Absolute Wonder Woman #19 continues the battle between Diana and Veronica Cale’s Suicide Squad. Things got to the point in the previous issue that Diana had to finally use her Troika lasso against a powerful magical threat. The Troika lasso is something we’ve seen Diana hold back from using. What exactly it does is finally going to be revealed. And if other reveals in the Absolute Universe are any indication Troika could have some unbelievable abilities. Let’s find out with Absolute Wonder Woman #19.
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Kelly Thompson
Artist: Hayden Sherman
Colorist: Jordie Bellaire
Letterer: Becca Carey
ABSOLUTE WONDER WOMAN #19 SOLICITATION
“ABSOLUTE WONDER WOMAN WILL NEVER BE THE SAME! Diana is unraveling and surrounded by enemies. But it is only when things are darkest that one should call upon the lasso Troika. For Troika… leaves you changed.” – DC Comics
REVIEW
Absolute Wonder Woman #19 continues to add layers to the mythology around Diana of the Wild Isle. Arguably, this issue does the most to explain a lot of what we’ve seen go done in this first 19 issues of the series. Specifically, when it comes the types of relationships we have seen Diana have with others and how that impacts the stories pacing by extension. What’s established here will now make you pay attention to all the nuances moving forward with the series.
Aphrodite Reveals Surprising Details About Diana
The biggest revelation made in Absolute Wonder Woman #19 was what Diana shares with the Goddesses that helped train her. During the scene between Aphrodite and Circe we learn that through her training with each of her patron Goddesses, Diana has inherited traits from each one. In Aphrodite’s case it is being able to have an attractive aura that makes it easier for others to “love” her.
This revelation explains a lot about how things have gone in this series thus far. We’ve seen that while Diana is a fish out of water after leaving her hellish island it wasn’t tough for her to gain special relationships. Once she started interacting with people, she was able to befriend them. That includes the likes of Absolute Batman and Zatanna, two people who have shown themselves to have their own rough personalities before meeting Diana.
At the same time, Aphrodite is quick to point out that this, and likely other Goddesses’ traits, that Diana inherited is a double-edged sword. Because she has this aura that makes it easy for others to love her Diana may never know if friendships and other relationships are genuine or because of her Godly trait. Based on Aphrodite’s reaction when talking with Circe this will likely be a thing that will weigh heavily on Diana once she comes to learn about these unknowingly acquired traits she has.
Troika Unbelievable Power
The Troika lasso power is shown to have some impressively unique abilities. Sending not just the person it is used against but also the wielder, in this case Diana, to a limbo-like plane was visually interesting. Hayden Sherman and Jordie Bellaire did a great job at showing how unique of a place limbo-like plane that Troika sent Wonder Woman and Zatara to be. You felt that there was no escape until Zatara overcame whatever Troika was forcing him to face about his past.
This made the development of Zatanna using her magic powers to help free her father led to an unexpected development. Because by Zatanna forcibly entering Troika’s limbo, she caused Wonder Woman to be stuck due to Zatara not overcoming his demons inside it. While Zatanna eventually helps Wonder Woman return to normal this development shows us why Troika is something that can’t be regularly used. It’s something that Wonder Woman only use in the direst situations as the risks are too high with regular use.
Absolute Zatanna & Zatara Reunion
The reunion between Absolute Zatanna and Zatara was properly emotional. Kelly Thompson quickly tapped into their father-daughter connection and how impactful Zatara’s situation was on both. We spend just enough time with them together after Zatanna helps save her father to want to read more about both characters dynamic.
This also helped to establish an even stronger connection between Absolute Wonder Woman and Zatanna. This whole experience that they’ve had with this story arc has created a strong bond between the two. Thompson leaned into it in the aftermath of the whole Troika situation. It’ll be interesting to see if we see Zatanna become at least part of the supporting cast for this series moving forward. There is certainly a lot that can be done between the two, especially with how it could play into the Aphrodite revelation.
Veronica Cale Goes All Out
Absolute Wonder Woman #19 showed that Diana was able to overcome the Absolute Suicide Squad. That obviously does not sit well with Veronica Cale, who we see at her wits end trying to take out Wonder Woman. Wonder Woman rescuing Zatara and getting Zatanna on her side was the last straw as she sends out her ultimate weapon against Diana.
All of this is a unique thing because in the other Absolute Universe titles we don’t see this frustration from other villains. This could be part of the Goddess traits that Wonder Woman has playing a role as thing ultimately turn out well for her. Whereas with other Absolute Universe heroes, even when they save the day the villains still have the upper hand. That is not the case for Veronica Cale, as shown by her visible frustration at what Diana accomplishes.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Absolute Wonder Woman #19 is yet another phenomenal entry in DC Comics best series. Kelly Thompson, Hayden Sherman, and Jordie Bellaire show us how every action has a consequence. Whether that is good or bad depends on the characters. That along with the revelations made about what makes Diana of the Wild Isle adds a whole new layer of intrigue for her relationship with other people and the world.
Story Rating: 10 Night Girls out of 10
Art Rating: 10 Night Girls out of 10
Overall Rating: 10 Night Girls out of 10
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