What Diana seeks inside the maze seems to elude her at every turn. And asthings unravel around her, she finds herself questioning everything, evenher mission. Meanwhile, in Gateway City, an old obligation has raised itshead…violently!
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.
Absolute Wonder Woman #10 is a knockout—visually and emotionally. The art by Sherman and colors by Bellaire are absolutely next-level, bursting with psychedelic energy and raw intensity. The story captures both sides of Diana beautifully: fierce and unrelenting in battle, yet deeply compassionate in a touching flashback. It’s that balance of strength and heart that defines her—and this issue nails it. A standout in the run.
“She is a little girl because men are dismissive of little girls, and thus she will be unseen. She is the kindest human being we could possibly conceive because THAT, above everything else, is what monsters do not understand.”
“The very point of her is to place an undefeatable weapon into the heart of a system that must be disrupted, if not destroyed.” -Hecate about Diana
There are greater machinations going on in the world of the gods, and slowly, Diana’s true purpose comes to light.
Also, the way Circe experiences motherhood with Diana is my favorite thing:
“There are many things I might say to you now, Diana. But they feel redundant. I don’t have to give you advice because you’ll know what to do, what is right. It is almost hypnotic to experience you… the vortex of your charm and compassion is bewildering to behold. It leaves one breathless, and aching to be better.” -Circe
I really loved the deeper look into Diana’s childhood and her upbringing under Circe in Hell. Hearing Hecate explain to Circe how Diana’s kindness, sense of wonder, and compassion are far stronger than anyone ever expected, and how she was ultimately chosen to become this warrior, it was such a powerful moment.
The Maze just keeps getting more and more intense. I genuinely could not believe how this issue ended! Wonder Woman being dosed with a powerful hallucinogen and then having to fight while in that state is absolutely wild. I never would have expected something like that in this series, and that unpredictability is exactly why I’m loving it so much!!
Diana's flashbacks to her younger self and Circe continue to be the main heart of this book. I was just blown away by her fight with the giant panther. Kelly Thompson yet again illustrates her understanding of Wonder Woman's character perfectly through this scene, by refusing to fight and trying to find a peaceful solution, only to put down everything to protect her friends. The rest of the issue was pretty fun, too, while also doing a bit of world building with Clea and her Fish Men. Ferdinand continues to be a cool addition to the cast of characters, and I really hope he survives the spears that skewered him. I really love the coloring in the final pages of this book, really selling the otherworldly aspect of this prison. I'm really curious who that fire elemental is at the end of this book is. This book continues to be the best Wonder Woman book put out.
10 issues in and this series is not slowing down. I especially love any issue that gives us more of young Diana and Circe, and this one has a great sequence there. Circe knows that she’s raising a weapon but one adorned with kindness.
I am absolutely loving this take on Diana. She shows compassion but also kicks ass when she needs to. I love the coloring in this book and the double splash pages were incredible.
OMG THIS SERIES IS BRILLIANT AND BEAUTIFUL AND KIND AND RESILIENT AND ALL AROUND AMAZING! But I will say, my favorite part of this issue was not while the main plot line was continuing…but during the flashback to the wild isle. That moment really got me going and I will talk more about it later. Jumping into the issue itself, we pickup right where we left off. In the maze underneath area 41, as Diana faces the fish men and Queen Clea as they the and take the siren, Petra, away from Diana and Ferdinand. All caught up? Cool, let’s go! Using the right space to their advantage, Diana and Ferdinand go on the offensive. Slashing and kicking and throwing the fish men around to protect Petra. Diana finds it odd that the siren doesn’t speak, maybe she can’t or she doesn’t want to flatten them with her powers. Either way, the battle takes a drastically awful turn as the queen orders her fish men to fire a faint crossbow right into Ferdinand! Who quickly uses his body as a shield, taking the three bolts himself! He orders Diana and Petra to leave him and get to safety, but Diana gives him her word that she will return for him. Clea decides to take Ferdinand alive and as a captive, but is furious to see the space after him completely empty. She wants the interloper (Diana) dead and sire back alive!
