| "Down to Earth" | |
|---|---|
 Cover of Wonder Woman: Down to Earth 2004, art by Greg Land | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| Publication date | October 2003 –March 2004 |
| Genre | |
| Title(s) | Wonder Woman vol. 2, #195-200 |
| Main character(s) | Wonder Woman, Veronica Cale, Doctor Psycho, Silver Swan |
| Creative team | |
| Writer(s) | Greg Rucka |
| Artist(s) | Drew Johnson |
| Inker(s) | Ray Snyder |
"Down to Earth" is a Wonder Woman story arc, marking the start of writer Greg Rucka's four-year run on Wonder Woman (Vol. 2).
A new member joins the Themysciran Embassy, by the name of Jonah McCarthy. As people hear other people talk about who and what Wonder Woman is from their point of view, preparations are underway for Wonder Woman to release her first book called "Reflections: A Collection of Essays and Speeches", which contains poems and essays reinforcing her "world view". At the same time this is all happening, Diana herself is bringing to justice a corrupt tyrannical African General on behalf of the United Nations. When all this is completed, Diana returns home and the book is published and released.
"Reflections" causes praise, as well as a stir, with some sections of the community not happy with the views she shares. A mysterious woman, Veronica Cale, who hates Diana so much, sets herself on destroying Diana's reputation by any and all means, by using her book to create negativity toward the Amazon. She also uses a video camera that captured Wonder Woman and The Flash's disagreement over the best way to handle a Forest Fire, with Diana stopping Flash, saying that the fire must continue as part of its "rebirthing" process, to her advantage.
Thanks to Cale, while Diana's staff fights the media's negative views on Diana thanks to her book, the leader of the outspoken opposition to Diana's book is shot dead outside the Themysciran Embassy, which Cale hopes will bring scandal and accusation upon Wonder Woman and tarnish her reputation irrevocably. Also thanks to Cale, Dr. Psycho and the Silver Swan fight the Amazon that leads to her home at the Themysciran Embassy. Finally, Diana faces off against Silver Swan where she is defeated. But as she is still her friend, she takes her for help to Themyscira.
In a subplot; above in Mount Olympus, the Gods and Goddesses have a disagreement toward Zeus continuing his reign on the throne. When a jealous Hera accuses her husband Zeus of lustfully watching the Amazons, from a fit of rage, she sends the floating islands of Themyscira crashing back down to the sea.
Following the success of Wonder Woman: The Hiketeia , Greg Rucka was hired as the next ongoing writer on the Wonder Woman (Vol. 2) title, as of that time, Phil Jiminez was about to end his run, and temporary writers were about to take over for a short period. Even as one of his favorite characters, Rucka made a point that getting inside Diana's head was "murderous", which explains why he decided not to let it be about Wonder Woman, but rather be about how she was perceived in The Hiketeia. Because how he wrote it was praised, he would continue what he had done from the graphic novel onto his run of the book. However, writing the character would become very easy that he wouldn't use that approach for long. As The Hiketeia only allowed a very limited presentation, it was with the ongoing series that Rucka was able to put Wonder Woman in more varied circumstances, where we can see all the facets of the character (compassion, love, passion, and strength). [1]
The main plot point of the arc was Diana's book known as "Reflections: A Collection of Essays and Speeches", where Rucka viewed it from almost every conceivable angle. Even though they were never published, Rucka actually had very detailed notes as to what her book contained, including some sample chapter titles and essay excerpts. All in presenting what kind of topics Diana would be addressing from her written voice. Rucka explains that his idea for the book was less Salman Rushdie, but a book of ideas than attacks in order for Diana to promote her mission in the Man's World. Just like any other book in our reality, while Diana encounters praise, she also encounters controversy. It is seen when a conservative group wants to censor Diana because they believe what she is saying, her truth, threatens their own. [2]
Wonder Woman is a superheroine created by the American psychologist and writer William Moulton Marston, and artist Harry G. Peter in 1941 for DC Comics. Marston's wife, Elizabeth, and their life partner, Olive Byrne, are credited as being his inspiration for the character's appearance.
General Steven Rockwell Trevor is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, commonly in association with the superhero Wonder Woman. The character was created by William Moulton Marston and first appeared in All Star Comics #8. Steve Trevor is a trusted friend, love interest, and partner of Wonder Woman who introduced her to "Man's World", and has served as her United Nations liaison. He is the first foreigner to have ever set foot on Themyscira and the first ambassador to open diplomatic relations with the Amazons.
Themyscira is a fictional unitary sovereign city-state and archipelagic island nation appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Previously known as Paradise Island and the Amazon Isles, it first appeared in All Star Comics #8.
Queen Hippolyta is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC comics, based on the Amazon queen Hippolyta from Greek mythology. Introduced in 1941 during the Golden Age of Comic Books, she is the queen of the Amazons of Themyscira, the mother of Wonder Woman, and in some continuities, the adopted mother of Donna Troy.
