From Hell With Love — Reviewing ‘Absolute Wonder Woman’ #7

There is power within stories. Sometimes that power is hidden, uncertain to the reader till the time is exactly right. Unravelling rapidly as new levels of understanding flower within the fertile ground that is the mind.

Facing a seemingly impossible task within the depths of the Underworld, Diana leans upon the power of multiple stories. Kelly Thompson, Mattia De Iulis, and Becca Carey plumb the depths of Greek mythology itself for Absolute Wonder Woman #7.

There seemed to be no way that I could love this series anymore than I already did. One which has given Diana the power, focus, and dynamic energy she deserves at all times. Then they come along and add even more Greek mythology and legend to this deep tale.

I grew up devouring Greek mythology and all the stories born from it. To this day I’m still a sucker for anything to do with those stories and characters. So clearly this hits a really sweet spot inside my nerdy little brain.

Hayden Sherman and Jordie Bellaire kicked off this series, giving it a truly gorgeous visual energy from the start to the end of the first story arc. Tapping someone like De Iulis, a frequent Thompson creative partner, continues that energy. Engaging dynamic artists to step in for specific stories so that the regular creative team gets some lead time often can lead to great things.

There aren’t enough words to describe how truly gorgeous De Iulis’s work is. It captures the right tone, presence, emotional weight, atmosphere, and everything else that the story needs to come to vivid life. Beyond that though, it really leans into something more, creating a realistic dynamic weighty presence upon every single page.

This world and those who inhabit it feel like they were ripped right out of our world and put upon a page. It’s actually a perfect partner to Sherman’s artwork, because their art leans more into the exaggeration, roughness, and also dynamic nature of all things. They stand in contrast yet are also harmonious.

Part of the situation that we see on the page comes from the color palette choices. Most of the overall colors lean toward a more natural space. Once again, it’s ripped right from the world around us, and plastered about. Even when we’re not in a realm like our own. Things are more evenly toned when it comes to the overall landscape spaces.

This allows the flashier characters and elements to feel even more out of this world. From Persephone’s vivid green scheme to the stark cold blue of Hades and the striking reds that surround Diana, we feel their force because that which flanks them is toned down.

Heart. This is one of the things that makes Wonder Woman. It’s something at the very core of this series always.

Diana’s compassion and the love between her and her mother Circe shines through everything on the page. It carries the plot and provides their salvation, and it never feels contrived or forced. Thompson is an excellent character writer and leans on them doing the work, even when big bold things are happening all around, in order to endear these (versions of) characters to us.

At the same time the world building and intricate details of the story web are next level. Various pieces were being laid along the way, without the audience event truly knowing what they were seeing. So much was stuffed in this two-issue arc, that it’s almost like it could have been five issues.

Yet, it didn’t need to be that because Thompson paid respect to everything she decided to bring to the forefront. This is not an easy thing to do -despite how easy it must seem reading this series.

So much emotional weight is written in the script and delivered through the artwork. The rest of it comes as Carey gives these voices their sound authority. Dropping in every vibe and beat to cause our brains to accurately tune into these voices. Hearing them grow within our minds piece by piece.

So colorful, bold, and large at the same time. Wrapped in softness and roughness in balance.

Absolute Wonder Woman #7 is now available from DC Comics.