Best Wonder Woman Comics & Story Arcs
From Perez to Rucka to Azzarello — the essential Wonder Woman.
By Web Admin
Wonder Woman is one of the three pillars of DC Comics — the trinity alongside Superman and Batman — and arguably the most important superhero ever created. Debuting in 1941, created by psychologist William Moulton Marston, she was conceived as a deliberate feminist icon: a warrior of peace, an ambassador from a hidden island of women, powerful and compassionate in equal measure. Yet for all her fame, new readers often struggle to know where to start, because her eighty-year history is tangled with reboots and wildly varying quality. This guide cuts through it: the best Wonder Woman comics and story arcs, in the order that makes sense, with a clear recommendation for exactly where to begin.
We’ve focused on collected editions you can actually buy and read as complete stories. Prices below are approximate US figures for the collected trade paperbacks.
Where should a new reader start?
The short answer: George Perez’s Gods and Mortals (1987) if you want the definitive modern origin, or Brian Azzarello and Cliff Chiang’s Blood (2011) if you want a slick, self-contained modern run. Both are excellent entry points requiring no prior reading. If you’re coming to Wonder Woman from the films or from Justice League stories, either will orient you. New to DC in general? Our Justice League reading order shows how she fits into the wider universe.
George Perez — Gods and Mortals (1987)
When DC rebooted its universe after Crisis on Infinite Earths, writer-artist George Perez was handed Wonder Woman and delivered the definitive modern take. Gods and Mortals reintroduces Diana as a princess of the Amazons, sculpted from clay and given life by the Greek gods, sent into “Man’s World” as an ambassador. Perez grounded her firmly in Greek mythology, took her feminism seriously, and drew it all magnificently. This is the foundational modern run and the origin every later version builds on. The collected volumes are the essential starting point for understanding who Diana is.
Greg Rucka — the definitive run (2003, 2016)
If one writer “gets” Wonder Woman, it’s Greg Rucka. His early-2000s run casts Diana as a diplomat and author navigating politics, faith, and the fallout of using lethal force — mature, thoughtful superhero comics that treat her as a fully realized person. He returned in 2016 for Wonder Woman: Rebirth, which untangles years of contradictory continuity and retells her origin cleanly for modern readers; the Year One arc within it is one of the best entry points in the whole character’s history. Rucka’s run is our overall top recommendation for readers who want depth.
The Hiketeia — Rucka and J.G. Jones (2002)
Before his ongoing run, Rucka wrote The Hiketeia, a standalone graphic novel and one of the finest Wonder Woman stories ever told. A desperate young woman invokes an ancient Greek rite of supplication, binding Diana to protect her — even as Batman arrives hunting the woman for murder. It’s a tense, tragic clash of two heroes’ codes, gorgeously painted by J.G. Jones. Completely self-contained, it’s a perfect one-sitting read and an ideal gift.
Brian Azzarello & Cliff Chiang — the New 52 run (2011)
The 2011 relaunch paired crime writer Brian Azzarello with artist Cliff Chiang for a bold reinvention that reads like a modern horror-tinged Greek myth. It controversially rewrote Diana’s origin — making her the daughter of Zeus — and reimagined the Greek pantheon as a family of scheming, monstrous immortals. Slick, stylish, and self-contained across six volumes, it’s the most accessible modern run for a new reader who wants a complete, cinematic story. Chiang’s clean, striking art is a huge part of the appeal.
Gail Simone — The Circle and beyond (2007)
Gail Simone, one of the most acclaimed writers in superhero comics, brought warmth, wit, and real character focus to her Wonder Woman run. The Circle is the standout arc, revealing a hidden chapter of Diana’s origin involving the Amazons sworn to guard her. Simone writes Diana as a compassionate warrior and gives her supporting cast genuine life. A great pick for readers who want strong character work alongside the action.
The True Amazon — Jill Thompson (2016)
For something completely different, Jill Thompson’s The True Amazon is a fully painted original graphic novel that retells Diana’s origin as a lush, fairy-tale-like myth. Thompson’s watercolor art is stunning, and the story — about a spoiled young princess learning humility and heroism — stands entirely on its own. It’s an ideal introduction for readers who love illustrated storytelling and want a beautiful, self-contained book rather than a serialized run.
Wonder Woman: Earth One — Grant Morrison (2016)
Grant Morrison and Yanick Paquette’s Earth One is a bold, out-of-continuity reimagining that returns to Marston’s original, stranger vision of the character — leaning into the Amazons’ utopian society and the creator’s unusual ideas. It’s divisive but fascinating, and its oversized painted art is gorgeous. Best approached once you already know the character, as a provocative alternate take rather than a starting point.
Comparison: which Wonder Woman comic should you read first?
| Story / Run | Creators | Year | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gods and Mortals | George Perez | 1987 | The definitive origin |
| The Hiketeia | Rucka & Jones | 2002 | One-sitting standalone |
| Rucka’s run / Year One | Greg Rucka | 2003, 2016 | Depth and character |
| Blood (New 52) | Azzarello & Chiang | 2011 | Slick modern entry |
| The True Amazon | Jill Thompson | 2016 | Beautiful standalone |
Pros and cons of getting into Wonder Woman comics
Pros
- Several excellent, self-contained entry points (Hiketeia, True Amazon, New 52)
- One of the most thematically rich superheroes in comics
- Standout runs from top-tier creators (Perez, Rucka, Azzarello, Simone)
- Deep well of Greek mythology gives the stories real weight
Cons
- Eighty years of continuity and reboots can confuse newcomers
- Quality varies enormously between eras
- Her origin has been rewritten several times, which can feel contradictory
How to read Wonder Woman in order
You don’t need to read everything, and you certainly don’t need to read it chronologically. Our recommended path: start with either Gods and Mortals (for the classic foundation) or Azzarello’s Blood (for a modern, self-contained run). Read The Hiketeia and The True Amazon anytime — they stand alone. Then graduate to Rucka’s full run for the deepest, most rewarding version of the character. For how she connects to the wider DC universe, follow our Justice League reading order, and for more of DC’s best, see our best superhero comics guide.
AmazonCheck price on AmazonThe verdict
Wonder Woman rewards the reader who starts in the right place. For the definitive character, read Greg Rucka. For the foundational origin, read George Perez. For a slick, complete modern story, read Azzarello and Chiang. And for a gorgeous one-sitting standalone, you can’t beat The Hiketeia or The True Amazon. Whichever you choose, you’ll find one of the richest and most important characters in all of comics. Explore more of DC’s best in our DC hub and the wider best graphic novels list.
Frequently asked questions
Where should a beginner start with Wonder Woman comics?
Start with George Perez’s Gods and Mortals for the definitive origin, or Brian Azzarello and Cliff Chiang’s Blood for a slick, self-contained modern run. Both require no prior reading.
What is the best Wonder Woman story of all time?
Many fans point to Greg Rucka’s run overall, or to his standalone graphic novel The Hiketeia as the single best individual story. George Perez’s Gods and Mortals is the most historically important.
Do I need to read Wonder Woman comics in order?
No. Several key stories stand alone. We suggest starting with an origin run (Perez or Azzarello), reading the standalones anytime, then moving to Rucka’s run for depth. Our Justice League reading order covers her team appearances.
Is Wonder Woman connected to Justice League comics?
Yes — she’s a founding member of the Justice League and a central figure in DC’s “trinity.” Her solo runs stand alone, but our Justice League reading order shows how she fits into the team’s stories.
Keep going: explore the DC hub for more heroes, or find the medium’s best in our best superhero comics guide.