Ares is a character appearing in DC Comics publications and related media. Based on the eponymous Greek mythological figure, he is the Olympian god of war and major recurring adversary of the superhero Wonder Woman. He has been featured significantly as a persistent foe throughout every era of Wonder Woman's comic book adventures, and in many adaptations of her stories in other media.
Circe is a fictional character appearing in DC Comics publications and related media. Based upon the eponymous Greek mythological figure who imprisoned Odysseus in Homer's Odyssey, she is a wicked sorceress and major recurring adversary of the superhero Wonder Woman. She has been presented variously since first appearing in 1949’s Wonder Woman #37, though her characterization has consistently retained a key set of features: immortality, stunning physical beauty, a powerful command over sorcery, a penchant for turning human beings into animals and often, a delight in humiliation.
The Olympian Gods are characters based upon classical mythology who appear primarily in Wonder Woman, Captain Marvel and Aquaman comics.
Veronica Cale is a fictional character appearing in DC Comics publications and related media, commonly as a recurring adversary of the superhero Wonder Woman. A genius pharmaceutical tycoon and ruthless criminal mastermind, she was created by comic book writer Greg Rucka and first appeared in 2003's Wonder Woman #196. Cale is depicted as a brilliant scientist, as well as a brilliant capitalist, who uses the vastness of her intelligence and wealth for both philanthropy and personal gain. She has been consistently written as a character motivated by an envious resentment for Wonder Woman, whom she believes undeserving of esteem as a paragon of feminism.
"Gods and Mortals" is a seven issue comic book story arc plotted and drawn by George Pérez, with scripting by Greg Potter and Len Wein.
"The Circle" is a four-issue comic book story arc written by Gail Simone with art by Terry Dodson and Rachel Dodson. Published in issues #14-17 of Wonder Woman, it marked the first arc by Gail Simone on her run of the book.
The fictional DC Comics character Wonder Woman was created by William Moulton Marston. She was introduced in All Star Comics #8, then appeared in Sensation Comics #1, Six months later, she appeared in her own comic book series. Since her debut, five regular series of Wonder Woman have been published, the fifth launched in June 2016 as part of DC Rebirth.
Wonder Woman: The Hiketeia is a graphic novel written by Greg Rucka with art by J. G. Jones. The work marked Rucka's first outing with the character, before he became the writer on the ongoing Wonder Woman series one year later. It was released in hardcover in 2002, and in paperback a year later.
"Rise of the Olympian" is a Wonder Woman story arc written by Gail Simone with art by Aaron Lopresti.
"Paradise Island Lost" is the name of a two-part story arc written by Phil Jimenez who also did the artwork, featured in Wonder Woman #168-169. This was Jimenez' second story arc under his run on Wonder Woman, with the first being the "Gods of Gotham" four-issue story arc from Wonder Woman #164-167. Just like "Gods of Gotham" where he was a co-writer with J. M. DeMatteis, he co-wrote this story arc with George Pérez, best known to have rebooted Wonder Woman in 1987 first with the "Gods and Mortals" story arc, that marked his return to the book since 1992. It would not be until issue #171 that Jimenez became the book's sole writer. The story's name is taken from an epic poem of the same name by John Milton.
Wonder Woman is an ongoing American comic book series featuring the DC Comics superhero Wonder Woman and occasionally other superheroes as its protagonist. The character first appeared in All Star Comics #8, later featured in Sensation Comics series until having her own solo title.
Medusa is a fictional character appearing in DC Comics publications and related media, commonly as a recurring adversary of the superhero Wonder Woman. Based upon the eponymous Greek mythological figure whose story was chronicled in Ovid's Metamorphoses, she is a snake-haired Gorgon with the ability to turn living creatures to stone with her gaze. Since her debut in 1964, Medusa's physical appearance has been presented variously as DC Comics' continuities have shifted and evolved. Though she has routinely been depicted with snakes for hair, she has sometimes been shown as bipedal and sometimes with a serpentine lower body. However across continuities, she has consistently been written with the ghostly ability to possess or influence other beings after her physical body has been killed, as well as an uncanny capacity for resurrection after death. Her characterization has been that of a dangerous immortal creature who is at turns both vengeful and sympathetic.
"The Lies" is a seven issue comic book story arc written by Greg Rucka, with pencils by Liam Sharp and colors by Laura Martin.
"The Truth" is a seven issue comic book story arc written by Greg Rucka, with pencils by Liam Sharp and colors by Laura Martin.
"Godwatch" is a five issue comic book story arc written by Greg Rucka, with pencils by Bilquis Evely and colors by Romulo Fajardo Jr. This arc takes place concurrently alongside The Truth. The story was released to critical acclaim.
