DC Comics’ Absolute Universe has proved that Diana will always be confident in her actions while remaining humble and appreciative. For example, in issues 1-5, Wonder Woman thanked the gods who helped her before, during, and after attacking monsters that could kill her.
Once again, this is shown in Absolute Wonder Woman No. 6 after she is taken to the underworld by the Greek god, Hades.
Absolute Wonder Woman No. 6 creative team
- Writer: Kelly Thomas
- Artist: Mattia De Iulis and Dustin Nguyen (Li’l Diana)
- Colors: Mattia De Iulis, Dustin Nguyen, Jordie Bellaire
At the end of Wonder Woman No. 5, Diana is dragged to the underworld after defeating the tetracide. Her friends on Earth didn’t know what had happened. In the next issue, readers learn that Hades took her for what he deems as disrespect to the gods. Among the “atrocities” was briefly freeing Prometheus from his chains and torment.
Diana's help wasn't completely selfless. Her mother (Hecate) needed Prometheus’ blood to forge Wonder Woman's red lasso, Nemesis. Prometheus obliged but also resurrected Pegasus to be her companion. The latter angered Zeus because he was the one who killed the legendary flying horse. This made the king of the Greek gods send the last basilisk after her. Diana defeats the giant serpent and, with her mother’s help, adds the basilisk’s remains to make Nemesis more powerful.
So far, everything has gone right for Diana since being exiled to the Isle of Hell. She defeated a being that would have destroyed the world and became known as the Hero of Gateway City. She even talked to the god of the underworld like they weren’t equals. There was arrogance, ridicule, and disdain whenever she spoke to him. It's understandable, considering how she and her mother were treated by the gods. Diana came to regret that at the end of Absolute Wonder Woman No. 6 when Hades revealed that he has Hecate helplessly chained above him and his throne.
"Ah. At last. No more smart remarks from that too-sharp tongue."Hades "Wonder Woman" No. 6
Absolute Wonder Woman has been close to perfect from its first issue thanks to Kelly Thompson displaying Diana’s many skills with artists Hayden Sherman (issues 1-5) and Mattia De Iulis (issue 6) bringing it to life with their incredible art. While her battles weren’t a walk in the park, Wonder Woman has come out on top. It almost seemed a little too easy, and that’s where Hades and the Greek gods come in.
Kelly Thompson (Captain Marvel and Jessica Jones) knows how to tell a story about powerful people better than most. When you have a protagonist who isn’t easily defeated, you must find ways to keep them interesting. In this case, you have Diana. A demigod with super strength who can fly and knows magic. How do you compete with that? You put them up against spiteful deities who will do anything to keep the pressure on the people they’re oppressing.
Absolute Wonder Woman No. 6 ends with “Next: The Arena!” and I believe this is where we see the Amazons. Hades said that he knows Diana’s weaknesses, and they extend beyond Hecate. She needs to protect people, and the Greek gods are known for being petty. So much so that they had Amazons banished from Earth to the point that even their names can’t be said. This is likely because of a prophecy of the Amazons rising up and taking them down. A future the gods themselves certainly set in motion.
Removing their names was only the beginning. The next step would be to make them fight for their amusement. Don’t be shocked if issue 7 is Diana fighting her sisters leading to a revolution and I’m here for it. Stay tuned to Bam Smack Pow to find out if that happens.