Wonder Woman, one of the most iconic and beloved superheroes of all time, is about to face a new challenge in her upcoming series by Tom King and Daniel Sampere. The new Wonder Woman #1, which will launch in September 2023 as part of the “Dawn of DC” initiative, will pit Diana against a mysterious and powerful new villain who is on par with some of the greatest threats in the DC Universe.
The Dawn of DC
The “Dawn of DC” is a storytelling initiative that aims to revamp the entire DC line with fresh and exciting stories, creative teams, and status quos for its core characters. The initiative began in June 2023 with the launch of several new titles, such as Superman: Son of Kal-El by Tom Taylor and John Timms, Batman: Fear State by James Tynion IV and Jorge Jimenez, and Justice League: Last Ride by Chip Zdarsky and Miguel Mendonça.
The next wave of new titles will include Wonder Woman #1 by Tom King and Daniel Sampere, along with The Flash #1 by Joshua Williamson and Howard Porter, Aquaman #1 by Kelly Sue DeConnick and Robson Rocha, and Green Lantern #1 by Geoffrey Thorne and Dexter Soy. These titles will explore the new roles and challenges that the heroes will face in the aftermath of Dark Nights: Death Metal, the epic event that reshaped the DC Multiverse.
The New Wonder Woman Series
Wonder Woman #1 will mark a new era for the Amazon warrior, who has been absent from her own title since Wonder Woman #800, which concluded the “Whatever Happened to the Warrior of Truth?” storyline by Becky Cloonan and Michael W. Conrad. In that story, Diana was trapped in a realm of endless war, where she had to fight against her own corrupted versions from different timelines. She eventually managed to escape with the help of her friends and allies, but not without consequences.
The new series will follow Diana’s role in the DC Universe after her return from the war-torn realm. According to the official description by DC Comics, Wonder Woman will become an outlaw in the world she once swore to protect, after a mysterious Amazonian is accused of mass murder. The U.S. Congress will pass The Amazon Safety Act, barring all Amazons from American soil, and set up the Amazon Extradition Entity (AXE) task force to remove those who don’t comply by any means necessary. Wonder Woman will have to search for the truth behind the killing, while evading the AXE agents who are hunting her down.
The New Wonder Woman Villain
One of the most intriguing aspects of the new series is the introduction of a new villain for Wonder Woman, who is said to be on the same level as some of the most notorious supervillains in DC Comics history. Tom King, the Eisner-winning writer behind acclaimed titles such as Mister Miracle, Human Target, and Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, teased that the new Big Bad is unlike anything that Wonder Woman has ever faced before.
In an interview with CBR, King said that he wanted to create a villain who could match Wonder Woman’s power and charisma, and who could challenge her on a personal and philosophical level. He compared his approach to how Alan Moore created Rorschach as a foil for Doctor Manhattan in Watchmen, or how Frank Miller created Elektra as a love interest for Daredevil. He also hinted that the villain’s name and origin are related to Wonder Woman’s mythology, but he did not reveal any details.
King also praised his collaborator Daniel Sampere, who has worked on titles such as Dark Crisis, Justice League Dark, and Black Adam: Endless Winter Special. He said that Sampere’s art is stunning and dynamic, and that he can capture both the epic action scenes and the emotional moments of the story. He added that Sampere is also designing some new costumes for Wonder Woman and her supporting cast, including a nod to her iconic yet often criticized 60s costume, which featured an all-white outfit with no stars or stripes.
Why You Should Read Wonder Woman by Tom King
Wonder Woman by Tom King promises to be a thrilling and captivating series that will explore Diana’s character in new and unexpected ways. It will also introduce a new villain who could become one of her greatest enemies ever. If you are a fan of Wonder Woman or Tom King’s work, you should not miss this series when it debuts in September 2023.
You can also check out Wonder Woman #800 in June 2023 for a prelude to the story. Wonder Woman by Tom King is one of the most anticipated titles in the “Dawn of DC” initiative, and it could be one of the best Wonder Woman stories ever.
