REVIEW: ‘Absolute Wonder Woman’ Issue 4

Absolute Wonder Woman Issue 4 is published by DC Comics. Written by Kelly Thompson, with art by Hayden Sherman, colors by Jordie Bellaire and letters by Becca Carey.

Before Wonder Woman faces the monstrous Tetracide again, she turns to the help of a witch to get her arm back.

This issue takes a step away from the action for a while. It’s a quiet, calm story to begin with. In the last chapter, the enormous creature ripped Wonder Woman’s arm off. Whilst she uses a prosthetic and looks comfortable and unphased by the injury, she needs to regain her magical arm to defeat the Tetracide. She visits a witch in her home. Absolute Wonder Woman Issue 4 is happy to have a slower pace because it’s still fascinating. More is being learned about the world by slowly adding one character at a time.

The book then jumps to a flashback, exploring a mystical connection in Wonder Woman’s past. Where the Amazons in the main universe worship Hera, Circe is a devoted follower of Hecate, the goddess of magic, witchcraft, ghosts, and necromancy. This change in deity completely changes the character’s mythology.

The comic isn’t all about witchcraft and recuperation, as the Tetracide soon gets bored of waiting for its food to come to it, so goes in search of it instead. The battle at the end of the book is climactic and a remarkable spectacle, combining all of Wonder Woman’s weapons and tolls into a brutal second round against the monster.

Absolute Wonder Woman Issue 4 shows so many reasons why Diana shines as a character. She is so sweet and caring with the nervous witch she goes to find help with. Every word is one of encouragement and kindness. And yet, she is also a resilient warrior. Pain and violence do not affect her much, nor does any fear of death. Everyone seems to be in awe of her, not just because of her strength but also her sweetness and soul.

Thompson writes stunning dialogue for the Princess. Wonder Woman is always complimenting and looking for the positivity in life, aided by her naivety. She’s so intelligent and a brilliant tactician, and yet there is simplicity in how she speaks. Perhaps it is the fact that she rarely hides an agenda or lies. She is so truthful and honest that every other character just naturally trusts her.

The cast has stayed small in each issue to build on the relationships and make each character look big and important within the story. The witch and her sister that Wonder Woman visits are only introduced in Absolute Wonder Woman Issue 4, and yet you know so much about them by the end of the book. This is not done by heavy exposition but by allowing them to talk freely and express their personality.

The art is gorgeous. Although there is little action for three-quarters of Absolute Wonder Woman Issue 4, each page is interesting and filled with storytelling. Placing this Wonder Woman somewhere domestic suddenly makes it more glaring how fascinating she is to look at. She’s huge, taller than Steve and towering over the witch. She is a giantess. Her face is always kind and approachable. Her eyes are huge and mesmerising, conveying many emotions on their own.

When she enters the shop, she shows off her prosthetic. Sherman’s detail of this device is extraordinary. It’s mechanical but originates from Hephaestus, not a human creator. All of the joints and movements can be seen with a terrific intricacy. Wonder Woman does not come from anything close to a normal life. Raised in Hell, her home is hostile. For the first time, I noticed all of the creatures in their home as well, tucked up around her bed and sleeping soundly. These are all elements of a world that is slowly being expanded upon.

Sherman also fully reveals a celestial being in all their ethereal glory. It’s a spectacular design that does not go too far with details, but it humbles those around them and introduces the start of a pantheon for the Absolute Universe. Sherman delivers size superbly, capturing just how massive the gods and monsters are.

The colors are captivating. The magic shop that Wonder Woman takes refuge in is dark as those inside try to stay hidden. Despite that, Wonder Woman sees the beauty in the place. The red of her costume stands out, but her dazzling blue eyes are really striking. Their vibrancy is breathtaking in every panel.

When the magic starts to be cast, the whole room is filled with the same red that can be found in Diana’s home in Hell. This version of the character is often acquainted with blood, using it in battle and her spell casting. Diana is absolutely coated in it in this issue, with tremendous transitions when she applies and removes it.

The lettering is pivotal for the storytelling of Absolute Wonder Woman Issue 4. Wonder Woman deafened the whole city to stop them from hearing the death song that the Tetracide emits. She then used another spell to converse with the witch and her sister.

For the duration of Absolute Wonder Woman Issue 4, a purple aura surrounds each word balloon to remind the reader that it is mystically enhanced. Wonder Woman often speaks in Ancient Greek, another link to her upbringing and beliefs. There is also a language that appears only as a squiggly line, impossible to decipher.

Absolute Wonder Woman Issue 4 demonstrates everything that makes the character shine and celebrates the most glaring differences inside the Absolute Universe. Wonder Woman inspires hope by being courageous and compassionate. She’s a character that is impossible not to fall in love with. These are attributes that radiate through the Multiverse. Yet, the particular use of magic is integral to this version, as is the extra large sword and the bloody face paint.

So much is brilliant within Absolute Wonder Woman Issue 4 that there isn’t time to expand upon how incredibly hardcore the final battle is. Thompson may draw blood, but there is always a functioning heart within the series.

Absolute Wonder Woman Issue 4 is available where comics are sold.