Absolute Wonder Woman

Absolute Wonder Woman
Textless cover of Absolute Wonder Woman #1 by Hayden Sherman.
Publication information
Publisher	DC Comics (Absolute Universe)
Schedule	Monthly
Format	Ongoing
Genre	Superhero
Publication date	October 23, 2024 – present
No. of issues	10
Main character(s)	Wonder Woman
Creative team
Written by	Kelly Thompson
Artist(s)	Hayden Sherman Mattia de Iulis Dustin Nguyen
Letterer(s)	Becca Carey
Colorist(s)	Jordie Bellaire
Editor(s)	Chris Conroy

Absolute Wonder Woman is a superhero comic book series published by DC Comics, based on the character Wonder Woman. The series is written by Kelly Thompson and illustrated by Hayden Sherman, and began publication on October 23, 2024, as part of DC's Absolute Universe (AU) imprint. The series focuses on a version of Wonder Woman who was raised in Hell rather than Themyscira as in most depictions of the character. ^[1]

The comic has received critical acclaim due to its characterization of Diana, reinvention of the Wonder Woman mythos, and the artwork by artist Hayden Sherman. ^{[2] [3] [4]}

Publication history

By July 2024, a Wonder Woman-focused comic book series titled Absolute Wonder Woman, written by Kelly Thompson and illustrated by Hayden Sherman, was in the works as part of DC Comics Absolute Universe (AU) imprint. ^[5] Absolute Wonder Woman began publication on October 23 of the same year. ^[6]

Plot

The Last Amazon (#1−5)

Diana's origin is reimagined within DC's Absolute Universe. Instead of being raised on Themyscira, she is taken to Hell by the god Apollo and entrusted to the witch Circe, who becomes her adoptive mother. This upbringing imbues Diana with a blend of Amazonian prowess and dark sorcery. Diana confronts formidable adversaries, notably the Harbingers and the Tetracide. The story is intercut between Diana's battle in Gateway City and flashbacks to her time in Hell with Circe, including her first meeting with Steve Trevor, who washes up on the beaches of the Wild Isle and is rescued by Diana. She invokes the power of her mother to enlarge her sword to immense proportions, enabling her to cleave the Tetracide in half. The creature begins to regenerate, prompting Diana to use Circe's Lasso of Transformation on herself, transforming into Medusa. With the power of Medusa, Diana turns the Tetracide into stone, and, upon returning to her original form with the help of Steve Trevor, crushes it with a punch. Diana is then dragged underground, seemingly by the hand of an Olympian. ^[7]

The Lady or the Tiger (#6–7)

Diana is brought to the Underworld by Hades, who is angered at her having gone to the mortal realm. He inquires about the creation of the Nemesis Lasso, which is shown to incorporate blood gifted by the Titan Prometheus and the body of the last Basilisk, which Diana had slain. Hades has captured Circe, and forces Diana to fight a chimera to the death. Upon victory, Diana denounces Hades as unjust, and he attempts to banish her from the Underworld, separating her from Circe forever. However, Hades' queen Persephone reveals that she has fed Diana pomegranate seeds, and thus the same law that compels her to visit the Underworld requires Diana to spend a month there every year. ^[8]

Collected editions

#	Title	Material collected	Format	Pages	Released	ISBN
1	The Last Amazon	Absolute Wonder Woman #1–7	HC	176	Aug 12, 2025	978-1799505297
			TPB			978-1799505303
2	As My Mothers Made Me	Absolute Wonder Woman #8–14	HC	208	Feb 17, 2026	978-1799507536
			TPB			978-1799507543

Reception

Absolute Wonder Woman won "Best New Series" and Jordie Bellaire won "Best Coloring" at the 2025 Eisner Awards. ^[9] Additionally, multiple members of the creative team were nominated for their work on Absolute Wonder Woman and other series: Kelly Thompson for "Best Writer", Hayden Sherman for "Best Cover Artist", and Becca Carey for "Best Lettering". ^[10]

References

1. Johnston, Rich (September 30, 2024). "3 Spoilers for Kelly Thompson & Hayden Sherman's Absolute Wonder Woman". Bleeding Cool . Retrieved October 21, 2024.
2. Whitaker, Piper (October 23, 2024). "'Absolute Wonder Woman' #1 shows readers how to rebel against Gods". AIPT. Retrieved March 10, 2025.
3. Gibson, Avi (November 17, 2024). "I Wasn't Excited for DC's New Wonder Woman, But One Moment Totally Won Me Over". Screen Rant . Retrieved March 10, 2025.
4. Cronin, Brian (October 27, 2024). "Absolute Wonder Woman #1 Review: A Bold New Take on Wonder Woman Has a Tremendous Opening Issue". CBR . Retrieved March 10, 2025.
5. Cronin, Brian (July 18, 2024). "DC Reveals First Three Absolute Universe Titles". CBR . Retrieved October 21, 2024.
6. Terror, Jude (October 20, 2024). "Absolute Wonder Woman #1 Preview: Amazon Unplugged". Bleeding Cool . Retrieved October 21, 2024.
7. Absolute Wonder Woman #1-5. DC Comics.
8. Absolute Wonder Woman #6-7. DC Comics.
9. Puc, Samantha (July 26, 2024). "SDCC '25: Announcing the 2025 Eisner Award winners". The Beat. Retrieved July 26, 2025.
10. MacDonald, Heidi (May 15, 2025). "2024 Eisner nominations announced, led by Fantagraphics and Tom King". The Beat. Retrieved May 15, 2025.