Absolute Wonder Woman #1
Review
Writer: Kelly Thompson
Artist: Hayden Sherman
Publisher: DC Comics
Release Date: October 23, 2024
Page Count: 48
Format: Single-issue
Absolute Wonder Woman #1 is a perfect storm of dark fantasy and superhero action. Kelly Thompson and Hayden Sherman craft a bold new take on the iconic character that feels fresh and familiar, establishing Wonder Woman as a terrifying force in DC's Absolute Universe.
Absolute Wonder Woman #1
ReviewWriter: Kelly Thompson
Artist: Hayden Sherman
Publisher: DC Comics
Release Date: October 23, 2024
Page Count: 48
Format: Single-issue
Absolute Wonder Woman #1 is a perfect storm of dark fantasy and superhero action. Kelly Thompson and Hayden Sherman craft a bold new take on the iconic character that feels fresh and familiar, establishing Wonder Woman as a terrifying force in DC's Absolute Universe.
Over the last few weeks, DC Comics has been on a tear with their new Absolute Universe initiative. It all began with the All In Special #1, followed by Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta’s massive Absolute Batman #1. Now, the spotlight turns to Absolute Wonder Woman, brought to life by the powerhouse team of Kelly Thompson and Hayden Sherman, with colors by Jordie Bellaire. Among the flagship titles of the Absolute Universe, Wonder Woman stands out as an especially intriguing reimagining, blending classic heroism with dark fantasy. It’s been high on my radar since it was announced, and I can’t wait to get more into it.
Does Absolute Wonder Woman live up to the hype surrounding DC's bold new initiative? Let’s dive into my review and explore why this might be the most exciting entry in the Absolute Universe yet.
Overview of Absolute Wonder Woman #1
Gateway City finds itself under siege by a horde of demons. As the last Amazon on Earth, it rests solely on Wonder Woman’s shoulders to protect humanity from this mystical onslaught. Armed with an arsenal of spells and enchanted weapons, Diana rides into battle atop Pegasus, determined to wipe out the demonic threat before it's too late. During the heat of battle, she taps into her long-dormant Amazonian spirit, unleashing a powerful magical force unlike anything we’ve seen before.
Image: DC Comics
Review
In many ways, Absolute Wonder Woman #1 is the perfect example of what makes the Absolute Universe such a compelling concept. This comic takes parts about Wonder Woman’s story and twists them in ways that lay the groundwork for something new while still staying true to her iconic character. The twist here is that Diana was raised in Hell instead of Themyscira, essentially stripping away her connection to the Amazons. What we get is a Wonder Woman with a darker and more magical edge to her. But as different as she is, Diana’s strong and compassionate nature still shines through, reminding you that this is still Wonder Woman.
Kelly Thompson’s writing masterfully balances these new darker elements with Diana’s fundamental heroism, creating a character who feels fresh and familiar. With the tension between her upbringing and the heroic nature that flows in her blood, the story shows great potential to explore unique sides of Wonder Woman that we’ve never seen before.
Image: DC Comics
Artist Hayden Sherman is also a revelation in this new series. As someone who was blown away by their work on Blink from Oni Press, I loved how their bold art style brings a distinct raw energy to the visuals that perfectly match this new version of Wonder Woman. While this issue is packed with moments where Wonder Woman is a whirlwind of magic and violence, the quieter flashbacks of Diana’s upbringing are equally compelling. A standout moment is a sequence of pages that shows Diana’s life in Hell with her adoptive mother, Circei. The subtle changes in their environment and activities make for great visual storytelling, highlighting how distinct Diana’s life is in the Absolute Universe.
Diana’s new character design is also a highlight. It strikes a perfect balance between warrior and witch, feeling both fresh and iconic. Speaking as a fan of Berserk myself, I’m just always captivated by characters wielding giant swords. It’s a thrill seeing this new Wonder Woman in action, tearing through hordes of demons will all kinds of weapons and spells. Sherman’s layouts during action sequences are fantastic in how the flow is so easy to follow despite so much happening on the page. With this being just the beginning, I’m excited to see to different battles that Wonder Woman gets into as we get deeper into the story.
Colorist Jordie Bellaire also deserves special mention for enhancing Sherman’s fantastic line art. Bellaire’s colors set the tone for each scene, whether depicting intimate moments between Circei and Diana or the visceral chaos of demons being torn apart. The vibrant colors add depth and atmosphere, making the already impressive art shine even brighter. From top to bottom, Absolute Wonder Woman features a creative dream team. It will be so much fun seeing them do what they do best as the series goes on, and I’ll be here reading along every step of the way.
Image: DC Comics
Final Thoughts
Absolute Wonder Woman #1 is a stellar start to a new era for the beloved superhero. Kelly Thompson and Hayden Sherman have crafted an action-packed dark fantasy that will surely excite new readers and long-time fans. From the art style to the storytelling, this comic feels refreshingly unique while still honoring Wonder Woman’s iconic character. Thompson and Sherman have something special here, and I’m eager to see how far they can take it. I’d even dare say that Absolute Wonder Woman is my favorite of the new Absolute Universe titles so far. As DC continues to release hit after hit, Wonder Woman has set a high bar for what these reimaginings can achieve.
Why You Should Read Absolute Wonder Woman
- It’s a bold reimagining of Wonder Woman’s origin, opening up exciting new story possibilities.
- Features stunning artwork from Hayden Sherman that brings Diana’s new world to life.
- Blends superhero action with dark fantasy elements for a unique experience within the Absolute Universe.