If you were reading Trial of the Amazons closely, something is going on with Artemis that has yet to be revealed. Enter Artemis: Wanted, a one-shot by Vita Ayala and Skylar Patridge that aims to answer your questions and continue to show how robust this corner of the DC Comics universe can be. This story not only progresses the plot of past stories, but does a great job establishing the valor and worthiness of Artemis.
As a one-shot, this story does well to catch up to speed readers who might have missed Trial of the Amazons, but also doesn’t force readers through extended recaps. Ayala details how we got here through dialogue between characters, particularly Donna Troy and Cassie. They’re both hunting Artemis down after she fled Themyscira. It turns out she poisoned Hippolyta and Cassie figured it out, but Cassie never thought it was as simple as blind murder.
This issue sets out to figure out why Artemis killed Hippolyta while further fleshing out who these characters are. For the most part, Ayala and Patridge do a good job, opening with a dream establishing Artemis’ childhood and showing who she is as a person and a hero. Familiar Wonder Woman-related characters also act as markers and guides to the story to further cement who these people are.
Nice snow effects.
Credit: DC Comics
You’d think a manhunt plot would be enough, but Ayala also establishes something fishy in a small but quiet town. A supernatural element increases the entertainment value and excitement in some scenes. This subplot ends up getting wrapped up too quickly (in just two pages) when it felt like a pillar of what the book was trying to accomplish at times.
Patridge draws a good book, with lively expressions that elevate the dialogue and good establishing background shots to set the stage for scenes. There’s also a well-done one-page montage of a surprise character’s life up until this moment that is efficient at showing the complex emotions and adventures she went on. The action is definitely limited in this narrative, but there’s a banger panel of Donna slicing through trees that’s worth a look.
Romulo Fajarado Jr. colors the book well, especially with how they capture the light on faces. A warm glow of the sun kissing Artemis’ face, for instance, establishes a purity to her in one scene.
Dialogue can bog down the pace of the book as well. In one scene, for instance, a lot is said about each character, with very little visuals to go with it. It’s important as far as establishing the credibility and valor of these characters, but it’s still a lot of exposition.
Artemis: Wanted #1 is a must-read if you’re looking for closure after reading Trial of the Amazons. More importantly, the creative team establishes the strength and beauty of all three Amazons featured here while revealing a new role for a key Wonder Woman character.
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