Absolute Wonder Woman Brings Back a Classic Villain (& It Could Be Huge)

by

As a die-hard movie enthusiast, I must say that “Absolute Wonder Woman” breathed new life into the iconic superheroine by introducing a fresh origin while keeping the charming essence of Princess Diana intact. Contrary to popular belief, she was raised in a harsh environment, yet her commitment to truth, love, and protection remains unwavering – though she’s not without her changes.

One significant alteration to the mythos is the disappearance of the other Amazons, with Diana’s sisters vanishing mysteriously at the hands of the gods. She stands alone as the last Amazon, yet her quest remains twofold: to locate her missing kin and safeguard our planet from unimaginable horrors lurking in the shadows.

Issue #8 hinted at the arrival of a new Amazon sister, but when Diana set out on her search for her lost sibling in issue #9, she instead stumbled upon a reimagined version of an old nemesis instead.

Wonder Woman Must Brave the Labyrinth of Area 41

With Doctor Poison firmly under control, Diana ordered the government-funded villain to cease operation of her Tetra-Spiders which were causing chaos in Gateway City. Facing the possibility of being thrown out a window, the malevolent doctor complied and informed Wonder Woman about an Amazonian secret hidden beneath Area 41. Older than the government facility itself, it housed various supernatural entities and prisoners, with an Amazon allegedly living there since its discovery. After obliterating all Tetra-Spiders, Wonder Woman warned Doctor Poison to never attempt such a scheme again or face her wrath. Later, she returned to her base where Steve attempted to dissuade her from walking into the apparent trap. However, being Wonder Woman, she was driven by the need to assist an Amazon in distress, even if it meant entering a clearly laid trap.

As Diana started weaving a spell, there was a sudden recollection of her childhood days on the Wild Isle. She found herself waking her mother to share a dream about a woman adorned with antlers and stained with blood, which Circe identified as Artemis. She urged Diana to dress up neatly and arm herself as much as possible, expressing concern that this event occurred prematurely. In the current moment, Diana opened a gateway into the Labyrinth, finding it strikingly similar to an ancient maze. Almost instantaneously, she encountered a minotaur engaged in combat with a horde of aquatic humanoid creatures, or Men-Fish. It was evident that one side was under attack unfairly, but Diana had to determine which party needed assistance before intervening. She bound the minotaur using her Nemesis Lasso, which revealed he was the victim in this situation. Upon discovering he possessed her axe, the two of them collaborated to fend off the Men-Fish onslaught.

Ferdinand, the minotaur, disclosed that the Men-Fishes were planning to kill Petra, an injured siren under his protection. To escape before more Men-Fishes arrive with backup, Ferdinand, Diana, and another companion hurriedly left. Diana inquired about how long Ferdinand had been stuck in the labyrinth, to which he replied that it had always been his home. Feeling sorry for him, Diana asked if he’d ever encountered any Amazons. Ferdinand said that Clea, who rules the maze, claims to be an Amazon, but all he’s seen as proof is her strength. This seemed to irritate Clea, who then appeared with a group of Men-Fishes, demanding respect as Queen Clea. Wonder Woman prepared for a battle, declaring that Clea was not truly an Amazon.

Queen Clea is One of Wonder Woman’s Oldest Enemies

In the initial appearance within volume one, issue 8 of Wonder Woman, I made my debut – amusingly enough, this was foreshadowed in the compilation Absolute Wonder Woman. Although not an Amazon in either universe, I hail from Atlantis and rule a small city there. It became a common practice among me to enslave men within my kingdom and force them into gladiatorial contests, a custom that naturally conflicted with Wonder Woman’s values. Over the years, our paths crossed numerous times, culminating in me forming and leading Villainy Inc., an organization established to oppose the Amazonian princess. With roots dating back decades, I am one of her oldest adversaries, and my presence here significantly impacts the mythology of the Absolute Universe.

Initially, Clea’s existence suggests that Atlantis could be real, given her ability to command sea creatures and strength akin to the Amazons. This discovery might open up further tales about the prominent cities of Atlantis, and particularly the broader lore associated with Aquaman’s universe. Furthermore, if Clea claims Amazonian lineage, it raises questions about whether Diana’s sister truly exists or if the rest of the Amazons have been secretly hidden by the gods for a long time. Since Ferdinand and Clea are well-versed in the ways of the Amazons, it implies they haven’t been gone so long that their existence has been erased from memory. There’s even a slight chance another Amazon could be captive within the maze controlled by Clea. The upcoming series Absolute Wonder Woman promises to delve deeper into the rich mythology of Wonder Woman, leaving me eager to uncover more secrets.

Absolute Wonder Woman #9 is on sale now!

https://comicbook.com/comics/news/every-wonder-woman-ranked-dc-comics/embed/#

Read More

2025-06-26 01:11