Graphic Novel Review - 'Absolute Wonder Woman Vol. 1: The Last Amazon' by Kelly Thompson (Writer), Hayden Sherman (Artist), Mattia de Iulis (Artist), Dustin Nguyen (Artist), Jordie Bellaire (Colourist), Becca Carey (Letterer)

'Absolute Wonder Woman' - the hype is real.

I waited ages for this. When I finally got my hands on the first volume of Kelly Thompson's original, breathtaking take on the world's most famous superheroine, it felt like eons had past since I first heard of it.

The time has finally come. It was definitely, definitively worth it.

It is epic.

'Absolute Wonder Woman Vol. 1: The Last Amazon' is one of, if not the best 'Wonder Woman' comic in recent years, in the modern DC era, regardless of its "What if?" scenario/category. It contains no filler, no distractions linking to other DC comic storylines, no dull and superfluous side characters, no overlong and pretentious dialogue and narration boxes, and no depressing real life political allusions. It is just pure, solid, simple fun, action-packed, creative and thoughtful storytelling, brought to us in comic book form. It knows and respects superhero comic books and what they are about - and it respects its audience.

The premise of Diana being "the last Amazon" since infancy and was raised in the Underworld by Circe of all people to learn magic, alongside battling and sacrifice, as well as compassion and empathy (mostly ingrained, mind you) - where Circe is mother to her, not Hippolyta - should not have worked. But Kelly Thompson, who can almost do no wrong, made it work. She made it work without anyone seeming out of character from how we know them from the general, wider DC pop culture osmosis.

'Absolute Wonder Woman' is presented as a dark, violent, and epic modern Greek myth, without seeming gratuitous, overly morose, "gritty", or "edgy". I know I keep harping (harpy, heh) on this point, but it is mature storytelling, that knows when to breathe in moments of levity, humour, and catharsis - to let those moments in, for the appropriate amount of panel time and space.

It is also pure female empowerment. Steve Trevor is the only male main character, unless you count any of the Greek gods, including Hades. Yes, Wonder Woman faces up against a Cthulhu-type monster and gods in the comic, and the goddesses who are present in the first volume, who are her allies in their own way, are Persephone... and Hecate. I'm so pleased Hecate is given a huge and mighty role and portrayal in contemporary mainstream comics!

Hera is mentioned in a positive light, too, as are Artemis, Hestia, Demeter... and Athena, whose actions regarding Medusa (oh yes, she is included as an extra, receiving a major, important role) are excused and vindicated, but not condoned or forgotten. They are called cruel, for they are. The myth of Medusa is called a horror story, for it is.

No one, and no woman, and no goddess, is perfect.

Especially not Circe, who at the beginning saw baby Diana, given to her by Apollo - in her exile from the paradise Aeaea in a wasteland in the Underworld, in Hell - as further punishment by the gods. But she grew to love and care for the lost princess, when the Amazons were imprisoned by the vindictive, rageful Zeus. The mother and daughter have no love for the male gods, and all the love and respect for one another. Even when Diana escapes the Underworld into man's world as an adult, their bond remains the main theme of the story.

You could say the Lasso of Truth - called a Greek word in this version, and the Lasso of Transmogrification, made with blood, and is more a deadly weapon* - binds them symbolically.

Circe, who is cynical and tragic, and Diana, who is hopeful and kind. Together, they complete each other's story arc.

As of now, there is no romance between Diana and Steve. Etta Candy (who is a POC and has a sister, Gia, who is also a practicing witch) and Barbara Minerva (who resembles Barbara Gordon more than ever before here) are present.

But oh.

Oh.

Ohhhhhh....

Perhaps I have saved the best critique for last for 'Absolute Wonder Woman Vol. 1: The Last Amazon'.

I wouldn't call myself a reviewer, or even a person with eyes, if I neglected to mention the artwork.

Oh heavenly and hellish goddesses, the artwork.

There is not another way to phrase it: it is fucking stunning and beautiful.

All the artwork is gorgeous. All of it. I want to frame every single page of this volume. Even when the art style isn't realistic and kind of scratchy and cartoony, it is still unique and voluptuous, and impossible to look away from. The entire volume is like the combination of all the best traits of 'Wonder Woman' comics in the 21st century.

'Absolute Wonder Woman' is art, in far more ways than one.

'Absolute Wonder Woman' - absolute treasure.

That's where I'll be leaving off my review of this near-perfect masterpiece (near-perfect because, for one thing, the modern 'Wonder Woman' comic contains zero LBGTQ+ elements). It is one of the best comics of 2025. You bet I'll be reading the second volume. I can hardly wait for that, too.

Here's to Wonder Woman, aka Diana, Witch of the Wild Isle, aka Diana, Last of the Amazons, aka Diana, daughter of Circe, aka Diana, a compassionate warrior princess from Hell.


'Raising a child is how you fall in love.

[...] But letting them go is how you prove your love.'


Final Score: 4.5/5

* Diana has three lassos in 'Absolute Wonder Woman', and one of them is the Nemesis Lasso, formed by the flesh and blood from Prometheus's fingertip cut via Diana's axe, and the blood of the Last Basilisk. Told you the comic was epic.