Back in 2021, DC launched the Wonder Woman: Black & Gold miniseries. In the same vein as Batman: Black & White and Superman: Red & Blue, it collected a series of Wonder Woman tales by various creators, rendered in black and white with gold accents, paying homage to Diana’s Lasso of Truth. Five years later, Wonder Woman: Black & Gold 2026 Special #1 returns to those roots with four new tales, each one tackling a different aspect of Diana’s character.
The first tale, “Decent Docent”, centers on a young Wonder Woman fan named Penny who’s won a contest to meet her hero during the appropriately themed “Wonder Woman Day” at a museum. This being the DC Universe, Diana is delayed by multiple obstacles, including supervillains and would-be robbers, so the museum’s docent offers to keep Penny company. What follows is a discussion about why they both look up to Wonder Woman, and it feels a lot like conversations I’ve had with other fans about what makes Diana so special. “Decent Docent” stands out thanks to the always stellar artwork of Mitch Gerads, who also scripts the story based on a story he developed with frequent co-collaborator Tom King. The end result feels like a Wonder Woman story created for Wonder Woman fans by a Wonder Woman fan.
If “Decent Docent” didn’t already tug at readers’ heartstrings, the next story, “Last Flight” will definitely do the trick. With the help of Xanthe Zhou, better known as The Envoy from Spirit World, Diana attempts to contact Steve Trevor’s spirit but soon finds herself drawn into a realm of spirits and danger. Alyssa Wong manages to tap into the mythic aspect of Wonder Woman through their script, as well as the downside to immortality: eventually, everyone you know and love will pass on while you continue to live. It also rivals “Decent Docent” in terms of art, thanks to Karen S. Darboe; after seeing her work in Bloodline: Daughter of Blade, I’ve been wanting to see more artwork from her and this only intensifies that desire.
DC
Next up is “The Truth Unreal” by Steve Orlando and Rossi Gifford, which pits Diana against the leader of a mysterious cult who’s convinced his followers that he is the only truth in the world. Truth is a large part of who Wonder Woman is, and in a day and age where the truth seems to be distorted or flat out ignored, it means that aspect of her character is more important than ever. Orlando hammers that home with some soul-piercing dialogue, while Gifford draws Diana as every inch the warrior she is, lit by the glow of her golden lasso.
Finally, “Peach Thief” by Jordie Bellaire and Pauliana Ganucheau delivers an adorable tale of a young Diana seeking the person who’s been stealing from Themiscyra’s peach crop. Bellaire writes the young Diana as rather excitable, but with her heart in the right place, which is a perfect fit for Ganucheau’s animated art style. I wouldn’t mind seeing more from this creative team, especially in a miniseries or two.
Wonder Woman: Black & Gold 2026 Special #1 is a reminder that Wonder Woman is one of the most interesting and multifaceted characters in the DC Universe, exploring all the different aspects that make her what she is. Now the question remains: which DC hero is the next to get their own color-based special?
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