If you’re like me, then the announcement ofAbsolute Wonder Womansent alarm bells ringing through your head, telling you to prepare for another era ofWonder Womanclad in biker-chic and scowling at the grim and gritty world around her. Never have I been more glad to say I was wrong: while the Wonder Woman of this new series is an indisputable badass, the creative team goes out of their way to emphasize that the elements central to Wonder Woman’s character are front and center in this series from the very first issue.
Instead of Paradise Island, Kelly Thompson, Hayden Sherman, and Jordie Bellaire’s Absolute Wonder Woman (2024) #1 sees baby Wonder Woman delivered to Circe in hell. But instead of being broken by her surroundings, Diana’s spirit prevails in the most wondrous way.
What starts off as a barren rock becomes a verdant home through Diana’s compassion as she grows. It’s a powerful montage, declaring from the very start of the book thatlove and compassion are central to the thesis of Wonder Woman - even a version of her “from hell.“This moment singlehandedly restored my faith in this series.
Absolute Wonder Woman Is Diana’s First Successful Redesign In Ages
Wonder Woman’s History Is Fraught With New Directions That Didn’t Take
I hope my apprehension going intoAbsolute Wonder Womancan be forgiven. With early details quick to emphasize changes to Wonder Woman’s origin, now placing her asa witch “raised in hell,“I had immediately expected a return to the ’90s style of “grim and gritty” gratuitousness, complete with over-the-top violence and all warmth stripped from the character - especially once the design ofAbsolute Batmanseemed only to play into these fears, leading me to have little hope for the rest of theAbsoluteline, and especially with Wonder Woman having one of the worst track records with redesigns.
Absolute Wonder Woman #1 Is a Fiery Reclamation of What the Iconic Hero Represents (Review)
Absolute Wonder Woman #1 is an absolute triumph for DC Comics' new Absolute universe, redefining a classic hero via gripping drama and action.
Depending on editorial mandate or authorial quirks, Wonder Woman has been everything from the Justice Society’s token female secretary to a ball-busting borderline misandrist. While I personally wasn’t around for herjet-setting, mod makeover, secret agent period, I first began to really get into comics around the early 2000s. With quality ranging from the DCAU’sJustice Leagueto the ill-conceivedAmazons Attack!storyline, I came of age when Wonder Woman’s character was being pulled in so many different directions that it became easy for me to grow cynical whenever a new take on the character was announced.
Absolute Wonder Woman Succeeds By Having A Firm Grasp On Wonder Woman’s Identity
Character Is Placed Firmly At The Forefront And Before Spectacle
As one of DC’s “Big Three” (Superman, Wonder Woman, and Batman), Diana represents one of DC’s threefold virtues of Truth, Justice, and Love. Wonder Woman is widely held to be the champion of love here (though I believe she can also stand for Truth by virtue of her lasso), and DC has pushed to keep love central to Wonder Woman’s character ever since 2017’sWonder Womanfilm. Tom King and Daniel Sampere’sWonder Woman (2023)is a prime example of this, emphasizing how Diana’s care and compassion are just as crucial to winning her battles as her strength.
That love is the core ofAbsolute Wonder Woman.Despite the trappings of witchcraft and hellfire, that love is our introduction to Diana’s character through the montage of hergrowing up in Circe’s cave. That love is central to Wonder Woman’s determination throughout the issue, as seen by her powerful reclamation of her heritage as an Amazon. These are the elements I was afraid would be lost with her edgy new redesign; the creative team has chosen to emphasize them instead, skyrocketingAbsolute Wonder Womanto the top of my list of books I am excited for this year.
Absolute Wonder WomanHas Made Me A Believer
I Can’t Wait To See Which Direction Future Issues Take
I’m a child of the ’90s: I’ve seen enough cynical, scowling reboots of beloved characters to last me a lifetime. Incredibly,Absolute Wonder Womanmanages to perfectly walk the line between having a dark tone without sacrificing Diana’s sincerity and heart. That takes more than dedication and talent: it requires the creative teamto fundamentally understand who Wonder Woman isand what she stands for. ThisWonder Womanmay look fierce in her furs and hellfire, but beneath that exterior, she is still Wonder Woman - and I’m so excited to see where this new vision of the character goes next.
