Superman/Batman : Apocalpyse

Superman/Batman : Apocalpyse is the latest DC animated movie.  It's based on writer Jeph Loeb and artist Michael Turner's The Supergirl from Krypton, a story that spanned Superman/Batman #8-13.  The story reintroduces Kara Zor-El to modern age DC continuity as Supergirl.  The previous incarnation had been some protoplasmic entity known as Matrix, and that's about as deep as I'm willing to dive into that character!

The movie itself is a near faithful retelling of the original comic and the art style is a clear homage to the late Michael Turner.  Some liberties were taken, notably the ending with Darkseid, to streamline the story for mainstream viewers.  I don't feel the changes hurt the final product and any issues with the dialogue or story may be from following the source material too closely.  The voice acting is superb which is to be expected by perennial Batman Tim Conroy, Superman Tim Daly, and Wonder Woman Susan Eisenberg.  Summer Glau capably voices Supergirl as does Andre Braugher for Darkseid, however I did find myself missing Michael Ironside in that role.  And let's not forget the hottest woman in the movie Granny Goodness voiced by Ed Asner!

There have been animated movies with better story, but the action in Apocalpyse is  where it truly shines.  A one panel fight scene between Precious, a highly touted warrior, and the Furies in the comic is expanded to almost a full minute of violence, showcasing the true skill of Darkseid's elite guard.  Artemis and the other Amazons get their time to shine as they face off with an army of Doomsdays.  And the highlight of the movie for me is the battle between Big Barda, Wonder Woman and the Furies.  That said, I did feel the conclusion's fight with Darkseid ran too long.  Overall, I would say Superman/Batman: Apocalypse is a worthy addition to the DC movie library and it is likely to please everyone save the harshest of critics.

Wonder Woman: The Contest

Superman was killed by Doomsday.  Batman was broken by Bane.  It seemed only fair that Wonder Woman have her big event in the 90's, so began The Contest.

This tale runs from Wonder Woman #90-93 as well as a Wonder Woman #0 issue thrown in; there was such a fascination with "zero issues" back in the day!  The plot is simple yet effective, and summarized on DC's website as follows:

"After winning a contest of physical and mental challenges, Princess Diana was elected to go to Patriarch's World to teach them the Amazon ways as the super-heroine Wonder Woman.  But years later, Diana's mother is unsatisfied with her limited progress to bring an end to all acts of hate on Earth, so she institutes another contest to name a new champion.  Attempting to defend her position, Diana enters the games ..."

The contest's ultimate victor was Artemis, a skilled warrior from the Bana-Mighdall tribe with a short temper and penchant for violence.  By winning the contest, and claiming the title of Wonder Woman, Artemis brought honor back to her banished tribe.  However, this is only half of the story as Queen Hippolyta had other motivations for removing Diana as Wonder Woman.

The Contest is well-written by William Messner-Loebs, but the real star is Mike Deodato Jr. and his artwork.  This guy was born to draw Amazons and monsters, and his run on Wonder Woman definitely put him on the map!  As a side, Deodato Jr. has said that part of his inspiration for creating Artemis was the Coda warrior and Kherubim Zealot of Wildcats fame.
 

Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths

DC has been cranking out some nice animated features and the latest one just might be my favorite: Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths.  The story borrows little from Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely's graphic novel JLA: Earth 2 and ultimately manages its original take on the JLA going against their counterparts the Crime Syndicate of Amerika.  The animation is beautiful and the story tight with never a wasted moment.  The voice acting is near perfect with the only weakness (amazingly) being Batman, but even William Baldwin wins me over in the end.  My guilty thrill favorite moment is the battle between Superwoman and Wonder Woman, sensationally voiced by Gina Torres and Vanessa Marshall respectively.  Without reservation, this movie is a must buy for comic book fans!

Justice #4

I've always been a fan of Alex Ross.  His artwork has a way of making heroes seem truly heroic and villains their most sinister!  And the 12-issue Justice has a pretty gnarly concept: super-villains working together to defeat the superheroes stop the end of the world... okay, by defeating the superheroes!  The dookie hits the fans for our heroes in Justice #4 when the villains make their move, and with Ross at the helm their predicament has never felt so dire.  Wonder Woman faces off with her arch-nemesis Cheetah in one of their most brutal encounters I can recall.
 

Secret Six: Depths

Secret Six is easily my favorite team of anti-heroes, always walking that fine line between self-serving and "damn, how did we end up doing a good deed?"  One of their most compelling stories has to be "Depths" focusing on the slave trade and missing Amazons following the "Amazons Attack" event.  Guest stars appear in the forms of Wonder Woman and Artemis!  The 5-part arc is excellent, but I'm gonna highlight Secret Six #12 for an amazing rumble between Wonder Woman and Secret Six's strongwoman Jeannette.  The outcome will shock you!
 

Blackest Night: Wonder Woman #2-3

Blackest Night got off to a strong start, but the event seems to have run a couple months too long with the main story hurting from too many weak/repetitive tie-ins.  Blackest Night: Wonder Woman isn't one of them!  Superheroine enthusiasts can rejoice to 3 action-packed issues featuring the greatest Amazon of them all, in a variety of forms.  In issue #2 she is shown as a Black Lantern in a brutal battle with Mera, Queen of Atlantis.  In issue #3 she is now  a Star Sapphire locked in a rematch against a ferocious Red Lantern Mera!  Gorgeous artwork and great writing!
 

Wonder Woman #41

Wonder Woman #40 ended on a cliffhanger tease, but this is the issue to showcase a knock-down-and-drag-out battle between DCU's strongest women.  Sorry to Supergirl fans, but make mine Power Girl any day!  Wonder Woman #41 features the fight in many gorgeously illustrated pages and both superheroines have their time to shine.