The creative powerhouse of Kelly Thompson and guest artist Mattia De Iulis unveils the stunning secrets behind Wonder Woman’s lethal arsenal in Absolute Wonder Woman #6. Having defied the gods by escaping the underworld, Diana faces the wrath of Hades himself. Will her revelations be enough to escape his judgment?
Picking up right where issue #5 left off, the comic plunges us into the Underworld and directly into Hades’s throne room, where fully armored Diana kneels before him. The tension is palpable from the outset, as Thompson immediately emphasizes the danger Diana faces. In a seemingly daring move, Diana, following Hades’s order, divests herself of her armor and weapons, revealing his true interest: her Nemesis Lasso. We then learn the origin of this formidable weapon, whose power grows with the evil of its target. However, the transition feels slightly abrupt, pulling focus from Diana’s immediate situation.
A flashback then takes us to Diana seeking the help of the chained Prometheus on his mountain. Thompson beautifully portrays Diana’s compassion for Titan’s suffering, notably in her respectful interaction with the eagle, brought to life by De Iulis’ exceptional artwork. Here, we also learn the surprisingly straightforward origin of Pegasus: a “gift for a gift.”
The story then detours with a Basilisk encounter, which feels unnecessary, as the Titan’s gifts seemed enough for the lasso’s creation. However, this shift does underscore that Diana is being hunted by the gods, hinting at future conflict. The issue ends with a shocking revelation, leaving Diana cornered by Hades and creating a major cliffhanger for next month.
Credits: DC Comics
Kelly Thompson continues to deliver surprises in this Wonder Woman run. While the overarching plot might feel slow at the moment, her character work on Diana remains a true highlight of DC Comics. The scene where Diana’s armor is removed was particularly powerful, imbued with a raw vulnerability that Thompson navigates with impressive ease. Even in such a compromised position, Diana retains an inherent grace and undeniable power, radiating strength even when stripped down to her basic clothing. Speaking of power, the design of Absolute Wonder Woman is simply fantastic. She exudes coolness with her armored look, the massive buster sword, that striking Sauron-esque helmet, not to mention the three lassos, an axe, and the fact that she wields magic! It’s hard to imagine a more compelling combination.
Hades, in this iteration, is also a delight. He’s got this weird, almost edgy, sass that somehow lands as genuinely funny. The image of him watching cartoons is hilarious. Still, it also cleverly grounds the gods within the modern world, even prompting the amusing thought that he might have been the one to introduce the idea to humanity. However, I am less enthusiastic about Hades’ visual design. While I understand Mattia De Iulis’s intention for a more abstract, less human-like, godly form, the execution feels too simplistic. He’s essentially blue flames with a red crown, and I can’t help but feel that more could have been done to add visual interest – perhaps incorporating black armor into the blue flames to break up the solid color.
On the other hand, De Iulis’s overall artwork is undeniably beautiful. It possesses a crispness that makes every element pop with bold intensity. His Diana is particularly striking and powerful; you can practically see the tension in her muscles and the subtle frustration in her expression as she maintains respectful composure in the presence of a god, all while a quiet fury simmers beneath the surface. It’s powerful visual storytelling. Finally, the chained Titan scene powerfully illustrates Diana’s iconic goodness and resilience despite facing constant opposition.
My only minor reservation lies with the Basilisk storyline. While Thompson’s writing and De Iulis’s art were well-executed, it felt like padding until the big ending reveal. Dedicating more focus to the conflict with Hades in the throne room earlier on would have created a stronger sense of momentum. However, I’m anticipating an epic confrontation in the issue’s conclusion.
Credits: DC Comics
Mattia De Iulis’s coloring is also a standout, making every panel pop. Even in the dark, smoky throne room of Hades, Diana’s red costume vibrantly stands out. While Hades’ simple blue flame design has drawbacks, De Iulis cleverly uses warmer blue tones that create a simultaneous sense of threat and unease. Letterer Becca Carey ensures a seamless reading experience, giving Hades a distinct black thought bubble with a blue highlight.
Absolute Wonder Woman #6 delves into the origins of Diana’s lethal arsenal, revealing the secrets behind her Nemesis Lasso as she faces Hades after escaping the underworld. While the plot’s pacing feels slightly uneven with a seemingly unnecessary Basilisk encounter, Kelly Thompson’s character work on Diana and Mattia De Iulis’ stunning artwork, particularly in portraying Diana’s strength and Hades’ unique personality, remain highlights.
‘Absolute Wonder Woman’ #6 Review: Gods, Gifts, and a Shocking Twist
Absolute Wonder Woman #6 delves into the origins of Diana’s lethal arsenal, revealing the secrets behind her Nemesis Lasso as she faces Hades after escaping the underworld. While the plot’s pacing feels slightly uneven with a seemingly unnecessary Basilisk encounter, Kelly Thompson’s character work on Diana and Mattia De Iulis’ stunning artwork, particularly in portraying Diana’s strength and Hades’ unique personality, remain highlights.
