Absolute Wonder Woman #4 – Kelly Thompson, Writer; Hayden Sherman, Artist; Jordie Bellaire, Colorist
Ray – 10/10
Ray: Every month, I’m in awe of how the Absolute Line continues to raise the bar for comics. The regular line is as good as it’s ever been, but somehow these three (so far) books continue to surprise. This week, it’s Kelly Thompson and Hayden Sherman’s turn again. Following on the reveal last issue that Wonder Woman had lost her arm years ago and was using a magical prosthetic, she’s setting out to get her arm back for the battle with the Tetracid – and she’ll need a magical expert for that. Fortunately, Steve Trevor knows one – linked to his old friend, Etta Candy. Etta here is a badass private investigator who shares a house with her sister, Gia, an occultist. Neither of them are prepared to have Wonder Woman show up at their door, but there is some very amusing dialogue about all the times Steve hyped Diana up to them after he returned – and how she definitely lives up to the hype.
A dark and bloody ritual will be needed to restore her arm, and Hayden Sherman absolutely delivers with some of the creepiest visuals of the series. This is spliced in with scenes of Circe’s time in Hell with Diana, as it’s revealed she has a patron among the Gods – one she’s deeply enmeshed with, and has a surprising plan for her. The reveal of this being, who is still majestic even amid the flames, is another incredible visual. Of course, this issue’s core is about the battle with the Tetracide, which is unleashing a sound of pure death. Diana has cast a spell deafening the entire city, and only gets one shot at killing the monster before it’s too late. Every issue of this series just impresses more and more with its beasts, but at the end of the issue we’re introduced to a new villain who operates on a very different field of power – and who may be the iconic version of this character we’ve waited years for. Brilliant again, can’t wait.
To find reviews of all the DC issues, visit DC This Week.
GeekDad received this comic for review purposes.
