This issue is the conclusion of the
Rise of the Olympian story-line, but . . it seems to me more like the end of the prologue. Last issue we saw that Wonder Woman had sunk the psychopath Genocide to the bottom of the ocean. She was going to let her die there. But, even she couldn't be that heartless, even to such a ruthless enemy, in the end. So she went down to get her. However, before she could be reached, Poseidon and his son, Euphemus, had claimed her for their own. She's then returned to Themyscira, battered and weak . . Euphemus' creatures of the deep are not far behind. Knowing that they don't stand a chance against them alone, Hippolyta summons everyone, even the prisoners and their sisters the Bana-Mighdall to help in defending their island. It's not long before the seriously hurt Diana does what she must to join the battle herself. In the end though, we learn that this whole thing revolves around the machinations of father and son gods . . Zeus and Ares. They're the ones that have created such a complicated series of events here. Zeus had created the Olympians to replace the Amazons. Ares wanted to wipe out both races simply because they were endeared to Zeus. However, when the Olympians join the battle, Wonder Woman goes after Ares and splits his head with her ax. You know he's not dead . . gods don't work that way, but . . the battle is diminished. This is how Zeus explains it . . "I did this for you, and for your people, child. I gave them an end to their immortality. A chance to at long last, lie beside their swords rather than wield them in never-ending servitude. I brought back you people, for you, as a vow to Athena. I raised an army to relieve your sisters, and I built this island to house them. For you. I raised a champion. to take your place, Princess. So that you may be the wife and mother you were always meant to be. With whatever man has the honor to have you. And when you foolishly made a pact with a peasant god, I broke that pact. And put that god's heart in Achilles. For you. Now remove this foolish token and show me the love and gratitude your lord and creator deserves, dear, dear child." Needless to say . . Diana is pissed. She declares him a murderer . . as she punches him in the jaw. Which, in Zeus' eyes has crossed the line. Subjects of a God should never be able to strike said God. But she's just sick of the games that these Gods play with their fragile lives. She declares that she will have no god, and she will no longer be an Amazon. Unfortunately, her mother cannot follow her lead because she has served Zeus much longer than her daughter. Achilles begins to question Zeus, but he's quickly scolded.
As Diana is leaving, she tells Achilles . . "You will protect my people. You will value their lives as your own. I want your word, Olympian." And with that Diana is gone from Themyscira. However, in the end, Captain Alykone, who was scolded during the battle by Diana, finds a totem that contains Genocide's essence. "Hello, Genocide. I am to be your mother." This has been a fantastic tale that Gail Simone has weaved. Like I said in the beginning though, this feels more like the end of the prologue to me. Plus we still have a ton of unanswered questions about Genocide, and Zeus' and Ares' ultimate motives. Zeus portrays himself as the benevolent God, but . . if that were true, why did he have to resort to so much deception? This is another point in our Wonder Woman's life where she begins her path down a separate road . . a road less traveled. That really seems to be a recurring theme in her history, and . . it looks like it's time for it to happen again. By the way . . fantastic artwork by Aaron Lopresti. Also . . sorry so long winded.
This issue is the conclusion of the Rise of the Olympian story-line, but . . it seems to me more like the end of the prologue. Last issue we saw that Wonder Woman had sunk the psychopath Genocide to the bottom of the ocean. She was going to let her die there. But, even she couldn't be that heartless, even to such a ruthless enemy, in the end. So she went down to get her. However, before she could be reached, Poseidon and his son, Euphemus, had claimed her for their own. She's then returned to Themyscira, battered and weak . . Euphemus' creatures of the deep are not far behind. Knowing that they don't stand a chance against them alone, Hippolyta summons everyone, even the prisoners and their sisters the Bana-Mighdall to help in defending their island. It's not long before the seriously hurt Diana does what she must to join the battle herself. In the end though, we learn that this whole thing revolves around the machinations of father and son gods . . Zeus and Ares. They're the ones that have created such a complicated series of events here. Zeus had created the Olympians to replace the Amazons. Ares wanted to wipe out both races simply because they were endeared to Zeus. However, when the Olympians join the battle, Wonder Woman goes after Ares and splits his head with her ax. You know he's not dead . . gods don't work that way, but . . the battle is diminished. This is how Zeus explains it . . "I did this for you, and for your people, child. I gave them an end to their immortality. A chance to at long last, lie beside their swords rather than wield them in never-ending servitude. I brought back you people, for you, as a vow to Athena. I raised an army to relieve your sisters, and I built this island to house them. For you. I raised a champion. to take your place, Princess. So that you may be the wife and mother you were always meant to be. With whatever man has the honor to have you. And when you foolishly made a pact with a peasant god, I broke that pact. And put that god's heart in Achilles. For you. Now remove this foolish token and show me the love and gratitude your lord and creator deserves, dear, dear child." Needless to say . . Diana is pissed. She declares him a murderer . . as she punches him in the jaw. Which, in Zeus' eyes has crossed the line. Subjects of a God should never be able to strike said God. But she's just sick of the games that these Gods play with their fragile lives. She declares that she will have no god, and she will no longer be an Amazon. Unfortunately, her mother cannot follow her lead because she has served Zeus much longer than her daughter. Achilles begins to question Zeus, but he's quickly scolded. 
As Diana is leaving, she tells Achilles . . "You will protect my people. You will value their lives as your own. I want your word, Olympian." And with that Diana is gone from Themyscira. However, in the end, Captain Alykone, who was scolded during the battle by Diana, finds a totem that contains Genocide's essence. "Hello, Genocide. I am to be your mother." This has been a fantastic tale that Gail Simone has weaved. Like I said in the beginning though, this feels more like the end of the prologue to me. Plus we still have a ton of unanswered questions about Genocide, and Zeus' and Ares' ultimate motives. Zeus portrays himself as the benevolent God, but . . if that were true, why did he have to resort to so much deception? This is another point in our Wonder Woman's life where she begins her path down a separate road . . a road less traveled. That really seems to be a recurring theme in her history, and . . it looks like it's time for it to happen again. By the way . . fantastic artwork by Aaron Lopresti. Also . . sorry so long winded.
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