Sacrifice Is The Name Of The Game — Reviewing ‘Absolute Wonder Woman’ #5

Greek mythology never shies away from the rampant cruelty of the gods who perched upon the top of Mount Olympus, dolling out punishments, often gravely unearned, to anyone they saw fit. Often because of their own mistakes, abuses of power, and caving to their baser instincts.

Through that cruelty, though, lies the path to salvation, as Absolute Wonder Woman #5 presents a solution to the monstrous Tetracide. Kelly Thompson, Hayden Sherman, Jordie Bellaire, and Becca Carey close out the first arc of the series.

Everything about this series has been firing on every cylinder since the first page of the first issue, giving us a bold modern vision of the grand hero and her place within the greater universe.

Flashbacks often slow the pace of some stories. Becoming something that the audience grits through while waiting for the main story to return to focus. Other times, they are a seamless delivery system for information, development, and character depth. Thompson uses them exactly this way in the series.

Through them we learn the origin of Diana’s new lasso, one born of her mother Circe’s sacrifices. This is a theme running through all of the series so far. From Circe’s taking in of the child she never asked for to Diana’s lost arm to save Steve. Putting one’s own needs to the side in order to do what is best for others is very much a Diana (and superhero) thing.

Glowing and green, this lasso (ϴuΣia in name) does not bring truth. In a way it does the opposite, because it brings about transformation. A power that Circe commands, but also something that she gives to Diana because Diana brought it to her. As noted, the sacrifice was made to take on this child, and through that child Circe has been transformed.

Thompson paints this beautiful moment as mother and daughter come to acceptance, and prepare for the future. It speaks to something very relatable to many out there, but also to the genuine goodness that always should be at the core of any Wonder Woman story.

Capturing this, and everything else, perfectly is just what Sherman does. Rendering the small intimate moments and the big action-packed ones with the same powerful punch. Allowing them to feel equal in stature as the character and fight moments are both pure to the heroic mythos. We feel the grand scale of everything, as the opening pages have Diana and her shrinking sword standing within the split portions of the Tetracide. Seemingly small and almost insignificant in the shadow of this monstrous beast.

Yet, the blow struck and what is done next proves the power and might packed into this last Amazonian daughter.

Paneling choices are, as usual, top notch. Giving such extra life to the moments and giving the eyes a visual feast to take in. Dense, slightly rough, and hefty visuals give weight to everything we see. Creating this space that feels rich and encompassing. Bouncing us between the characters and their fights with relative ease.

A richness is felt in the color palette both in Hell but also the real world.

With Bellaire choosing vibrant striking colors for the underworld but also the city. Not letting either space dominate over the other. Darkness weaves through everything, held at bay by the light that Diana brings with her to any space. Helping enhance the already well-rendered depth feeling of these pages. Bellaire plays with a softer approach that pairs well with the overall rougher touch of the artwork at large.

Emotional depth is important to this story. We see it and feel it radiating from the characters at every moment.

Hearing it beyond that, though, is another matter entirely. With the right lettering artistry that becomes much simpler. Carey is very much the right letterer for something of this nature, giving every single letter upon the page, no matter its placement, equal care. Letting the character’s voices slip into a truly unique position befitting their stature, emotional reaction, and placement in the story.

Cannot wait to see what this series has coming next. There is not a single doubt about how this is one of the best comic books coming out currently.

Absolute Wonder Woman #5 is now available from DC Comics.