Absolute Wonder Woman #21 – Kelly Thompson, Writer; Dillon Snook, Artist; Jordie Bellaire, Colorist
Ray – 10/10
Ray: It’s an interlude issue after the last big battle, but an interlude issue here is just as exciting as a regular issue of any other comic. Dillon Snook, an artist I’m not familiar with, does an amazing job of filling in for Hayden Sherman here, particularly on the segments set in the underworld. The dark realm is a little more haunted, a little more hostile here – and that’s because Circe is missing. Diana is on the trail of her mother, and is ready to tear her way through the monsters of hell to find her. The main threat this issue is the Manticore, a particularly ruthless and rage-filled beast who has long held a grudge against Circe. But after an epic battle, it becomes clear that the Manticore is not the monster she’s looking for. Rather, the villain is an unexpected face that has put Diana in an impossible situation – and it may lead to a permanent break between Diana and her patrons.
But Circe isn’t the only character in danger in this issue. The other main character here is Barbara Minerva. While Steve Trevor defends Diana’s headquarters and Etta Candy prepares to head to Gotham for some help, Barbara has been captured – and she’s being held in a cage with the corpse of the Cheetah, or rather the previous holder of the mantle. The God being held captive inside the dead villainess wants a chat, and when Barbara acquiesces, she starts to see inside Priscilla’s past, another victim of an ancient curse and Veronica Cale’s manipulations. It’s clear what’s going to happen here, but Minerva seems like she’s strong enough to possibly forge an alliance with the beast. At least, that’s what the beast wants her to think. The intensity of this issue is through the roof, with one-on-one conversations having just as much weight and tension as battles in the underworld.
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GeekDad received this comic for review purposes
