Absolute Wonder Woman #15

Absolute Wonder Woman has been on an interesting journey across the past few issues, as Diana is faced with all sorts of threats from all corners of her mythical side of DC’s Absolute Universe. However, things are only heating up with this month’s issue, as we finally get our hands on the first major superhero crossover that this Absolute initiative has seen thus far, as Wonder Woman crosses paths with Batman, an allegiance that is set to continue in the upcoming Absolute Batman issue. However, as exciting as this event is, is it possible that this long-awaited crossover was just…ok?

Today, we’re reviewing the Absolute Wonder Woman #15, with spoilers included! Make sure you read the issue for yourself if you’ve been keeping up to date with the series, and want to see this series’ Absolute Batman crossover play out for yourself! So, let’s get into it! It’s time to dive into our Absolute Wonder Woman #15 review!

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Absolute Wonder Woman #15 Review

Image by DC Comics

Compared to the options on the table when it comes to the first major crossover event in the Absolute Universe, a meeting between Wonder Woman and Batman feels like an odd choice. It seems like a much more obvious choice to pair Diana up with Superman, considering the two share a presence in the much larger-scale conflicts of this universe, while Batman may have had a more familiar relationship with a character like Martian Manhunter. However, if the Absolute comics love to do anything, it’s defy expectations, and so, Absolute Wonder Woman #15 sees our titular heroine cross paths with the Dark Knight himself – so, how does it play out?

For the most part, I enjoyed Absolute Wonder Woman #15, thanks in no small part to the charming dynamic between Wonder Woman and Batman, despite their being the most unlikely of duos to mesh together this well. There’s some great banter between the two heroes, while Batman’s lack of understanding in the witchcraft department puts him on good footing with Wonder Woman, who falls behind him when it comes to detective work. However, while their dynamic is great, I do think that Batman suffers with this being an Absolute Wonder Woman comic for a multitude of reasons. So, let’s dive into those now.

Absolute Wonder Woman #15 deals primarily with ideas of witchcraft, ritualistic sacrifices, and the creation of a homunculus. These are all very, very Wonder Woman-oriented ideas, particularly with the frequent mentions of Hecate and blood magic. The only real tie to Batman’s side of things is the fact that these murders actually take place in Gotham, as otherwise, it would feel completely nonsensical for Bruce to even be here at all. Unfortunately, Bruce himself also feels a little toned-down from his usual self, likely due to the Absolute Wonder Woman comics not showcasing anywhere near the level of carnage and brutality that the Absolute Batman comics do. Absolute Wonder Woman #15’s Batman feels like a Batman in his twilight years, only a few short missions away from retirement, whereas the usual Absolute Batman feels like a Batman filled with angst and youthful rage. Diana and Bruce work well together here, but this doesn’t really feel like the Bruce we’ve come to know.

Image by DC Comics

As for this story itself, well, it’s alright. I’m almost certain that this whole ‘blood ritual’ storyline is only the beginning of something much bigger to come, and our protagonists basically confirm that in the closing pages of Absolute Wonder Woman #15. For now though, this plot was only so-so, an, at times, thrilling murder mystery, with a supernatural ending that leans heavy into the magical elements of Absolute Wonder Woman, while leaving poor Batman completely isolated from his usual vibe. I think the real contribution of Absolute Batman to this issue was the gore, which was plentiful in both the issue’s art, and its dialogue.

The bombastic finale of Absolute Wonder Woman #15 does gift us a battle between Batman and Wonder Woman, but unfortunately, Diana is down an arm for the majority of the fight, so we never really get to see it unfold. There are some great action panels in Absolute Wonder Woman #15, such as a beautiful shot of Batman bursting through a roof onto some unsuspecting witchcraft practitioners, and a stunning side-by-side of Batman and Wonder Woman fleeing an explosion. However, the battle itself isn’t anything to write home about, mainly because we’re left wondering how a fair fight would play out between these two. You might think Diana has the upper hand, what with her taking on literal gods in past issues of Absolute Wonder Woman, but if you’ve read Absolute Batman, you’ll know that some of the foes this version of Batman has taken on could be considering demons from Hell themselves.

The art is great as always, as Hayden Sherman continues to be my favourite artist of the Absolute Wonder Woman series. I also feel that, from a narrative perspective, Sherman’s Absolute Wonder Woman is the most consistent of stories, but we’ll get back to that shortly. As talented as Sherman is, and as much as I think that his version of Diana is the definitive version of her character, I don’t know how well he captured Batman here. Particularly with the final panel, where he wishes Diana ‘Happy Holidays’, I can’t help but feel I’m looking at a completely different man from the Absolute Batman we’ve come to know. This does leave me very excited to see how Diana will be portrayed when she returns in the next issue of Absolute Batman – perhaps she’ll face the same issues that Bruce did here.

Image by DC Comics

However, Wonder Woman’s presence in Absolute Batman #16 isn’t the only promising future crossover teased in Absolute Wonder Woman #15. As Batman and Wonder Woman say their goodbyes, we learn that both of them are very interested in befriending Superman, and not only him, but ‘lots of friends’. I think it’s a little early for any sort of Absolute Justice League to form, but you can’t say the potential isn’t there. Absolute Green Lantern is certainly becoming a lot more grounded in recent issues, and well, anything that could save Absolute Flash from its current rut is a win in my book. There’s big plans for the future of our Absolute heroes, and Absolute Wonder Woman #15 is just the beginning.

However, moving away from all that collaborative talk, Absolute Wonder Woman #15 also sets up the next chapter for Diana very well, as we learn that the next issue of this comic will focus on introducing Zatanna to the story. In the last Hayden Sherman issue of Absolute Wonder Woman, we saw Zatanna for the first time, and learned that she will be deployed to kill Wonder Woman. This is a very new take on this character, and her constraints in Absolute Wonder Woman #12 certainly implicate that Thompson will be featuring a much more savage take on her. I cannot wait to see Zatanna in action, so Absolute Wonder Woman #16 has quickly become one of my most anticipated comics of the near future.

So, Absolute Wonder Woman #15 was a good time, but what does it say when I’m more excited to see Zatanna appear in the next issue of this comic than I am to see Bruce and Diana work together again in the next issue of Absolute Batman? As much as these two characters blended together well, I think the ball was dropped a little with the plot – but hey, this is just the beginning! What did you think of Absolute Wonder Woman #15? Be sure to let us know your thoughts in the comment section, and thank you for reading!

See also: The Best Comic Books for Adults

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