We then jump back to before, on the wild isle. If you remember from the last issue, Circe was given a message from the gods that Artemis is coming and Diana must be setup with their ear weapons to defend herself. Circe still believes this is too soon, Diana is still a child, and doesn’t know what to say or what advice she can give. But she also knows that she doesn’t have to give advice because she knows Diana will do what is right no matter what. Diana herself is an experience, a vortex of charm and compassion that leaves everyone else aching to be better. As Circe bids Dina farewell, Diana steps from their house without fear as gods do not make her afraid. As Diana stands strong with her appropriately sized battle axe, we see as she welcomes Artemis as she approaches in the form of a giant panther, it’s eyes glowing cold and its face soaked and dripping in blood. Diana offers what they have to the god, and makes it clear if they need anything they may have it. The god is obviously trying to provoke Diana, circling her and lunging at her with its fangs. All the while Diana stands without fear, stating that she will not fight it without reason. She understands that animals but and kick and hiss first, but that is because they do not know any better and she can show them a better way. The panther leaps down and chomps on Diana’s arm, forcing her to drop her axe. It asks if she will fight, and she continues to refuse it. That is when the god changes tactics. It sees a helpless turtle sitting on a rock, and suddenly leaps for it! Right before it can reach the turtle, Diana’s axe comes down in front of it to stop it. Not only that, but now Diana is wielding magic in one hand, telling the god to stop as the creature did nothing and should be left alone. This is exactly what the god wants, finally it has pulled out her wild side and the fight it is begging for can now commence. Diana promises that the creature is under her protection and she will not allow it to harm it. As the god puts its paw down onto the creature, it goads her to stop them. Diana finally acts, even as a child she is as ferocious and skilled as ever. But Diana is still no march for this god. As Circe sits by her hearth, the door suddenly swings open, beckoning her to join Diana. As Circe approaches the god fades away into the mist, leaving a bruised and beaten Diana behind. As Circe lifts her up, Diana speaks of how proud her mama would be of her. As she is turned around we can see that there is something in her arms. Its name is Nico, and it’s the turtle she protected.
“Your heart shines so bright, it puts even the gods to shame.”
Back in their home, the fire glows blue as Diana rests and Circe converses with Hecate. Circe begs for this to end, it’s still too soon for the child. But as Hecate explains, in this world…it’s already too late. I love this conversation so much, it feels so subtle but it’s talking about the very nature of this entire world. The absolute universe as a whole compared to the primary earth. The gods love the child, but they must work to fashion her into a weapon to bring down an entire system. Circe sees it as cruel that they would make a weapon a kind little girl who feels every sling and arrow. But Hecate explains that she is a little girl because men are dismissive of little girls, and thus will be unseen. She is the kindest human they could possible conceive because that is what monsters do not understand. But also…she is herself. None of the gods could imagine her this way, the love and compassion she exudes is a miracle beyond even them. (I’m not crying! You are!) The ones she fights against will never understand her and that is to her advantage. Hecate explains that in a better world her fighting knowledge would have blossomed traditionally and in a more organic way with her people, but this is not that world so they must improvise. It will take a village to raise this child, and they hope Circe can understand what they are doing as this is still just the beginning. We’ve seen sequences like this before, but wow that really hit hard.
We now jump back to the present day in the maze. Diana, using her enhanced sense of smell, is able to trace back to the mark she left when she entered. Using it she is able to reopen the door and send Petra to safety, outside the maze completely! Before she sends the siren through, she promises she will not leave without Ferdinand. Back at HQ, the Hieron, the Wonder Woman crew is a bit shocked to see this girl walk through, then suddenly collapse. They actually can’t be sure it’s not Diana, especially after Diana’s transformation 5 issues ago, lol. Either way( they jump into action to care for the child, really the only thing they can think of is to get her water. Which for a siren, sounds pretty important.
As Diana rushes back through the maze, now armed with the knowledge Petra is safe, she needs to get Ferdinand out. But that thought is quickly stopped as Diana accidentally comes across a word up hallucinogen. Her thoughts immediately become cloudy, the faster she moves the faster it gets into her body, but now it’s too late and monsters enhanced by the acid trip are gaining on her. The sequences, color, and art shown during this hallucination session are a master class! This is amazing! And without even the capability to think about it, Diana was driven right into the throne room of Clea! The room is filled with her minions, with a single pit right in the middle of the room. Diana tries to fight towards Clea, but Clea has already figured how to get to Diana…by threatening the innocent. We cannot see who it is, but somehow Clea has gotten her hands on a scientist down there. And to get Diana into the pit, Clea throws the scientist down first. On the page this happens is one of the most genius double page spreads of a I’ve ever seen. The page is split diagonally you read from top left to right at the top, then suddenly get it the middle diagonal of the page where you follow Diana jumping into the pit to save the scientist, and then meet back up with the rest of the story in the bottom left corner of the page where you once again read from left to right now at the bottom half of the page. Pure genius layout! Diana is still tripping, and at the bottom of this pit are even more flowers that the scientist warns Diana not to stir up or they will go insane. But there is also something else down there coming for them! Diana works quickly on her positions, and suddenly throws something down to help clear the effects of the hallucinations. It does not appear fully cleared yet, but suddenly she comes face to face with a large, hammer wielding, fire creature that we cannot understand the speech of! This is pretty bad, but who’s that scientist?! Are they chill? They want a ride back?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Another great installment of Absolute Wonder Woman. This series continues to be incredibly fun and consistently strong. In fact, it is so good that it honestly makes me frustrated we are not getting this same level of quality in the mainline Wonder Woman title. I am also still very upset about Ferdinand. You tease me with a minotaur and then take him away without a second thought. Each new issue pulls me in more, and no matter how many times I say it, I cannot wait for the next one. One aspect I realize I have not highlighted enough is how awesome, terrifying, and awe inspiring the Gods are. Apollo in issue one looked like a more traditional Greek God, but every God introduced since then has had an absolutely wild design in the best possible way. Hayden Sherman deserves all the praise for this. At this point, all I can really do is repeat myself and say how incredible the work from Kelly Thompson and Hayden Sherman continues to be. I highly recommend this issue and the entire series. Grade: A
I love the characterization Diana especially during her childhood years. She is so honest and unabashed about asking for and speaking for what she needs and what she will do. She doesn’t hide or pretend it’s not real. She is authentic with herself and it’s such a greek tragedy that is used to be used for someone else bigger game. maybe thay plan is in everyone’s best interest but i still can’t shake the feeling of being used. I’m reminded of issue 7 and the story of the princess falling in love with someone she wasn’t supposed too and she had what felt like his fate in her hands. This reminder is sorta what i’m seeing here with what the gods have in store for her but i’m hopefully she’s walking the path that best for her whether that aligns with what someone has in mind for her i’m not sure.
