Absolute Wonder Woman #19 – Kelly Thompson, Writer; Hayden Sherman, Artist; Jordie Bellaire, Colorist
Ray – 10/10
Ray: This series is like a puzzle box, revealing piece after piece of Diana’s backstory in hell with each issue. The opening segment from this installment, featuring Circle and Aphrodite, recontextualizes Diana’s past and her relationship with the world around her in a way I never thought possible. But there’s no time to reflect on that, because we’re thrown back into the battle against Veronica Cale’s army. The mysterious skeleton infused with magical flame that Diana faced last issue is one of the scariest villains of the series so far, but there’s also a huge twist to its presence – it’s actually Giovanni Zatara, Zatanna’s father, trapped in a hell of his own making ever since he was forced to make an impossible choice years ago. Diana is able to penetrate the magic and make her way to the limbo where his soul was held – something only possible because of the unique mix of Goddesses that forged her.
Hayden Sherman is one of the best artists in the business, and it’s amazing how they manage to make a scene set in a literal void just as compelling as the battle sequence before that. The work they do with facial expressions alone is amazing. While Diana once again does the impossible and finds a third way when told she has only the choice between two bad options (and possibly forges a life-long ally in the process), Cale continues to escalate her war and deputizes her one remaining soldier – Giganta – to capture Barbara Minerva. Could this be the dawn the new Cheetah we’ve all been looking forward to (and maybe dreading)? If so, this will be one of the few cases where we’ve really gotten to know Barbara before her transformation. Another new threat emerges in the end, letting Sherman once again show off their skill with creatures, and it’s another phenomenal issue from beginning to end.
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GeekDad received this comic for review purposes
