Diana is nearly ready to face the threat lingering offshore.  But first, she’ll need help from someone who could never have predicted being needed.  Your Major Spoilers review of Absolute Wonder Woman #4 awaits!

ABSOLUTE WONDER WOMAN #4

Writer: Kelly Thompson
Artist: Hayden Sherman
Colorist: Jordie Bellaire
Letterer: Becca Carey
Editor: Chris Conroy
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $4.99
Release Date: January 22nd, 2025

Previously in Absolute Wonder Woman: Diana has emerged from hell, just in time to protect Gateway City from an unspeakable horror that has come to consume them all.  Having deafened the city to protect them, Wonder Woman prepares for the final showdown.

SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES

Absolute Wonder Woman #4 begins with sisters Etta and Gia Candy, as Etta prepares to head out into the city to help people.  They’re interrupted by the arrival of Wonder Woman and Steve Trevor.  Turns out that Gia runs a shop selling materials for witchcraft, which is exactly what Diana needs.  After getting the materials she needs, which includes a blood donation from her new friends, Wonder Woman prepares a spell that will give her arm back.  After a brief flashback where we see Circe and the goddess Hecate discussing the future, things return to the present as Diana realizes that The Tetracide has begun attacking the city after its first attempt to kill everyone failed.  Wonder Woman heads out, first retrieving the Athena Blade.  With a bit of magic, she is able to draw The Tetracide back out into the water.  With the beast where she wants it to be, Diana launches another attack, this one with a blade fit for a monster of its size.

EMBRACING THE MAGIC

While there have been many interpretations of Wonder Woman over the years, few have really embraced the more magical elements of the character like they have in the Absolute Wonder Woman series, especially in this issue.  Thankfully, this focus works wonderfully for Diana.  Seeing her utilizing not only her weapons, but magical spells as well, presents her as a more competent and resourceful character than if the focus was solely on her brute strength.  That’s not to say that this issue doesn’t have its share of feats of strength or awesome weaponry.  In fact, the resolution to this issue is delivered via one of the most pleasantly ridiculous displays of weaponry and strength.  This has been the second issue in a row where Steve Trevor has conveniently been associated with the exact person Diana needs at the moment which comes off as a noticeably weak bit of storytelling, especially when compared to how effective the rest of this series has been.  The last page cliffhanger, does suggest this series might be heading towards some not very interesting territory that has been tread, especially by Wonder Woman, in other series’ before, which adds some drag to this issue that was otherwise enjoyable.

STILL LOVING THE LAYOUTS

The best part of the visuals in Absolute Wonder Woman #4 as well as the series as a whole, have been the panel layouts on each panel.  Finding a page with simple rectangle panels is a rare occurrence.  Most pages feature a sort of a central image, with the other panels acting like support.  It adds a nice punch to things as you can read it as if the central image is like a crescendo with the smaller panels acting as a rise and fall.  There are a couple of moments in this issue where the more simplistic style that’s established this series’ distinct look actually works against the issue, as some faces end up looking a bit off and unfinished.  Besides this, the design work is still amazing, and the way they utilize size, specifically with The Athena Blade, is really fun.

BOTTOM LINE:  HITTING THE FINAL STRETCH WITH STYLE

Absolute Wonder Woman #4 is listed as being part 4 of 5, and I hope that doesn’t mean this series is coming to an end after that fifth issue.  This series really feels like it’s hitting its stride in this issue as we see Diana able to shine both in interpersonal interactions and as a giant monster-fighting warrior.  Also, the inclusion of magic being a major component of how Diana approaches problems has finally established this version of the character from her main universe counterpart.  It feels like each new issue of this series is its own reason to go out and check this title out if you haven’t already, and this issue is no different.  4 out of 5 stars.

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