Opening a new and engaging chapter.
Creative Staff:
Story: Marguerite Bennett
Art: Luciano Vecchio
Colors: Luciano Vecchio
Letterer: Wes Abbott
What They Say:
Who can be trusted now that Clayface can disguise himself as anyone in the camp—including Wonder Woman herself?!
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers):
Though Bombshells: United hasn’t clicked for me in the way that the previous series has yet there’s been more than enough to keep me engaged with it. Part of the fun has been the run of artists as we’ve had a few over the last couple of issues and that’s definitely been interesting to watch. Marguerite Bennett definitely knows what to work with each of them and I’m already craving some sort of ongoing or larger special with Luciano Vecchio. There’s just so energy, life, and style to this installment that it really threw me as my first experience with this artist. With it playing to the home front more there’s something about this that really does just sing in a way and reminded me of some of the 70’s Wonder Woman TV series design elements, just with all the pop and color of today.
This chapter has me hopeful that, as big of a draw as she is with readers at the moment, that we get to retire Wonder Woman for a bit. She’s had a strong role in Bombshells from early on and some key moments and her presence has served things well in starting off this series with its domestic focus and going up against Clayface and those that would put those they think of as others in holding. Her fight against Clayface takes a more difficult turn this time around because they now know that he can take on any form and there’s nothing but distrust between everyone. So seeing her standing firm, talking about what needs to be done in order to do the right things in the world, and essentially sacrifice herself to take him down fits in well with her. Yes, it’s easy to imagine there’s a simple out to all of this and I won’t be surprised by it. But if we get a few weeks without her? That won’t be a bad thing.
Her sacrifice leads to the rise of those who will fight on in her name as her gear falls to the side, allowing Donna to take the tiara for example. This has the group, who looks fantastic under Vecchio’s designs and color work, to stand tall and firm against Clayface and push back against him. They do it with words and threat, knowing how the elements have now worked against their opponent, but they also do it with heart to live up to Diana’s ideas. What’s interesting, and out of the blue, is the arrival of Paul von Gunther as she steps in to add a little color to the sequence and talk of the larger themes. It does tie in nicely to Dawnstar but this adds to the kind of strange vibe that I’m getting from this run of the book that I like when it comes to meaning but feels off in terms of execution within the story.
In Summary:
Bombshells: United has a solid installment that has me hoping for some decent temporary change with Diana and a new path for the rest of the cast that seems like they’re about to really move forward and stake out their positions. The story works well and has a good flow outside of Paula’s sudden arrival but what really nailed it for me was Vecchio’s artwork. It’s just so dynamic, filled with such great color choices, and the use of the larger splash page to tie all the elements together, that it was an utter delight to watch unfold. Bombshells has had a run of great artists for quite some time and Vecchio is one that I want to see a lot more of, if not here than in some sort of spinoff book with a brighter and more fun feeling approach to dealing with the DC characters.
Grade: B+
Age Rating: 13+
Released By: DC Comics via ComiXology
Release Date: September 29th, 2017
MSRP: $0.99
