REVIEW: ‘Absolute Wonder Woman 2026 Annual’ Issue 1

Absolute Wonder Woman 2026 Annual Issue 1 is published by DC Comics and written by Kelly Thompson, art and colors by Mattia de Iulis, and letters by Becca Carey.

Wonder Woman seeks to help Greek Mythology’s greatest monster: Medusa.

This annual is an adventure with a singular purpose. Wonder Woman wants to reach Medusa, almost desperate to do so. But to do that, she needs to get the attention and audience of the Goddess of Wisdom: Athena. The opening pages of Absolute Wonder Woman 2026 Annual Issue 1 show off Diana’s immense tenacity and inability to quit. It also kickstarts a journey through realms, one that doesn’t stop until she reaches the snake-haired Gorgon. The pacing is patient but persistent.

There are two halves to the story, one for each mythical character. The first is Athena, with Diana trying to bargain and appease the almighty goddess. It takes bartering and sacrifice to set up for the next stage. Following the Goddess encounter, there’s then another arduous trek to get to Medusa, which is made even more strenuous by Wonder Small losing her powers. It makes the mission more epic, forcing Diana to really struggle and prove her worth. What follows is a vicious, severe fight, all with a single destination in mind. The ending is rewarding and satisfying, with her struggles feeling worth it.

The cast of Absolute Wonder Woman 2026 Annual Issue 1 narrows greatly, with only three major figures. Diana’s supporting cast is nowhere to be seen, and the only people she interacts with and speaks to are two celestial beings with millennia of history. Absolute Athena speaks like the other gods do, filled with ancient wisdom and composure. And yet, Diana manages to annoy and rile with her. She can talk with Athena on a level playing field.

Wonder Woman respects the gods in the same way she respects everyone, but she is also willing to challenge them and their questions. What is also clear in these moments is how good a person Diana is. She has a phenomenal sense of justice and always tries to make things right. After a previous adventure in the series, she developed a burning desire to try to help and heal Medusa. Wonder Woman has incredible compassion and kindness, and that’s her true superpower.

The art sees a recurring name appear and excel yet again. Mattia De Iulis has proven before that he nails reinventing Greek mythology, and he does it here again. Wonder Woman looks exceptional, with incredible physicality and presence. Her hair has been replicated superbly, billowing around her head like waves.

Athena is a furious design, as are all the Absolute gods. She is in a full suit of armor, with no facial features. There are wings and talons, with just her helmet for a head. She looks awesome, ominous, and built to kill.

Medusa and her sisters look truly monstrous. It’s not an oddly attractive visage that other interpretations of Medusa have looked at. De Iulis makes her imposing, with rocky skin and a gigantic head of serpentine hair. She’s really been cursed. And Diana takes time to be gentle with Medusa, even when bloodied.

Each of these figures has its own color scheme. Diana is covered in red that runs down her arms and over her head. But there’s also a lot of solid black on her torso armor and on her hair. Athena is entirely gold, dripping with celestial excess. And Medusa glows with otherworldly green. Despite often using singular colors, De Iulis brilliantly uses sharing to create shapes and definition. The lettering for captions and dialogue is clean and efficient. The SFX is brilliantly added, especially when used to convey a goddess’s loud speech.

Absolute Wonder Woman 2026 Annual Issue 1 rights a wrong that has been retold hundreds of times. And yet, this incarnation of Medusa’s story feels different. Diana isn’t at all interested in the details of what Medusa did and why Athena cursed her. There’s just a dedication from the hero to heal and help, not harm.  The Absolute Universe constantly ensures that the Greek Gods and other mythological creatures are unlike anything seen before, giving a new, fresh approach to an old story. 

Absolute Wonder Woman 2026 Annual Issue 1 is available where comics are sold.