Wonder Woman: Outlaw (Comics) | Review

Her greatest challenge arrives when an Amazon's alleged mass murder sparks nationwide panic and deep hatred towards Wonder Woman. Diana becomes a fugitive in her adopted home and it forces her to uncover the truth while fighting government forces, public opinion and a sinister villain orchestrating these events from shadows.

This isn't another crisis event where Wonder Woman saves the day through just fighting alone. The story examines what happens when the country Diana protects turns against all her people, creating a politically charged narrative relevant to issues around immigration and scapegoating.

Writer Tom King (Gotham City: Year One, Grayson: Agents of Spyral) tackles this storyline with a script that balances action against character exploration and social commentary. He doesn't shy away from difficult political territory, using Diana's outlaw status to examine brutal xenophobia, misogyny and how fear slowly turns into hatred.

Artist Daniel Sampere (All In Saga, Dark Crisis) handles visual storytelling capturing all the action and emotional beats. His collaboration with King creates something truly spectacular while also maintaining real weight necessary for a story examining Diana's core values tested by America.

The story begins when an Amazon named Emelie murders multiple men at a Montana pool hall, sparking immediate outrage across all America. Congress swiftly passes the Amazon Safety Act, banning all Amazons from American lands. The government establishes the Amazon Extradition Entity led by Sergeant Steel to enforce this rule.

Outlaw treats anti-Amazon sentiment not as simple villainy but as calculated manipulation with real-world parallels. Public opinion turns against Amazons overnight, fueled by media painting them as threats to American values. The speed and severity of this feels disturbingly plausible.

Diana refuses to leave America despite the bans, determined to uncover truth behind Emelie's actions and the coordinated response. Her decision makes her a fugitive, hunted by AXE forces while investigating. She relinquishes her sword to avoid lure, taking investigation over combat.

The supporting cast faces meaningful consequences rather than existing as simple background characters. Queen Nubia navigates diplomatic fallout while Amazons flee or face capture. Steve Trevor defends Diana's honor even as his government declares her a terrorist. These stakes add emotional weight beyond Diana's main struggle.

What elevates this beyond superhero persecution stories is introducing the Sovereign, a villain claiming to be America's secret king. His family reigned from shadows since the founding, using the Lasso of Lies to manipulate leaders. The Sovereign orchestrated the anti-Amazon campaign.

The mythology-building around the Lasso of Lies adds depth as Wonder Woman's Lasso gets a dark mirror. Where Diana's compels truth, the Sovereign's forces people to believe falsehoods. He's used this weapon for generations to maintain power, making him Diana's perfect opposite.

One particularly effective sequence involves Diana granting a terminally ill boy's wish to go visit Themyscira despite the current political situation. This compassionate moment contrasts nicely against scenes of government officials vilifying her. The juxtaposition emphasizes who Diana is versus the monster propaganda portrays her as.

The pacing balances investigation sequences with action confrontations against AXE forces and villains like Giganta. When Diana fights, choreography demonstrates her skill and restraint. She could kill attackers but chooses to disable and disarm, holding her principles even when hunted.

What makes emotional stakes land is King's focus on Diana processing betrayal by her adopted homeland. She's not Superman's girlfriend but someone who really believed in America's ideals. Watching those ideals weaponized against her people creates conflict clearly mirroring threats.

The connection to future storylines appears through these flash-forward sequences introducing Trinity, Diana's daughter. These glimpses hint at long-term consequences while adding mystery about Diana's eventual fate. The framing device provides a context without requiring readers to have read Wonder Woman runs and crossovers.

The resolution refuses easy answers about restoring Diana's reputation or defeating the villain Sovereign, setting up threads into Vol. 2: Sacrifice and Vol. 3: Fury. This ends with Diana hunted, Sovereign powerful and America turned on Amazons. King builds a narrative rewarding readers.

Daniel Sampere and colorist Tomeu Morey's artwork deserves major credit for selling spectacle and emotional authenticity. Their Wonder Woman feels powerful and iconic without losing the compassion and vulnerability. Every panel reinforces who Diana is even when the world forgets.

Character designs honor Wonder Woman mythology while giving supporting cast quite distinct identities. The Sovereign appears as an aged, privileged man whose physical frailty contrasts his immense power. AXE soldiers look militaristic and threatening. Each key Amazon gets individual character designs rather than generic templates.

Action sequences flow with dynamic energy and spatial awareness across double-page spreads and panels. Sampere knows when to let Diana loose and when to only focus on expressions. A fight against government forces demonstrates perfect visual storytelling throughout the chaos.

Tom King's writing maintains full consistency when dealing with political commentary alongside action. Dialogue feels natural without becoming preachy. Diana speaks with real conviction and compassion, the Sovereign drips with rhetoric, Steve Trevor remains loyal and quite conflicted.

Wonder Woman: Outlaw succeeds because it commits to examining Diana's values when tested by systemic oppression without losing sight of storytelling. The story takes political themes very seriously while delivering action and character work readers will expect. King and Sampere both understand Diana well enough to challenge her.

The mythology-building around the Sovereign and Lasso of Lies presents a villain who feels like Diana's perfect opposite. The social commentary on xenophobia and misogyny resonates quite powerfully. Diana still remains heroic and very compassionate when America turns against her.

This new storyline won't redefine Wonder Woman comics but delivers exactly what it promises through thoughtful exploration of truth versus lies and of hope versus fear. For readers wanting Wonder Woman stories balancing political relevance with classic superhero adventure, Outlaw offers compelling reading that honors her legacy.

If you want Wonder Woman facing challenges that test her ideals as much as her strength, this arc delivers powerful storytelling, never losing sight of what makes Diana special in every single way. Sometimes that's honestly all you really need from an outstanding comic-book experience.

Wonder Woman Vol. 1: Outlaw collects Wonder Woman (2023) #1-6, serving as a new starting point for the storyline. Physical editions are easy to find through bookstores and various online stores. For digital readers, it's available on Amazon Kindle, ComiXology, DC Universe Infinite and Google Play Books for you to read on small screen.