Wonder Woman is and shall be one of the most iconic female superheroes in DC and likely in all of comics. She’s everything you hope for a hero to be: brave, devoted, compassionate, and incredibly fierce. And depending on her iteration, she can range from being a very proud and noble warrior to a compassionate ambassador with nerves of steel.
I was really glad that her latest movie turned out so well, and it gave us a modern look at what our Amazon Princess could be, and what she could mean for the DC live-action universe. She’s shown to be a level-headed warrior who’s not above kindness. But don’t cross her, or you will regret it.
Since her inception in 1941, Wonder Woman has had many comics and stories written. Some are great, some are not, and some are unusual, yet interesting. So here are 10 of the best Wonder Woman graphic novels. These novels give us a good look at not just Wonder Woman, but her relationships with others, her love of humanity, and her pride as a warrior.
Note: These comics aren’t ranked in any particular order, and they are based a bit on my own personal opinion.
Wonder Woman: Spirit of Truth by Paul Dini
It’s always fascinating when the stories of Wonder Woman focus on her as a human rather than just a superhero. It shows her more vulnerable sides and the different battles she’s had to fight.
And Spirit of Truth does just that, giving us several stories that focus on the real-world threats Wonder Woman has had to face. It’s a look at her humanity and her place in the world. This collection of stories is a short, but beautiful read.
Wonder Woman: Paradise Lost by Phil Jimenez
This graphic novel is actually a collection of a few stories that show Wonder Woman facing threats like gods, civil war, and an interesting day out with Lois Lane.
These stories give us an awesome crossover with Batman, which is always fun, and an interesting look at Paradise Island where we see Wonder Woman taking on the role of the mediator rather than just the warrior. And her interactions with Lois Lane are so fascinating! If you’re looking for some fun and interesting stories, check out this graphic novel.
Wonder Woman: The Hiketeia by Greg Rucka
This is a very interesting story of Wonder Woman as she protects a girl who’s been accused of a crime. Her reason for protecting her? The girl invokes the Hiketeia, or a type of oath that means Wonder Woman is sworn to protect her.
This is a very interesting story that does go a bit into the mythology behind Wonder Woman. Plus, you get to see Wonder Woman thoroughly kick Batman’s butt, which is pretty crazy to see. You don’t want to mess with this lady!
JLA: League of One by Christopher Moeller
I’m cheating a bit with this one since it is a Justice League graphic novel, but it focuses on Wonder Woman and the world she comes from. This story focuses on the league taking on monsters from Wonder Woman’s world. It’s just dripping in mythology and fantasy, and Wonder Woman is so amazing in this story. I highly recommend it.
Wonder Woman Vol 1: Blood by Brian Azzarello and Cliff Chiang
This is the new Wonder Woman after the new 52 Reboot, and it definitely plays around a bit with Wonder Woman’s mythology and the story behind her world. This Wonder Woman’s world is much darker, and there are quite a few new twists to Greek mythology.
At this point, Wonder Woman is taking on the role of the God of War herself, which is a very interesting take on her role. If you’re looking for the most modern iteration of Wonder Woman, this is a good place to start.
Wonder Woman: The Circle by Gail Simone
It’s nice to see that a female is writing Wonder Woman, and The Circle is a great series. It has Wonder Woman in a strange role as a federal agent that’s overseeing metahuman affairs. It’s great to see Wonder Woman in a few different roles than we usually see her.
It’s also nice to see a new take on Diana’s origin, and how she interacts with the Amazons and her mother. The Circle is the first of many of Simone’s Wonder Woman works, and it’s definitely worth a look.
Wonder Woman: The True Amazon by Jill Thompson
Ever think about what Wonder Woman was like as a kid? Well, this graphic novel addresses that, and it’s pretty cool. We see our Amazon princess grow from a bit of a brat into the compassionate and brave young woman we know and love. It shows some amazing character development and gives us a look at Diana’s life before she became Wonder Woman.
Who is Wonder Woman? by Allan Heinburg
What if Wonder Woman was a secret agent? That’s what this graphic novel explores and it also looks at the more human aspect of Wonder Woman. This is a great book to read if you want to learn more about the character of Wonder Woman and who she really is, not just as a warrior and a goddess, but as a human. It’s very well-written and is guaranteed to make you think more about our lovely Amazon warrior.
The Legend of Wonder Woman by Renae De Liz
If you’re new to the world of the Amazon princess, or you’re just a casual reader of Wonder woman, this is a great origin read. It’s mostly a series of stories that involve Wonder Woman, following her from her formative years to who she is now.
The stories don’t follow any particular continuity, they’re just there to talk about Diana and who she is and how she came to be the great hero. If that doesn’t convince you, the series was also nominated for an Eisner Award.
Wonder Woman: The Golden Age Omnibus by Dr. William Moulton Marston
If you’re looking for some classic Wonder Woman, this is the comic to read. It’s a collection of the Wonder Woman comics of the Golden Age. They may be a bit cheesy and a little sexist, but it’s a good look at what Wonder Woman was like when she was first imagined.
I think Wonder Woman doesn’t get enough credit. She really is an incredible hero with an indomitable spirit. She’s a superhero who deserves all the love. So, whether you want to see her in her Amazon glory, or if you want to take a look at her more human side, pick up one of these Wonder Woman graphic novels!
For more on Diana Prince, visit our Wonder Woman reading order!
