He’s the Sovereign. He’s the secret king of America. Secrets are tenuous things that have a tendency to overturn in strange and unexpected directions as he is about to find out in Wonder Woman #16. Writer Tom King makes a strong case for an ongoing Detective Chimp solo series in an issue expertly brought to page and panel by artist Bruno Redondo, inker Caio Filipe and colorist Adriano Lucas. Once again, Wonder Woman isn’t given a whole lot of space in the comic book that bears her name on the cover. As frustrating as this is, King makes it a fun issue nonetheless.

The Sovereign is alone reading the newspaper when Detective Chimp shows-up to ask him a few questions. One of the most fabulously powerful men in the whole world does not take kindly to the primate, but he IS a gentleman. He is nothing if not tolerant. Of course...as the good detective continues to pop-up asking him questions, it’s only really a matter of time before the truth begins to come out. A seemingly minor lie told to a primate couldn’t possibly have any serious consequences for one of the most powerful men on the planet, could it?

King channels Columbo and fuses him into the presence of Detective Chimp. Under the power of King’s writing, it’s a perfect fit. One can hear the distinct voice of Peter Falk in every line of dialogue uttered by Detective Chimp and honestly...it’s perfect on every level. That in and of itself wouldn’t be enough to make for a brilliant issue. King’s clever construction of the plot and all of the little details linking The Sovereign to a host of really unsavory activity makes for a thoroughly entertaining read from beginning to end. It’s a classy, classy detective thriller that feels like a perfect fusion between the adventures of Columbo and the DC Universe.

Redondo and Filipe frame the intensity of the story with some remarkably well-executed dramatic visuals. So much of the story is just straight-ahead drama. They consistently find ways to make it entertaining on the comics page. Much of the success has to do with the fact that the central protagonist of the issue is a perfectly articulated anthropomorphized chimp. His personality is cleverly contrasted against the cold austerity of the villain, It’s very, very sharp execution that is enhanced by some gorgeous-looking architectural work in the backgrounds and thoughtfully nuanced coloring work by Lucas.

Once again, King manages what was largely only attempted by Perez and company in the post-Crisis Wonder Woman series. The extended supporting ensemble of the series is meant to be carefully inspired into action around the edges of the presence of Wonder Woman as inspiration for all that takes place. The extended ensemble in the post-Crisis series wasn’t quite focussed as much on the influence of Diana. King does a brilliant job of keeping Wonder Woman firmly planted in the center of an issue in which she only makes a couple of minor appearances. It’s strikingly witty stuff. 

Grade: A