When I first heard about another Wonder Woman animated feature coming out from the DC Animated Universe (DCAU), I was beyond elated. When I was told it was another origin story my heart sank and in my best Charlie Brown groan, “AHHHHH, Good Grief!!!” However, Wonder Woman: Bloodlines is not your typical origin story/reboot/remake and I’m all for watching this one on repeat for a week straight.
Rosario Dawson returns as our favorite Amazonian princess who saves Steve Trevor’s (Jeffery Donovan) after he crashes on Themyscira following a battle with a parademon. Queen Hippolyta (Cree Summer) as always disapproves and Princess Diana defies her mother to enter the world of man to save humanity.
The twist this time, Trevor introduces Wonder Woman Dr. Julia Kapatelis (Nia Vardalos), a historian who is more forcused on ancient cultures than she is on her own daughter, Vanessa (Marie Avgeropoulos). Diana does what she can to reach out to Vanessa that the pressures of a strong mother will get better, but jealousy consumes Vanessa which eventually drives her towards revenge for the death of her mother, turning her into the Silver Swan that now seeks revenge on Wonder Woman, who she blames for the wedge driven between the family.
Will all hell breaking loose, Greek mythology creating a foundation for our story and Dr. Poison (Courtenay Taylor) being involved, you know you’re in store for a great story.
Wonder Woman and Mary Marvel are the foundation for all strong, female empowered superheroines without forcing them to posture and profess their strengths, they just are strong and we can see it from the storytelling, making Wonder Woman: Bloodlines a story that even the hardened eye rolling misogynist be happy with how the story on folds.
Although Marie Avgeropoulos has had a decade long career, this was the first time I took notice of her work and to have her and Vardalos be two Greek actresses voicing two Greek characters, it was good to see Mediterranean actors representing their ancestry, even in an animated feature.
Wonder Woman: Bloodlines is out now on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, DVD and Digital.
Wonder Woman: Bloodlines Special Features
4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Combo Pack, Blu-ray Combo Pack and Digital
DC Showcase: Death (Animated Short) – Inspired by Neil Gaiman’s “The Sandman,” Death is produced & directed by Sam Liu (Justice League vs. The Fatal Five) and written by J.M. DeMatteis (Batman: Bad Blood). In the story, Vincent, an artist with unresolved inner demons, meets a mysterious girl who helps him come to terms with his creative legacy … and eventual death. Leonard Nam (Westworld) provides the voice of Vincent, and Jamie Chung (The Gifted, Big Hero 6) is the voice of Death. The voice cast includes Darin De Paul, Keith Szarabajka and Kari Wahlgren.
The Cheetah: Ferocious Archenemy (New Featurette) – Ferocious. Clever. Deadly. It’s the thrill of the hunt and the prey is Wonder Woman. This is the story of The Cheetah, Diana’s greatest enemy.
A Sneak Peek at the next DC Universe Movie, Superman: Red Son – An advanced look at the next animated film in the popular DC Universe Movies collection.
Summary
Wonder Woman: Bloodlines is an origin story well worth watching, even if we know how the character came to be, Greek Mythology helps shape where the DCAU will our favorite Amazonian.