Fighting Magic With Magic — Reviewing ‘Absolute Wonder Woman’ #16

Raised by a witch in Hell, Wonder Woman is no slouch when it comes to the ways of using magic. Unfortunately, she has seemingly met her potential match, and they have their sights set on ruining everything she’s accomplished.

It’s time for a whole new storyline as familiar faces get the Absolute Universe treatment in Absolute Wonder Woman #16. Another stellar chapter in the saga from Kelly Thompson, Hayden Sherman, Jordie Bellaire, and Becca Carey.

Batman might still be taking up a lot of the conversation in Absolute circles, but it’s Wonder Woman that has and keeps my attention firmly.

Everything about this series gels and just flows so perfectly. There is a glow about the whole thing. It keeps resonating brighter and brighter, no matter how dark some elements become, with a power unmatched.

Gorgeous artwork that vibrates with that same power fills every page, crack, and pore of this series. Sherman is dominating when it comes to comic book art spaces in recent times. They keep showing a vast range of talent in genres and subject matter tackled, all of it employing the same overall style. They also tweak it as necessary to really unleash everything about the character(s) and their world.

It’s just appropriately rough in texture with a smooth finish, with neither one consuming or surpassing the other. It’s all spinning in harmony to create a sense of depth, detail, and denseness for this world and those who inhabit it.

It’s the paneling choices that truly make it all sing. They pull off full page spreads, splashes, panels that defy standard shapes and conventions, and so much more. It gives each page a true sense of heft and density at every turn. There is no panel or moment that feels light or inconsequential. Nor should they with such a powerful focus like Diana.

Paired with the colors of Bellaire just makes things even grander in many respects. Light and dark duel through the pages, neither ever overpowering the other. Bellaire has a flair for being able to really nail the smooth transition between the heavier more Earthly familiar tones and the bolder vibrant fantastical ones. It showcases this universe that is shrouded in darkness and despair while showing how the emergence of Diana and hope slices through that all.

All of the magical beings have a halo of energy around them. Big vibrant blues, purples, reds, and more that really liven things up. It truly helps show the diversity in magic and the energies that the characters naturally bring to the table.

Taking the visual baton and running just as well, as always, is Carey, building up the different voices and sounds of this world and giving them space and focus to be unique, while still delivering their intended oomph. It flows through the pages with purpose and intent so that no single panel is overwhelmed with voices and bubbles. She infuses each letter upon the page with emotional depth and impact, helping set the tone equally with every other contribution to the shared creative work.

What Thompson has crafted here is brilliant.

Diana’s presence in the world has shifted things, and we feel that shift here. There is fear, there is distrust, and there is a lot of hope and adoration going on. A warning comes from Diana herself about the temptation and danger of such adoration. There is no sugar coating what Diana’s arrival has done and continues to do, from either side.

Using Zatanna was already a top-notch choice. Magic versus magic is a smart play by Veronica Cale and company. At the same time, I never expected to get Starro and a Wonder Woman coded Suicide Squad, but here we are and I’m happy for it. What a stunning but logical choice to throw into the mix.

These alternate universes where anything is possible should feel that way. Characters should not be relegated to the same or really similar spots as we normally see them. There is not only room to reconfigure or recontextualize, but to completely rebuild and go off the beaten track.

Wonder Woman doesn’t have a Rogues Gallery that is as robust or as known as many others. Adding to that in inspired ways, especially for a smaller niche universe such as this one, is a grand inspiration. I mean hell, Starro parasites as the deterrent used to control the Suicide Squad is a hell of a swerve and I’m all about it.

This series continues to hold on tight to me and I’m not going to try and shake it, ever. In fact, I’m doing the opposite and grabbing on tight myself. Because we’re in for one hell of a ride.

Absolute Wonder Woman #16 is now available from DC Comics.