***Contains Spoilers***
The “Who Is Donna Troy?” arc in Wonder Woman #134-136 attempts to tackle the ever-confounding mystery of Donna Troy’s origins yet again. This time, the story presents Donna as a magical clone of Diana, created by the sorceress Magala and subsequently manipulated by the villain Dark Angel. Donna loses her memories while defeating Dark Angel, and in a heartfelt twist, her memories—and identity—are restored by tapping into Wally West’s recollection of her. While ambitious in its narrative, this retcon-heavy arc ultimately struggles under the weight of its own convolutions.
What I liked about this arc was its earnest attempt to give Donna Troy a definitive origin. Donna has always been one of DC’s most compelling characters—her role as a sister figure to Wonder Woman and her bond with the Titans make her uniquely relatable. The restoration of her memories through Wally West’s recollections felt poignant, emphasizing the importance of found family and the bonds forged by shared experiences. This moment had emotional resonance, especially for fans who’ve followed Donna’s journey over the years. It was a rare instance where Donna’s past, often defined by chaos, felt grounded by the love and support of her allies.
Unfortunately, this arc is weighed down by yet another reinvention of Donna’s origins, a recurring issue that has plagued the character for decades. While the Greek Titans origin introduced in The New Teen Titans by Marv Wolfman and George Pérez added depth and mythology to her character, this arc sidesteps that entirely. Reducing Donna to a clone of Diana strips her of much of her individuality and uniqueness. This origin feels hollow, as it prioritizes tying her closer to Wonder Woman rather than respecting her identity as her own hero.
Additionally, the story’s execution falters under the sheer complexity of its premise. The involvement of Dark Angel feels contrived, and the heavy use of magical memory manipulation makes the narrative feel more convoluted than compelling. While the story attempts to provide a neat resolution to Donna’s identity crisis, it ultimately introduces more questions than it answers. By the end, I couldn’t help but feel that Donna deserved better—a less tangled history and a more thoughtful exploration of what makes her distinct.
In conclusion, while the “Who Is Donna Troy?” arc has its emotional moments, it’s a frustrating and overly complicated tale that fails to honor the character’s rich history. Donna Troy is a beloved hero with a dedicated fanbase, but this arc feels more like an obligatory rewrite than a celebration of her legacy. While I appreciated the story’s themes of family and memory, the lackluster execution and unnecessary retconning overshadowed those positives. I’m giving this arc 2 stars—I’m glad I read it to stay informed about Donna’s history, but I don’t plan to revisit it. Fans of Donna Troy may want to explore other stories that do justice to her character.
Feature Image Wonder Woman #134 cover art by Adam Hughes, John Byrne, and Tatjana Wood