One of the most famous superheroes of the DC Universe, Wonder Woman was created by the American psychologist and writer William Moulton Marston and artist Harry G. Peter in 1941. Like Batman and Superman, the Princess Diana of Themyscira became a real icon. Following Crisis on Infinite Earths, Wonder Woman was rebooted in 1987 by George Péres (you can find more in our Wonder Woman Reading Order). This era—the volume 2—gave her a new notoriety. If Péres is one of the most famous artists who worked on the title, Greg Rucka is also one of them.
Rucka’s runs on the character are some of the most celebrated. He helped redefine Diana Prince/Wonder Woman, more than once. In fact, he did it twice. So, here is a little guide of his work related to the main WW series.
I was in a coma for so long, refresh my memory, who is Wonder Woman? Princess Diana of Themyscira fights for peace in Man’s World. As Wonder Woman, she’s a symbol of truth, justice and equality to people everywhere. Raised on the hidden island of Themyscira, Diana is an Amazon, and her people’s gift to humanity. As Themyscira’s emissary to Man’s World, Diana has made it her duty to lead by example, even if the differences between her birthplace and new home sometimes present hurdles for her to jump. She is a beacon of hope to all who find themselves in need. She stands as an equal among the most powerful Super Heroes, with a sense of purpose to protect the world from injustice in all forms.
Wonder Woman by Greg Rucka Reading Order:
Before he started his three-year run on Wonder Woman (volume 2), with #195 in 2003, Greg Rucka started his work on the character a year before that with a Graphic Novel.
- Wonder Woman: The Hiketeia (with J. G. Jones)
Collects the whole story, a thrilling battle between Wonder Woman and Batman! also collected in Wonder Woman By Greg Rucka Vol. 1.
Wonder Woman vol. 2 by Greg Rucka
Taking place at the end of the post-crisis era, in 2006, before the Infinite Crisis, the Greg Rucka’s stories started after Walt Simonson & Jerry Ordway 6-part storyline (collected here). Here is the official synopsis : While an array of enemies, including Silver Swan and the more dangerous than ever Dr. Psycho, attack Wonder Woman on all fronts, it’s the publication of Princess Diana’s book that opens her to an assault by a new and deadly foe – the malevolent Veronica Cale – and places Wonder Woman’s island homeland of Themyscira in grave danger.
- Wonder Woman by Greg Rucka Volume 1
Collects Wonder Woman: The Hiketeia And Wonder Woman #195-205. - Wonder Woman by Greg Rucka Volume 2
Collects Wonder Woman #206-217 and The Flash #219. - Wonder Woman by Greg Rucka Volume 3
Collects Wonder Woman #218-226, and Blackest Night: Wonder Woman #1-3.
Wonder Woman vol. 5 by Greg Rucka: Rebirth
Greg Rucka was supposed to come back to Wonder Woman with the book Wonder Woman: Earth One that Grant Morrison ended up writing. He finally found his way back to the series at the beginning of the Rebirth era with an ambitious story told with two timeline, jumping from one to the other with each issue.
Here is the official synopsis : Who is Wonder Woman really? She’s about to find out. Themyscira, the island paradise she left behind to defend Earth from the war god Ares, has vanished, and the magical power of her Lasso of Truth has disappeared along with it. In a sprawling saga that bridges her first year as a hero with the present day, the Amazon Princess must team up with her greatest enemy—the brutal beast-woman Cheetah—to find her vanished homeland and seek the truth about her origins.
- Wonder Woman Vol. 1: The Lies
Collects Wonder Woman #1, #3, #5, #7, #9, #11, and The Wonder Woman: Rebirth One-Shot. - Wonder Woman Vol. 2: Year One
Collects Wonder Woman #2, #4, #6, #8, #10, #12, #14. - Wonder Woman Vol. 3: The Truth
Collects Wonder Woman #13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23 and 25. - Wonder Woman Vol. 4: Godwatch
Collects Wonder Woman #16, 18, 20, 22 and 24 and the story written by Greg Rucka from Wonder Woman Annual #1.
Rebirth: The Deluxe Editions
- Wonder Woman Rebirth: The Deluxe Edition Book One
Collects Wonder Woman #1-14, and The Wonder Woman: Rebirth One-Shot. - Wonder Woman Rebirth: The Deluxe Edition Book Two
Collects Wonder Woman #15–25, Annual #1, and DC Holiday Special 2017.
- Wonder Woman 75th Anniversary Special
An immense special issue celebrating seventy-five years of the Amazing Amazon. Greg Rucka wrote “Wonder Woman in Conversation”. - Wonder Woman #750
Another anniversary issue. This time, it’s the #750! Greg Rucka wrote “Never Change”.
What to read after Wonder Woman by Greg Rucka?
Though Rucka has written one of the most celebrated runs on Wonder Woman, Princess Diana of Themyscira has lived numerous adventures for those who want to explore her past:
- Wonder Woman by George Perez – The introduction Post-Crisis of a Wonder Woman for the Modern Era. Princess Diana was reshaped by George Pérez and returned to the public eye in 1986. She was met with such acclaim that Pérez’s original commitment of six months was extended, and extended, until almost five years had passed.
- Wonder Woman New 52 by Brian Azzarello and Cliff Chiang – With DC’s relaunch, Wonder Woman’s origin story was rewritten and this run offers a different take on the character, compared to Perez and Rucka. It’s also pretty self-contained.
- Wonder Woman: Dead Earth – For something more recent, stand-alone, and out-of-continuity, Daniel Warren Johnson wrote a limited series published under the Black Label imprint that features Diana as she wakes up from centuries of cryogenic sleep in a post-apocalyptic landscape.
Don’t forget to check out our Complete Wonder Woman Reading Order for more!
Last Updated on July 13, 2022.