Review: Wonder Woman, Volume 2: Guts

Wonder Woman, Volume 2: Guts by Brian Azzarello
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Rating 4 out of 5 | Grade: B+; It's the Hades Horror Show

Remember back in Volume 1, when I mentioned that Brian Azzarello's Wonder Woman run is a slow run, which requires some patient reading? Well, Volume 2 of Wonder Woman; Guts, is where you begin the see the dividends of your patience.

After Zeus, in one of his latest Trysts, managed to make pregnant a moral woman named Zora, she becomes the target of the Queen Goddess Hera. Wonder woman, along with the God Hermes, and one Lennox, one of her demigod brothers take her and the child under her protection.



But this task is not an easy one, considering how not only Hera, but Zeus siblings Poseidon & Hades, not to mention his children Apollo & Artemis are gunning for the baby. The yet unborn child somehow ended up being part of a prophecy upon Zeus mysterious disappearance. Now, afraid of what this unborn child of destiny might wrought the forces of Olympics and the various factions, are all out of claim or neutralize Zora and her child.

Standing in their way, are wonder women and her motley crew. Diana, who is herself reeling from the revelations of her parentage, not to mention the recent loss of her mother and sisters at the hand of Hera, has a lot to handle. But if anyone can carry through with her mission in such arduous conditions it is the warrior princess of Themyscira.



Thoughts

Volume 2 of Brian Azzarello's wonder woman run, sees us delving deeper into Diana's divine heritage, and explore the various Gods, factions and hidden worlds of the divine pantheon which seem to exist just underneath the veil of the modern era.

In a globetrotting adventure, Diana and crew travel of different locations, meeting Gods and their modern iterations that coexist with humans. We get to see the forges of Hephaestus, A giant mammoth like creature that is Poseidon, the diminutive unfeeling goth kid that is the Lord of Hades, and much more.

In exploring all of these gods and realms, we as readers are also treated with these environments and creatures inspired by archaic myths, crossed with modern furnishings.

Of Particular note, is Diana's tryst unto the realm of Hades which, curiously enough takes the form of Victorian London. It is a fantastical mockup made up entirely of the souls which the Lord of Hades has under his dominion. This particular story arc puts on display, in all of its macabre gory glory, the horrific Forniphilic BDSM inspired Body horror that Hades arrayed against Wonder women. Which briefly shifts the story from mythological fantasy to Nightmarish Horror.







The character design of Hades himself, as well as his personality, is something which is deep, empathetic and unique, and allows you to connect with the character, despite him being the Lord of the Underworld. I much like this iteration of the character, which is driven more by boredom and desire, rather than some sinister machination to take over the throne of Olympus.

Throughout the story, one of the pleasurable points to read, is Diana's steadfast, kind and compassionate nature. Where, true to her nature, she is capable of empathizing with friend, ally, rivals, enemies and even monsters. She is able to forge a bond with her long-lost siblings, other children of Zeus, and her compassion is able to melt the ancient indifferent hearts of even Gods.





Her interactions with Hades in particular, one which starts off as a sequel to Hades & Persephone, ends on a wholesome and emotional note. Even though he is still the Lord of Hades, who administers great suffering upon the souls that enter the underworld.

That part of the story reads more like a parable, about love, self-worth and compassion for oneself, which is oddly wholesome.



Hephaestus, the Greek God of the forge, acts almost like a Gandalf likewise mentor figure with well intentions. He is a decent person, for someone who is a God, and helps Diana and co. at various points in the story. Sadly, he is mostly acting in a supporting role, and we never have the focus on the forge God.

The Gods of the Greek Pantheon, even when they are having antagonistic motives to our main group, are portrayed, not as Villainous plotters, rather entities with their individual agendas, which they feel are true to their wellbeing. They are not portrayed as Godly, Benevolent, or evil. Being more in Line to actual Greek epics, the Gods of Olympus are portrayed as the dysfunctional family that they are.

Zeus, the self-serving, narcissistic, indifferent patriarch who is never around. Hera, the emotional, strict, codependent, violent matriarch who puts the Fury in Hell hath. And their children, the other gods, as broken antisocial individuals, who are suffering due to growing up in a toxic environment. But when given a chance, when put into the compassionate presence of Diana, they are capable of displaying better traits that they themselves probably never knew of.

Diana herself, in additional to her interactions with the Gods, wins her battles with her strength as much as her negotiation skills. Pitting the gods against one another, using their Hubris to achieve her mission, and ensure the safety of Zora and her child. She is willing to be proactive, smart and flexible when dealing with the Gods, who are like children 'playing Gods'.



The Art

Art style of this volume is, good, to be concise. This is not a particular action heavy series. But when there is fighting, the illustrators are able to do it justice.



However, most praise deserves to the various environments that are drawn to convey the distinct and awe-inspiring realms of the various gods.

As mentioned before, the realm of Hades, with its macabre body horror, definitely takes the cake in that regard.

Plus, they're able to convey a dreary downcast atmosphere, particularly when the Gods and their familiars are near, playing into their uncaring indifferent nature.



The Series as a whole is definitely on the uptick. I'm looking forwards to seeing where the story is heading to in the future.

Oh, also there is this mysterious giant of a man who was unearthed from the Artic tundra, who may have something to do with the Gods and the narrative. But we don' yet know enough to comment on that, so I'll leave it as such.

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