Written by: Kelly Thompson
Art by: Hayden Sherman
Colors by: Jordie Bellaire
Letters by: Becca Carey
Cover art by: Hayden Sherman (cover A)
Cover price: $4.99
Release date: 11/27/24
Absolute Wonder Woman #2, by DC Comics on 11/27/24, recounts the first meeting between Diana and Steve Trevor in Hell. Meanwhile, the horror foretold by Harbinger Prime makes its entrance.
Is Absolute Wonder Woman #2 Good?
Uh oh. When the "Absolute" lineup was first announced, the name Kelly Thompson prompted more than a few raised eyebrows with good reason. Captain Marvel was a mess, and Thompson's migration to DC didn't show any improvement with the outright horrendous Birds of Prey. But, wonder upon wonders, Absolute Wonder Woman #1 showed uncharacteristic promise from Thompson. Sadly, that promise appears to be evaporating... quickly.
When last we left Diana in Absolute Wonder Woman #1, we learned that the infant Diana was entrusted to Circe in Hell by the Gods as retribution for the misdeeds of the Amazons. As the infant grew into a woman, Circe came to love Diana as a daughter, teaching her history and the ways of dark magic. In the present, Wonder Woman appeared in man's world to confront a horde of flying, reptilian harbingers attacking Gateway City. The issue ended with Diana entering a second round of battle against the massive Harbinger Prime.
In Absolute Wonder Woman #2, we begin with Diana confronting the massive Harbinger Prime with a mix of physical and magical attacks. The horde of smaller harbingers is unable to break Diana's defenses, and Harbinger Prime appears to be at a stalemate against Diana's prowess. After a quick conversation filled with posturing and bluster, Diana orders Harbinger Prime to return from whence it came. To everyone's surprise, it agrees.
"Huh? A Kaiju-sized monster decided to go away because Diana ordered it to?" you might puzzle. Yep, just like that. Harbinger Prime states that returning to its master spells doom, but it would rather accept doom than fight Diana. The scene ends but doesn't work as plausible when you see what comes next.
The issue cuts to a flashback in Hell. Diana walks along the shores of the Wild Isle when she spots a man washed up on the beach. After a quick translation spell, Diana learns the injured man is an Air Force pilot named Steve Trevor. Suddenly, a Hydra tentacle reaches up from the depths and snatches Trevor away for a quick snack. Diana dives into the water and wrestles Trevor away from the Hydra. She takes his wounded body back to her home and Circe for tending.
Thompson somewhat mimics the standard first meeting between Diana and Steve Trevor, portraying Steve as a soldier brought to Diana's home by fate. That said, nothing about Steve Trevor's arrival is set up or makes sense, a problem we noted in the review of issue #1 that's much bigger here. How did Steve Trevor wind up washed ashore in Hell? There's no precursor, context, or leadup to make it make sense. One moment, there's nothing, and in the next, Steve is there.
Later, Diana breaks the news to Trevor that he's in Hell. The only explanation Diana can offer is that "it's just sometimes where we've ended up." Steve asks Diana to show him where she found him. The walk gives them a chance to get to know each other, planting the seed for a probable romance.
Talk about forced hand-waving. Sure. You could make the excuse that Steve's arrival in Hell will get some explanation in a future issue. For now, the way Thompson presents Steve's presence is frustrating, confusing, and annoying, which is inexcusable for a $4.99 prestige comic.
In the present, Steve Trevor strides out onto the beach to greet Diana after the Harbinger Prime departs. Diana is surprised and heartened to see Trevor, giving the impression they haven't seen each other in a while and they last parted on good terms. Trevor explains he has orders to escort Diana to meet with his superior officer, an order she graciously agrees to oblige.
The issue ends with Diana putting a small man in his place, Steve Trevor learning that Diana's Pegasus is THE Pegasus, and getting a good look at the Harbinger Prime's boss.
What's great about Absolute Wonder Woman #2?
Despite the problems with his appearance and ongoing presence, Thompson creates palpable chemistry between Diana and Steve Trevor that bodes well for their future. The moments between them work, even if the path to get to those moments doesn't.
Further, Diana's patient yet commanding domination of Steve Trevor's commanding officer is amusing.
What's not great about Absolute Wonder Woman#2?
All the engaging moments in the world aren't enough if you can't buy into the journey that makes those moments possible.
Harbinger Prime's departure for no particular reason other than by Diana's say-so doesn't make a lick of sense. Is the reader supposed to somehow accept Harbinger Prime believes Diana is a more imposing threat than its impressively sized boss, the Tetracide?
Steve Trevor's arrival doesn't make a lick of sense, partly for the logistics of it and partly due to the timing of his arrival. Was he shot down in a war? If so, what war? Did his plane experience some kind of technical failure? Why is Steve Trevor the only other person Diana has ever seen in Hell? Surely, there have been others. None of this makes sense, either because Thompson is doing a very poor job of setting it up or because the terminology in use, "Hell" versus "a supernatural dimension," is creating false impressions, or likely a bit of both.
Further, how and why the Tetracide's attack and Diana's appearance on Earth happening at just this moment? Why won't Diana simply drop a brief word to explain how she knew the Harbingers were attacking and how she was able to leave Hell to face them?
Sure. Yes. You could make the excuse that you have to give the title a chance to develop and unfold in its natural time, but if that's the case, why is Thompson presenting so many key elements out of sequence, which inevitably will cause frustration and confusion? It's this type of boneheaded story planning that caused those raised eyebrows when Kelly Thompson was announced as the writer.
Yes. Sure. This is just issue #2, so perhaps the following issues will fare better, but past performance is usually an indicator of future performance.
How's the Art?
Hayden Sherman's art is perfectly serviceable, but his artsy indie style isn't doing Thompson's clunky script any favors. In the still moments where Diana and Steve are exchanging kind glances, Sherman's style works beautifully. In the bigger action sequences, Sherman's squiggly inks and lack of pop kills the energy.
Absolute Wonder Woman #2 unveils the big boss behind Harbinger Prime's attack and introduces readers to Absolute Steve Trevor. Unfortunately, Kelly Thompson's lack of setup and disjointed narrative flow hurt this sophomore issue in a big way, and Hayden Sherman's indie arthouse style only suits the parts of the story that don't involve action.
About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of ComicalOpinions.com, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.
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Final Thoughts
Absolute Wonder Woman #2 unveils the big boss behind Harbinger Prime's attack and introduces readers to Absolute Steve Trevor. Unfortunately, Kelly Thompson's lack of setup and disjointed narrative flow hurt this sophomore issue in a big way, and Hayden Sherman's indie arthouse style only suits the parts of the story that don't involve action.
5/10
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