Robin hood Meet Wonder Woman
584320
Ghosts in Farthingale Forest?  Are they real or not?  One young nobleman, Timothy Grey, hopes to find them and bring them to justice.  In so doing, he will do something significant in the eyes of others, something to bring the ninth child of the Baron of Greyham to the notice of other nobility.  What Timothy does not know is that the Ghosts are children led by Lady Merry Ellison.  All of their parents were killed by King John as rebels and they are only alive due to their cunning and some unusual skills.  Merry and Timothy were expected to marry when she was a Barons daughter.  Now, she is an outlaw.  When Timothy finds Merry in the forest, he initially thinks she is being held against her will and unwittingly sets into motion a chain of events which bring her to the notice of King John who issues a warrant for her arrest and death.  What can Timothy do to protect them?  Will Merrys hurt hardened heart ever open up to God and her lost love?  Also, who is the mysterious enemy who wishes to see Timothy discredited or dead?
This is great book covers an unusual time period in Englands history, the reign of King John who was forced to sign the Magna Carta by a group of Barons.  It vividly portrays the life of regular subjects under a cruel and unjust monarch.  The reader will quickly come to love many of the children, including little Wren and Sadie.  The struggles of Alan to find his place in the world and keep his deep faith in his Heavenly Father after losing his loving father,  will tug at your heart.  Timothy is caught in a real moral dilemma and he will have great appeal.  Merry, herself, is a very unique Medieval lady who is trying to keep her people alive.  She is a very sympathetic character.
There are some good notes by the author giving some important historical background.  I truly enjoyed this book and hated to see it end.  Fortunately, it is Book One of the Valiant Hearts series.  I look forward to the next one.
I received this from The Book Club Network for my honest opinion.
4709482
As I've said before, no one was more upset at the idea of a costume change for the Wonder Woman I'd known and loved for so long. Sure, the stars and stripes and panties had undergone minor changes before, but never such a drastic change in overall garb and color scheme. (BLACK PANTS!?) But Straczynski draws you in, and makes you overlook all that. This is now 3 issues in, and the mystery and story surrounding the core of the changes is going full gear. Diana is out to solve the mystery of what changed, both about her and her past, and more importantly, who destroyed Paradise Island. We are treated to progressive flashbacks of the story and events, told side by side the ongoing plotline of the comic.
  The entire story is steeped in various mythologies, and the action rarely stops. The art is breathtaking throughout. Sometimes I actually manage to forget that I'm not looking at the same Wonder Woman that I've always known and loved. And that's what a great story is supposed to do. That, coupled with great art, should be more than enough to pioneer Wonder Woman into the future. The entire goal with the changes was to draw in more readers, and to get Wonder Woman into the upper tier of sales again. And the issues are selling out, so I'll be damned, but I think it's working! DC's upper echelon had said that there is no reason that Wonder Woman shouldn't be a best selling title, and I couldn't agree more. I've felt it should be for a long while now.
  If you were holding off checking out the new costume, or not wanting to go along with the new changes, I urge you to give it a try. The story and art work are stellar. I don't think you'll be disappointed.
  Thanks sincerely for your time. R.A McDowell
3700675
Robin Hood: you've never seen it like this before
This time around, Robin is a girl. Why wear bows when you can fire them instead?
And Marian, our leading lady: far from a maid, adventure forbade; longing for more, finding life a bore
Oh, the constraints of society!

I'm not very familiar with this classic, but I rather enjoyed this diverse retelling as roles are reversed. This time, Robin is a girl and a lesbian romance blossoms between her and Marian. I must admit, I'm not a big fan of younger YA and didn't expect the girls to be as young as they were. For that reason, I liked part two better as the girls are older, but not the fact that they'd lost touch. While different, both girls are headstrong, a quality I love in characters. I wish I'd felt more involved and captivated by the story, but it ended too soon and read more like a novella, especially with how it ended abruptly. A pleasant introduction to this world, but I hope there's more to follow for fans.
4675340
This is a must have for Robin/Nightwing fans. The story fills in some great details on Dick's transition from "Boy Wonder" to "Man Wonder".

Every character has their own voice and familiar characterization.  Dick is brave and resourceful, Alfred is caring, Batman is callous and Jason Todd is a brat.  The linear nature of the story is wonderful, not wasting time in re-caps and histories, but going forward with a great adventure.

The only drawback is the blocky, cartoony nature of the artwork, but the story is so well-written you hardly notice it.

