Absolute Wonder Woman #11: Selflessness Against All Odds

Absolute Wonder Woman #11 picks up with Diana having fallen into the pit after her battle with Clea, which resulted in a hallucinogenic haze that sent her perception haywire. The issue then shifts to a flashback detailing Diana’s encounter with a god, who tasks her with completing an impossible challenge, something she accomplishes by showcasing her grace and her ability to avoid conflict and death. Back in the present, the beast at the bottom of the pit is revealed to be Io, the lost Amazonian warrior Diana had been searching for since the beginning of the arc.

This run has been defined by intense bouts of action and magic, coupled with the sheer power of hope and love that radiates through Diana’s entire being. That theme is on full display in Absolute Wonder Woman #11, with the flashback and present-day story serving as an opus that highlights Diana’s persona clearly and perfectly. Writer Kelly Thompson captures this concept with uncanny precision, portraying Diana as someone who constantly strives to do the right thing, against all odds. In this case, Diana discovers that Io has been sheltering victims of Clea’s wrath in a secret city beneath the maze, constantly searching for a way out. While Diana could easily lead a rebellion and rally whoever she could to victory, she instead refuses to let any of those suffering fall victim. Instead, she guides them on a path to freedom, resigning herself to the fate of ending the prison the maze has become. This selflessness in the face of insurmountable odds is exactly what makes this new interpretation of Wonder Woman so endearing to fans, and what makes the story so powerful on an empathetic level.

The superb character work remains a highlight, though it never overshadows the sheer spectacle of the series. Thompson and artist Hayden Sherman have crafted one of the most visually and conceptually striking titles in the Absolute publishing line, pushing Diana deeper into a world of magic that has become seamlessly infused with her character. In Absolute Wonder Woman #11, this is especially evident in the way she conjures potions and manipulates her environment. Every time this occurs, it expands the lore of this world. This is achieved through direct and sincere storytelling paired with artwork that is never bogged down by exposition.

Many comics nowadays fall victim to “writing for the trade,” structuring arcs primarily for collected editions rather than delivering complete stories in each issue. While Absolute Wonder Woman #11 is part of the larger narrative that will eventually be collected in volume two, it also succeeds powerfully as a single issue. The flashback, introduced early, reinforces the care Diana brings to every situation while also serving as foreshadowing for the issue’s conclusion. In many series, such foreshadowing wouldn’t pay off until the final issue of the arc or even later. Here, however, the immediate payoff makes the story feel complete, earned, and well worth every penny.