ABSOLUTE WONDER WOMAN #19: Desperate Measures.

The toll of the battle may be weighing on Diana as she begins to lose control, and she heads towards desperate measures by calling upon the Lasso Troika. The Troika, however, will leave its user changed forever, as there will always be a trade-off.

Creative Team: Kelly Thompson (WRITER), Hayden Sherman (ART and COVER), Jordie Bellaire (COLORS and COVER), and Becca Carey (LETTERS).

SPOILERS AHEAD

The Story:

One of the best things about this run is how Kelly Thompson manages to put Diana in various predicaments to test her limits. There hasn’t ever been a repeat debacle or issue we have seen her face yet, and this issue works so well and is yet another example of excellent storytelling. Diana is willing to go to the most extreme measures to save a life, and she does so here when battling Zatanna’s father, who is trapped inside this flaming skeleton. Diana calls upon the Troika Lasso, and it’s useage shows her Lasso in a way we have never seen before.

Kelly additionally paints Zatara as a lost and frightened soul trapped within this demonic world. What the Season of the Witch has done is work Zatanna into the Absolute Universe, and Kelly has been able to do that in a manner that never feels forced. Diana and Zatanna are desperate, and Zatanna rescues her father and then utilizes her magic to pull Diana out as well. It’s excellent world-building allowing two strong characters equal time to shine and now work together.

The Art and Letters:

The artwork is stellar in this issue, opening with gorgeous color work in shades of purple and pink. The artistic work in how well Hayden makes the veil appear see-through comes across on the panels and blew me away. Every battle and every magic sequence always feels different from one another. When we enter inside to find Zatara, the scene switches to using bursts of deep blue and orange, making the panels stand out and the scenery change notable. Becca’s lettering adds in the desperation and fear Zatara feels, and how difficult the decisions Diana and Zatanna make are.

Final Thoughts:

Absolute Wonder Woman #19 sets up the upcoming finale of this Season of the Witch mini-series. Zatanna and Diana each make difficult decisions that impact the bigger story at play, and a future villain from Diana’s gallery may be coming into play very soon. This run continues to be exciting and full of magical moments making it one of DC’s best.

Overall Grade: 10/10

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