There’s so much to be excited for with the “DC All In” initiative and its new Absolute universe. That’s especially true for Absolute Wonder Woman, a bold reinvention of the iconic character. With the first issue out in comic shops on October 23, writer Kelly Thompson and artist Hayden Sherman are creating Diana of Themyscira in an entirely new universe, one where her familiar traits of compassion and strength remain but are reimagined in some truly extraordinary ways.
In an exclusive interview, Thompson and Sherman discuss their creative process, their challenges, and what makes this version of Wonder Woman unlike anything we’ve seen before.
This is an edited version of the interview. Be sure to tune into the AIPT Comics podcast in October for an extended, unedited version of this conversation!
Finding the right angle on Wonder Woman
For Thompson, taking on Wonder Woman was no easy feat. In fact, she almost walked away from the project entirely.
“I almost quit because I couldn’t figure it out,” she admits. “I was days away from calling Scott [Snyder] and being like, ‘I’m sorry. I know this is really going to screw you up, but I can’t figure it out.”
The challenge for Thompson, then, was finding a way to reinvent Wonder Woman without stripping away the core principles that make her iconic.
“God of War Wonder Woman doesn’t really work for me,” Thompson explains. “I keep running into that wall of, ‘How do you change her without changing her?'”
The breakthrough came when she stumbled upon a simple yet profound question in her own notes: Witch Wonder Woman! This led Thompson to explore how to create a world where everything around Diana changes while maintaining the essence of who she is.
“How could we change all these things around her and still let who she is, be the Wonder Woman people will always recognize,” said Thompson.
Courtesy of DC Comics.
A Perfect Partnership
Enter Hayden Sherman, whose artistic style meshed perfectly with Thompson’s fresh take on Wonder Woman. Sherman, known for their dynamic layouts and unique style, was immediately on board with the ambitious project.
“I’ve always loved Wonder Woman, but seeing this version, I was like, ‘Oh, this is the one that I’ve been waiting to get into,'” Sherman says. “I just gotta like, not drop the ball.”
The two collaborated seamlessly, with Sherman fully embracing the complex ideas that Thompson brought to the table. When Thompson suggested a tattooed Wonder Woman, Sherman didn’t hesitate despite the artistic challenge.
“[They were] fully, fully in. Like, ‘Yep, if you have a great idea, let’s do it,'” Thompson noted. Added Sherman, “If it’s a good idea, like, it’s gotta be in there.”
The tattoos, as Thompson explains, serve a deeper narrative function that ties into the plot in significant ways.
“The tattoos have a very specific plot function,” Thompson says, hinting at the layers of storytelling that fans will discover in the series.
A Visual Evolution
One of the key elements of Absolute Wonder Woman is the evolution of Diana’s appearance. While her costume initially leaned toward traditional Greek armor, Sherman found that sticking too closely to history made her feel less like Wonder Woman and more like an average Greek warrior.
“She started to deviate from feeling like Wonder Woman,” Sherman explains. “So, in pushing away from that, I got into the idea of bringing in other eras.”
The result is a visually distinct Wonder Woman, whose armor is a mishmash of various eras, creating a practical, found-object look. “It’s supposed to feel practical, something she can move in,” Sherman explained. “Her arms and legs are covered because she’s having to deal with forces that could cut off her arms and legs.”
This new look, combined with Diana’s portrayal as a “stranger in a strange land,” ensures that she doesn’t fully fit into her surroundings — an intentional choice by Thompson and Sherman.
“She should be oil to the world’s water,” said Thompson, emphasizing how Diana’s otherness is integral to her story.
Stripping Down to the Core
In the Absolute universe, characters are placed in more challenging situations, stripped of the things that usually define them. For Wonder Woman, this means being separated from the paradise of Themyscira.
“She’s still called Princess, Princess of Hell,” said Thompson, but notes that Diana is no longer surrounded by her sisters or the warrior culture that shaped her. This shift makes Wonder Woman more aggressive, less accommodating, and yet still recognizable in her core values.
“She’s the world’s first superhero, and that’s going to change the nature of how she interacts with the world,” said Thompson, referring to Diana’s public debut as the first powered person humanity encounters.
The Magic of Wonder Woman
One of the most exciting aspects of this reimagined Wonder Woman is the embrace of her magical heritage.
“She’s 100% a witch,” as Thompson revealed. In this new universe, Diana’s use of magic is front and center, from spellcasting to wielding enchanted artifacts. Thompson added, “This is how she was raised. This is in her.”
Fans of the mythological roots of Wonder Woman will appreciate how Thompson and Sherman weave these elements into the character’s backstory. The magic, combined with Diana’s formidable physical strength, positions her as a force unlike any other hero in the Absolute universe.
Courtesy of DC Comics.
The Magic of the Pegasus
Among the many striking elements in Absolute Wonder Woman, the introduction of a skeletal Pegasus has already captured fans’ imaginations. This mystical steed, far from a one-time appearance, is set to be a recurring ally for Wonder Woman in her battles.
“Pegasus is her pal, her partner, and her ally,” said Thompson. “He’s not just a tool or a one-off trick.”
Sherman immediately embraced the idea of including such a fantastical creature despite the well-known challenge artists face when drawing horses.
“I’m a sucker for a really good idea,” said Sherman. “Even when Pegasus isn’t in the main issue, I have this urge to add him, like, flying around in the background.”
The skeleton Pegasus isn’t just for visual flair — it’s a representation of Diana’s journey through a darker, more hellish world. Its presence is both practical and symbolic, reinforcing the darker, apocalyptic tone of this universe while adding a dash of epic fantasy to the story.
Courtesy of DC Comics.
A Whole New World
The world of Absolute Wonder Woman is as different as Diana herself. While Thompson and Sherman are careful not to spoil too much, they hint at the larger mythology at play.
“We’re starting with bigger, more monster vibes,” said Thompson, referencing the Lovecraftian creatures and deep mythology that will challenge Diana throughout the series.
Gateway City, Diana’s new home, is also set to play a major role.
“I’m a firm believer that Diana deserves her own city, just like Superman has Metropolis and Batman has Gotham,” said Thompson. “It should be her home base.”
As for Diana’s iconic allies and enemies? Thompson assures fans that familiar faces will appear, but their introduction will be a slow burn.
“A lot of the people in Diana’s world are villains or could become villains,” said Thompson. “So we’re sort of playing that out a little more slowly.”
A Bold New Wonder Woman
With Absolute Wonder Woman, Thompson and Sherman are crafting a version of Diana that stays true to her heart while exploring bold new territory. This Wonder Woman is more aggressive, more magical, and more complex than ever before.
As Thompson noted, “She’s still the Wonder Woman people will always recognize and yearn for because she’s so unique in that way.”
Fans of the Amazonian warrior won’t want to miss this thrilling reinvention, which promises to deliver on all fronts — action, magic, and a whole new dimension to the world’s most iconic female superhero.
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