Absolute Wonder Woman #14: The World Around Us

Absolute Wonder Woman #14 continues Diana’s conflict against her newest enemy, a magical manifestation of herself that came into being as the “cost” of her presence on Earth as a hero. What follows is an action-packed issue that sees Diana resolve the conflict in a way befitting this Absolute Wonder Woman: through kindness, wit, and compassion. All the while, the events of the issue hint at much bigger ramifications down the line, painting a picture not only of Diana’s future enemies but also of her future potential allies.

As revealed in the previous issue, this new nameless threat is the embodiment of the “price” the world pays for Diana’s existence. This adds depth to this intermediary arc, forcing Diana to question whether her presence in this world, as a beacon of heroism, is truly what the world needs. This question naturally evolves into a broader discussion of why the world needs heroes in the first place. On one hand, the Absolute Universe’s need for heroes is made visually and thematically clear through the depiction of Darkseid’s influence over this reality. On the other hand, the idea resonates with real-world horrors that often make people long for heroes themselves. It’s a poignant commentary on the real-world implications and thought processes driving this series, adding further complexity to this well-crafted world.

The crux of the issue arrives when Diana confronts Gaia, accusing her of being too close to the world to fully understand its problems. Again, this moment functions as real-world commentary, illustrating how people can become blind to the injustices around them simply because they are too close to the issues to see how they affect others. Ironically, this is where Diana shines: as someone from a different place, she views every situation as an outsider, unbound to any singular group or power structure. This highlights how much people can learn by observing cultures and individuals with whom they have no personal stake.

The remainder of the issue paints a clearer picture of where the series intends to go. One example is the arrival of Absolute Zatanna, who hints at the adversarial role she will play in a future arc. Another is the setup for Diana’s imminent encounter with Absolute Batman in the next issue. These teases effectively build anticipation for the coming chapters. But the more intriguing development occurs after Diana forms an uneasy alliance with Gaia. Not only does Gaia release her, but she also declares that Diana must fight in her name moving forward. While this could be seen as simply the conclusion of one arc, it may also have major implications for Diana’s relationships with the gods. Gaia, one of the oldest and most powerful deities, aligning herself with Diana could create tension with other gods, potentially straining relationships that are far more harmonious in the main DC Universe.