Absolute Wonder Woman Officially Replaces Superman as the First Hero in DC’s New Continuity

Warning: Spoilers for Absolute Wonder Woman #1With the dawn of the Absolute Universe, a new age of superheroes has begun, and this time it’s Wonder Woman who leads the charge. Her debut in this world is the first public emergence of a hero, as opposed to the main universe, where Superman comes first. In a stunning change to classic DC lore, Wonder Woman is the original superhero within continuity, taking Superman’s place as the one to start it all.

In Absolute Wonder Woman #1 by Kelly Thompson, Hayden Sherman, Jordie Bellaire, and Becca Carey, monstrous creatures known as Harbingers attack the innocent people of Gateway City. A news crew films the terrifying onslaught on camera and watches in horror while civilians flee from the scene. Then, they capture footage of something even more extraordinary: the debut of Wonder Woman as she appears on her Pegasus and engages the Harbingers in combat.

Because this impactful moment is caught on camera, it marks the first time the whole world gets to witness a superhero in action within the Absolute Universe’s continuity. Therefore, in this version of reality, Wonder Woman is officially the first public superhero.

Absolute Wonder Woman Debuts as the First Superhero in DC’s Reimagined Absolute Univere

Superman’s Role in the DC Universe Is Filled by Wonder Woman

With a new universe comes new heroes, and Wonder Woman has risen up to seize Superman’s former position as the first superhero to make her debut in the world. Her first battle takes place on-camera as soldiers watch her fend off Harbinger Prime and the hellish creatures that precede it. Wielding her over-sized sword, Wonder Woman makes a bold impression on the people of Earth as onlookers watch her make quick work of monsters in disbelief and awe. Wonder Woman has forever changed the Absolute Universe, and people won’t soon forget their first exposure to a superhero.

It’s worth noting that Wonder Woman is specifically the first hero in the Absolute Universe to make herself known publicly, as the first hero to be introduced to readers was Batman in Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta’s Absolute Batman #1. Although Batman’s first appearance was published first, his existence isn’t public knowledge, since there are few spectators and no cameras in sight. On the other hand, Wonder Woman’s arrival on the battlefield gets broadcast live on a much larger scale. Wonder Woman formally introduces the concept of superheroes to her universe, just like Superman did decades before.

As the Original DC Superhero, Superman Set the Standard For Heroes Before Wonder Woman

Superman Embodies a More Traditional Hero Than Absolute Wonder Woman

In DC’s primary universe, Superman makes his first appearance in Action Comics #1 by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. Published in June 1938, this story chronicles the origin of Superman and follows him as he saves a woman from execution. His heroic acts set the precedent for all DC heroes, but they also go even further. Superman doesn’t just set the standard for heroes in the DC Universe; he pioneers the superhero genre as a whole. What makes this such a timeless introduction to Superman, and to superheroes in general, is the way it characterizes the Man of Steel as a good person to his core.

Though Superman is widely regarded as the first superhero, he was technically preceded by the lesser known Doctor Occult, with this hero debuting in 1935’s
New Fun
#6 by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster.

Superman’s earnest crusade to enforce “Truth, Justice, and a Better Tomorrow”, as per his slogan, sets the bar for the rest of DC’s heroes that succeed him. He is a good-hearted superhero who’s adored by the public, presenting a traditional idea of what a superhero looks and acts like. His legacy has influenced the depiction of superheroes across pop culture, but especially in the DC Universe itself. There would be no superheroes if it weren’t for the precedent set by Superman in 1938, and now Wonder Woman is setting her own precedent in a new universe.

Wonder Woman Deviates From Superman’s Traditional Superheroic Image

Absolute Wonder Woman Has the Heart of a Hero, Despite Her Hardcore Origin

While Superman embodies the classical notion of a superhero in DC lore, the Absolute Universe’s edgy new Wonder Woman is a vastly different take on a hero. Raised in Hell by the witch Circe, this variant of Diana endures a rougher upbringing than the main continuity’s Superman. Her edgy redesign further reflects her more hardcore nature, wearing darker colors in lieu of Superman’s inviting reds and blues. When most people picture a superhero, they don’t picture a witchy warrior from the underworld. However, Wonder Woman’s actions solidify that she’s worthy of being her universe’s first public hero.

Looking for more reimagined DC lore? Check out the widely-acclaimed
Absolute Batman
#1 by Scott Snyder, Nick Dragotta, Frank Martin, and Clayton Cowles, available now – and soon to be reprinted – from DC Comics. Meanwhile,
Absolute Superman
#1 by Jason Aaron and Rafa Sandoval is available November 6th, 2024. 2025 will see the debut of
Absolute Green Lantern
,
Absolute Flash
,
Absolute Martian Manhunter
, and presumably more to come.

However, beneath Absolute Wonder Woman’s harsh exterior, a heart as pure as Superman’s lies untarnished by her difficult circumstances. This goodness at her core first makes itself known when Diana is just a baby, as she demonstrates compassion towards a lizard after it breaths fire on her. Her kindness towards other creatures evolves with time as she grows, until she proves her heroism by stepping up to protect the world in the Amazons’ place. The superhero calling reaches Wonder Woman just as it did Superman in DC’s primary continuity, proving that she truly is as good as he is.

Wonder Woman Paves the Way for the Absolute Universe’s Darker Take on Heroes

DC’s Absolute Superheroes Represent Hope Amidst Darkness

Wonder Woman being the first hero to publicly debut in the Absolute Universe displays what sets the heroes of this world apart from the original DC Universe. Because this reality was born from Darkseid’s energy, it’s home to versions of classic heroes who lack the advantages they have in their usual continuity. For instance, Wonder Woman has had her community of Amazons stripped away from her, while Superman is no longer raised by Jonathan and Martha Kent. With these disadvantages weighing them down, this universe’s heroes struggle more than ever as they come from much bleaker backgrounds.

The Absolute superheroes’ ability to bring hope to such a grim world makes them just as, if not more, heroic than their traditional counterparts.

As hopeless as this world seems for DC’s heroes, not even Darkseid’s meddling with their pasts can vanquish their hope entirely. Wonder Woman and the rest of her fellow heroes persevere despite the hardships in their way, forging their own paths to overcome insurmountable odds. The Absolute superheroes’ ability to bring hope to such a grim world makes them just as, if not more, heroic than their traditional counterparts. As opposed to the traditional Superman, Absolute Wonder Woman has introduced superheroes to the wider world, and the kindness that drives her into battle will set the standard for every other hero in DC’s new universe.

Absolute Wonder Woman #1 is available now from DC Comics.