Writer: Kelly Thompson
Artist & Colorist: Mattia De Iulis
Letterer: Becca Carey
Editors: Ash Padilla & Chris Conroy
Cover Artists: Mattia De Iulis; Denys Cowan, Anthony Fowler Jr., and Francesco Segala; Haining; Hayden Sherman & Jordie Bellaire
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $5.99/$6.99 Card Stock
Release Date: February 11, 2026
Like all the best heroes, Diana's thoughts are always for other people. Yet helping others has painted a target on her back. Even when villains seek to hurt or subjugate others, Diana helps and protects them. Where will Diana's compassion lead her next? And how much danger will she brave to free someone from another’s control and oppression? Let’s pray for wisdom, leap into Absolute Wonder Woman Annual 2026 #1, and see!
Story
Diana wields the Athena blade forged by Hephaestus. The princess of Themyscira rides Pegasus and can conjure the darkest magicks. When a danger threatens that even she cannot defeat, Diana borrows another woman's plight to protect our world. But the curse, and the woman's pain and anger, overwhelm Diana. Only Steve Trevor's bravery and loyalty help Diana remember who she is and escape Medusa's curse.
So, in Absolute Wonder Woman Annual 2026 #1, Diana appeals to Athena. Thanks to emergency alerts in the Hieron, Diana can fly off to battle monsters and protect people at a moment’s notice. But when she returns, instead of recuperating from her efforts, Diana finds a quiet place and prays.
Kelly Thompson equates mythology with history in her story, reminding us that our understanding of the past comes from the victors. We hear Diana’s thoughts as she speaks with Athena and undergoes her trial. Like when she sought out Prometheus, Diana’s trial will be arduous. But this time, the stakes are higher.
Diana grew up in the underworld. Zeus stripped her of her people and her heritage. Apollo robbed her adoptive mother of the power to speak her people’s name. But Diana's heart was so full of love that she projected it at everyone she met. Even though her mind and spirit differed from theirs, Circe and the gods fell under her spell. After experiencing Medusa's anger and pain, Diana knows how those emotions have imprisoned her. So, in Absolute Wonder Woman Annual 2026 #1, Diana risks her life to free a monster, hoping Medusa will embrace a better future.
Art
Amid dramatic rescues and battles, Diana kneels and lays her face and arms upon the ground. After battling villains and monsters to rival the Tetracide amid smoke, fire, and flood, Diana ventures to the garden surrounding the Hieron. Or she ventures to a circular patio guarded by broken columns, where she kneels before an urn spilling blood onto the stone pavings. When Athena answers, yellow and white energy evokes Hecate. But when Diana meets her, Athena is resplendent in gold.
Mattia De Iulis adorns his art in Absolute Wonder Woman Annual 2026 #1 with a loaded palette of strong colors that pulse with as much vitality as Diana's heart. Red links the blood Diana sheds for others with the tattoos on her magical arm, the light that burns through her helmet eye holes, and the realm she must traverse to reach Athena. But green also forms a theme, linking the verdant plants surrounding the Hieron with the vibrance of Athena's realm, and her lasso of transmogrification with the gorgon she wishes to help.
Becca Carey uses white block letters to differentiate time and place. Uppercase black letters occupy white dialogue balloons. Diana's thoughts fill white narrative boxes with WW in the top left corner. Athena's words glow white within orange balloons, while Medusa's larger font distorts balloon borders. Sound effects enhance screeching, screaming, violent impacts, rapid air currents, and claws seeking purchase as an angry monster threatens to squeeze the life from a compassionate hero. Thanks to DC Comics for sharing this story with us.
Final Thoughts
Memories define us and color how we see the world. Yet everyone's recollection of the same event may differ in profound ways. While attempting to aid a soul in torment, Diana struggles to reconcile the god she knows with the stories others have collected about her in Absolute Wonder Woman Annual 2026 #1.
Rating 9.8/10
To look inside see my preview of Absolute Wonder WomanAnnual 2026 #1.
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