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5 Reasons Hayden Sherman's Absolute Wonder Woman Art Is DC's Most Radical Redesign

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As of December 22, 2025, the comic world is buzzing about the bold new direction for Diana Prince, spearheaded by the critically acclaimed *Absolute Wonder Woman* series. This is not just another re-launch; it is a complete artistic and narrative reinvention, with the "Absolute Wonder Woman art" becoming a lightning rod for discussion among fans and critics alike. The art style, primarily by Hayden Sherman, is a deliberate, radical departure from traditional superhero aesthetics, pushing the boundaries of what a DC icon can look like in the new Alpha World.

The term "Absolute Wonder Woman Art" specifically refers to the visual language of this ongoing series, which is part of DC’s ambitious new Absolute Universe (AU) imprint, overseen by writer Scott Snyder. The art is so distinct—described by some as a "pencil-scratch, rough-hewn" look—that it instantly sets this iteration of Diana apart, making it one of the freshest and most unique interpretations of the Amazon Princess in decades. This deep dive explores the creators and the revolutionary artistic choices that define this new era.

The Visionaries Behind the Absolute Wonder Woman Art: Kelly Thompson and Hayden Sherman

The success of the *Absolute Wonder Woman* series and its polarizing yet brilliant artwork rests on the shoulders of its core creative team: Eisner Award-winning writer Kelly Thompson and breakout artist Hayden Sherman. Their combined vision has delivered a story and aesthetic that are both true to the character's core and aggressively modern.

Kelly Thompson: The Writer

  • Role: Writer, *Absolute Wonder Woman* (2024–Present).
  • Notable Works: Thompson is an established superstar in the industry, known for her celebrated runs on Marvel titles such as *Hawkeye*, *Black Widow*, and *Captain Marvel*, as well as the fan-favorite IDW series *Jem and The Holograms*.
  • Background: She holds a degree in Sequential Art from The Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD), giving her a deep, academic understanding of comic book storytelling.
  • Impact on WW: Her writing in the new series focuses on distilling Diana Prince to the "very core of what makes her great," exploring the heroic aspects of her character while reimagining her origin in the Absolute Universe.

Hayden Sherman: The Primary Artist

  • Role: Artist, *Absolute Wonder Woman* (Primary, issues #1–5, #7+).
  • Notable Works: Sherman is an award-winning comic artist known for their distinctive style on titles like *The Few*, *Dark Spaces: Wildfire*, *Predator vs Wolverine*, and *Detective Comics*.
  • Style Signature: Their art is frequently described as "pencil-scratch," "rough-hewn," and a "jagged, feverish blend of grotesque and elegant." This style is central to the look of the Absolute Universe.
  • Vision for Diana: Sherman explicitly aimed to "push this Wonder Woman away from a swimsuit model" depiction, focusing instead on a more grounded, powerful, and mythologically resonant design.

The synergy between Thompson's character-driven writing and Sherman's visceral, unique visuals is what defines the Absolute Wonder Woman art and narrative. They are joined by the talented colorist Jordie Bellaire and letterer Becca Carey, who complete the book's distinctive look.

Decoding the "Jagged and Elegant" Style: Hayden Sherman's Revolutionary Art

The artwork in *Absolute Wonder Woman* is the most talked-about element of the series, representing a significant stylistic shift for a major DC character. This is not the clean, classical line work of George Pérez or the sleek realism of other modern artists; it is something entirely new, designed to fit the high-stakes, alternate reality of the DC Absolute Universe (AU).

1. The Rough-Hewn Aesthetic

Sherman's style is characterized by its intentional roughness. Lines are often "jagged" and deliberately unpolished, a stark contrast to the smooth, hyper-detailed art common in mainstream superhero comics. This "rough-hewn" look is not a lack of detail, but a choice that lends a visceral, almost raw energy to the action. It makes the world feel unstable, reflecting the nature of the Alpha World, a parallel reality that emerged following events like the DC All-In comic and the machinations of figures like Darkseid.

2. Enhancing the Mystical and Godly Elements

One of the style's greatest strengths is how it elevates the Greek mythos inherent to Wonder Woman's story. The art enhances the "godly and mystical elements" of Diana’s world, making Themyscira and its inhabitants feel more ancient, alien, and powerful. The rough textures and stylized figures give the story a sense of realism while leaning into the concepts of Greek mythology, which is a key component of the new series, often collected in volumes like *Absolute Wonder Woman Vol. 1: The Last Amazon*.

3. The Anti-"Swimsuit Model" Redesign

Sherman's approach to Diana’s design was consciously aimed at moving away from the "swimsuit model" trope that has historically plagued female superhero depictions. The new design is practical, powerful, and emphasizes Diana's strength and warrior status. This new visual interpretation is a critical part of the series' mission to "distill" DC's heroes to their essential, most powerful forms within the Absolute Universe.

4. The Influence of Animation Concept Art

Critics have noted that the look of the series has an "animation concept art" feel to it, suggesting a dynamic, storyboard-like quality that prioritizes motion and expression over static perfection. This approach creates a sense of constant movement and tension, perfectly suiting a hero who is constantly in action and conflict, facing new threats like the reimagined Dr. Psycho.

5. The Style Shift: Mattia De Iulis's Contribution

While Hayden Sherman is the definitive artist for the series, the reality of monthly comic production necessitated a fill-in artist for some issues. For example, issue #6 saw a temporary change to the art of Mattia De Iulis. This switch was immediately noticeable to fans, highlighting just how singular Sherman's style is. De Iulis's work, while also highly regarded, offers a different, perhaps more rendered and less stylized look, proving that the unique, "jagged" aesthetic is a deliberate, core feature of the *Absolute Wonder Woman* identity, not just a default house style.

The Absolute Universe and the New Era of Diana Prince

To fully appreciate the Absolute Wonder Woman art, one must understand the context of the DC Absolute Universe. This imprint is essentially a new line of "Elseworld" stories—a parallel reality, also called the Alpha World—where DC’s greatest superheroes are reimagined from the ground up.

The AU is a bold experiment that allows creators like Thompson and Sherman to ask fundamental "what-if" questions about characters like Diana Prince, Batman (who is also getting an *Absolute Batman* series), and Superman. The art is integral to this mission. In the Absolute Universe, the visual rules are different; the characters are clearly changed but remain true to their core heroic essence. The art needs to communicate this feeling of familiar-but-new, which Sherman's style achieves by being both recognizable as a superhero comic yet fundamentally distinct from the main DC continuity.

This new approach is a far cry from the classic, prestige format of a traditional Absolute Edition, such as the beautiful, high-end collection *Wonder Woman Historia: The Amazons: Absolute Edition*, which typically showcases established, detailed artwork. Instead, the *Absolute Wonder Woman* series is defining a new kind of "absolute" art—one that is raw, experimental, and focused on narrative impact over glossy perfection.

For collectors and fans, securing the original "Absolute Wonder Woman" art pages from Hayden Sherman has become a highly sought-after event, with "rare drops" of original art selling out quickly. This demand underscores the immediate recognition and appreciation for the unique artistic statement Sherman has made. The series is a testament to the fact that the most powerful art can sometimes be the most challenging and unconventional, offering a truly fresh perspective on a timeless hero.

5 Reasons Hayden Sherman's Absolute Wonder Woman Art is DC's Most Radical Redesign
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