Written by: Kelly Thompson
Art by: Hayden Sherman
Colors by: Jordie Bellaire
Letters by: Becca Carey
Cover art by: Hayden Sherman (cover A)
Cover price: $4.99
Release date: May 28, 2025
Absolute Wonder Woman #8, by DC Comics on 5/28/25, begins a new arc as Diana begins the long search to find other Amazons. Meanwhile, Veronica Cale gives Dr. Poison a unique gift.
Is Absolute Wonder Woman #8 Good?
Recap
When we last left Diana in Absolute Wonder Woman #7, we learned how Diana crafted her transformation lasso after she was pressed into combat by Hades. In the end, remembering a lesson she learned from Circe as a child, Diana won the gladiator combat and chose a third reward that Hades didn't foresee. Her choice allowed her to enter the world of the living by accepting a pseudo-banishment from the Wild Isle and the company of Circe.
Plot Synopsis
In Absolute Wonder Woman #8, Steve Trevor, Barbara Minerva, and the rest of Diana's new friends head out to find Diana living in the woods surrounding Gateway City. The land was purchased long ago by mortal agents in service to the gods, so Diana is truly home. She uses her magic to spring forth a home that looks suspiciously like the Hall of Justice, a home she dubs the Hieron.
Meanwhile, Veronica Cale enters the facility at Area 41 to deliver an item to one of the facility's permanent residents - Dr. Poison. In the Darkseid Universe, Dr. Poison has a gas body trapped in a containment suit, a fact she continually points out to Cale as WWII tech that needs an upgrade. Cale concedes two hours of outside time in exchange for an evaluation of a recording of the Tetracide's death call for potential weaponization.
Later, Diana and her friends enjoy tea in the Hieron when Diana suddenly leaves after hearing a terrible sound that mimics the Tetracide's call. She lands in the heart of Gateway City to find several robotic spiders emitting the sound, creating great pain for anyone close enough. Diana eventually destroys the swarm of robotic spiders and follows them to their source - Dr. Poison, operating out of a skyscraper under construction. What does the Doctor want? She needs Diana's help in exchange for information about the Amazons.
First Impressions
Kelly Thompson's ode to the Woman of Wonder with a new quest to find her heritage. If you're a fan of the first arc, there's plenty in this issue to keep you happy, possibly with some improvements. That said, there's nothing in Absolute Wonder Woman #8 to win over the naysayers.
How’s the Art?
The art is going to be a tough sell. Hayden Sherman returns to the title as the regular artist after a spectacular-looking two-parter from guest artist Mattia De Iulis. There's just no way around it. Sherman is an absolute downgrade compared to De Iulis. Sherman's squiggly lines and arthouse style are fine for what they are, but De Iulis is levels above, underscoring the weaknesses and utter lack of wow factor in Sherman's style.
What’s great about Absolute Wonder Woman #8?
Kelly Thompson reverses what was lacking from the first arc by using what's in place to build elements of an intriguing journey of discovery for Diana. We have a better understanding of Diana's personality, we know what she's after, and we get glimpses of how she intends to find her fellow Amazons. Those are solid pieces to get going.
What’s not great about Absolute Wonder Woman #8?
Unfortunately, Thompson reverses direction in both directions by leaving out the better story elements from the first arc. We know what Diana wants, but we're not clear why she wants it other than "just because." We don't know who or what is preventing her from finding the Amazons other than a lack of knowledge about where to start, and there's no urgency or stakes for her quest.
It's as if Thompson can't assemble all the pieces simultaneously to make a compelling story. What was lacking is now present, and what was present is now lacking.
About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of ComicalOpinions.com, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.
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Final Thoughts
Absolute Wonder Woman #8 is a decent, albeit incomplete start to a new arc when Diana sets out to find other Amazons. Kelly Thompson's script builds on the foundational aspects of the first arc for a relatable start. However, this arc starts without anything resembling stakes or urgency. Plus Hayden Sherman's return to the title regrettably looks like a downgrade compared to the previous two issues.
6.5/10
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Absolute Wonder Woman #8 brings a fresh energy to the series as Diana begins her new journey. The dynamics between the characters are beautifully done. This issue reminded me of the team spirit in the game basketball legends . Each player has a different power and style, just like Diana and her friends. The sequel is intriguing.
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