10 Best Absolute Wonder Woman Variant Covers, Ranked

[[{“value”:”

DC Comics is pulling out all the stops for their all-new Absolute Comics line. Their advertising has been everywhere and their sales have dominated the charts since their debut— partly bolstered by the fact that they’re all supplied with dozens of top-tier variant covers.

Wonder Woman isn’t a stranger to having an excess of covers, having been given quite a lot of them during her recent 800th issue special and 2023 relaunch under Tom King and Daniel Sampere. But the ones made for the character during the new Absolute era have been something special, various epic pieces sure to appeal to fans of all kinds.

10

Absolute Wonder Woman #1

Variant C By Jim Lee

With how much DC was trying to bet on the Absolute line, it makes sense they’d pull out their biggest artists to try and promote the titles within—most notably Jim Lee, a comic veteran who has seen some of the industry’s highest highs and lowest lows. His work is some of the most valuable in the business, made clear by his promotion to president of DC, and as such, it makes sense why he’d do the art for the DC Trinity’s alternate universe debuts.

His artwork for Wonder Woman here is imposing, the heroine perched upon a snowy cliffside with her face cast in shadow. Her sword is plainly posed alongside her, and her lasso stands out in the icy landscape. It’s a striking visual, and fans would expect nothing less from Lee himself. His colorist is also quite good on this cover, with the sleek, minimal color palette accentuating his inks instead of hindering them. The icy palette also, coincidentally, suits the foil variant of the artwork. There’s an air of mystery here, too, leaving readers wondering what could lie ahead in the issue.

9

Absolute Wonder Woman #1

Webstore Variant By Skottie Young

The Absolute Universe appears to be taking a bit of a grimmer departure from the main DC Universe, and it’s clear why. It’s a world crafted in Darkseid’s image, his attempt at creating a domain where he has completely and utterly “won.” As a result, all the main heroes have been stripped of their most essential traits and placed in less fortunate positions.

There’s a bit of humor to be found in the setting regardless, though, something fan-favorite artist Scottie Young taps into with his variant cover for the series’ first issue. In his classic toony style, Wonder Woman talks to her steed Pegasus about the size of her sword—a harmless lambasting of some of the more exaggeratedly grim parts of the book. It also has a fun pun, with Wonder Woman responding enthusiastically, “Absolute-ly!” to Pegasus asking about her sword.

8

Absolute Wonder Woman #1

Variant B By Wes Craig

Simple, sleek, evocative, dynamic. Wes Craig’s art ticks all these boxes, and it’s little wonder why many comic readers enjoy his art, be it on covers or in the interiors of comics like Deadly Class and Kaya. He uses negative space and his inks in genius ways, with nothing ever quite polished by him—in a way that benefits the reader.

Craig has been brought onto some of DC’s recent All-In works, and it’s easy to see why. His art in the DC All-In Special served the story of Darkseid’s death wonderfully, and the covers he did were similarly epic in how they presented the faces of the DCU in this new era. With Absolute, he was brought on to illustrate variant covers for each of the Trinity’s debut issues, and each of them was a standout piece.

7

Absolute Wonder Woman #2

1:25 Variant By Matteo Scalera

Many of Absolute Wonder Woman’s variants focus on the heroine leaping into action, making a bombastic pose as she swings her sword or strikes down enemies. They make for flashy, memorable pieces of art, sure. But it’s equally as enjoyable to see covers take a more somber, subdued look at their key subject, something Matteo Scalera provided in spades.

Here, Wonder Woman sits, hunched, on top of the corpse of a fearsome creature. A battle has taken place, and Scalera wisely chooses to depict only its aftermath. The fearsome warrior is shown to viewers in a moment of vulnerability after slaying this beast, seeking respite after her victory. The blood on her blade stands out from the muted colors of the monster, and her armor and helmet are sitting discarded on the ground—it’s overall a very moody piece and a standout in the line of variants.

6

Absolute Wonder Woman #3

1:25 Variant By DaNi

Minimalist and simple aren’t necessarily traits one would see as enticing for variant covers one must spend a bit extra on. However, the style of DaNi, also known as Dani Strips, thrives off these elements, as she utilizes simple, ergonomic lines in her craft. As such, her artwork is immediately recognizable, especially in series she’s done like Arkham City: The Order of the World, and is an immediate draw.

