There’s a lot to be excited about with the “DC All In” initiative and its new Absolute universe. That’s especially true of Absolute Wonder Woman, a bold reinvention of an iconic character. With issue #1 hitting comic shops on October 23rd, writer Kelly Thompson and artist Hayden Sherman create Diana of Themyscira in an entirely new world. In that world, her familiar traits of compassion and strength remain intact but reimagined in some truly extraordinary ways.
In an exclusive interview, Thompson and Sherman talk about the creative process, challenges, and what makes this version of Wonder Woman different from anything we’ve seen before.
This is an edited version of the interview. For an expanded, unedited version of this conversation, be sure to listen to the October AIPT Comics Podcast.
Provided by: DC
Provided by: DC
Provided by: DC
Provided by: DC
Find the right angle for Wonder Woman
It wasn’t easy for Thompson to face Wonder Woman. In fact, she almost withdrew from the project entirely.
“I almost quit because I didn’t understand it,” she admits. “I was just a few days away from calling Scott[Snyder]and saying, ‘I’m sorry.’ I know this is going to really mess you up, but I just don’t get it.”
The challenge for Thompson was to find a way to reinvent Wonder Woman without stripping her of the core principles that make her iconic.
“‘God of War: Wonder Woman’ just doesn’t sit well with me,” Thompson explains. “I keep running into the wall of, ‘How do I change her without changing her?'”
The breakthrough came when she came across a simple but profound question in her notes. “Which Wonder Woman?” This led Thompson to explore ways to preserve the essence of Princess Diana while creating a world where everything changes around her.
“How can she change everything around her and still be who she is, the Wonder Woman that people will always recognize,” Thompson said.
Courtesy of DC Comics.
perfect partnership
Hayden Sherman’s artistic style paired perfectly with Thompson’s fresh take on Wonder Woman. Sherman, known for his dynamic layout and unique style, was immediately roped into this ambitious project.
“I’ve always loved Wonder Woman, but seeing this version made me think, ‘Wow, this is the one I’ve been waiting to get into,'” Sherman says. “I just have to make sure I don’t drop the ball.”
The two worked together seamlessly, and Sherman fully embraced the complex ideas Thompson brought to the table. When Thompson suggested Wonder Woman with tattoos, Sherman didn’t hesitate, despite the artistic challenge.
“(They) were totally, totally on board. They were like, ‘Yeah, if you have a great idea, let’s do it,'” Thompson said. Sherman added, “If it’s a good idea, we should put it in there.”
As Thompson explains, the tattoos serve a deeper narrative function, connecting to the plot in important ways.
“The tattoos have a very specific plot function,” Thompson says, hinting at the layers of storytelling fans will discover in the series.
visual evolution
One of the key elements of Absolute Wonder Woman is the evolution of Diana’s appearance. Her costume initially leaned toward traditional Greek armor, but Sherman realized that being too true to history would make her feel less like Wonder Woman and more like an average Greek warrior. Ta.
“She started to deviate from the feeling of being Wonder Woman,” Sherman explains. “So, to break away from that, we came up with the idea of bringing in another era.”
The result is a visually unique Wonder Woman, whose armor is a hodgepodge of different eras, creating a utilitarian, found-and-found look. “It has to be practical and something she can fit in with,” Sherman explained. “Her arms and legs are covered because they have to deal with forces that could potentially sever them.”
This new look, combined with Princess Diana’s portrayal as a “stranger in a strange land,” ensures that she never fully blends into her surroundings, a deliberate choice by Thompson and Sherman. be.
“She should be the oil for the world’s waters,” Thompson said, emphasizing how Princess Diana’s otherness is integral to her story.
Provided by: DC Comics
Provided by: DC Comics
cut down to the core
In an absolute world, characters are usually stripped of what defines them and placed in more difficult situations. For Wonder Woman, this means being cut off from the paradise of Themyscira.
“She’s still called the Princess, the Princess of Hell,” Thompson says, but points out that Princess Diana is no longer surrounded by her sisters and the warrior culture that shaped her. This change made Wonder Woman more aggressive and inflexible, but still made her core values recognizable.
“She’s the world’s first superhero, and that changes the nature of how she interacts with the world,” Thompson said, referring to Princess Diana’s public debut as humanity’s first superhuman. I guess so,” he said.
wonder woman magic
One of the most exciting aspects of this reimagined Wonder Woman is its embrace of her magical heritage.
“She’s 100% a witch,” Thompson revealed. This new world centers around Diana’s use of magic, from casting spells to handling magical artifacts. Thompson added: “That’s how she was raised. This is what’s inside her.”
Fans of Wonder Woman’s mythical roots will appreciate how Thompson and Sherman weave these elements into the character’s backstory. This magic, combined with Diana’s formidable physical strength, positions her as a force unlike any other hero in the Absolute Universe.
Courtesy of DC Comics.
magic of pegasus
Among Absolute Wonder Woman’s many memorable elements, the appearance of the skeletal Pegasus has already captivated fans’ imaginations. This mystical horse will not be a one-time appearance, but a recurring ally in Wonder Woman’s battles.
“Pegasus is her friend, her partner, her ally,” Thompson said. “He’s not just a tool or a one-time trick.”
Sherman quickly embraced the idea of including such a fantastical creature, despite the well-known challenges faced by artists when depicting horses.
“I’m really a sucker for good ideas,” Sherman says. “Even when Pegasus isn’t in the main story, I feel the urge to add one flying around in the background.”
Skeleton Pegasus isn’t just for aesthetic purposes, it represents Diana’s journey through a darker, more hellish world. Their presence is both practical and symbolic, reinforcing the dark, apocalyptic atmosphere of this world while adding an element of epic fantasy to the story.
Courtesy of DC Comics.
A whole new world
The world of Absolute Wonder Woman is as different as Diana herself. Thompson and Sherman are careful not to spoil too much, but they do hint at a larger mythology at play.
“We’re starting with a bigger, more monstrous feel,” Thompson said, referring to the Lovecraftian creatures and deep mythology that challenges Diana throughout the series.
Gateway City, Princess Diana’s new home, will also play an important role.
“I strongly believe that Princess Diana has the right to have her own city, just as Superman has Metropolis and Batman has Gotham,” Thompson said. “That’s supposed to be her home base.”
Who are Princess Diana’s symbolic allies and enemies? Thompson assures fans that there will be some familiar faces, but the introductions will be a slow burn.
“Many of the people in Princess Diana’s world are villains or have the potential to be villains,” Thompson says. “So we’re going to take it a little bit more slowly.”
A bold new wonder woman
With Absolute Wonder Woman, Thompson and Sherman create a version of Diana that stays true to her heart while exploring bold new territory. This Wonder Woman is more aggressive, more magical, and more complex than ever.
“She’s still the Wonder Woman that people always recognize and aspire to, because she’s so unique in that way,” Thompson said.
Fans of the Amazonian warrior won’t want to miss this thrilling reinvention that promises to bring action, magic, and a whole new dimension to the world’s most iconic female superhero.