What are you waiting for, buy this book!
3502031
ARC REVIEW

The Story: This story arc runs parallel with Year One It follows Diana on her search for the truth. Diana has lost her way shes doubting herself and her role as Wonder Woman. She is also starting to remember two distinctively different pasts. Looking for help in her search for the truth Diana seeks out and old friend and enemy Barbara Ann Minerva/ Cheetah. But Cheetah won't help for nothing and demands that Diana help her in her journey to destroy the God who cursed her.  Along the way she once again crosses path with Steve Trevor.

The Art: Outstanding. I love the detail and the contrast between light and dark. It adds a visual to the conflict that Diana is currently feeling the two halves of herself not knowing which one is the true Diana. She wears almost a perpetual sad and confused look on her face, even when smiling it still seems sad. I loved Cheetahs look, she looks more feral and terrifying. Steve Trevor looked like a young Chuck Norris mixed with Arnold Schwarzenegger, but I liked it.

The Characters:
Diana Prince/ Wonder Woman: I love the creation origins behind Wonder Woman. She is everything Superman and Batman are except a woman. She is a diplomat first only resorting to violence unless its the last resort. I have a feeling that she going to be facing some serious internal conflict in the upcoming events.

 Barbara Ann Minerva/ Cheetah: I have never liked Cheetah more than I do now. Rucka rewrote Cheetahs origin a little. Instead of just being a jealous heiress turned archeologist who was then cursed and possessed by a cheetah, she has a deeper past. In which Rucka went into with Minervas own origin comic.

 Steve Trevor: Steve was Dianas first love, and I have a theory about first loves. You never really stop loving them. You may grow apart and become different people but deep down you still love who that person was and how they made you feel. I think thats what Steve is to Diana, even if they cant be together Diana still has that feeling of what they meant to each other. But I sense that in future comics those feelings will be tested.

Etta Candy and the rest of Steve Trevors team show up and do their thing. Etta later aids Diana in her search and Godwatch makes an appearance.

Review: I read this just as is, I haven't read the Year One story arc yet, so it did seem like I miss something but the artwork and this story arc way then made up for it, that and I looked up stuff on wiki to catch up. (psst don't read wiki of you don't want spoilers on where the story is going) I've never been a diehard fan of Wonder Woman; I love what she stood for and her strength but my only real exposure to her were the Linda Carter Wonder Woman reruns on the Sci-fi Channel growing up but between DCEU animated movies, can not forget InJustice video game, and now Dawn of Justice and the new upcoming movie (that looks awesome) I am really diggin' it. With "Rebirth" I thought that it would be like a giant reboot and that I could jump in and be fine, nope. I have no idea where they are going with it but so far I do like it. I hope I get to review more. I really enjoy a good internal conflict and a bit of romance with my action. I like where Rucka is going with this so far.

**I am a newb. I will be the first to admit that. I am fairly new to reading comic books. I mainly read DC, my first comic book love was Sandman by Gaiman which I read before really getting into comics. I have been a fan since Batman the Michael Keaton movie. I've mainly watched the cartoon series and the animated movies, after watching Flashpoint Paradox I knew I needed to read the actual thing. I got into the comics, never looked back and now here I am trying to review some of my favorite and iconic characters.**

Thank you to DC and Edelweiss for the DRC
3600632
I loved all the stories. I'm a big fan of the BBC Robin Hood series this was based on and Charlotte gives us the Guy we all knew he could be. Cassie is the perfect mate for him. The story moved along well, the characters were believable and her knowledge of the era makes it al come together.
2999627
I truly enjoyed this version of Robin Hood...she is a true heroine! The imagery and vocabulary the author uses make this book a five-star, can't stop reading adventure for the imagination ...I would want to read this again and it is rare that I read books twice.
602691
When the new Wonder Woman series came out after Infinite Crisis, she got a nice new uniform for her alter ego Diane Prince. This statue shows Wonder Woman mid change, including the removal of her red glasses and blue and white jumpsuit that she wears as Agent Diane Prince. I'm not sure what it is about it that looks so good, but it's a GREAT sculpt with a 'Wonderful' paint job. It's a smaller statue, but it fits right in with my collection of other Wonder Woman statues. Even next to some of the bigger ones, it is one of the nicer statues. If you're a Wonder Woman collector, then this price is not to be missed out on. Add her to your collection, and I don't think you'll be disappointed.
  Thanks for your time folks.
  Sincerely, R.A. McDowell
1634690
This version of the Robin Hood story tells two adventurous tales and gives some historical context to the legends and facts surrounding Robin Hood.

