Tsk. All that power and all she does is free herself.
Things are looking up for Absolute Wonder Woman in the digital sphere with the series getting the (much deserved) Eisner nomination for Best Continuing Series alongside its much more chaotic counterpart, Absolute Batman. Despite some bumps in the road, getting to a 20-issue milestone is an achievement thanks to the current landscape of superheroes. Books get canceled or relaunched all the time, but Kelly Thompson and Hayden Sherman have been around the block long enough to know how to keep a book going long-term and this ultimate issue of Season of The Witch reminds the audience of just that.
Now, despite the problems this arc has had, I feel like Thompson rights a lot of wrongs with this installment. We get to see the devastating blow that causes Diana to get captured right alongside her dear Minerva who was previously captured earlier in the arc. To put some dip on her chip, Thompson knows how to make a compelling heroine which, even in this day and age, is quite the challenge. She puts an emphasis on showcasing the failings or mistakes of her protagonists in a way that feels a lot like a love letter to previous Wonder Woman writers and even some quieter but impactful creators such as Mindy Newell and Rachel Pollack.
DC
To put it simply, Thompson is clearly motivated by past creators to evolve this version of Diana and it’s refreshing to see. A large dilemma with Wonder Woman as of right now is the fact that most runs see to try and revitalize her, but they never try to draw a clear path back to the past. No one is saying that Wonder Woman needs to be influenced by BDSM again (though that would be awesome), but you have to know how to have a clear path drawn for her. If Thompson ever leaves Absolute Wonder Woman, whoever picks up after her won’t have to worry too much.
As mentioned above, this concluding chapter does a lot of redeeming with the dialogue returning to a steady pace. I don’t like to speculate and say that she might be overworked or playing with too many concepts, but I do think that the series is at its best when it’s presented in a slower pace. Luckily, this issue takes a step back as Diana suffers through the clutches of Area 41. I’d rather read a book that takes its time crafting things as articulately as possible than a comic that’s pure action in every panel. I can only hope that Thompson keeps this pace going because it benefits her more than she might realize.
DC
Hayden Sherman is, as usual, wonderful. The segments of Area 41 create an unusual and grimy feeling for both Diana and the audience as Veronica Cale and her strange Judge Dredd-minions try to torture Diana out of everything she could have or know. Character design has always been the real pride and joy of Sherman’s contributions so getting a nicer look at the inner workings of Area 41 and even a look at their interpretation of Persephone, the Goddess of Spring, is a giant treat for the audience.
As things come to an end, I’m very excited to see how this book evolves. I feel that Thompson and Sherman listen and learn from the criticism sent their way and want to grow and evolve with Absolute Wonder Woman, which tells me that this comic will be running long-term. Absolute Wonder Woman #20 is a fantastic conclusion to “Season of the Witch” and a brilliant setup for what’s next.
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