DC Made the Perfect Choice for Wonder Woman's New Mother in Huge Lore Change

Warning: Spoilers for Absolute Wonder Woman #1DC has revealed the new mother of Wonder Woman in a massive change to the character’s lore, and it might be the perfect choice. Instead of being raised on Paradise Island, this new version of Diana was taken as an infant by Apollo and sent to the Isle of Hell, where she was raised by Circe.

Absolute Wonder Woman #1 by Kelly Thompson, Hayden Sherman, Jordie Bellaire, and Becca Carey is the debut of the Absolute Universe’s version of Wonder Woman, and her origin story is told within this issue. The issue is divided into two narratives: one focuses on the present-day as Diana makes her debut as this world’s first superhero, while the other is about her childhood in Hell and being raised by Circe.

This massive change proves to be perfect for Diana in this universe, giving her all the tools she needs in order to survive. In addition, the idea behind this change represents the ethos behind the entire Absolute Universe: the idea that these characters can grow up without their traditional advantages and still become noble heroes.

Circe’s New Role in Absolute Wonder Woman a Wonderful Change to Her Traditional Canon

Diana's Villain Becomes the Woman who Raised Her

In the mainstream DC Universe, Wonder Woman and Circe are typically depicted as enemies, with the latter being among Diana’s most notable foes. This massive change to their dynamic, reimagining the pair as mother and daughter within Hell, completely reframes them in the Absolute Universe. This reframing actually makes perfect sense, as Circe is equipped with the knowledge and tools to properly raise Diana in Hell. This new origin also shows the two of them having a positive effect on one another, as Circe notes that raising Diana has helped soften her heart, visually represented by their cave transforming into a home.

Just as important is that, despite this brand-new upbringing, Diana still grows up into Wonder Woman. While the world she was born into is darker and crueler, she remains compassionate and kind, even while growing up in Hell. One of the central ideas behind the idea of the Absolute Universe is that characters like Wonder Woman, Superman, and Batman, even when their traditional origins are altered and when they don’t have the same advantages they had before, still grow up into heroes. Wonder Woman’s new origin perfectly exemplifies this point.

Wonder Woman’s New Origin Proves the Point of the Absolute Universe

Hope and Love Can Still Thrive in Darkness

Individually, each of these massive changes to Wonder Woman’s origin could lead to a villainous origin story for her in any different continuity. Being raised by one of her enemies or growing up in Hell certainly could create that villainous framework. But the beauty of this change is that Diana still ends up as a force for good and, even as a child, clearly has a positive effect on the world around her, especially as she softens the heart of one of her greatest foes. These changes aren’t changes for their own sake; they exist to prove the heroic nature of these characters.

Related

Absolute Wonder Woman Showcases New Dark Magic Powers in Her First Ever Battle

The Absolute Universe's dark new Wonder Woman unleashes her witchy magic against a mighty foe as the Princess of Hell begins her first battle.

This creative team made the perfect choice in recasting Circe as Diana’s mother in Absolute Wonder Woman. This change fits perfectly into the new universe that the publisher has created, but it also serves as an interesting spin on Diana and Circe’s dynamic. Just as important is that Diana still grows into Wonder Woman and still becomes a hero despite her radical new upbringing. It’s a wonderful, remarkable change to both characters, and one which aids both Absolute Wonder Woman as a series and the Absolute Universe as a mission statement.

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.

Created By William Moulton Marston , H. G. Peter

First Appearance All Star Comics

Alias Diana Prince

Alliance Justice League, Justice Society of America, Justice League Dark, Justice League International

Race Amazon-Olympian

Birthday March 22

Height 5'8"

Comic Books Wonder Woman

Summary

First appearing in 1941, Wonder Woman is the premiere female superhero of DC comics. Working alongside the likes of Batman, Superman, and other DC heroes, she has been a staple in comics and superhero movies for decades. Whether fighting solo or as a member of the Justice League, Wonder Woman never rests in her mission against evil.