Her variant cover for Absolute Wonder Woman is one such example of this. DaNi relies on her typical, top-tier elements of minimalism—the only bits of black in the piece are the buildings in the background, Pegasus’ wings, Wonder Woman’s hair, and the darker portions of her armor. It’s a brilliant use of negative space to frame Wonder Woman and vaguely suggest elements like Pegasus’ body and a cityscape, which says nothing of its colors. Blue and orange are utilized to great effect, hellish hues bathing the heroine in their light.

5

Absolute Wonder Woman #6

Variant D By Joshua “Sway” Swaby

Joshua “Sway” Swaby’s art is a favorite among those who collect or keep up with variant covers, the artist regularly finding his work reprinted as 1:10, 1:25, 1:50, 1:75, or even 1:100 textless variants. This may be a high price for a comic cover without the title text, but many consider Sway’s art worth it.

His pinups are legendary, rendered with loving, lifelike detail. The subjects of his covers feel like real people put on the page, drawn with distinct faces that never veer into the uncanny valley. They wouldn’t feel out of place as editorial spreads in a fashion magazine. Perhaps that class is the core of their appeal. This is more than clear with Sway’s variant cover for Absolute Wonder Woman—even though the heroine’s face is half covered, her unique look pierces whoever glances at the cover.

4

Absolute Wonder Woman #4

Variant B By Elizabeth Torque

Elizabeth Torque’s covers are sought after, and it isn’t hard to see why. She’s a versatile artist whose subject matter covers everything from action scenes to pinups, sometimes with a very humorous charm. It’s easy on the eyes and widely appealing, instantly recognizable as her own work. Torque’s strengths are on full display with her Absolute Wonder Woman cover.

It’s nothing extreme, just Wonder Woman clanging her bracelets as she rides on Pegasus, soaring above a crowd of monsters. The composition isn’t the most complex but immediately grabs one’s eye, partly because of the beams of light emanating from Wonder Woman’s bracelets. They frame the cover well and guide the viewer’s eye to important bits—little monsters being decimated and the stern, fierce look on Wonder Woman’s face. The composition also makes the cover evoke the energy of a stained glass mural, adding an extra mythical quality to it all.

3

Absolute Wonder Woman #3

Variant C By Chuma Hill

Chuma Hill has been in demand for variant covers these days since breaking onto the scene a few years ago, and it’s clear why. His style leans into the painterly, adding a refined air to any comic cover—whether they be depicting James Bond, zombies, or plain old superheroes. Hill’s art seems to be rendered almost like watercolors, adding a regal, though cozy, atmosphere to his works.

This is made quite apparent in his variant cover for Absolute Wonder Woman. The titular heroine isn’t doing much but brandishing her sword, but the piece has a majestic atmosphere. Her helmet is perched on her head like the goddess Athena is depicted in ancient art, complimenting her surprisingly serene expression. The cover is overall very warm, not in a particularly imposing way.

2

Absolute Wonder Woman #4

1:25 Variant By Christian Ward

Christian Ward is currently a hot talent at DC, and for good reason. His writing is top-tier—but above all, his artwork is stunning, full of intoxicating colors and genius compositions that give readers an unforgettable experience. As such, whenever he’s put onto the covers of a title—be they the mains or variants—it’s a treat for whoever is keeping up with them.

His Absolute Wonder Woman variant is no exception to this rule, a deceptively simple bit of eye candy. What catches one’s eye are vivid colors, a predominantly cold palette brought alive through shots of orange and red for the sake of contrast. Wonder Woman is framed by her massive steed Pegasus and circles, emphasizing her presence—something already heightened by her devilish, imposing armor.

1

Absolute Wonder Woman #2

2nd Printing Variant By Hayden Sherman & Jordie Bellaire

Out of all of Absolute Wonder Woman’s phenomenal variant covers, a fair few stunners have been done by the book’s main artists, Hayden Sherman and Jordie Bellaire. These variants have been slowly released with further printings of each issue of the series, rather than being included with the first print run series of variants, and they’re visually stunning each time.

The combination of Sherman’s art and Bellaire’s colors is heavenly and unique, making the interiors of Absolute Wonder Woman feel as if it’s ripped from a storybook. It’s nice to have more artwork grace the title’s covers. Perhaps the best variant the team has collaborated on is one for the second printing of Absolute Wonder Woman #2. Here, the team homages Sensation Comics #1, having Wonder Woman leap to action while blocking bullets with her gauntlets. It’s a clever way of imbibing an old piece with new context and talent.

“}]] Superstar creators helped launch the new Absolute Wonder Woman in style with some of the most beautiful variant covers DC Comics fans have ever seen.  Read More