Absolute Wonder Woman #15 is a Bright Light in a Dark World (Review)

After months of waiting, it’s finally time for the Absolute Universe to come together with a team-up between Wonder Woman and Batman. Ever since it began, the Absolute Universe has been a colder, rougher place. Unlike the Prime DCU, the heroes in the Absolute Universe lack many of their creature comforts, their families, and their allies. Heroism hasn’t been impossible, but figures like Superman and the Flash face greater difficulty fighting a system rigged against do-gooders. But despite the overwhelming odds, two particular heroes have defied the established order and become true champions of the people.

Absolute Wonder Woman was the first hero to make a public stand, protecting Gateway City from the potentially world-ending rampage of the Tetracide. Absolute Batman has similarly made a name for himself to the people of Gotham as one of the only crusaders against the corruption and exploitation killing his city. Bruce and Diana’s actions have put huge targets on their back and the powers that be are doing everything they can to eliminate them. But Absolute Wonder Woman and Batman’s first team-up is a shining example of why hope is possible, even in a seemingly hopeless world.

Rating: 4.5/5

Absolute Wonder Woman #15 is Everything Fans Were Hoping For

Absolute Wonder Woman #15 by Kelly Thompson and Hayden Sherman follows up on the previous issue’s cliffhanger, with Diana chasing down the symbol of Hecate that’s shown up in various murder scenes in Gotham. Wonder Woman draws out Batman, and the two get along surprisingly well, enough for Bruce to escort Diana to the most recent crime scene. However, what neither of them anticipates is that this is actually a ruse concocted by their respective enemies, Veronica Cale and the Joker, in a bid to take control of Wonder Woman.

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Batman and Wonder Woman’s investigation leads them to a ritual where Diana’s body is corrupted. Wonder Woman is forced to attack Batman, and the confrontation is every bit as brutal as you’d expect. However, Batman is able to snap some sense into Wonder Woman by using a magical talisman to break the spell placed on her. Though the investigation proved fruitless, Wonder Woman and Batman walk away as friends. Diana even suggests that they start reaching out to more heroes because, as this adventure proved, things are simply better with them working together.

Absolute Wonder Woman #15 is More Than a Team-Up, It’s a Message of Hope

Kelly Thompson and Hayden Sherman have been a hell of a creative team, and I’m so happy they were the ones to handle such an important moment in the Absolute Universe. As the very first crossover, one featuring two of its most popular characters, this story needed to do a lot of things. It needed good characterizations for both heroes, it needed a compelling plot, it needed some seriously good action, and it needed to look damn good all at once. Fortunately, Absolute Wonder Woman #15 hits every mark it needed to.

First off, let me just say how happy I was to see Hayden Sherman’s art here. They get so many amazing things to draw here, from Diana’s magic green Bat Signal to the fight between Batman and Wonder Woman. The pages are constructed so neatly and creatively. And Bruce carries the same raw strength and intensity he has in Absolute Batman. But at the same time, there’s a gentleness that really complements Diana. Even something as simple as Batman and Wonder Woman just talking in the snow is something incredibly visually pleasing.

With this being the first Absolute Universe crossover, expectations were high for Kelly Thompson. But she was able to surpass those expectations by giving us a story that had Bruce and Diana at their best. Over the past year, we’ve seen just how dark the Absolute Universe is. And this book recognizes that, it doesn’t pretend that things are going to be magically better just because Wonder Woman and Batman have found one another. But the story does posit the idea that even when things are dark, having others in your life keeps hope alive.

I’ve been saying that the Absolute Universe has resonated with readers because of how relatable a world run by villains feels. But Absolute Wonder Woman #15 uses its crossover to tell us that even when things seem hopeless, we can draw strength from the people around us. Thompson and Sherman could have delivered a simple ‘hero meets hero’ crossover. Instead, they gave us a comic that doubled as a message about the power of collaboration. If hope can thrive even in the Absolute Universe, then maybe there’s hope for us, too.

What did you think of the Absolute Universe’s first crossover? Let us know in the comments or share your thoughts on the ComicBook Forum!