Each Friday, we'll be letting a different DC.com writer share what they'll be reading over the weekend and why you might want to check it out. Here's this week's suggestion for a perfect Weekend Escape!
 

Absolute Wonder Woman has been flying off shelves since last October and is one of the original pillars of the buzzworthy new Absolute Universe from DC Comics. As of July, it’s an Eisner award winner to boot, winning Best New Series of 2025 at the annual awards ceremony at San Diego Comic-Con. The general concept is this: what if Wonder Woman was the princess of Hell and didn’t grow up in Themyscira? Just like all of the Absolute comics, this series explores a unique and darker take on this classic character.

Now that the first trade collection is in stores, let’s talk about why you should binge Absolute Wonder Woman Vol. 1: The Last Amazon this weekend!
 

The Premise:

In this alternate world, Wonder Woman was not raised in Themyscira, but instead was exiled to Hell as a baby and raised by the infamous witch Circe. Wielding dark magic and powerful weapons forged in the fiery realm, Diana is still the hero we all know. (Also, she has a brilliantly Hell-ish character redesign!) And just like in her classic origin story, she is ready to join the world of man.

Wonder Woman is called to action when an army of monsters and a Kaiju known as the Tetracide attack the city of Gateway, California. Diana of the Wild Isle might be humanity’s only hope against these dark forces, but she isn’t alone—expect to see familiar faces like Steve Trevor, Etta Candy and Barbara Minerva, but with an Absolute twist!
 

Let’s Talk Talent:

Buckle up for this stacked award-winning team of creatives!

Powerhouse writer Kelly Thompson (Birds of Prey, Captain Marvel) brings us an outstanding story full of so much lore and mythology. While Absolute Wonder Woman’s Diana is a new version of the character, Thompson still fully captures the essence of what makes Diana the incredible hero that she is. Her compassion, kindness and power to instill hope into the hearts of everyone around her is still very much in place. What is it the kids say? Maybe being kind is the real punk rock? Well, if that’s true then Absolute Wonder Woman is punk as hell.

Acclaimed artist Hayden Sherman (Batman: Dark Patterns, Above Snakes) crafts an incredibly stunning world that brings Absolute Wonder Woman to life in a unique and powerful way. Sherman’s art fully transports you and makes you fall in love with this world and, most of all, Diana. The way they communicate movement and magic across the book’s panels is unmatched, and with an arsenal of weapons at Diana’s disposal and various monsters jumping right off the page, the book is full of clever details that flesh out the world and immerse readers.

Winning the Best Coloring Award at the 2025 Eisners, colorist Jordie Bellaire brings so much depth and emotion to Absolute Wonder Woman. The fiery color palette highlights Sherman’s artwork and adds to this dark and whimsical world. In fact, when I close my eyes and picture Absolute Wonder Woman in my head, the first thing I see are the striking colors that draw readers into this exciting and outrageously beautiful world.
 

A Few Reasons to Read:

• This story shows us who Diana is without Themyscira and her Amazonian sisters. Who Wonder Woman is, regardless of her upbringing, is a character defined by her compassion and strength. As we explore baby Diana via flashback scenes, we see that she’s possessed these characteristics since day one, independent of her environment. What makes her an extraordinary character goes beyond her physical strength—she has the ability to soften the most treacherous beasts, including the usually villainous sorceress, Circe.
• Diana and Circe’s relationship proves that the power of love is unmatched. One of the driving forces and major themes of the Absolute Wonder Woman is love, especially familial. The love a mother has for her child, and the love a child has for her mother. Reluctant at first, Circe actively makes the choice to be the mother that Diana needs—raising her, protecting her, teaching her and most of all, loving her. When these two powerful women had nothing in the dark depths of the underworld, they persevered and flourished because of the love they had for each other. It is one of the most beautiful aspects of the story.

• Wonder Woman has an incredible arsenal of weapons and tools. With the aid of an enchanted pouch, Diana carries around multiple weapons, each with their own unique designs and power—like a giant sword called the Mythical Athena Blade! (It’s big enough to slice through Kaijus!) She also uses a variety of magical objects including a darker take on the concept of the Lasso of Truth—the Lasso of Transmogrification which transforms its victims against their will.
• So much Greek mythology! Greek mythology will always be an integral part of Wonder Woman stories, and Absolute Wonder Woman is no exception. From horrific monsters to the cruel and selfish gods, many of the darker aspects of the story are actually derived from ancient myths.
   

Why It’s Worth Your Time:

Everyone knows the story of Wonder Woman, but Absolute Wonder Woman honors the core of the character while giving readers something fresh to enjoy and celebrate. With a darker world seeped in potent lore, there’s so much to discover here. Everything about this comic is both visually and conceptually stunning. It allows you to easily get drawn into this world where Wonder Woman fights giant monsters and inspires hope in everyone around her. Love and kindness are the major themes explored by Thompson, Sherman and Bellaire, which are both things we could use more of right now—no matter which universe we happen to reside in.

Absolute Wonder Woman Vol. 1: The Last Amazon by Kelly Thompson, Hayden Sherman, Mattia de Iulis and Jordie Bellaire is now available in bookstores, comic shops, libraries and digital retailers. The series can also be read in full on DC UNIVERSE INFINITE.

Sami DeMonster writes about superheroes, horror and sci-fi for DC.com and reviews comics every week on social media. Follow her at @samidemonster on Instagram and Substack.

NOTE: The views and opinions expressed in this feature are solely those of Sami DeMonster and do not necessarily reflect those of DC or Warner Bros. Discovery, nor should they be read as confirmation or denial of future DC plans.