Warning: SPOILERS for Wonder Woman #19
Exploring Wonder Woman’s Legacy and Her Journey Beyond Death
Wonder Woman stands as a timeless icon within the DC Comics universe, merging myth with heroism. With a background steeped in legend, many perceive Diana as an eternal goddess. However, numerous narrative arcs have tested this notion of her immortality. Recently, readers have been granted a glimpse into a future where Wonder Woman meets her demise. Although this is not her first brush with death, as many of her Justice League allies can attest, Diana has laid down her life in the service of justice multiple times.
The Revelation of Wonder Woman’s Death
The latest installment, Wonder Woman #19, crafted by the creative team of Tom King, Daniel Sampere, Tomeu Morrey, and Clayton Cowles, wraps up the compelling “Fury” storyline. This issue provides a chilling insight into Diana’s ultimate fate—falling in battle on the shores of Paradise Island, where her daughter, Trinity, confronts the nefarious Sovereign regarding his troubled past with her mother.
Diana’s Legacy of Sacrifice: A History of Deaths
A Recurring Theme of Tragedy
Throughout her illustrious history, Diana has experienced death more times than fans often recognize. Her first significant death unfolded during the major crossover event, Crisis on Infinite Earths, where the formidable Anti-Monitor dealt a devastating blow to the Amazon Princess. This trigger not only removed her from the narrative temporarily but transformed her back into clay—her original form—allowing for a rebirth in the new timeline established after the Crisis.
Subsequent to this, in War of the Gods #3, her arch-nemesis Circe again reduced her essence to clay, propelling Diana’s soul into the Underworld. Eventually, she escaped and made a triumphant return to life, only to face another downfall in Wonder Woman #124, where Neron, the Lord of Hell, punished her for her interference. However, true to her resilient nature, Diana was resurrected once again by the Olympians, emerging as the new Goddess of Truth.
Resurrection and Rebirth in the DC Universe
The Cycle of Life and Death
Following her many deaths, Diana’s time in the afterlife proved to be fleeting. She spent almost two decades in the realm of the living, aside from a collective resurrection alongside the Justice League during the “Obsidian Age.” Yet, the event in Dark Nights: Death Metal #7 marked a pivotal moment as she sacrificed herself to defeat the Batman Who Laughs by thrusting him into a dying sun. Almost immediately, the Hands, a godlike race within the DC Universe, restored her, enabling Diana to reemerge as a guardian of timelines—a new role symbolizing her power and resilience.
The Impact of Wonder Woman’s Death on Her Legacy
A True Heroine Deserves More
While Wonder Woman’s demise resonates throughout the pages of DC Comics, it has seldom carried the weight and significance enjoyed by other superheroes. For example, the deaths of Batman, Superman, and Green Lantern often leave lasting impressions on their characters, significantly affecting their narratives. In contrast, Diana’s deaths usually serve as mere transitional moments, leading her back to a familiar status quo without a profound transformation.
This discrepancy raises an important question: Should Wonder Woman’s demise hold greater significance in her storyline? If DC Comics opts to explore this path, her death must contribute meaningfully to character development and narrative progression for it to resonate with fans and honor her legacy as one of the foremost heroines of the DC universe. Wonder Woman deserves a send-off befitting her status, not merely a plot device.
Wonder Woman #19 is now available from DC Comics.