Comic Review: Wonder Twins (2019-) #7

Wonder Twins #7

DC Comics

Writer: Mark Russell

Artist Stephen Byrne

The Wonder Twins are back and they’re as wonderful as ever. Starting as a six-issue miniseries, Wonder Twins is continuing their story for an additional six issues. When we last left them things were a bit bleak. Polly Math, Jayna’s best friend, was teaming up with The Scrambler to switch the minds of everyone on the planet. Which put the world’s politicians and governments into action, finding solutions to every problem facing everyone. But before they can go through with it, the Wonder Twins foil their plans.

Wonder Twins #7 picks up from there, and we see the twins are treated as heroes now. Zan takes to it more than Jayna, who feels guilty for betraying her best friend. If that weren’t enough, there’s kind of a lull of goings-on for the Justice League. The Wonder Twins are made tour guides at the Hall of Justice, in time for a meteor heading towards Earth to be discovered. Word leaks out from one of their tours, and panic ensues from there.

First, I absolutely love the art by Stephen Byrne. Just the amount of expression he can put on a character’s face is fantastic. There’s a lot of emotions running through this issue, from character to character. On top of that, the rest of his art is just as enjoyable. The characters look great, for the most part. I think Superman looks a bit on the skinny side, but that’s just me. It’s still a good looking book, especially with the color and shading throughout.

Comics sometimes put a spotlight on minor characters, giving them a boost in personality and making them endearing. Kite Man from Tom King’s Batman run is a great example of it. This issue introduces a character who I instantly love and want to see so much more of. Repulso is a Justice League member, who stinks. Literally. That’s his power, and the League uses him for riot control. The way he’s introduced and what we see him go through in this one issue just breaks my heart and makes me want to see more of him.

Mark Russell is one of my favorite writers working today, and this issue is a prime example of why. Besides Repulso, the Justice League has to deal with an extinction-level asteroid heading towards Earth. The public finds out and freaks out, but once the world is safe, Superman is a little annoyed at the public. I think it’s one of the most real moments in a comic ever. And on top of that Superman gives Jayna a monologue about superhero-ing being a lonely, non-rewarding experience. The whole thing just grounds him a lot more for me as a character.

I don’t think we’ve seen the last of Polly Math or The Scrambler, as I think Jayna’s guilt about it might play a big part for this second half of the series. But this issue is great for setting up the Wonder Twins for whatever story comes next. The art is fantastic, and the writing and character work are some of the best I’ve seen all year. If for whatever reason you aren’t reading Wonder Twins, you need to do yourself a favor and read this comic.

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