Warning: contains spoilers for Wonder Woman #769!
Diana Prince fans know that Diana's shift to the dark side before now, what exactly is going on?
This issue showcases the grand return of Liar Liar, otherwise known as Emma Deropalis. The daughter of Maxwell Lord, an antagonist in Wonder Woman 1984, she has just as dangerous powers of manipulation, pulling others into a fantasy world in which she's on a chivalrous quest to kill her father. With Liar Liar able to seemingly bend the world to suit her personal narrative, Wonder Woman is forced to make a shocking decision to meet the young villain on her own and help influence her journey back into the light.
Famous for her empathy and love, it seems even Wonder Woman's speeches can't sway Liar Liar. After approaching Emma to calm her rage, Diana is snatched into one of Liar Liar's mystical mirages. Furious that Diana stands in her way, Liar Liar shows herself as the heroic knight within this illusion. With armor and a sword, Emma fights against her enemies, which includes Wonder Woman. In Emma's eyes, Diana is her antagonist, transforming her into the evil Ice Queen. Giant and fearsome, Wonder Woman gains a giant form and new ice powers, at least in the shared fantasy that engulfs the two characters. Wonder Woman is aware of the illusion, commenting, "I see a fantasy." But unable to break free of Emma's spell, Wonder Woman must play her part until reality resumes, opting to use her new "powers" for defensive tactics.
This Ice Queen form isn't the only surprising bit of action Liar Liar has in store for Wonder Woman, with the young villain turning her pet bunny into a ferocious dragon. The winged bunny declares, "You kept me in a play pen," revealing the dark resentment behind Liar Liar's fantasy facade, and while the battle doesn't give Diana the opportunity to help, it does provide the insight she needs to later get through to the traumatized daughter of one of her most repellent foes.
Having successfully escaped Emma's dream world, Diana is able to take Liar Liar under her wing, offering her Maxwell Lord is still exerting his influence in some form over the girl. For now, Emma has a place in a ive environment far from the abuses that turned her into Liar Liar, and it's clear that while her father may cause her further grief in future, Wonder Woman will always be there to help her find her way back into the light - even if it means becoming the exact opposite of everything she stands for to do it.
