It’s still early going in DC Comics‘s Absolute Universe, but the title are already starting to delineate themselves. While Absolute Batman is, per the narration in the book saying it, “Batman AF,” Absolute Wonder Woman #2 drives home that this title is leading with its heart.
In the issue – and spoilers past this point – we pick up pretty much where we left off, with Wonder Woman on a beach negotiating with hellspawn monsters. And while artist draws the (no pun intended) out of these devilish beasties, particularly a full-page spread of a Lovecraftian monstrosity facing down Diana, and the city she’s protecting, that’s not where the issue shines brightest.
No, that’s in the relationship between Diana and Steve which, despite the dark, hard nature of this new universe, has managed to survive through Hell itself. And that’s literally what happens, as we discover Beach Crashin’ Steve has somehow ended up in Hell, back in time, on the shores of Circe and Diana’s island safe haven. And though there are plenty of blanks to fill in at a later date — how did Steve end up in Hell? How did he get out? What else happened with Diana since then? — the romantic tension between the two is palpable.
In fact, the initial introduction of Steve Trevor in the opening pages of the issue, with Diana looking out to sea and Steve emerging from the mists of battle, is a stunner. The way Sherman draws Diana’s shock and surprise, her absolute longing hearing Steve’s voice… Reader, my heart skipped a beat.
And that plays out throughout the issue. Despite the fact that this Wonder Woman was forged in Hell, Hayden draws her softer and more earnest when she needs to be — and harder when she needs to be, as well. The first issue of the series including a beautiful sequence of Diana growing up under Circe’s care; here, Sherman’s character acting shines through in a less showy, more subtle way.
This is not to underplay Thompson’s contributions, of course. A scene where Diana faces down a General and explains why she’s going to help, whether he wants it or not is as iconic a Wonder Woman speech as I’ve ever read. And none of the sequences of Diana and Steve walking on the beach and exploring their relationship would work without Thompson’s combination of humor and heart.
Overall this is another stand-out start to what might be an all-timer run. If Absolute Superman #2 crushes it as well? Perhaps an all-timer comic book line. As is, though, we’ll always have Diana and Steve.
Absolute Wonder Woman #2 Rating:
Absolute Wonder Woman #2 Official Synopsis:
THOMPSON & SHERMAN’S RED-HOT REIMAGINING OF WONDER WOMAN UNLEASHES MONSTER MAYHEM! Gateway City has never seen anything like the Harbinger-Prime, the enormous, ravenous monster that has just risen from the depths of the ocean to darken its shores… but the Harbinger has never seen anything like the unstoppable Diana, Princess of the Underworld!
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