DC Comics reviews 8/26/26 – JLU 22, Absolute Wonder Woman 23

Absolute Wonder Woman 23

A new story arc kicks off this issue as Diana returns from her 30-day stint in the Underworld and she’s ready to find her friend, Barbara.

Before being taken, Diana was in the hands of Veronica Cale who was examining her and Barbara. Cale is convinced Wonder Woman will eventually be a threat to the world and wants to take precautions on how to stop her when “the inevitable” occurs.

Of course a month later, Cale has abandoned that lab prompting Wonder Woman to seek her out and threaten some serious consequences if Cale doesn’t tell her the location of her friend. Wonder Woman doesn’t know that Barbara has agreed to be the new host for the Cheetah, likely setting up a reunion Diana will not welcome.

Instead of jumping to that encounter right away, writer Kelly Thompson teases some other more immediate potential challenges for Diana. Etta reconnecting with her friend, Barbara Gordon, in Gotham could prove useful while Ares being summoned and consumed for not going after the Amazons probably won’t bode well.

Hayden Sherman returns to provide the art for this issue. The series has had some amazing artists providing fill-in stints, but Sherman fully established the visual tone for the series. The creative panels and layouts show why Sherman is the first artist that comes to mind when thinking of Absolute Wonder Woman.

Jordie Bellaire’s strong mix of colors and the ease of shifting between darker and brighter moments complements Sherman’s artwork splendidly. Becca Carey’s lettering is always cleanly done and it remains fun seeing how she incorporates magic spells and sound effects.

The Heretic arc gets off to a promising start made even more notable by the solid cliffhanger teasing another epic battle for Diana.

Rating: 9 out of 10