Absolute Wonder Woman #9 is written by Kelly Thompson and published by DC. Artwork is by Hayden Sherman, colours by Jordie Bellaire and letters by Becca Carey. Main cover art (left) is by Sherman and Bellaire.
Absolute Wonder Woman #9 is available from today, in print and on digital platforms where all good comic books are sold. Grab your digital copy from Amazon Comixology UK right here.
Synopsis
The temptation of everything Diana has ever wanted lies just inside, butalso, untold horrors and no known escape. Diana has entered the maze,and nothing will ever be the same again.
Review
One of my favourite go-to books of the year, Absolute Wonder Woman, is back in comic book stores today. Kelly Thompson returns to Diana’s mission to seek out her Amazon sisters at a key turning point. Having faced off with Doctor Poison last month, Diana may have finally found a connection to another Amazon. But as is customary for DC’s most dynamite title, expect the unexpected as the journey continues…
By now there’s no hiding the fact that I’m a massive champion of this series. It’s struck an impeccable balance between rewriting the Wonder Woman rule book whilst evoking the truest sense of who she is as a character. It’s also taken us to some of the most unexpected and exciting places on the Absolute Earth. Absolute Superman may have taken us to space. But Absolute Wonder Woman exploring the depths of hell has become more than a compelling read on a monthly basis.
We pick up right where we left off last month, with Diana dangling Doctor Poison from a rooftop in Gateway City. Having claimed to have information regarding the Amazons, Poison hasn’t yet plummeted to their doom. But Diana isn’t one to rest on her morals and so the scene plays out perfectly with the Princess of Hell forcefully demanding that Poison call off her Tetra-Spiders. But more than that, this scene is exemplary of Thompson’s approach to writing the character. Poison briefly takes on the POV of the audience, commenting on how Diana empathises more with the monsters she confronts than the humans she has allied herself with.
A key theme which runs through this issue is Diana’s affinity with monsters. Thompson neatly bookends the issue with this sentiment. Using it as a lead in to the maze setting which will be at the centre of next month’s issue. It subtly but perfectly reflect’s the traditional “love over all” nature of who Wonder Woman is. Even when she’s casting spells and wielding otherworldly weapons.
At this stage it’s also great to see that Absolute Wonder Woman is feeling completely at ease with its supporting cast. Thompson is really organically weaving characters in and out of the story. Though plenty are present for scenes in The Hieron this issue it doesn’t suddenly overload the story. Likewise there’s no major focus on a romantic subplot with Steven which could be perceived to shift the nature of the story towards something more traditional. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. But there’s a palpable sense that Thompson wants to continue down this unique path and that feels right for the Absolute brand.
Stepping back and looking at Absolute Wonder Woman as a whole, particularly as the series approaching the end of its first year, is interesting. Between the Tetracide and Diana’s trip to Hell there has been huge distractions. But the sense that she has always been searching for her people really reaches back to the first issue. So to see it stepping closer to becoming the series main plot is exciting but also incredibly rewarding. The slow burn is quite irresistible, particularly as it plays in to the strength of who Diana is. Her resolve to enter the maze despite Steve’s reservations is quite delicious, especially as it clearly leads her towards more trouble.
As Diana enters the maze I’m pretty sure I could feel Hayden Sherman’s delight at the journey ahead. Of course Absolute Wonder Woman #9 looks great. This is the series pure, un-distilled creative team doing what they do best. But entering a new location filled with the promise of hidden creatures means the gloves are off. From Men-Fish to a Minotaur and the introduction of Queen Clea, there’s a lot down in that dungeon to render on the page and all of it a delight to behold
Verdict
Absolute Wonder Woman #9 continues the series incredible run of issues. The next chapter in this second major arc takes Diana to new locations, bringing her closer to exploring her Amazon heritage. Thompson’s character writing remains a true standout draw for the series.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
