If You Love Absolute Wonder, You Need to Check Out These 9 Comic Series ASAP
DC Comics' Absolute line has been a massive success, and author Kelly Thompson's Absolute Wonder Womanhas been a huge part of that. Thompson has an impressive resume, as a long-time writer in the comic book industry, and fans discovering her for the first time through Absolute Wonder Woman have a number of great books from her worth checking out.
Thompson has a rich history working in the superhero genre, having written hit series for both Marvel and DC Comics. For Marvel, she has helped take several of the publisher's characters and elevated them to the next level, while prior to Absolute Wonder Woman here main contribution to DC was Birds of Prey.
Thompson also has stepped outside the world of superheroes, taking on some familiar faces while also writing her own original comics. Here are eight comics written by Kelly Thompson to read once caught up on Absolute Wonder Woman, which has been a fiery reclamation of what the hero represents.
8 "Birds of Prey"
Before Absolute Wonder Woman, Kelly Thompson Took On Black Canary & Company
While Absolute Wonder Woman is Kelly Thompson's first Wonder Woman series, it is not the first time she has written for Diana. In September 2023, the first issue of Birds of Prey by writer Kelly Thompson, artist Leonardo Romero, colorist Jordie Bellair, and letterer Clayton Cowles hit comic shelves, and it was an instant hit. Led by Black Canary, the initial line up features her, Cassandra Cain's Batgirl, Harley Quinn, Zealot, and Big Barda. While Wonder Woman is not on the team, the Birds of Prey did go against Wonder Woman and her Amazons in an attempt to save Sin.
This is Thompson's debut series with DC Comics, and it's lived up to expectations time and again. Not only has Thompson shown off her knowledge and passion for the initial team in this series, but with a rotating roster of badass women, it's a delight to see Thompson's take on so many iconic heroes in DC, like Barbara Gordon and Vixen. Along with that, this has been one of the best superhero ensemble comics of the past few years. The series is still ongoing, with its 18th issue hitting shelves February 5, 2025. Prior issues have also been collected in two trade paperbacks, so it's an easy series to dive into.
7 "Hawkeye"
Before Birds Of Prey, Its Creative Team Tackled Kate Bishop's Hawkeye
For those who end up enjoying Birds of Prey, they can go back to one of Thompson's earlier works within the world of superheroes, this time with Marvel. On the heels of Matt Fraction and David Aja's iconic Hawkeye run, Thompson took on Kate Bishop's solo series, which went on for two years. It is also by the same creative team as Birds of Prey, featuring Thompson, Romero, and Bellaire once again.
The bar was high for this Hawkeye series, and Thompson cleared it with ease. Working on her own in Los Angeles, Kate Bishop starts her own private eye agency while finding her footing in a new city. However, trouble follows Kate Bishop, and she faces off against familiar foes, as well as her family's past. While Thompson stays true to Kate's comedic voice, she also delivers a compelling detective story, one that is considered one of the best Kate Bishop comics ever. Thankfully, Thompson's time with Kate would continue beyond this Hawkeye run.
6 "West Coast Avengers"
For More Of Kelly Thompson's Hawkeye, Check Out Her West Coast Avengers Run
Picking up where Hawkeye leaves off is Thompson's turn with West Coast Avengers. Once again, Thompson delivers on a solid superhero ensemble, and she's bringing not one, but two Hawkeyes to the party. Along with them are America Chavez, Kid Omega, Gwenpool, and Fuse. As a secondary Avengers team, Thompson leans into the absurdity and fun of superheroes with this series while still delivering genuine heroics.
Along with continuing her excellent characterization of Hawkeye, Thompson gets a chance to tackle Gwenpool, a character who is still fairly new to the world of Marvel at that time, having been introduced in 2015. With Gwenpool, two Hawkeyes, and eventually Jeff the Land Shark all in one comic, West Coast Avengers proves to be a fun read that introduces readers to characters who don't always get to take center stage.
