DC’s upcoming Absolute Universe aims to offer a fresh take on the brand’s top A-list stars (so far), with an initial focus on the holy trinity of Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman. The axe-wielding Batman has taken most of the spotlight so far, but the publisher is now starting to reveal more about the new version of Princess Paradise.
First of all, she is not from Paradise Island at all. The absolute version of Wonder Woman is the princess and witch of hell, using some magic and a big sword to fight monsters. When giant beasts called Harbingers begin appearing in Gateway City, Diana decides to leave Hell behind and debut as the first public superhero of the New Absolute Universe.
Absolute Wonder Woman Directed by Kelly Thompson and Hayden Sherman, the pair have already begun discussing their approach to the upcoming book. Thompson admitted in interviews with Newsarama and AIPT that Diana could be a “difficult character to write” and that some of her original ideas weren’t as well received as she had hoped. She said that of these initial pitches, most either “diminished” Wonder Woman’s powers in some way or felt so dark that it felt like a betrayal. Ultimately, Thompson decided to strip those ideas back and figure out how to give Diana “a very different life where she still had the same soul intact.” The return of an old idea: Wonder Woman, but as a witch.
Thompson said that despite coming from hell, Diana would “remain at the core of who we all know, love, truly expect and deserve.” Things have been “rearranged,” but she assures the character “still ends up growing up in love,” thanks in large part to the art. She praised Sherman for “really knowing how to build this and show how the world heats up and the connection between Diana and her mother” in the first issue. “It all depends on Hayden calling, [but] It’s like six pages, with just a handful of subtitles and some dialogue, but it’s so powerful.
As for what to expect Absolute Wonder Woman, Thompson teases a variety of conflicts, from Diana’s conflicts with the U.S. government and her public perception to a giant Cthulhu-esque monster. Along with all the fantasy, there will be some sci-fi elements thrown in, and the monster-like Forerunner is “just the beginning.” (In a separate interview with AIPT, Thompson assured that classic Wonder Woman villains and friends will appear, and that their arrival is just a “slow burn.”) As with as much new content here, Thompson’s confident readers will find The core essence of the story.
Absolute Wonder Woman Set to be released on October 23, you can read Newsarama’s full interview with Thompson and Sherman here.
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