Absolute Wonder Woman #25 (DC Comics, 10/28/26): Writer Kelly Thompson and artist Hayden Sherman send Diana into a fear-gripped city to find her friend Barbara, with tragic results. Kelly Thompson’s script brings Diana face-to-face with an Absolute villain for a largely satisfying milestone issue. Verdict: A solid pick.
Credits:
- Writer: Kelly Thompson
- Artist: Hayden Sherman
- Colorist: Jordie Bellaire
- Letterer: Becca Carey
- Cover Artist: Hayden Sherman (cover A)
- Publisher: DC Comics
- Release Date: October 28, 2026
- Comic Rating: Teen
- Cover Price: $5.99
- Page Count: 28
- Format: Single Issue
Covers:
Analysis of Absolute Wonder Woman #25:
First Impressions:
Absolute Wonder Woman #25 is the big one fans have been waiting for. After reading it, it was good to very good. It lacks a little oomph, which is par for the course with Kelly Thompson’s writing style, but it’s a good one.
Recap:
In Absolute Wonder Woman #24, Diana battled Phobos and Deimos, the twin gods of fear, who had disguised themselves as Zeus’s giant eye to terrorize Gateway City. Drawing on lessons from her childhood and using her magical weapons, Diana fought to overcome their fear-inducing powers, but the twins exploited her greatest weakness: her fear of losing Barbara Minerva. Meanwhile, Diana planned to use the dangerous Tetracide to create an antidote to fear, while the issue’s final moments hinted at a terrifying new stage in Barbara’s transformation into Cheetah.
Plot Analysis (SPOILERS):
The issue begins with Diana conjuring an anti-fear potion to counteract the effects of Phobos and Deimos’s magic on the city. Meanwhile, Phobos and Deimos plot their next move when their meeting is interrupted by Cheetah. Phobos and Deimos are mildly ambivalent to Cheetah’s arrival, but they soon learn their lesson when Cheetah eats them.
Elsewhere, Ferdinand tries to convince Steve Trevor to take the anti-fear potion. Steve resists at first, but he agrees when his desire to help Diana outweighs his fear. After he takes the potion, Steve heads to the armory for a weapon. There, he was summoned by Hecate and transformed into the god’s emissary in exchange for his vow to give his life to protect Diana.
Later, Diana finds Cheetah, but she’s saddened by the transformation. Diana tries to get Cheetah to surrender, but the Cheetah refuses, leading to a brief fight that Cheetah wins. While Diana is knocked out, we see a brief flashback to Diana and Circe visiting Hephaestus to collect a special weapon in the shape of a gauntlet that Diana was inspired to create after visiting the mortal world.
When Diana wakes up, she tries to activate the new gauntlet but is attacked by Cheetah before she can say the magic word. As Cheetah pounces, intending to bite Diana and turn her into a Cheetah monster like her, Steve Trevor arrives to save the day with multiple arms and magic.
How is the story in Absolute Wonder Woman #25?
Kelly Thompson’s latest issue, which is a deserved milestone, brings Diana face-to-face with the grotesque interpretation of the Absolute Universe’s Cheetah. For longtime Wonder Woman fans – Absolute or not – that’s a big deal. Thompson piles on plenty of emotional conflict, giving Cheetah’s transformation depth and weight to make the confrontation more meaningful than simply good guys and bad guys punching each other. Their relationship has reached a tragic impasse.
That said, the issue lacks oomph and dramatic punch. Much like the series as a whole, Diana never expresses urgency over Barbara’s disappearance. When she finally finds Barbara – now Cheetah – the emotional expression is one of sadness and disappointment instead of anything that would force Diana to act decisively. The general tone is sedate, which isn’t terribly gripping or exciting.
How is the art in Absolute Wonder Woman #25?
Hayden Sherman’s art style is a good fit for Thompson’s writing style. Sherman’s linework has gotten consistently sharper as the series has progressed. The panel compositions are well done, and Sherman’s imaging of the mystical elements, such as Cheetah’s grotesque form and Steve Trevor’s upgrade, is imaginative.
Characters
Diana’s sedate, stoic demeanor takes center stage as the focal point of this issue. She almost cracks a smile after she takes the anti-fear potion; she looks mildly sad when she learns of Barbara’s transformation, and she looks somewhat pleased at Hephaestus’s warm greeting. That’s about as much emotional range as you could ask for in this series.
Originality & Concept Execution
Diana versus Cheetah is a tale as old as time in DC Comics, but the big twist or originality comes from Steve Trevor’s upgrade. The implications of becoming an Emissary of Hecate are certainly worth watching.
Pros and Cons
Art Samples:
The Scorecard:
Writing Quality (Clarity & Pacing): 3/4
Art Quality (Execution & Synergy): 3/4
Value (Originality & Entertainment): 1/2
Final Thoughts:
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Absolute Wonder Woman #25 brings the longtime adversaries – Diana and Cheetah – together for the first time in the Absolute universe. Kelly Thompson’s script delivers interesting character and relationship developments, especially for Steve Trevor, and Hayden Sherman’s art is clean.
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