The first DC Comics panel at San Diego Comic Con 2024 was all about “Absolute Power.” It took place on Thursday, July 25 from 12:45 pm - 1:45 pm, the panel featured new glimpses of the new Absolute Universe. In terms of heroes, the new iterations of DC’s “big three” were given the spotlight: Absolute Batman, Absolute Superman and Absolute Wonder Woman. But what is awaiting Princess Diana, the Ultimate Amazon, in this brave new Absolute Universe?

Wonder Woman at DC’s Absolute Power Panel

It’s immediately clear that Wonder Woman’s story capitalizes on the fact that “ultimate” means “final.” While Diana is still the Absolute world’s first superhero, she’s also the last of the Amazons. Instead of being raised on Themyscira, she was raised in Hell. She carries a sword the size of a Keyblade and is a witch in addition to being a warrior. 

And if that isn’t enough to whet your Absolute Wonder Woman appetite, she also rides a Pegasus skeleton. Without Themyscira, the sisterhood or the Amazons or her mission of peace, what will be left of Diana? 

DC All In Special #1 artist Daniel Sampere emphasized how this incarnation of Diana has posed a creative challenge. “We knew that the character was iconic for many people,” said Sampere, underscoring how much thought went into her portrayal.  "I wanted to do her super-strong, with muscles, but at the same time, I wanted to make her kind. That contradiction is very hard to put on paper.”

Whatever the answer to that question may be, this incarnation of Diana may be forced to find it herself. That’s because there’s a emphasis on isolation between the characters in this Darkseid-created offshoot of the DC Comics universe. 

Furthemore, these incarnations of Wonder Woman, Superman and Batman don’t have many of the privileges of their prime universe counterparts. In fact, Kaminski revealed the original title for the “Absolute Power” event was “Powerless.” In addition to Diana’s altered backstory and loss of lasso, Batman will be left without monetary resources and Superman is left without his empathetic demeanor. 

Can removing the characters from their historical advantages get to a deeper truth? DC All In Special #1 arrives at your local comic shop on October 2, 2024.

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