Ancient gods and goddesses are well represented in superhero comics, from Thor's Norse mythology at Marvel to the Greek Pantheon of Wonder Woman at DC Comics. But even if Wonder Woman has fought or fought beside most Greek gods and goddesses, appearances of the Judeo-Christian God are few and far between. That is, until Wonder Woman recently addressed him directly... to give him a piece of her mind.
In Wonder Woman #757, Wonder Woman fights Warmaster and her Four Horsewomen when they attempt to invade Themyscira. For the unfamiliar, Warmaster was first known as Paula Van Gunther, an old friend of Wonder Woman’s who discovered she is descended from the very valkyries who tried to invade the island millennia ago, losing most of their invading army as a result. Wonder Woman defeats Warmaster, but when the mysterious Phantom Stranger arrives to take her soul to be judged by the Almighty, Wonder Woman decides she should have words, as well.
While Paula's soul belongs to God (or 'The Presence,' as the Phantom Stranger calls him), Wonder Woman decides to fight the mysterious Stranger for it outside the gates of Heaven itself. Wonder Woman discovers the full story, beginning when the Phantom Stranger visited Van Gunther’s ancestor and placed a curse on all her generations hence for her sins. Now he has come to collect Van Gunther’s soul to give to God, in order to redeem his own soul. But Diana has only barely beaten the Phantom Stranger when God smites him with fire, instantly turning him to ash.
Following this dramatic act, Wonder Woman hears the voice of God directly, nearly apologizing for the Phantom Stranger’s deeds. She pleads that God forgive the Phantom Stranger for his many sins. When God sidesteps the question, Wonder Woman has this to say: “Forgiveness is a gift, not a prize. One the Stranger deserves… Ours is to offer patience… not punishment. Consider that. Consider mercy.” Her words are heard, since Paula appears alive and well a moment later. The Phantom Stranger’s future is a bit more difficult to tell. Once you get smote by God, there’s a good chance that you won’t be coming back. But certainly, the Phantom Stranger will find his way back to the DC Universe soon.
With the exception of an annual to come later in the year, this is the last issue by writer Steve Orlando and artists Emanuela Lupacchino and Ray Mcarthy. Wonder Woman gets a new creative team (Mariko Tamaki and Mikel Janin), a new supporting cast and a new storyline in Wonder Woman #759, on shelves now.
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August 09, 2020 at 05:09AM
