Absolute Wonder Woman (2024-) #4

Absolute Wonder Woman (2024) #4

by Kelly Thompson, Hayden Sherman (artist)

The Tetracide is “The Four Killer”... and Diana has done the unthinkable to escape its fatal grasp. The move may have saved her to fight another day, but the price Diana paid is more than she can stand to lose for the fight that’s coming. She will need the help of her allies both old and new to recover what she has lost —and save Gateway City!

Genres: Comics, Dc Comics, Wonder Woman, Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Mythology, Comic Book

Kindle Edition

Published January 22, 2025

About the author

KELLY THOMPSON has a degree in Sequential Art from The Savannah College of Art & Design. Her love of comics and superheroes have compelled her since she first discovered them as a teenager. Currently living in Portland, Oregon with her boyfriend and the two brilliant cats that run their lives, you can find Kelly all over the Internet where she is generally well liked, except where she's detested.

Kelly has published two novels - THE GIRL WHO WOULD BE KING (2012) and STORYKILLER (2014) and the graphic novel HEART IN A BOX from Dark Horse Comics (2015). She's currently writing ROGUE & GAMBIT, HAWKEYE, and PHASMA for Marvel Comics and GHOSTBUSTERS for IDW. Other major credits include: A-Force, Captain Marvel & The Carol Corps, Jem and The Holograms, Misfits, Power Rangers Pink, and the creator-owned mini-series Mega Princess.

Kelly's ambitions are eclipsed only by her desire to exist entirely in pajamas. Fortunately pajamas and writers go hand in hand (most of the time). Please buy all her stuff so that she can buy (and wear) more pajamas.

Reviews

[Roland Baldwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is what the New 52 run should have been. This is the best book DC are doing right now

[Bridgette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love that Diana uses greek in this series

[Mia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The phenomenal run continues.

[Zoey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why use a sword the size of your arm when you can use one the size of a skyscraper?

[Colin Post · Rating 5 out of 5]

“What was your dream about, Mama?” / “The future.”

Just another banger issue that balances incredible character work, genuine heartfelt moments, and insane action. Sherman is also doing things that can only be pulled off in comics - I love the swirling spell of dismay that distracts the Tetracide.

[Steven D’Alterio · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book thats gives you more to read! Mythological allusions keep coming! Perfectly paced and beautifully illustrated. The paneling in this is the coolest I have ever seen. Work of art!

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.75
This Diana is the coolest. I want her to replace the actual Wonder Woman. MUCH more interesting.

[Jadyn❀ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now this, my friends, is literature. I can’t wait until it’s collected so I can put it on my shelf and definitely order a copy for the library.

[John Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great continuation from the previous issue, while also introducing some more of Wonder Woman's supporting cast, in this case being Etta Candy. Whom, in this continuity, is a private investigator after retiring as a detective. I don't think I've ever seen Etta have a sister, but her being a medicinal woman ties in nicely with Diana being a witch in this universe. The battle against the Tetracide in this takes a turn to full-blown Shōnen manga territory, having Wonder Woman wield a kaiju-sized buster-sword. The introduction of Wonder Woman villain Veronica Cale as an advisor to the President certainly was interesting, and opens future issues to plenty of different paths the story could go.

★★★★½

[James DeSantis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes BIGGER is BETTER.

I liked how Wonder Woman is still so compassionate even under dire situations. It just fits her so well. While the magic part was a little eh, everything else was great.

[Marcus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Diana employs the help of some local witches in order to take on Tetracide one more time all the while a plot unfolds deep below in the wild isle.

Keeps the momentum of the last issue though of course it looks like humanity is about to muck things up again given the ending.

[Paxton Holley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Diana gets supplies from witch Etta Candy to bring back her enchanted arm so she can fight the Tetracide.

All. Kinds. Of. Awesome.

[Nightwing’s Thiccness · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m excited to see Hell-Witch-Amazonian vs the U.S. Government.

[cooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

scuttle crab taken down

[Murphy C · Rating 5 out of 5]

4/8/25

Each issue is better than the last!

[Izzy Batres-Patton · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW.

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

7-7.5

[BRAMBILLA SIMONE · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Metà della battaglia è scegliere l'arma giusta."

