Wonder Woman #226
Published and © by DC, October-November 1976
Title: “A Life in Flames”
Synopsis: Hephaestus attacks Wonder Woman with an emotion-fueled flame device he hopes will gain him favor with Ares, god of war.
Writer: Martin Pasko
Penciler: José Delbo
Inker: Vince Colletta
Review: This is one of those oddly average comic books that’s neither good nor bad enough to be enjoyable. Martin Pasko’s script has some interesting elements – e.g., the strained relationship between Diana Prince and Steve (Trevor) Howard; rumination on how 20th-century technology is impacting Ares, the god of war; and the fleet of golden, robotic handmaidens and other odd god-tech – but none are particularly well executed. The same can be said for the artwork of José Delbo and Vince Colletta; it serves the story fine, but both rendering and storytelling lack any real panache.
Grade: C
Cool factor: “No mortal can survive my flaming fist.” Ow.
Collector’s note: According to MyComicShop.com, there is a Mark Jewelers variant of this issue.
Character quotable: “Sometimes you have as much common sense as a lump of clay!” – Steve (Trevor) Howard, displaying exceptional sensitivity during a lover’s spat with girlfriend Diana (Wonder Woman) Prince
Editor’s note: This review was originally published by Comics Bronze Age on Nov. 11, 2010.
