Greg Rucka Leaves "Wonder Woman"

The comic book industry received a shock during the afternoon of Wednesday, April 12, when DC Comics veteran writer Greg Rucka announced his departure from Wonder Woman on a Tumblr post appropriately titled: “Leaving Diana.”

Industry websites including CBR (Comic Book Resources), IGN, and Newsarama confirmed that the fan-favorite writer would exit the title after issue 25 is published.

“Before we get to rampant speculation, this is my decision.” Wrote Rucka. “I just can’t maintain the pace on the title while also fulfilling my commitments to my other collaborators. It is just genuinely, as simple as that.”

The writer previously had a three-year run with the Amazon Princess from 2003 to 2006 as he made the character Themyscira’s ambassador to the world. Rucka also introduced new allies such as Ferdinand the Minotaur and deadly adversaries such as Medusa and billionaire Veronica Cale that challenged the character at every turn. One shocking moment during his first story arc was Wonder Woman’s showdown with Medusa, where the warrior blinded herself with venom from Medusa’s snakes.

Rucka also played a key role in during the lead up of celebrated DC Comics storyline, Infinite Crisis, where Diana executed longtime villain and then Checkmate director Maxwell Lord after he brainwashed Superman into nearly killing Batman. Rucka also worked closely with 52 co-collaborator and current DC Comics President and Chief Creative Officer Geoff Johns ending his story arc that leads to the disappearance of Wonder Woman’s home, Themyscira. 10 years later, Mr. Rucka returned to the character, just in time for DC Comics’ companywide DC Rebirth relaunch.

“Writing Diana again has been an amazing experience, on the level of a dream-come-true.” Rucka wrote. “Any of us who’ve worked on the book this last year have wanted is to serve her well, to illuminate what we so absolutely believe makes Wonder Woman such a remarkable and unique and timeless and important character.”

Rucka’s main storyline for his second run on Wonder Woman was divided into two parts: “The Truth” and “The Lies.” The veteran writer also infused classic allies such as Etta Candy, Sasha Bordeaux, and Diana’s mother, Hippolyta, and fan-favorite foes such as Ares and Veronica Cale into the storyline. In his Tumblr post, Rucka previewed his final issues.

“Wonder Woman 23 sees the end of our “primary” storyline (“The Lies”/”The Truth”), and Wonder Woman 24 serves as something of an epilogue to that tale.” Rucka wrote. “Wonder Woman 25 will, I hope, set the table for who is to follow, and provide them as much room to work and explore and grow. Diana’s future is bright, that’s what I’m saying.”

While DC Comics has not announced Rucka’s replacement, the outgoing writer praised his collaborators starting with the editorial team: Mark Doyle, Rebecca Taylor, Chris Conroy, and David Wielgosz. Throughout Rucka’s run, numerous artists assisted the writer in bringing the Amazon’s adventures to life. While the Wonder Woman writer had met a majority of his fellow creators associated with the title in person, Mr. Rucka gave a special shout out to the only artist that he had not met: Bilquis Evely.

“This is probably for the best, as I fear I will tackle-hug her and end up squeezing so tight as to potentially fracture ribs and/or frighten her.” Rucka humorously wrote, “I will ask about hair, and how she manages to make it look so consistently amazing. I will thank her for her deft touch, and her humor, and her patience, and her skill.”

Rucka also gave a nod to Liam Sharp, who also will exit the title after June’s issue 25.

“He’s been constant and driven, and every single time I started to flag or to doubt or to second-guess, he was the booster, he was the beacon.” Rucka wrote. “It’s his fault I’m in love with Barbara Ann Minerva, aka Cheetah. He is my brother. And he is the pillar that this run was built upon.”

For fans, who believe that Rucka will be leaving DC Comics all together, the outgoing writer teased that he is “optimistic that there’ll be more work with DC announced soon.”

To read more of Greg Rucka’s farewell to Wonder Woman, visit his Tumblr page.