Wonder Woman #36 Review
Writer: Stephanie Williams
Artist: Clayton Henry
Colorist: Pedro Estouco
Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Cover Artist: Jeff Spokes
Variant Cover Artists: David Nakayama; Aco; Carlo Pagulayan;
Jason Paz; Elmer Santos
Editors: Marquis Draper & Brittany Holzherr
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $4.99/$5.99 Card Stock
Release Date: August 19, 2026
When Diana died, her daughter locked herself away behind a
wall of grief. So, as they traveled back through the Underworld with the
Ferryman, Steve Trevor told Lizzie a story. It was a story Diana had told him
when she was determined to investigate every aspect of the world beyond
Themyscira. It concerned Hippolyta's decision to tell Diana about her time with
the JSA. Both mother and daughter shared a desire to make the world a better
place. Yet Hippolyta's experiences filled her with despair, while Diana would
go on to find hope in the most hopeless situations.
But now, Diana lies dead. Like her mother, Elizabeth Marston
Prince must choose her own destiny. What will Lizzie take away from Steve's
retelling of her mother's journey? And how will the Fates react to Lizzie's
life choices? Let’s leap into Wonder Woman #36 and see!
Story
Steve Trevor and Elizabeth are on a journey together. But in
Diana's absence, what kind of trip they are taking together seems very much in
doubt. This time, Steve is traveling back to the world above, and a final
goodbye with Diana seems unlikely. And in her grief, Elizabeth forgets that she
was once Wonder Robin, a girl who would do anything to find her father.
Amid the tension on the boat in Wonder Woman #36, Steve
remembers being an unwanted visitor to Diana's island home. Despite his
expertise as a soldier, Steve felt overwhelmed by the Amazons' battle prowess.
Hippolyta had proclaimed a contest to return Steve to the outside world and
serve as Themyscira's emissary there. Still, the Queen's life would be less
complicated were an accident to befall him.
As he fondly recalls his earliest remembrances of Diana,
Steve methodically paces his story. He wants to maintain his daughter's
interest. Yet, he also wants to give Elizabeth sufficient time for the implications
of his story to sink in. Emelie is there, but Diana's bout with her is a small
part of the contest. After her time with the JSA, Hippolyta realizes an
emissary needs more than swordcraft to succeed.
In Stephanie Williams’ story, Hippolyta becomes a tragic
figure. With a throne awaiting her back home, she could never commit herself to
the outside world. Yet as Diana competes with her contemporaries, Hippolyta
watches, knowing that her daughter’s fondest desire is to leave her in Wonder
Woman #36.
Art
Amid glimpses of the hooded Ferryman, the wooden boat
carrying Steve and Elizabeth seems to float through space instead of across
water. Clayton Henry shows the colosseum rise below it, the arena floor filled
with Amazon training equipment. Hippolyta sits in the royal box, her thoughts
clearly inward, while the women seated to either side look away. As the
competitors line up for her inspection, one wears a mask.
Streaks of violet adorn the indigo sky of the Underworld,
while the River Styx mirrors the glittering sky above. Steve Trevor wears
green, while Elizabeth’s blue, gold, yellow, and red echo her mother’s costume.
As Pedro Estouco crowns Wonder Woman #36 with warm tones and vibrant colors,
golden statues line the upper walls of the colosseum. Steve's blond hair links
him with the Kangas, while one animal's browband evokes the color and design of
Diana's later tiara.
Clayton Cowles fills white dialogue balloons with black
uppercase letters. Words shrink for lowered voices and grow bold for intonation
after the trials have finished. Block letters emphasizing diagonals locate us
in time and space. Steve’s blond uppercase narration occupies green boxes. Sound
effects enhance trials that make Steve forget he is an unwanted intruder on a
woman-only island. Thanks to DC Comics for sharing this story with us.
Final Thoughts
Diana, Hippolyta, and Elizabeth are Amazon heroes. Despite
their desire to help others, they all know their limitations. As Steve Trevor
returns to the outside world with Elizabeth, he doesn't want to lose her to
grief. So, just as the ancient Greeks told stories about gods and heroes, Steve
tells his daughter a story to help her make sense of her new reality. Because,
in a world without Diana, someone must arise to take her place in Wonder Woman
#36.
Rating 9.6/10
To look inside see Wonder Woman #36 Preview.
For the first part of Steve's tale, see Wonder Woman #35 Preview.
For Diana's battle with Lyssa in the Temple of the Moirai, see my review of Wonder Woman #34.
For what happened before that, see my preview of Wonder Woman #33.
For what happened before that, see my review of Wonder Woman #32.
For how The Wonder War began, see my preview of Wonder Woman #31.
