Diana’s search for a missing social media influencer continues as the victim is revealed to be a villain in the 14th issue of DC Digital First’s Sensational Wonder Woman. Writer Sanya Anwar rushes through carefully constructed character complexity in a story rendered by artist Eva de la Cruz. Having firmly established the background of the villain in the opening part of the story, Anwar proceeds to launch Diana into a pursuit of the character that concisely jumps through the psychological complexity of the antagonist, rushing to its inevitable end without losing a firm sense of overall balance in the narrative.

Wonder Woman is looking for Nina Close and her young son. As she begins her search, it has only been 48 hours since they’ve disappeared. Diana’s search starts with her husband in a ransacked apartment. Then she’s off to confront Nina’s mother...only to find her home engulfed in flames. Clearly, Nina was suffering. Clearly, Nina is passing that suffering along to her loved ones. Wonder Woman is going to have to find Nina soon, or the damage she’s doing could turn into something truly catastrophic. Will Nina have gone too far by the time Diana catches up with her?

Anwar’s gradual increase of tension is neatly constructed. A full issue of background gives way to an investigation that increases tension while exploring the psyche of the antagonist in deeper and deeper detail. The limited space of a DC Digital First narrative doesn’t allow Anwar a whole lot of time to render the full complexity of a person descending into psychological darkness, but Anwar does a really good job of detailing the elements in Nina’s life that find her psychologically transformed. She’s able to do this while building tension for the climax at issue’s end. It’s a clever approach to a very short story. 

Eva de la Cruz moves the action efficiently from one scene to the next. The dramatic nature of the story is lost a bit to the pacing of the story. Anatomy can feel a bit stiff in places, but Eva de la Cruz dances well with Anwar’s script. Action slides around the page in a smooth, kinetic embrace of the overall rhythm of the story. The tragedy of the story and its emotional complexity would have had a bit more impact if the artist had been able to grant the visuals a bit more depth. The basic essence of the story, however, is quite clearly rendered. 

Anwar brings a new villain to the page that is well-suited to Wonder Woman’s rogue’s gallery. All of the more interesting Wonder Woman villains exist in a sociopathic space right on the edge of reformation. Wonder Woman could theoretically bring them in with their own consent if only she could reach them in just the right way. Nina fits the profile of that sort of character quite well. Given the right angles, Nina could prove to be a deep and insightful look at various societal issues, which is precisely the sort of thing the best Wonder Woman stories have managed over the years. 

Grade: B