Wonder Woman

Gr 2—4—Similar to Cosentino's Batman (2008) and Superman (2010, both Viking), this title serves as an overview of the Wonder Woman universe. The first half is an origin story, showing how the heroine was formed of clay and grew to have superpowers and an alter ego. The second half introduces the cast of Wonder Woman villains. The conclusion, explaining the Amazon princess's mission to show the world how to live in harmony with nature, seems out of place with the rest of the book. The format is a combination of comic- and picture-book elements. The comic influence comes in the form of caption boxes and the intermittent use of panels. The absence of word bubbles and large-scale spreads provides a picture-book feel. The bold retro artwork has vivid colors and thick black outlines. It's a mix that will work well for the intended audience. Wonder Woman serves its purpose of presenting a classic comics character in a format suitable for younger readers.—Travis Jonker, Dorr Elementary School, MI