The first tale is a pretty standard retelling of the most popular bits people know about Robin Hood. Robin robs from the rich to give to the poor who are being overtaxed by the Sheriff of Nottingham. The Sheriff lays a trap for Robin in the form of a contest. Robin competes in disguise and wins the contest by splitting a bull's eye arrow. The reward for winning the contest is a job--protector of the Sheriff's treasury. After all the greatest warrior in the land should be able to keep Robin's hands off it, right? There are some nice twists and turns at this point that made it more interesting to a veteran of Robin Hood tales like me. Jacob and Lucy loved the story.

The second tale is about Much Middleton, teenage son of the village miller. One day the Sheriff comes to collect taxes and a riot breaks out. Much's dad is captured and sent to the dungeon. Much escapes and finds Robin in Sherwood Forest, sure that he will help. Robin doesn't immediately act, other than bringing Much into his band and training him for the eventual conflict at the end of the tale. This was a new story to me and has that "kid gets to work with his hero" plot that engages readers well.

The final part of the book discusses life in the middle ages and the possible origins of Robin Hood. The original stories about him are from the 1200s and 1300s, with the first written reference in Piers Plowman. The stories spread all over England and many of them have conflicting details, e.g. some say he was once a wealthy lord while others claim he was a poor villager. The lives of the rich, the poor, and the outlaws are all described. The discussion around outlaws caused a tricky conversation with my children--trying to explain that most outlaws were evil men and Robin Hood was a very rare exception proved more difficult than I imagined.

The illustrations by Alan Marks are nice but not great. They suggest swashbuckling and the distant past but don't quite hit the mark. It doesn't detract from the text but doesn't provide a great enhancement either.

Overall, this is a fine introduction for children to Robin Hood.
1505770
My Wife is loving this story! She's a huge Wonder Woman comic book fan and it's getting hard to find stories that she hasn't read. I didn't know it at the time but this was one she was wanting for a very long time. Many thanks to the great seller who got the books to me on time.
4645198
Authors Olivia Longueville and J.C. Plummer deliver a masterful new tale on Robin Hood. The flavor is authentic. The setting, dialogue, characters, customs, made for an impressive novel. One new delicious twist on this spin on Robin Hood is the role that Lady Marian plays throughout the book. Their blazing relationship is the centerpiece of the entire book. I'm amazed at how well this book was written. Can't wait for book two!
779715
The heroine is, again, a super hero capable of impossible tasks and undoable deeds. If you are a dedicated fan of The Fantastic Four, Captain America and Superman you will love this fantasy. If you prefer reality, you will get tired really quickly!
4975696
This story has turned Maid Marian from the lady waiting in her tower, to a rebellious, courageous girl who isn't afraid of anything. Traipsing through the forest alone to solving the case of the murders of dozens of victims, this is not like any Marian ever seen before. This sword-wielding maiden has a sense of righteousness equal to that of Robin Hood's and will not stop until she sees justice delivered in spades.
Enchanted forests, mythical weapons, and haunted castles- what more can a reader ask for?
3087321
Definite page turner. Wonder Woman is my favorite superhero but I think I would love this story even if she wasn't. The art is amazing, the story was at a good pace and I began to care for all the characters we are supposed to care for and hate all the characters we're supposed to hate. I can't wait to read the next Volume!
4801540
Interesting and unique take on the Robin Hood mythos! It was fast-paced and fun, with a conversational narrative tone, and I appreciate the warning in the preface regarding the explicit scene in the intermission. It took me about an hour to read the book. Definitely worth the money.
4950620
This Elseworlds re-examination of a world with a Wonder Woman, Batman and Superman. Only difference is this Wonder Woman is a New God warrior, the Dark Knight is a vampire and the Man of Steel is the son of another Kryptonian and was raised by migrant workers. Those differences make for a very dark version of the Justice League. Timm uses some unexpected characters from the DC Universe make up his new DC Trinity. New God Highfather's granddaughter, Becca is this story's Wonder Woman. Superman is the son of Zod rather than Jor-El and he's raised by Mexican migrant workers. Man-Bat's Kurt Langstrom becomes a heroic, but melancholy vampire. What these changes provide us is an opportunity to see what makes someone a hero.

I found this to be the best of the recent DC Animated Films. If you're a fan of these films, Bruce Timm or the DC Universe in general, you will love "Justice League: Gods and Monsters."
3053540
Dick gets a job this issue. I would like to see a miniseries of a superhero bar with the green lanterns and flash and such drinking and complaining to Dick. A female assassin also shows up, and she seems promising.