Diana has finally returned to Earth on her journey through the Afterworlds, but it is not the same Earth she remembers! Wonder Woman #777 features a Travis Moore cover that has Wonder Woman, in her classic skirt, giving the beat down to muscle-bound man who wears the tiara and armored skirt of Wonder Woman, is this a cosplayer or something more? The variant cover by Becky Cloonan has Wonder Woman standing on a rock with cape, shield, and sword! “Afterworlds Part 8” features the continuing writing team of Michael W. Conrad and Becky Cloonan with art by Emanuela Lupacchino. The artist worked on Wonder Woman from issue #56-57 (2018) and #63 (2019). Diana had escaped from Elfhame, the world of the fairies, and exits from a subway station with Siegfried and Ratatosk. She wears the skirt that was part of her early appearances. Siegfried points out that Janus is still a danger in this place and Ratatosk still thinks they might be lost. Diana recognizes the Hall of Justice and says they will find allies there.
Siegfried finds this world is clean, but blocks a car whose driver shouts at him and honks his horn, the regular time or world lost person running into the present problem! They enter and Diana points out the statues of the Justice League, Ratatosk remarks that the Wonder Woman statue has no head, and she notices something very strange about the statues. Floating above them in red uniform and blue cape is a Martian woman, Diana says she is Miss Martian, and the stranger says Diana wears the uniform of Dane of Elysium! Wonder Woman asserts she’s not an imposter and the other woman says she isn’t Miss Martian, she’s Marsha, Marsha Manhunter! In a title splash page, we see the statues in full including Superwoman, Marsha says Diana is on Earth-11. This is a gender switched world of superheroes that first appeared in Superman/Batman #23 (2005). Then, we get Janus’ God Scraper opening the Earth-11 world at a prison of some kind.
Janus enters the prison of the Exile and says she will help the prisoner if he joins her. This man wants to destroy the Justice Guild and Janus gives him the magic lasso. At the Hall of Justice, the Justice Guild is assembled at a large table. Aquawoman says they determined that Wonder Woman is from a parallel dimension. Diana explains the threat of Janus and Aquawoman commits the Justice Guild to help her. Deadman appears and tells them that Janus is on Earth-11. There is seems to be a connection with Diana and Janus besides looking somewhat alike. There is an explosion at the window that tosses several heroes aside. Superwoman recognizes the villain, it is Wonder Man!, the name does make me think of the Marvel hero, Simon Williams, introduced in The Avengers #9 (1964). He babbles about liberation for the oppressed men. Wonder Man then strikes Superwoman and then Batwoman throws her batarangs at him. He is going to kill her first. Wonder Woman checks on Deadman and has Ratatosk watch over him.
Diana joins the battle with Wonder Man taking on Superwoman and wrapping his lasso around Aquawoman’s trident. The villain has contempt for Siegfried who takes on Wonder Man with his sword. Siegfried takes on Misogynist Man who wields his gauntlet and Aquawoman’s trident. Star Sapphire binds the villain while Superwoman has cleared the building. Wonder Woman punches her male counterpart and then chokes him with her lasso. It is interesting to see the battle of genders, Wonder Woman fights, but fights for peace. Wonder Man seems to want to commit murder, Elysium Island must be full of killers. She slams the villain down and Superwoman invites Siegfried to join the Justice Guild. Janus then finally appears and battles Wonder Woman. Star Sapphire and Batwoman bind up Wonder Man while the fight goes on. Aquawoman and Superwoman get ready to join the battle when Wonder Woman gives the order. The others have to contain Wonder Man while Janus admits to bringing over Dr. Psycho to Asgard. Janus brings the blade of the God Scraper close to Diana’s face. Siegfried turns from the battle to see Diana’s life is in danger!
Who comes to her rescue? Ratatosk! Biting Janus’ hand as only a squirrel can! She flings him away and Diana gives the order to bring the full might of the Justice Guild! Superwoman sends Star Sapphire to use her power to save the squirrel! Siegfried and Wonder Woman team up to take on Janus. Diana wrests free the God Scraper, but is unable to use its power and Janus slashes her across the face with it! Deadman gets Janus in a lock, but he is slammed into the ground by Janus. She opens another portal with the God Scraper and Wonder Man feels betrayed that she left him behind. Batwoman wants Wonder Woman to enter the portal to save the future. I’m interested in seeing more of the Justice Guild in a special or limited series. The portal starts to close, but Wonder Woman holds it open! The Justice Guild struggle to keep Wonder Man down and as Wonder Woman steps into the portal. It leads to a desolate world with the trio including a nice moment with Wonder Woman and squirrel! The back up, “Truth Hurts” has Young Diana confronting Hippolyta and she explains that it was about protecting her sister Antiope. Her story starts at the beginning from the Cavern of Souls and the Amazons betrayal by Herakles and Theseus! Wonder Woman #777 is a fun story about counterparts, Earth-11 and Diana facing Janus, the only thing missing is more of the Justice Guild!
Four Lassos of Truth out of Five!
#WonderWoman, #EmanuelaLupacchino, #Earth11, #WonderMan, #MarshaManhunter, #Aquawoman, #Superwoman, #Batwoman, #StarSapphire
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