[Annemarie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars
This series is SO good. The art is great, the humor is fun and the story is captivating. If this was the end of the battle, it was kinda quick though. Also depiction of Hecate not sure if I like the design tbh. But I do love that she's the main goddess here ^^

[Garrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Man I really like this Wonder Woman title!

[Cybernex007 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing. This continues to cement itself as my favorite absolute series. All of the characters have such a presence and beautiful hopeful way about them that consistently brings tears to my eyes. In the darkness of the absolute universe Diana is the shining beacon of hope that has been let loose to the world, and you cannot snuff it out.

But this issue actually introduces us to an old familiar name with a new face…Etta Candy!! And she rocks just as much as the Etta from the main universe. Upon seeing Diana on the news she wrote a message to her sister to stay behind and stay safe while she went out to help people…but she wouldn’t get that chance as right when she opened the door she was met with WW and Steve! See, it turns out that Etta’s sister Gia is a bit of a witch and runs a witchcraft store and Diana is in desperate need of ingredients. The robotic arm she has is strong but she needs her real arm back and she needs supplies, that are actually fairly common on Earth and hard to get in hell so they are able to set her up quite well. But hilariously Etta just looks on in disbelief due to how much Steve undersold Diana. The last ingredient she needed, that Steve graciously offered up, was a lot of blood that she soaked herself in. Then enacting the ritual she called upon the goddess Hecate to hear her and lend her power once again!

This issue then takes us back to when Diana was still a child on the Wild Isle, but really focuses on Circe. It turns out for quite a while she was given visions by a god. She was understandably quite pissed at this, and even more pissed that they would put her in the situation that she would raise a child that wasn’t her own. But the god explained that the world is wrong, at every point the universe leans away from Justice and at every chance where hope can cradle it is snuffed out…and they are not going to let it happen anymore. In the darkness is the only place where Diana can be raised to be a hero so powerful that she cannot be put out when she is revealed, and Circe is the only one they can see to raise and protect her, and the only one they know will betray the gods to protect Diana. Circe profoundly claims she would never defy them, but they know that is a lie and that is fine. At the end of this interaction the god Hecate reveals herself fully so that Circe may look upon her, look upon and know that she is blessed and will be remembered. And from that night forward she had occasional visions about the future, and what Diana will become and the transformative love she would create. But she also understood that in exchange for this gift to the universe she would be trapped there to serve a greater purpose.


Back in gateway city, Diana had had her arm restored and is ready to take on the monster. But as she looks outside she realizes that it has made its way away from the beach and into the city! The people are not coming to it, so it is seeking them out! Diana rushes back to the beach, she has to lure it back and make plans to defeat it. She summons her giant sword back and then uses a spell to emit the sounds of people dying and in pain to lure the monster back. Once it returns she does the most badass thing imaginable. She takes her sword and performs a spell to turn it into an even bigger sword. I can’t even describe how but this thing is, the handle is bigger than her and she can’t even wrap her arms around it, and the sword itself has to be bigger than most buildings in gateway city. As she flies the sword into the air she calls upon all of her strength to drive it down into the monster and then bring it down in a fury to slice it in half!! GLORIOUS! The day has been saved for now and even covered in blue blood Diana looks gracious. But from the White House a mysterious advisor/blonde woman speaks to the president, even with the monster dead they still have very big problems. Who could this mysterious woman be??

[nat · Rating 5 out of 5]

holy. freaking. smokes.

this was INSANE. i am genuinely so overwhelmed about how insanely cool and awesome and inspiring and hardcore absolute wonder woman is and i have NO OUTLET TO EXPRESS THIS BECAUSE I’VE ALREADY POSTED IT ON MY STORY THRICE AND TOLD MY FRIEND ABOUT IT like definitely more than thrice omfg. covered in blood. a giant blade. calling upon the gods in her prayers. SHE IS SO STINKING COOL!!!!!!!

it was nice to see etta candy get introduced into the absolute universe. i can’t imagine how difficult the visions must have been for circe. having lived alone all those years, feeling exiled by the being you have pledged your life to, only to be given a companion so great that she changes your outlook on life completely. and even then, you are given constant reminders that that company is not everlasting and she will leave to do things greater than anyone could ever imagine. ouch.

