The debut of Absolute Wonder Woman has radically reimagined Diana of Themyscira, weaving an epic new origin that now establishes her as the Last Amazon, Daughter of Circe, Princess of Hell, and a Witch of the Wild Isle. These thrilling changes reshape her character in bold ways, but this version of Wonder Woman also revives one of her most iconic—and my personal favorite—pieces of lore, albeit with an undead twist.
Despite only the first issue being out, Kelly Thompson, Hayden Sherman, Jordie Bellaire, and Becca Carey’s Absolute Wonder Woman is already one of my all-time favorite Wonder Woman stories.
The Absolute Universe has given Thompson and Sherman the creative freedom to reimagine Diana in a completely new way while preserving her long history, as the original Diana Prince and her classic origin still exist in the main DC Universe. Yet, despite all the new takes the duo brings to Absolute Wonder Woman, they’ve also brought back some of the old, reviving one of my favorite pieces of Diana's lore—Pegasus.
Pegasus Returns in Absolute Wonder Woman #1 With Hellish Makeover (Literally)
Diana’s Once-Pristine, White-Winged Horse Is Now an Undead Creature of Hell
Pegasus, originally sprung from the neck of Medusa, was once Wonder Woman’s loyal white-winged horse before eventually transforming into her now-iconic Invisible Jet. While Pegasus hasn’t appeared in his horse form in mainstream continuity for quite some time, he technically remains present as the jet in Tom King’s Wonder Woman series. This transformation from winged horse to Invisible Jet took place in Wonder Woman #128 (1962) by Robert Kanigher and Ross Andru, when, in gratitude for being rescued by Diana, Pegasus pledged his service and adapted to the modern world as her Invisible Jet.
In Absolute Wonder Woman #1, however, Pegasus returns as a winged horse but has undergone a dramatic makeover that matches Diana’s new origin story. Raised in Hell by the witch Circe, this version of Wonder Woman has a Pegasus who is also a creature of Hell, now depicted as a skeletal, undead horse with blackened bones and glowing red eyes. Despite these intense changes, Pegasus still sports a pair of pristine white feathered wings, creating a vivid contrast with his eerie new form.
While I’ve always loved the original Pegasus, I find myself especially drawn to this new version. As blasphemous as it may sound, I think I might even prefer this version. The design is a huge part of my preference, but I also love how Thompson has transformed Pegasus into more than just a mount, creating a dynamic between Diana and Pegasus that feels like a true partnership as they fight side by side. I also enjoy that this Pegasus has a budding personality—when Diana orders him to do a perimeter sweep, he snorts as if to say, “Don’t boss me around.”
Related
As a Wonder Woman Cosplayer, I Can't Wait to Recreate Absolute WW's Mind-Blowing New Design
Absolute Wonder Woman's new design is officially one of my favorite WW looks to date, and I'm so ready to use it for cosplay inspiration.
Absolute Pegasus Has a New Ability the Original Never Had
Pegasus Debuts His Hellfire Breath in Epic Battle
Alongside his badass, undead look and the beginning of a standout personality, this version of Pegasus showcases another difference from the original—he can breathe hellfire. While not explicitly confirmed, Sherman’s art shows Pegasus unleashing flames on the massive harbinger, and since he hails from Hell, it’s safe to assume these flames are hellfire. This is a major upgrade from the original Pegasus, whose abilities were limited to immortality, superspeed, and flight. It’ll be exciting to see if Absolute Pegasus has even more unique powers in store.
Absolute Pegasus Isn’t the First Time Wonder Woman’s Winged Horse Has Returned to Comics
Pegasus Got a Post-Apocalyptic Upgrade in Wonder Woman: Dead Earth
Pegasus’s return in Absolute Wonder Woman #1 isn’t the first time the winged horse has reappeared in comics with a less-than-alive look. He notably reappeared in Wonder Woman: Dead Earth (2020)—the post-apocalyptic Black Label series that follows Diana as she navigates the wasteland that was once Earth. However, instead of the majestic winged creature fans are used to, Pegasus was mutated by nuclear fallout, resulting in a gnarly redesign marked by gaping lacerations. While I thought this version of Pegasus was epic, I’m thrilled to say that Absolute Wonder Woman’s take on Diana’s companion is even more intriguing.
ABSOLUTE WONDER WOMAN #1 is available now from DC Comics!
 |
|
Wonder Woman
Wonder Woman is the superhero identity of Diana, Princess of the Amazons. Created on the island of Themyscira, Wonder Woman is a super-powered demi-goddess with extreme physical strength who utilizes magical gifts (like her famous Lasso of Truth) to defeat her foes. As mighty as her fellow heroes Superman and the Justice League, Wonder Woman is unmatched in her compassion and virtue.
English (US) ·