Weird Science DC Comics: ABSOLUTE WONDER WOMAN ANNUAL #1

I walked away from this one feeling like I just sat through a gorgeous but slightly clinical lecture on mythological revisionism. It is a visually stunning book that manages to make a philosophical debate feel like a high-stakes adventure. While the pacing feels a bit like a travelogue, the emotional weight behind Diana’s defiance kept me hooked until the final page.

Plot Analysis (SPOILERS) 

Diana spends her days traveling across the globe while constantly begging the goddess Athena to alleviate the eternal suffering of Medusa. This obsession stems from a previous spiritual connection where Diana felt the crushing weight of the gorgon’s pain firsthand. The goddess remains silent for a long time as Diana moves from one major city to the next, saving lives and righting wrongs.

Athena finally breaks her silence by pulling Diana into a mystical plane. Attentive but unfriendly, Athena demands to know the meaning of Diana’s insistent prayers. Diana begs for a gift or if not given, a trade for the ability to free Medusa from her suffering. Ultimately, Athena agrees to a trade – Diana’s powers for the tool to accomplish her task. Later, Diana, climbs the seaside cliff where Medusa and her sisters live, where she is engaged in a visceral confrontation with the terrifying screeching creatures that are Medusa’s sisters. This battle serves as a test of Diana’s resolve and her willingness to look past the sanitized versions of history. The victory grants her the clarity needed to see the divine through a much harsher lens.

During this journey, Diana reflects on how mythology is often just a collection of lies written by those who came out on top. She begins to realize that the stories of Athena being a misunderstood protector are likely propaganda. The evidence suggests that the goddess deliberately inflicted pain on Medusa rather than acting out of a tragic necessity.

Powerless but determined, Medusa decides to grant Diana an audience. Diana uses Athena’s temporary gift – the ability to see Medusa and help Medusa feel seen – so that she may give Medusa the choice to be free of her curse.

Writing

Kelly Thompson handles the heavy themes of historical revisionism with a sharp, contemporary edge. The dialogue avoids the stuffy language of typical god-talk, making Diana feel grounded even when she is chatting with a deity. However, the structure feels a bit repetitive as the story bounces from one international location and prayer session to the next in the first third. Furthermore, the resolution, while heartfelt, is very dialog heavy, which makes what should be a mythical epic feel like a therapy session.

Art

Mattia De Iulis delivers some of the most breathtaking visuals in modern comics with a style that feels both painterly and cinematic. The lighting in the global sequences is particularly effective, casting Diana as a literal beacon of truth. His character acting is superb, conveying Diana’s growing disillusionment through subtle shifts in her facial expressions.

Character Development

This issue deepens Diana’s role as a seeker of justice rather than just a warrior for the status quo. Her empathy for Medusa serves as the perfect catalyst for her to question the very sources of her power. It is a rare story that manages to make a character grow by having them lose faith in their divine mentors.

Originality & Concept Execution

The concept that mythology is written by the winners adds a fresh layer of tension to this version of the DC Universe. The execution is successful because it ties the grand cosmic themes to Diana’s personal moral compass. It sets up a fascinating conflict that promises to redefine the series moving forward.

Positives

The synergy between the script and the art elevates this from a simple tie-in to a mandatory character study. De Iulis uses a vibrant color palette that makes every international location feel distinct and lived-in. Thompson’s choice to focus on Diana’s empathy over her combat skills reinforces why this version of the character is so compelling.

Negatives

The travelogue structure occasionally feels like a checklist of locations rather than a fluid narrative progression. We spend so much time jumping between locations that some of the supporting encounters feel rushed and disposable. It also lacks a the urgency of stakes and conflict to make the resolution feel inspired. There was never any doubt that Diana wouldn’t succeed, so at best, this Annual only serves to remind you that Diana is great. Her selection of tools to achieve her goal is the only surprise in this story, and for some readers, that may not be enough. for the increased cover price.