By Cat Wyatt

The latest issue of Wonder Woman concludes the Swan’s Song plotline, and needless to say, there’s quite a bit of emotion for this one. The last issue left us off with Jason falling to the ground, after being grievously wounded by Silver Swan. I’m sure I’m not the only one that was anxious to see what had happened to him (and where Silver Swan had gone).

As it turns out, Jason is actually okay. He’s covered in trash, but otherwise, he isn’t doing too badly, especially considering what had just happened to him. Apparently, he has the same healing factor as Diana (I don’t know how he could get to the age he is without knowing that, but whatever). At least he isn’t injured or dead (not sure how Diana would have handled that).

Meanwhile, Silver Swan is missing. Even though Wonder Woman ripped off one of her wings, she somehow managed to get away. Our best theory is that she also has a similar healing factor (because why not, right?). I honestly didn’t realize her wings were part of her; I thought they were some sort of tech she was wearing. So I’m a little shocked by this revelation. It also makes what Wonder Woman did to her (the whole ripping off the wing thing) a bit more horrific (though still justified, considering the woman had just tried to murder her brother).

With Silver Swan being nowhere in sight, Diana finds herself wishing that Steve was around to help her with the search. I know that will probably bother some people, feeling like she’s being too codependent, but I’m choosing to see it as her understanding he own weaknesses. Steve is a fantastic tactician, and would be incredibly useful in coordinating and planning a search.

Speaking of Steve, he’s somewhere in Turkey (okay, not somewhere, he’s in an Antiquities vault in the Topkapi Palace) fighting off a bunch of Darkseid’s minions. Perhaps the two should trade places? I feel like Wonder Woman is much better equipped for stomping on their faces (and don’t worry, Steven is also missing Diana at this particular moment).

I knew that Vanessa had been being kept in a hospital (between her injuries and her experimental treatment it makes sense), but it honestly didn’t occur to me that she must have broken out of the hospital to get to Wonder Woman. The senseless slaughter she left behind…it was a little much for Jason, to say the least (it’d be a little much for me too, so no judgment here). These people weren’t associated with Wonder Woman in any way, so to Silver Swan there was no reason to kill them, and yet she did. That speaks volumes about her instability.

It should have been obvious; they didn’t have to search for Silver Swan, all they had to do was wait for her to go for her next target. And what would be a better way of hurting Wonder Woman, than to take out her brother? Thankfully while I (and Jason) didn’t figure that bit out, Diana did, and was there in time to save him (though I doubt that helped his ego any…).

I’m not really sure how I feel about the conclusion to the fight. I agree that the changes made to Vanessa were affecting her way of thinking and behaving, but I’m not sure that what Diana did would have changed any of it (not that I don’t appreciate her trying). I guess I shouldn’t complain, since at least everyone survived the encounter, including Vanessa (though whether or not she wakes up is another question).

As conclusions go, this wasn’t a bad one. They left some wiggle room and started setting up for additional plots based off of it, which is smart. I don’t know what to think about what happened to Jason – though part of me isn’t surprised. I know I was feeling a little tired of the whole ‘Wonder Woman’s twin brother’ twist, so I guess it makes sense that some of the authors felt the same way. It wasn’t a bad way to get him out of the series; especially because I can’t say for certain whether or not he’ll be back. This way they have the choice.

The artwork for this issue was pretty striking – especially the top image on page 17. The dramatic pose/carrying combined with a stunning waterscape image really made for an impactful scene. Having it come at the conclusion to a major fight was a bonus. I still love Silver Swan’s design, so thankfully they didn’t seem to mess with it too much.

Score: 4/5

Wonder Woman #40
DC Comics