REVIEW: ‘Absolute Wonder Woman’ Issue 16

Absolute Wonder Woman Issue 16 is published by DC Comics and written by Kelly Thompson, art by Hayden Sherman, colors by Jordie Bellaire, and letters by Becca Carey.

Wonder Woman discovers that the foes she’s amassed have been gathered into the same track, with the task of bringing her in.

Absolute Wonder Woman Issue 16 sees Diana’s fame grow further. This world went from having no heroes to having one in the spotlight, adored by millions. As she’s embracing it, some forces can’t allow that. As the plot expands, with Wonder Woman and her support strengthening, there’s a realization from those trying to take her down that it’s going to take a lot more than throwing singular weapons at her to stop her. 

There is an underground project that has been gathering resources for years, and they’re finally being combined. Absolute Wonder Woman Issue 16 adopts a slow pace, with Diana’s comfort and confidence creating a nervous atmosphere. She’s too exposed in a universe that doesn’t like the attention. It’s all leading to a confrontation that carries so much history. It carries both new elements and past enemies from the previous arcs too

It’s not an instant fight because Thompson first needs to take something away from Wonder Woman that rocks her, as it is the only way to gain an advantage over the Amazon. The fighting actually comes from the downfall, featuring Wonder Woman training with Artemis. Although it’s only training, the writing makes it intense and mysterious, signaling a transition in Diana’s life as she grows.

The dialogue in Wonder Woman Issue 16 is fantastic because it features a composed and intelligent figure. Around those she loves, Diana is warm and generous. She gives her friend, Barbara, compliments, and she is willing to let Ferdinand the Minotaur and Petra the Siren stay in her home for as long as they need. And she’s wonderfully respectful and fascinated by history from multiple cultures. But when talking to gods, she still demands respect in a way that doesn’t convey her own disrespect.

Diana’s heart makes those around her willing to go to war. Steve Trevor would go against his career and the American Government to stand with her instead. She gains allies and makes friends by being honest, a rare quality among superheroes. Absolute Zatanna being used as a villain is fascinating, as is how she talks. She’s very flirty and nice to Wonder Woman, all while taking control, making her disarming. And Zatanna isn’t alone this time, bringing some new friends who all have connections to classic Wonder Woman villains.

The art is spectacular. Sherman presents Diana in so many different settings and emotional states. She’s shown at her best and most resplendent when attending a public event. Tall, statuesque, and dressed in a stunning, sleeveless dress, her tattoos on full display. They really suit her, giving Wonder Woman an ancient-warrior quality.

Wonder Woman towers over everyone, making her stand out in a crowd and making her unable to avoid attention. Barbara has also dressed to the nines and looks incredible. It may seem like a mundane scenario, but Diana still has her undead Pegasus with her. Inside the museum, there are spectacular exhibits of extraordinary scale.

There are two gods included in Wonder Woman Issue 16, and their designs are magnificent. Aphrodite has a unique, beautiful guise among other representations. It’s not just a gorgeous woman; there’s more to it. She wears a translucent veil that obscures her true face while hinting at the beauty beneath. And Artemis is ever-changing, able to shift forms. The Goddess of the Hunt first appears as a muscular woman with antlers, but can also transform into a tiger form.

The fight between Artemis and Wonder Woman is breathtaking. The panel layout is mind-blowing, extensive, and able to show so many parts of the battle at once. The punches, kicks, bites, and other moves, with blood dripping over Diana are shown in small panels on a large page, demonstrating a long fight within a fantastic time construct. Zatanna has also been drastically changed, but remnants of the other universe linger.

The magician concept has been reimagined in a more gothic style, with spikes on her jacket. She’s got short but voluminous hair, with a permanent smirk on her lips. But there are fishnets covering her arms and torso, rather than down her legs.

The colors are fantastic in Absolute Wonder Woman Issue 16. The atmosphere and shares completely change depending on the scenario. With the gods, there is a serene tone to the pages. With pinks and red to the sky and characters. In Wonder Woman’s home and the laboratories of the enemies. There is a mixture of blues and greens, gloomy but soothing. But when Diana opens the museum, the red of the carpet and the markings on his arm stand out. The lettering for some of the custom word balloons is difficult to read, but the other text and general lettering are fantastic.

Absolute Wonder Woman Issue 16 unleashes a long-awaited plan. Wonder Woman had always looked infallible, beating everything the government’s secret forces had been throwing at her. Her support system is strong, and she is strong, and her stardom is only accelerating. The designs of the villains take inspiration, whilst also feeling new. Both Wonder Woman and Zatanna find power in words, and that may be the deciding factor in this battle.

Absolute Wonder Woman Issue 16 is available where comics are sold.