WOTN Review: Wonder Woman: Tempest Tossed

An All-New Origin in Wonder Woman: Tempest Tossed

DC continues creating graphic novels with a younger focus on Wonder Woman: Tempest Tossed. Here, we’re provided with another glimpse at an origin story for Diana, yet it’s nothing like we’ve seen before.

Diana, Princess of Themyscira, always knew she was meant for more. Even when she struggled to keep up with the Amazons that trained her. Perhaps that is why she didn’t hesitate to dive into the water that day.

Now, she’s been thrown into the world of mortals, only to see they need more help than she could have ever predicted. They are torn apart by war, but that is not the only danger she finds her new allies fighting against.

Writing

Wonder Woman: Tempest Tossed was written by Laurie Halse Anderson. This is a combination I never knew that I needed until I saw it. For those unfamiliar with the name, she’s the author behind Speak and Shout.

Knowing that, you can already tell that this will be a graphic novel full of important messages and imagery. Trust me, she does not let fans down here. Her telling is dramatic and powerful while still holding true to everything that is Wonder Woman.

It goes slightly darker than expected for a graphic novel targeting a slightly younger audience. Yet it’s also on point with the messages of Wonder Woman and Laurie Halse Anderson. You can see why the pairing works so well here.

On the whole, this was a totally different sort of origin story. It was refreshing and unique, powerful and intense. So, even if you feel like you’ve had your fill of origin tales, consider trying this one anyway.

Art

The artwork inside Wonder Woman: Tempest Tossed is as unique and refreshing as the plot. We discuss highly stylized designs, bold colors, and clever lettering. Altogether, it creates a visual experience worth checking out.

Leila de Duca was the lead artist for this project. Her portrayal of Diana and the rest of the Amazons was fascinating. But that’s not all; her drawings of the real world were also so creative – with stylized artwork and lines designed to draw attention to certain elements. It is a slight deviation from ‘typical’ comic art but for the better in this instance.

Kelly Fitzpatrick was in charge of the coloring, and she’s the one you have to thank for those bold colors. The very first few pages of this graphic novel are so eye-catching. Bold oranges and teal in such a combination that I never would have thought to expect. And yet…it works for Themyscira and Diana as well.

Finally, Saida Temofonte was responsible for the lettering, and they did a brilliant and clever job here. They relied on some foundations of Diana’s style, but that’s not bad. Their work successfully guided the eye as intended, all while being subtle and unobtrusive.

Conclusion

Wonder Woman: Tempest Tossed may be another origin in a sea of tellings, yet it is still utterly unique and refreshing. Wonder Woman was the perfect platform for the messages woven into this story for various reasons.

I’m so glad to have given this graphic novel a chance. It was well worth the time spent reading (and rereading) it. I only regret that this is likely a standalone novel, as I would love to see what happens next.

This review was originally written for Word of the Nerd, but has been ported over to Quirky Cat’s Fat Stacks now that the site has shut down.

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