Wonder Woman’s Darkest Transformation Yet: A Witch from Hell?!
DC Comics has once again flipped the script on a classic superhero, and this time, it’s Wonder Woman who gets a radical reimagining. Enter Absolute Wonder Woman, where Diana of Themyscira isn’t just an Amazon warrior—she’s a literal witch from hell. Yes, you read that right. Forget everything you know about her golden lasso and peaceful diplomacy. In this Absolute Universe iteration, Wonder Woman wields dark magic, communes with Hecate, and rides a skeletal Pegasus into battle.
But why the drastic transformation? Writer Kelly Thompson and artist Hayden Sherman are behind this bold, supernatural twist, and according to them, it only enhances what makes Wonder Woman great.
From Themyscira to the Underworld
Unlike her traditional origin, where she was sculpted from clay by Hippolyta and blessed by the gods, this Diana was abandoned in hell as an infant. Raised by none other than the infamous witch Circe—one of Wonder Woman’s greatest foes in the main continuity—this version of Diana has been steeped in sorcery from the start. But even though she’s learned the ways of dark magic, she remains fundamentally heroic.
“She still has all these very superhero-y, classic powers,” Thompson explains. “But because they have this base of her being a witch, they feel different now.” The contrast between Diana’s nature and her upbringing creates an intriguing push and pull—she’s both the embodiment of compassion and a wielder of formidable, otherworldly magic.
Magic, Sacrifice, and a New Kind of Lasso
If you thought Diana’s enchanted weapons were already impressive, Absolute Wonder Woman raises the stakes. In the first few issues, we’ve seen her do the unthinkable—casting a city-wide spell of deafness for protection, sacrificing her own arm to fuel an arcane ritual, and using a mysterious new weapon: the Lasso of Transformation.
Created by Circe, this lasso allows Diana to change reality itself—though it comes at a great cost. When facing an ancient kaiju threatening Gateway City, she uses it to transform into a monstrous, Medusa-like being. But it’s a weapon that feels fundamentally un-Wonder Woman-like.
“This lasso is not very Diana,” Thompson admits. “It represents Circe’s philosophy, not hers. Diana believes in truth and clarity, whereas Circe believes in transformation and adaptation.” The tension between these two ideals plays a major role in Diana’s character arc.
The Mother-Daughter Dynamic of the Underworld
One of the most compelling aspects of Absolute Wonder Woman is Diana’s relationship with Circe. While the sorceress has traditionally been her enemy, in this universe, she’s her mother. And like any mother-daughter duo, they don’t always see eye to eye.
“There’s more darkness in Circe than there ever has been in Diana,” Thompson explains. “That’s a wedge between them, but also a way for them to learn from each other.” Over time, Circe’s influence shapes Diana, but surprisingly, Diana’s goodness starts to change Circe as well. Even Hecate, the goddess of witchcraft, acknowledges it: ‘You made her believe in transformation. Even more than me, it was you.’
What About the Lasso of Truth?
Wonder Woman’s iconic Lasso of Truth has been conspicuously absent so far. But Thompson assures fans that it will eventually appear, and when it does, it will carry significant meaning.
“In Absolute Wonder Woman, Diana has never met another Amazon,” Thompson teases. “Circe was forbidden to even say the word ‘Amazon’ to her. So when the Lasso of Truth arrives, it won’t just be a weapon—it will be a connection to her lost heritage, an anchor to who she truly is.”
The Future of the Absolute Universe
With Absolute Wonder Woman reaching a pivotal point in its storyline, the rest of the Absolute Universe is also expanding. March will bring Absolute Martian Manhunter, Absolute Green Lantern, and Absolute Flash, setting the stage for a crossover of epic proportions.
“The Absolute books were built with the idea that these characters are going to meet,” Thompson reveals. “The question is, how? Will they be drawn into each other’s stories, or will it be a slow build?”
One thing is for sure: the Absolute line is making a serious impact. With its daring reimaginings, darker tones, and deeper character explorations, it’s offering fresh takes on DC’s most beloved heroes. And if the possibility of an Absolute Justice League is on the horizon, fans are in for a wild ride.
Absolute Wonder Woman #5 is available now, with #6 hitting shelves on March 26. And for those who want to catch up, the collected edition of Absolute Wonder Woman Vol. 1 will be released in August. If you haven’t yet stepped into this twisted, magical take on Diana Prince, now’s the time to dive in!
