“Revenge of the Gods” – Book One
Artists: Cian Tormey, Alitha Martinez, Mark Morales, John Livesay
Color Artists: Jordie Bellaire, Alex Guimarães
Letterers: Pat Brosseau, Becca Carey
Review by Davydh Tidey
This month brings us Lazarus Planet: Revenge of the Gods #1. Oh, come on. You had to know that the Lazarus rain would have lasting consequences, right?
Bow Down
The world has been weakened by the Lazarus Planet, and the Gods have seen their moment. All denominations, all nations, and all the Deities that felt like they’ve been forgotten are coming, and they will be loved and worshipped whatever the cost.
Monuments will be built to them, and blood will be spilled in their name. There’s no stopping this, there’s no fighting it. You will get on your knees and bow down.
Wonder Woman, Diana of Themyscira, has the unenviable task of trying to halt their advance and quell their anger towards a people who have long dismissed them as folklore. All while a mysterious figure runs around in a black cloak seemingly playing both sides against the middle.
I’m sure this will go swimmingly.
Loved And Adored
Returning to Wonder Woman for Lazarus Planet: Revenge of the Gods #1, G. Willow Wilson comes out swinging. Her tenure on Wonder Woman was one of the most highly regarded runs on the character, and after reading this issue, it’s not hard to see why. This high-concept story is the perfect launching platform for Diana’s next series of stories (Tom King, Daniel Sampere, and Tomeu Morey will be relaunching the book for the Dawn of DC line), and has Wonder Woman returning to what she does best; taking on the Gods in the way that only she can.
I absolutely love the inclusion of Yara Flor as a sounding board for Diana. She’s not afraid to argue with her on these issues and acts as the perfect counter-point to Diana’s endless optimism. We love a good bit of hope, but sometimes a pragmatist is what’s needed. I really hope the character is used more in this way. Also, while I’m here on my soapbox, BRING BACK THE WONDER GIRL BOOK!
Cian Tormey and Jordie Bellaire also bring it with the art. They’ve gone all-out on the designs for the Gods, you can identify their origins and which pantheon they belong to immediately, and look amazing doing it. The colors in one particular scene are brilliantly moody, and bring to mind a certain ruler of Khandaq…
The story is engaging and interesting, the art is Wonder-ful (sorry), what more could you possibly want from this book?
Backup On The Way
In true Lazarus Planet fashion, Lazarus Planet: Revenge of the Gods #1 also features a backup story. This time we’re focusing on Queen Nubia and Themyscira, the consequences of the Lazarus rain, and the Amazons falling out of favor with the Gods… oh, and the mysterious hooded stranger is also there. Seriously, this guy gets around.
Becky Cloonan and Michael W. Conrad have been steering the ship for the Wonder Woman title for a little while now, and they’ve done a fabulous job keeping her on track. This tale is no different, and I can’t wait to read the next installment of this tale in Wonder Woman’s own title.
Alitha Martinez, Mark Morales, John Livesay, and Alex Guimarães do a great job on the art, bringing to mind the recent Wonder Woman Historia: The Amazons in all the best ways. These amazing characters, and Diana herself, are due a renaissance, and I can’t see a better time to bring that about than right now, right here.
Conclusion
You thought they got away with Lazarus Planet, didn’t you?
No, Damian doesn’t get to wave a wand and make this disappear… not this time. His actions will have consequences for the people of the world, and it will be Diana and the Amazons shouldering the burden. The Gods are angry at a world that has forgotten them, and with the wizard Shazam at their side, they won’t go down without a fight…
Images Courtesy of DC Entertainment