"the very point of her is to place an undefeatable weapon into the heart of a system that must be disrupted, if not destroyed." OKAYYYYYY
incredibly loaded issue - art is masterful as always but the panelling and vibrant colors were especially soooo good this issue. the vibrant colors honestly felt straight from risograph printing it could not help to stop and stare. also duh writing is impeccable - it's loaded with so many scenes yet none overstay their welcome; not only executing on their purpose to serving the greater story & diana backstory, but also insane bars that really encapsulate the appeal of the whole absolute dc universe to me. a world that is crueler, colder ,& renders them frankly worse off -- yet the heroes we know persist in absolute justice & preserving hope....ugh im cringe and free i love comics.
i am glad to be coming back to this with a refreshed mind because now i actually have things to say again.
ughh baby diana saving the turtle almost made me cry. even as a child, she had no regard for her own well being but by god she does she care about every other living thing!!!!
“everything we do is to fashion her into a weapon.” i mean, i get it man but it makes me sad nonetheless. she was just a child poor diana. at least she gets to help the world, i am certain that the thought of that alone brings her joy.
beautiful beautiful art in this. that one page with the tunnel? wow beautiful coloring and beautiful layout i enjoyed it very much.
This series got me into reading comics and BUYIG comics. Great story. Beautiful art work. Great paneling. And what an important issue:
- Diana continues to be shown to be the Superman of this world. Kind. Refused to fight. If they have to fight, they fight for only justice. Would prefer to settle things differently. Always gives a chance to the enemy before fighting, even to the Tetracide.
- the gods here acknowledge that the world is wrong. And that Diana was sent here as their weapon to combat and destroy the world. The gods know about darkseid
- Diana is a fighter
Great !
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
The flashbacks are my favourite part of this series. Also, this time I'm actually exited to see what will happen with her friends. I have mixed feelings about the final few pages. I think they portrayed the drug stuff well (for as much as I can tell, having never been drugged xD) It gives eerie vibes. It fits the story. It's objectively well done, but subjectively, I just don't really like it that much.
The creative ass paneling returns this issue and it's a delight to the eyes in general. The part with Arthemys coming in the form of a blood tiger was amazing, and little diana fighting a turtle was such a moment. I like how the secondary human characters are important and play support for Diana, helping the siren while Diana handles what only she can handle.
The cover for this issue is insane. Literally on Absolute Martian Manhunter levels.
The art alone is pristine. This issue was a standard establishing issue but we are learning a bit more about this “Queen of the Maze” and her use of fish men as battle fodder.
Diana’s and Ferdinand held it down. Onto the next issue though.
peak returns! i’d give this a 4.5 just because i now have to wait for the next issue, and i breezed right through this and i want more immediately but whatever. awesome art, especially in the hallucinogen sequence. this series is actually so insanely good i cannot wait to get more of it.
La verdad es que cada vez que toca mostrar a Circe en su actitud materna más sincera y lo que se recalca que al final Diana está encaminada en ser una "matadioses" este cómic supera sin despeinarse el gran poderío épico y mitológico de por sí.
Otra grapa de altísima calidad a cada página que pasas. A nivel artístico es increíble y variado, y sigue desvelando momentos de la infancia de Diana así como de su corazón, el más grande y noble de DC.
It’s true. Diana is a weapon. Her kindness and love make her more powerful than any fist simply because people don’t understand it. This story, month after month continues to excite and draw you in.