The ever-evolving pantheon of Wonder Woman stories now has a new top contender: Absolute Wonder Woman. In just three issues, it has established itself as a bold, complex, and emotional reinterpretation of Wonder Woman. The series explores what it means to be a hero through themes of sacrifice, humanity, and resilience through a masterful blend of storytelling and visual art.
Ahead of issue #4, set to be released this week, writer Kelly Thompson and artist Hayden Sherman discuss their creative process, inspiration, and what fans can expect from this transformative series. Speaking with them, it’s clear they have a synergistic relationship and vision, while also pushing the boundaries of what rakugo can achieve, bringing a very human layer to her god-like persona. That is clear.
Provided by: DC Comics
stand on the shoulders of giants
Asked about the influence of Historia, the recent groundbreaking Wonder Woman story, Thompson said, “I drew from everything.” “We stood on their shoulders to build this. We sent a ton of references from there to Hayden about the iconography and themes we wanted to reference,” Thompson said of the canon. Although not a part of it, he acknowledged how Historia influenced the depiction of Diana’s interactions with the gods, saying, “It’s very much a Historia-driven piece, but it feels darker. Without that book, we wouldn’t have been able to do it.” is not here.”
Sherman echoed this sentiment from a visual standpoint, praising Historia’s innovative page structure. “Until that book, I didn’t associate Wonder Woman with such bold layouts. Her world feels cozy, so it’s fun to explore it now.” Both creators said: They agree that the narrative and visual risks taken in ‘Historia’ paved the way for their own ambitious storytelling.
Comprehensive collaboration
Sherman’s approach to creating pages as interconnected puzzles is a hallmark of this series. Thompson describes their dynamic as transformative. “Working with Hayden changed the way I think about comics. They construct pages from a holistic perspective and connect panels like puzzle pieces.”
Sherman shared some insight into their process, revealing that the initial sketches focused on page composition rather than specific details. “Think about which beats need to be emphasized and how shapes can be combined to heighten emotion or action.” This technique was inspired by the symmetrical stained glass in issue 4. It led to some of the series’ most memorable visuals, such as the resulting layout. “Kelly’s feedback keeps our storytelling clear so we can push our creative boundaries,” Sherman said.
Sacrifice and emotional resonance
One of the most daring moments in the series so far was Princess Diana’s decision to sacrifice her arm, and director Thompson said he put a lot of thought into this story choice. “Magic has consequences,” she explains. “You don’t get something for free, and this was a way to show that sacrifice on the page in a powerful and tangible way.”
Sherman’s portrayal of the aftermath of Princess Diana’s sacrifice added to the emotional weight of the moment. Rather than focusing on the act itself, the story shifted its focus to Circe’s reactions, a decision Thompson said added layers to the scene. “There’s a difference between watching Princess Diana make that choice and watching a mother witness the sacrifice of her child. It’s a deeper emotional calculation.”
Provided by: DC Comics
Expression through a new lens
Princess Diana’s loss of an arm has also sparked a debate about the representation of people with disabilities. Thompson acknowledges the complexity of this depiction. Thompson said he paid attention to every detail, including the prosthetic arm. “We wanted to make it clear that this wasn’t just an extension of her armor. It was a replacement for something that was lost, and that loss had to feel real. At the same time, Diana It’s troubling because it exists in a magical world where you can solve certain problems in ways that aren’t available to most people.
The creative team has rooted Princess Diana’s prosthetic arm in both functionality and symbolism, ensuring that it functions as a meaningful aspect of her character rather than a gimmick.
UV light with a purpose
The series’ use of ultraviolence is also compelling, as it must be balanced with Wonder Woman’s compassion. Thompson argues that all action sequences are rooted in narrative necessity. “It can’t be violence for the sake of violence. It has to come from something real or it feels uncontrollable. Behind Princess Diana’s resistance and her fight It is the emotional stakes that make violence impactful rather than gratuitous.
Sherman, who admits to being a “gore hater,” approaches these sequences with a focus on character. “Diana doesn’t want to fight; she does it because she has to. That hesitation and determination are the keys to making her actions meaningful,” they added. “I’m not a fan of gore either. My media diet leans toward less graphic depictions, so when I ramp up the intensity, I focus on emotional and narrative impact rather than shocking elements.” It’s important to stay focused.”
Provided by: DC Comics
Looking to the future
As Absolute Wonder Woman nears the end of its first chapter, Thompson teases a major tonal shift in future issues. “Issues #6 and #7 take place entirely in the underworld and are a blend of flashbacks and modern-day events. They delve deeper into Diana’s backstory and introduce new gods. They make heavy use of mythology. It’s a visually stunning piece.”
The transition to a new artist was a deliberate choice to solve the problem of artist Mattia de Ulis. “Hayden’s style is so unique that we didn’t want someone to come in and try to imitate it. Bringing in another voice adds a tapestry to the story,” Thompson explains.
proof of collaboration
Through innovative storytelling and meticulous artistry, Thompson and Sherman have crafted a Wonder Woman story that feels both timeless and revolutionary. Sherman recalls: “We are fortunate to be able to build on such a rich heritage.”
Each issue of Absolute Wonder Woman proves that its character’s enduring appeal lies not only in her strength, but also in her humanity.
Absolute Wonder Woman #4 will be released on January 22nd. Stay tuned for more coverage from AIPT.
