Wonder Woman #36 Review

 

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. 

 

Batman/Superman: World’s Finest 2026 Annual #1 Review

 

Batman/Superman: World’s Finest 2026 Annual #1 Review

Writers: Mark Russell; Mark Waid & Tyrone Finch

Artists: Clayton Henry & Patrick Boutin

Colorists: Pedro Estouco & Romulo Fajardo Jr

Letterer: Steve Wands

Cover Artist: Dan Mora

Variant Cover Artists: Rahzzah; Clayton Henry & Arif Prianto

Editors: Chris Rosa & Paul Haminski

Publisher: DC Comics

Price: $5.99 US/Variant $6.99 US (Card Stock)

Release Date: July 29, 2026

 

When Superman, Batman, and Robin searched for a missing Air Force pilot, they ended up on another world. Batman and Robin befriended Warlord and his savage and beautiful cadre. Then Batman disappeared amid his search for Superman. But no one anticipated that Air Force pilot Randall Kreitzer, transformed into Tyrant Rex, could drain Superman of his powers and bestow them on his trusted lieutenants.

 

Now, Superman, Batman, and Robin have returned from Skartaris. Warlord can live out his Edgar Rice Burroughs dreams without interference from Robin. Where will the World's Finest team travel next? And what trouble will they find? Let's leap into Batman/Superman: World's Finest 2026 Annual #1 and see what happens!

 

The Hero Trap: Story

Bruce and Clark wanted to honor their fathers with a celebratory meal. But Bruce worries that Alfred won't like Clark's choice. When Jonathan and Alfred arrive, Jonathan feels at home in the Middle Ages-themed restaurant. Yet Alfred is ill at ease.

 

When Clark and Bruce receive alerts before Jonathan and Alfred can peruse the menu, Bruce leaves to assess the situation. But while Jonathan remains buoyant in Clark's company, Alfred withdraws further.

 

As Mark Russell splits the narrative between Batman, Superman, and the men who raised them, he also focuses on their dilemmas. Batman and Superman seek to rescue their friend. Yet Jonathan and Alfred, who taught them how to be heroes, must wait to learn their fate. Both fathers wrestle with letting their children live their lives, while worrying about the dangerous road they set their sons upon in Batman/Superman: World's Finest 2026 Annual #1.

 

The Hero Trap: Art

A knight clad in plate armor guards a fortress with his spear. Inside, Bruce and Clark sit side by side. Yet both men look away, as if alert for danger. When the men who raised them arrive, Jonathan waves to his son, while Alfred leans away from the wooden tables where a squire takes dinner orders.

 

As Clayton Henry conveys the action and drama, Pedro Estouco lavishes a richly colored palette on Batman/Superman: World's Finest 2026 Annual #1. While red and blue dominate scenes as both sets of heroes seek to solve a mystery, Alfred's gray vest links him with Bruce Wayne's suit and the Batmobile. Jonathan's red flannel links with the hero in need of rescue, the SUV Bruce climbs into, and the Batmobile’s turbine exhaust. While the heroes play Detective Comics in a blue room, muted colors adorn the memories that flow through their elders’ minds.

 

Date Night: Story

In the Fifth Dimension, Bat-Mite and Mr Mxyzptlk yearn for entertainment. But when Bat-Mite reads a comic asserting that Batman is a better match for Lois Lane, Mr Mxyzptlk attempts to rewrite the story. As Mark Waid and Tyrone Finch switch the action to Earth, Superman has left Lois Lane in danger to address a global threat. But Clark Kent never suspected how Bruce Wayne would stick close to Lois Lane.

 

Both Batman and Superman have egos. Clark may know Bruce is just having fun at his expense. Still, Clark decides to show Bruce just how much fun he can have as Lois’ date. After Jonathan worked tirelessly to lighten Alfred’s spirits in The Hero Trap, Clark and Bruce’s antics further lighten the tone in Date Night.

 

Date Night: Art

When Mr Mxyzptlk spies Bat-Mite eating a sandwich while reading a copy of Batman/Superman: World’s Finest 2026 Annual #1, he zooms over to grab the comic. As it floats between them, opposing waves of energy rush toward the empty pages. Then, the first page of Date Night appears. Superman rises to the forefront while Earth orbits beneath him. But when he returns to Metropolis, Superman flies past the iconic Daily Planet building toward another destination.

 

Romulo Fajardo Jr adorns Patrick Boutin’s manga-style art with a vibrant palette. As Superman hovers above them, red shadows tinge Lois and Bruce's features. When Superman interferes with their evening, Bruce exchanges his black suit for red, yellow, and blue clothes. Yet red proves Bruce's nemesis, even as Lois pulls him close and smiles at him with her red lips.

 

Lettering

Steve Wands fills white balloons and boxes with black uppercase lettering. The words shrink for lowered voices and grow bold with intonation. Large white letters in blue fields locate readers in time and space while Superman’s thoughts appear as white uppercase letters in blue boxes. Sound effects enhance vehicles, gunfire, surprise attacks, and rescue attempts. And after Batman realizes a name on a door spells death, sound effects accompany his attempt to impress the woman Superman adores. Thanks to DC Comics for sharing this story with us.

 

Final Thoughts

Jonathan and Alfred defended their country. After they left the military, the men advised their sons on their future campaigns. Jonathan and Alfred may not give their sons orders when Superman and Batman leave on their missions. Yet neither man has any intention of gracefully retiring from Fatherhood in Batman/Superman: World’s Finest 2026 Annual #1.

 

Rating: 9.6/10

 

To look inside see my preview of Batman/Superman: World’s Finest 2026 Annual #1.

 

For what happened last time, see my preview of Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #53. 

 

For what happened before that, see my preview of Batman/Superman: World's Finest #52. 

For how this story arc started, see my preview of Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #51.

For what happened even before that, see my preview of the oversize anniversary issue Batman/Superman: World's Finest #50.