This book serves to kind of set the tone for what's been happening back on Themyscira. First of all, Alkyone has married Achilles . . making her the Queen. A fact that Hippolyta explains to Diana this issue. While chained, Hippolyta professes he love for the Amazons and her island. She would die to protect them. Which may not be to far out of reach. On the other hand, I think that all Alkyone thinks about is the obtaining, and usurping of power. Sure she's the Queen, but the island has a King now . . Achilles. And he was appointed by Zeus himself. Alkyone doesn't really have any power. Or does she? As with any man in power, we see that while his resolve is strong, Achilles still has the voice of a woman whispering in his ear . . second guessing his every move . . manipulating his choices. So we have to ask ourselves, which 'voice' is the true voice of the King? We also are dealing with the immaculate conception of 5 various Amazons. Something that hasn't happened on this island since Diana was born. And we finally see the return of Artemis and the rest of the 'imprisoned ones', after the recent events in the Secret Six book. They've come to rejoin their sisters, and return their dead. I wonder how she's going to feel about the new regime change? I enjoyed all of the machinations and manipulations, but to me the best part of the book was the fight between Diana and Donna. During the fight with Genocide, she poisoned Donna's thoughts. She believes Diana to be responsible for the death of her family. The battle is heated, but Diana figures out that it's through her lasso that Donna is reacting so violently. She renounces it, and throws it into the ocean to prove to Donna that her intentions are true. With that act, and Alkyone taking her bracers and girdle . . Diana doesn't really have any of the 'gifts of the gods' left. And since she's renounced her Amazon heritage . . she really has no place left with her own people, or mother. What a revoltin' development! Oh yeah, I forgot to mention . . in the beginning of the book, Ares with his split head sewn back together, visits Diana in a dream. 'We're not done, Diana. Did you think, merely because you split my skull in two, that I was finished with you? The innocent, Diana. I will break your heart. By destroying the innocent. Now. As forever. You will be mine. And you will suffer.' Wow! Gail Simone is doing a tremendous job here. I absolutely love what she's done with this book. Yeah, sure . . Diana isn't really an Amazon anymore, but . . I still think there's great things in store here. I can't wait to see how Gail works this all out. Aaron Lopresti does the cover, but Bernard Chang covers him on the interiors this issue. Bernard's style fits well with this book. But don't fret, Aaron will be back next issue. And what do you think . . will they be renumbering this title soon . . will we see issue #600 in Wonder Woman's future? I know the question has been tossed out there, but I haven't heard what the decision is yet. I guess it all depends on if Dan Didio gets 600 postcards before issue #45 is put to print. Here's a copy of a postcard I found on the net, if anyone's interested. 
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