This week sees the release of Absolute Power’s third and final Wonder Woman tie-in, which sees our heroes make a mad dash to free Amanda Waller’s prison. After a hilarious exchange between Damian and Diana, the issue sees the pair continue their exploits with a Steve Trevor twist – and the kissing doesn’t stop during the escape!
Continuing from where we left off, Wonder Woman and Damian know where the heroes are being held, so all they have to do is sneak in and figure out their next step. Traveling with them are Wonder Woman and Steve Trevor, who can’t stop kissing her, which starts a recurring gag of the two of them not being able to keep their hands off each other while Damian cringes.
This gag works for two reasons: first, because Damian is a boy, he finds this kind of kissing a bit gross; second, because it shows that Steve and Diana are pretty confident and don’t mind taking a break in between kisses. Sure, it feels a bit over the top at times, but it works. Damian is also overly serious in between these kisses, so it contrasts the two moods nicely.
The dynamic between the three of them is really great.
Credit: DC Comics
If you like Tom King’s dialogue, you’ll love this issue. The interactions between Steve, Damian and Diana are natural and effortless and wonderful. The affection between Diana and Steve is apparent as they tease and uplift each other.
This issue seems incredibly important to the larger event storyline, not only does it introduce and free a major hero, but it also advances that element towards the upcoming Absolute Power chapter. It’s another example of how DC Comics makes every tie-in feel important and not just a money grab. Some might argue that freeing a hero is a bit too easy, but that’s not the real purpose of this issue.
The art by Tony S. Daniel is fantastic, and as this is a largely dialogue-driven story, angles are tucked in where necessary. One of the best scenes sees a depowered Wonder Woman facing off against men with machine guns, and Daniel uses clever angles to convey the confidence and extreme fear they feel as they realize they’re in danger.
It also includes backup from King and artist Cully Randolph. It’s a clever story that hinges on Damian’s perspective in the future, as he recounts the events of this issue and past issues to Trinity in detail, but from his biased perspective. We get to see the events of this issue, but Wonder Woman is in awe of Damian, and the dialogue is overly sanctimonious and redundant. It’s a bit basic, but it works well.
Randolph’s art has a slightly cartoony feel to it that matches Damian’s perspective — Randolph looks super cool and Wonder Woman looks older and more calm — and the character acting does a good job of portraying Damian’s obviously exaggerated retelling of the facts.
Wonder Woman #13 nicely concludes the Absolute Power tie-in story, emphasizes the team-up aspect with Damian, and nicely advances the larger storyline, and more importantly, King’s lines land every time, feeling natural and appropriate to his interpretation of Wonder Woman.
“Wonder Woman” Volume 13 expresses the character’s personality in a prison escape scene
Wonder Woman #13
Wonder Woman #13 nicely concludes the Absolute Power tie-in story, emphasizes the team-up aspect with Damian, and nicely advances the larger storyline, and more importantly, King’s lines land every time, feeling natural and appropriate to his interpretation of Wonder Woman.
Damian and Wonder Woman team up again
Back Up is a fun retelling of events through Damien’s eyes.
Event story progression
Diana and Steve’s sexuality seems a bit excessive.
Breakouts seem too easy
