This was the best Wonder Woman since Rucka's.
The story was short yet poignant. As we've seen from the solicits/preview, it picks up where Shea Fontana's run left off in terms of the villain Mayfly. She's in Slabside Prison in Antarctica. Diana takes to visiting her, but she's initially met with hostility. Nevertheless, Diana continues visiting with her and talking to her. Mayfly reveals she's most angry that Diana thinks of her as weak and unworthy of a warrior's death. Over time, Mayfly begins trusting Diana and opening up to her.
However, on the 24th visit, Diana comments that she feels it's good that Mayfly is finally open to bettering herself. Mayfly takes it the wrong way and attacks, and Diana's response is sharply, "No. After this long, Moon, I respect you... But I do not fear you." Mayfly has an epiphany after hearing Diana say she respects her and apologizes.
The two continue having visits and Mayfly obviously enjoys the company. On the 51st visit, Diana seems distant. Inversion the Inside-Out Man (a very obscure one-off villain from the Silver Age, kudos to Orlando!) attacks. Diana had put him away years ago and he wants revenge. He gets a shot on Diana and then begins choking her, but Mayfly saves her. Mayfly later asks why she was too distracted to take out Inversion who she normally could've taken out easily. Diana reveals her aunt Astarte who had trained her had died while defending the Amazons from Hades. She can't even return home to mourn with her sisters. Mayfly was the first person she told. On the 52nd visit, Mayfly leaves the prison and is greeted by Diana.
Thoughts:
Loved the issue! The art took some getting used to, but I ended up really enjoying it in the end.
Steve Orlando really impresses with his knowledge of both Wonder Woman and the overall DC Universe. I mean, who would've ever thought we'd see Inversion again?
I really hope we see Mayfly return as an ally to Diana. How great would it be if she had a retinue of allies who are all reformed criminals that she helped redeem?
The timeline is the one confusing aspect... The 8th visit is said to be "one year from now" and the 52nd visit is "several years from now." Diana mentions that she still can't return home during the 51st visit, but... the whole plot of Wilson's first story arc in a few issues will be Diana doing just that. So, I dunno... it's something I'm willing to overlook because it's such a good story, but I do wish the timing had just been left a bit more vague to avoid confusion.
Other tidbits:
The Invisible Jet, Mala, and Kangas are canon in the Rebirth universe.
A villain named Garn Daanuth who I've never heard of but apparently exists was also mentioned by Diana in one of her visits to Mayfly.
Throughout her later meetings with Mayfly, she changes outfits. One of which is her golden eagle armor!