probably annoyed the "nu" version has displaced / wiped out the previous version(s) they may have preferred, but not everyone is so closed minded on this point.

[Nyssane]

If you like the Nu Wonder Woman, there's a good chance you'd like Rucka's Wonder Woman. All of them are collected in trade paperback:

The Hiketeia
Down to Earth
Bitter Rivals
Eyes of the Gorgon
Land of the Dead
Mission's End

If you're into the classic 40's Wonder Woman, you should get Wonder Woman Chronicles, Volume 1 and 2.

For 80's Perez realness, go for:
Volume 1: Gods and Mortals
Volume 2: Challenge of the Gods
Volume 3: Beauty and the Beasts
Volume 4: Destiny Calling

Finally, a nice compilation of stories spanning throughout Wonder Woman's history:

Wonder Woman: The Greatest Stories Ever Told

[ascended]

Well, the only thing I have to add is that Rucka did some great stuff if you are into a more political, layered story. It starts slow, but really hit a strong stride. I would recommend it if you have read the newest take on the character and liked what you have seen.

As for those saying that "this is terrible!" or "This is great!".....ignore them.

You will find the Wonder Woman fandom to be pretty divided on....well, pretty much everything. We cannot agree on anything, so take everyone's comments with a grain of salt, find what you like, and read it. I think everyone else has done a fair job of breaking down the strongest runs over the years, so look into those and see what appeals to you. Wikipedia should also help you figure out what you want to read, as it *should* break down storylines and tones by the creative teams. Rucka did political intrigue, Simone did straight up superhero stuff, and so on.

Anyway, I agree that your terminology was a little confusing. I am guessing you mean that you have read the current series, (issue 8 hits this Wednesday) and wanted more back issues right? If Im wrong, I would say start with the current series as it is going to be our status quo for the foreseeable future. And if you like it, rock on. If not, then start digging around for old trades.

Also, next month DC is starting a digital only series called Ame-Comics or something. It's based off some manga statues or something and is going to feature a rotating female cast, with Wonder Woman among them. No idea what its going to be like but it might be worth checking out. There's a thread on here with a little more info as well.