[AviChaim Snyder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great continuation of Absolute Wonder Woman! Kelly Thompson’s voice for Diana feels true to the character while still being unique and different enough from the regular run to make this story completely worth reading. I am loving the emphasis on magic and seeing Diana portrayed as more than just brute strength, instead highlighting her cunning and magical wisdom as well. The usual portrayals focus on her strength, wisdom, and kindness, and while those elements are still present here, the added focus on magic makes this run incredibly fun and genuinely cool. I also love the anime-esque giant sword. It is ridiculous, but I am absolutely loving it. Hayden Sherman’s art continues to amaze and is consistently beautiful. Every page is a blast. Highly recommend.
Grade: A

[Duncs Comics · Rating 3 out of 5]

Diana’s greatest weapon is love. It is the unifying construct which with she fights, with which she sacrifices. That, and a really big sword. Like, really big.

I had speculated that this issue should perhaps be action-centric, with minimal dialogue. It had earned it, a kind of over-the-top-frenzy, give the people something to lose their minds over. It could have also been one for suspense, to linger, to play with the notion of silence a little more centrally.

But frankly, I like Thompson's pacing of this confrontation instead. People are still losing their minds over Absolute Wonder Woman, anyway. Let's see how #5 wraps up this first story arc.

[Kastie Pavlik · Rating 5 out of 5]

...arms are...good to have (⁠☞ﾟ⁠∀ﾟ⁠)⁠☞

And giant shonen swords, too. \⁠(⁠๑⁠╹⁠◡⁠╹⁠๑⁠)⁠ﾉ⁠♬

This is bad ass. I've never really thought about it before, but Wonder Woman doesn't rely on blind faith. She knows the deities she calls to. I mean, like, she *knows* them. Not that we need proof, but that moment with Circe was pretty awesome. I don't doubt that Diana wouldn't still be as confident as she is even if she didn't know, but a pantheon of gods certainly adds to her power. I can't wait to learn more about her lasso.

[Cameron Bates · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great issue *Spoilers*

Another great issue. I'm noticing how unique the paneling is on most pages, especially Circe's converstaion with Hecate. Diana embiggening her sword to cut the Tetracide in half was worthy of a star in and of itself. The art is still great. The character development of Circe and seeing more of her journey to come to love a child in hell is constantly rewarding.

[Alexis Moreno · Rating 3 out of 5]

This issue didn’t really feel as strong and meaningful as the other issues so far. It felt bit more like “filler” but not filler as in nothing important happens but rather the depth and richness of the writing wasn’t quite there and it felt like there were only glimpses of it, instead of it being in full display. Some mentions of the cost and downside to the power of magic but overall, it felt more literal and not having the depth i usually crave from this series

[Nicolo · Rating 5 out of 5]

The penultimate chapter to "The Last Amazon", the first arc of this series.

I really like how Thompson added witchcraft and spells to the arsenal to Diana. Diana's muscle mommy build gives her the strength to wield that massive sword. She uses her noggin for tactics and casting spells. She's definitely not a one-dimensional warrior. If this is a manga, she would be a magic swordsman.

[Wasim Mahmud · Rating 5 out of 5]

অ্যাবসোলিউট ওয়ান্ডার উওম্যানে মুগ্ধতা বজায় থাকলো। এক হাত হারানো ডায়ানার দরকার একজন জাদুকরির। পুরাণের দৈত্যের ক্রোধ থেকে গেট‌ওয়ে সিটিকে রক্ষা করতে বাইরের জাদুর‌ও প্রয়োজন আছে শেষ এই অ্যামাজনের। কেলি থম্পসনের গল্প বলার ধরণ চমৎকার। সমান্তরালে হেইডেন স্যারম্যানের পুরাণ, জাদু এবং ওয়ান্ডার উওম্যানের মরিয়া প্রচেষ্টার যেরূপ ম্যাজিক্যাল আর্ট দেখলাম তা বহুদিন মনে থাকবে।

[Devin Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm disappointed that the solution was just to make the sword bigger.

Also, I felt like there was some clumsiness in the writing overall?

Art's still looking great, though.

And I appreciate that it's doing a lot to offer a fresh but authentic vision of Wonder Woman. I'm frankly just pretty anti-sword when it comes to Diana.