DC Unveils Long-Awaited Redesign Of God-Tier Villain, And It’s Beyond Horrific

Published Aug 25, 2026, 10:17 PM EDT Jared is a writer, editor, and Communications Studies graduate who loves popular nerd culture (almost anything to do with Marvel, DC, Star Wars, or The Lord of the Rings) and the interactive storytelling medium. Jared's first console was the PS1, wherein he fell for Spider-Man, Spyro the Dragon, and Crash Bandicoot. The greatest enemy of Diana, Witch of the Wild Isle, in Absolute Wonder Woman so far is a foe that readers haven’t seen yet—until now. Veronica Cale has more or less been Absolute Wonder Woman’s primary recurring antagonist, particularly once Area 41 was introduced, but one villain has played a far greater role by literally authoring the circumstances of Diana’s origin story in the Absolute universe. Part of what’s so thrilling about the Absolute DC publishing line is that it’s an excuse to redesign and reimagine classic character designs. Absolute Wonder Woman’s character redesigns have been phenomenal in artwork by Hayden Sherman, Mattia de Iulis, Matiás Bergara, Dustin Nguyen, and Dillon Snook throughout the series, and yet none have been as daunting or mysterious as the god of thunder’s. Absolute Zeus Is Basically The Lord Of The Rings’ Sauron, Lidless Eye And All Zeus has had an omnipotent presence in this series since Absolute Wonder Woman #1, where it was revealed that he stole Diana, Princess of Themyscria, away from the Amazons “as punishment for their crimes against the gods,” as recounted by Apollo, and abandoned to the underworld (though goddesses would rally discreetly to her aid and ensure that Diana was left with the sorceress Circe). In Absolute Wonder Woman #23, we’re finally receiving a glimpse of the Absolute universe’s Zeus, but only of his gigantic, looming eyeball in the sky. It’s unknown if we see more of Zeus than this ominous, all-seeing depiction in any upcoming issues, but a reveal that epic would surely be reserved for a cover feature, surely, and we do still see Zeus’ massive orange iris and black pupil haunting the backgrounds of issues #23 and #25. In this iteration, it’s not hyperbole to compare Zeus’ presence to Sauron’s fiery eye atop Barad-dûr in Mordor. The preview pages released recently have revealed that Zeus will take a break from judging and stewing to speak to Absolute Wonder Woman’s Ares, who is also making his Absolute universe debut in Absolute Wonder Woman #23. Here, in a glorious Olympus, Ares expresses his disdain for his father’s punishment of the Amazons, as well as how much he dislikes him, in general. Is Absolute Wonder Woman Ready To Reveal Zeus? Absolute Wonder Woman’s gods and goddesses all have astonishing designs. Zeus coming out of the woodwork, however little that may be, suggests that Absolute Wonder Woman may be preparing to unleash Zeus on Diana. Before then, though, Diana will confront Barbara Minerva’s Absolute Cheetah, a hideous monstrosity that may be one of the scariest villain designs in any Absolute book. Absolute Wonder Woman #23 marks the beginning of a new arc. Thanks to solicitations for issues in the following months, we have an idea of where the book is headed and what villains will be the most imposing with Diana now back from the underworld. Indeed, the solicitation for Absolute Wonder Woman #23 reads as follows: ABSOLUTE ARES IS HERE — AND THE EPIC HERETIC ARC BEGINS! Back from the underworld, Diana returns to Area 41 with more than justice on her mind. What she finds is not what she expected, but neither is life in Gateway, as a new threat is rising. Unfortunately, Diana recognizes this particular threat... the gods themselves have come to Gateway City! Absolute Wonder Woman #23 is scheduled to be released on August 26, 2026. Created By William Moulton Marston, H. G. Peter Cast Gal Gadot First Appearance All Star Comics Alias Diana Prince Alliance Justice League, Justice Society of America, Justice League Dark, Justice League International Race Amazon-Olympian 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.