Issue #13 of Absolute Wonder Woman by Kelly Thompson and guest artist Matias Bergara kicks off a new two-part story, aptly titled “The Price,” and let’s just say, Diana is paying in full.
Things start nice and quiet at Wonder Woman’s cool base, the Heiron, where Diana is catching up with Barbara. They’re deep in conversation about the history of Themyscira and the Amazons, how Diana always knew she was from somewhere else, even while trapped with Circe, but could never dig into her past because it was forbidden. This entire conversation just reinforces that a major falling out occurred between the Greek gods and the Amazons. It’s a fascinating historical tidbit, and the conversation is just getting good when, BAM, duty calls.
Diana has to zoom off to Reno, Nevada, because a series of violent, supernatural events is kicking off across the globe. This issue marks a change in art, with Matias Bergara taking over from Hayden Sherman. Bergara’s style is definitely different, a bit rough around the edges, but he nails the kinetic energy of the action.
Diana’s first encounter is with a lightning-like energy being that seems to be totally invulnerable to physical attacks and might even be messing with her mind. The art truly shines here, capturing the intense and frenetic battle. There’s a panel of Diana emerging from the rubble that is both hilarious and serious; she looks appropriately enraged, showing a side of her we haven’t really seen under Thompson’s run.
This back-and-forth becomes the pattern of the issue: Diana returns to the Heiron for a brief history lesson, like the tidbit that the Amazons in this universe might be immortal, only to have the creature reappear and cause more chaos, like setting a lighthouse on fire in Uruguay. The creature causes mass destruction and spreads bad vibes before just, well, dipping.
Bergara’s art does a fantastic job of highlighting Diana’s growing frustration. You can see it on her face, and you feel that frustration right alongside her! Jodie Bellaire’s colors, with lots of oranges, blues, and reds, really heighten the danger and drama of the situation. Also, a quick shout-out to Becca Carey for the lettering, especially when the building is collapsing around Diana; it just adds to the chaos.
For the past twelve issues, Diana has been the epitome of warm and composed, handling everything Thompson has thrown at her with grace. But this single energy creature is genuinely bringing her down. She and Etta team up to crack the mystery, noticing a pattern in the places where the attacks are happening. The answer they find is shocking and, frankly, too personal to imagine: It’s her!
That’s right, the creature is a doppelgänger made of pure bad juju energy. This is a brilliant, interesting reveal that shows the magical power Diana has been wielding over the last year has a price. We don’t know the exact moment she “broke the straw,” but this monstrous double is the result. Suddenly, the arc title, “The Price,” makes perfect sense, echoing the costs of magic often discussed in other books, for example, Hellblazer. It also makes you wonder how characters like Absolute Zatanna manage their magical bills, as Thompson suggests she’s in a different magical class than our dear Diana.
Absolute Wonder Woman #13 marks a significant shift in tone, revealing a different, more desperate side of Wonder Woman. It’s a high-stakes, fast-paced read that ends with a powerful punch, making you have to pick up the next issue.
‘Absolute Wonder Woman’ #13 Review: The Shocking Price of Diana’s Magic is Revealed
Absolute Wonder Woman #13 marks a significant shift in tone, revealing a different, more desperate side of Wonder Woman. It’s a high-stakes, fast-paced read that ends with a powerful punch, making you have to pick up the next issue.
