Absolute Wonder Woman: As My Mothers Made Me (Comics) | Review

The "As My Mothers Made Me" arc examines what happens when Diana discovers the truth about her origins and the forces that shaped her. Without spoiling specifics, this storyline deals with revelations about the Amazons, the gods and Diana's manufactured purpose.

Thompson's central conflict explores whether Wonder Woman can exist as her own person rather than a weapon forged by divine forces with their own agendas. This Diana doesn't have inherited heroism or clear moral certainty. She's discovering her "mothers" created her for purposes not aligning with justice or compassion.

The mythology-building expands beyond Greek pantheon basics into stranger, darker territory than expected. Thompson treats gods not as benevolent guardians but as entities with competing interests who view mortals and demigods as expendable tools for their schemes.

Supporting cast dynamics shift as Diana questions who she can trust. Relationships from Volume 1 fracture under revealed deceptions. Thompson shows why Diana continues fighting when every foundation crumbles, watching someone rebuild their sense of self from fragments.

Action sequences serve character development rather than spectacle. Each major confrontation forces Diana to choose between competing visions of what she should be. Physicality matters because combat externalizes internal struggles about identity and autonomy. Every battle is Diana fighting a destiny forced on her by others.

The Absolute Universe connections weave through without overwhelming the core Wonder Woman narrative here. References to events in other Absolute titles add texture for readers following the full line. Those sticking exclusively to Wonder Woman won't feel lost whatsoever.

Diana's character arc anchors everything throughout the story arc. This isn't some static hero refinement but fundamental transformation as she confronts uncomfortable truths. By the end, she's measurably different from where she started. Not all changes point toward the traditional heroism or Wonder Woman that readers expect.

The villains challenge Diana philosophically rather than just physically in brutal confrontations. Antagonists represent different answers to questions about free will, destiny and identity. Some want control, others want destruction but all force Diana to articulate who she truly is.

Thematic exploration of identity, autonomy and constructed purpose runs throughout without easy resolutions. Thompson asks whether heroes can exist outside the systems designed to create them. When Diana questions her path, the story provides no reassuring answers.

Reading seven issues consecutively benefits pacing significantly. Story beats that might have felt drawn out monthly flow naturally together. Revelations build on each other with proper dramatic weight. The collection format lets Thompson's longer-game character work breathe without frustrating waits between story payoffs.

The mythology Thompson constructs feels cohesive rather than random changes. Gods, Amazons and Diana's origins get filtered through harsher lenses questioning power structures and manufactured heroism. What emerges is alternative mythology standing on its own.

Hayden Sherman's art defines the Absolute Wonder Woman aesthetic through expressionistic intensity. His designs trade classical beauty for raw emotional presence. Diana looks powerful but vulnerable, caught between divine expectations and human desires. Sherman prioritizes emotions over traditional superhero idealization.

Page layouts favor emotional impact over composition. Sherman's rough, scratchy linework won't appeal to everyone seeking polished, traditional art. Fight choreography feels desperate rather than choreographed, with Diana struggling against forces wanting to reshape her.

Colors by Jordie Bellaire amplifies the mythological mood without overwhelming Sherman's pencil work. Divine realms look oppressive rather than majestic, lit by unnatural light creating unease. The palette shifts between earthy human moments and surreal godly sequences.

Thompson's scripting balances mythology with character work better than most pantheon-heavy stories. Dialogue sounds like people confronting existential crises about identity. Diana's narration provides context without over-explaining. When gods articulate their intentions, it feels organic rather than mere exposition dump.

Absolute Wonder Woman Vol. 2: As My Mothers Made Me justifies this universe by proving these aren't alternate versions but different stories worth telling. Thompson and Sherman built something standing on its own merits while remaining recognizably Wonder Woman.

This works for readers accepting that not every Wonder Woman story needs empowerment or divine purpose. Darkness serves thematic purposes rather than shock value. If you want Wonder Woman stripped to essentials and rebuilt questioning heroic identity, it delivers.

The value proposition depends on your tolerance for reinvention. Long-time Wonder Woman fans might struggle with how radically different this feels from established characterization. Newer readers or those tired of continuity baggage will find a fresh entry point that doesn't require decades of prior context to appreciate it.

As My Mothers Made Me arc cements this as one of the Absolute Universe's strongest titles. It's ambitious, complex and never boring. Whether it's your Wonder Woman is subjective but it's undeniably someone's definitive version. That's more than most re-imaginings can claim.