5 "It's Jeff"
Kelly Thompson Gives Jeff The Shark His Time To Shine, Thanks To Marvel Unlimited
As mentioned above, Jeff the Land Shark is featured in West Coast Avengers, and that series serves as his character debut. Jeff the Land Shark, the Marvel icon who has taken Marvel Rivals by storm, was so popular that he eventually got his own online series via Marvel Unlimited.It's Jeff is a slice-of-life webcomic told through the eyes of Jeff, so there is no dialogue. This is a testament to Thompson's writing, as it quite literally is showing without telling. Plus, the art by Gurihiru is highly expressive while still being simple, capturing the comedic, adorable nature of Jeff.
Each installment of It's Jeff is a vignette, so readers can dive into the series at any point. Plus, Thompson revisits some of the characters she expertly handled in the past, like Gwenpool and Hawkeye. It's Jeff is a refreshing, low-stakes read, the perfect comic for anyone who needs something a little more chill and a lot more silly. Plus, if digital comics are not someone's cup of tea, It's Jeff will get a trade paperback in July 2025.
4 "Black Widow"
Kelly Thompson Shows Off The Life Black Widow Sacrifices To Be A Heroic Spy
Stepping aside from her more comedic turns with Marvel, Kelly Thompson tackles one of Marvel's top spies in this 15-issue series. Thompson's Black Widow gives Natasha Romanoff a taste of what a normal life with a normal family is like; however, this dream-scenario becomes a nightmare. Black Widow by writer Kelly Thompson, artist Elena Casagrande, colorist Jordie Bellaire, and letterer Cory Petit delivers a spy comic that scratches the espionage itch.
More importantly, it shows a tragically human side of Natasha Romanoff, highlighting the sacrifices she's willing to make for the greater good. Along with that, Thompson once again gives her leading hero a strong, supportive cast, this time featuring the likes of the Winter Soldier, Hawkeye, and the White Widow. Unfortunately, Marvel canceled this Black Widow comic series, but its end still felt complete. Plus, the series is now available in three trade paperbacks or one complete collection.
3 "Captain Marvel"
Kelly Thompson Delivered A Historic Captain Marvel Run With 50 Issues
Captain Marvel has a stories history at Marvel Comics, and Captain Marvel has changed in many ways since her first appearance. One creator who's played a huge part in her recent history is none other than Kelly Thompson. Her run on Captain Marvel went on for 50 issues, over the course of four years. Any series reaching 50 issues is remarkable, and Thompson's love for the character reads loud and clear in each issue. From dealing with a possible apocalyptic future, to body swapping with Doctor Strange, to facing off against The Avengers themselves, there is no shortage of action and adventure in this run.
Along with that, Thompson highlights Carol Danver's support network, andher friendships prove to be one of the best parts of this monumental run. Plus, readers interested in any of these supporting characters, like She-Hulk or Spider-Woman, can learn more about them in their own series. Even though there are 50 issues in this run, Thompson has very defined arcs, making it easy to jump part way through the run for those not interested in starting from the beginning, although, that is still highly recommended.
2 Sabrina The Teenage Witch
Kelly Thompson Delivered A More "Cottage Core" Take On Sabrina
Going in a completely different direction than her Marvel and DC books is Sabrina the Teenage Witch. Along with stepping away from the superhero antics, Kelly Thompson's Sabrina the Teenage Witch is for a young adult audience. As a result, it features a few YA graphic novel staples, including romantic drama, high school antics, a coming of age story, and beautiful, charming art by artists Veronica Fish and Andy Fish.
This take on Sabrina the Teenage Witch is a stand-alone, so readers don't need to know anything about the character prior to this series. While it came out around the time of the Netflix series The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina – which was canceled before Season 5 --this comic tonally is very different, delivering a more cottage core take on the titular witch with some supernatural elements. Plus, it's a classic YA story in the sense that Sabrina needs to learn how to find balance in her life, especially as a young witch living among humans.
1 "Black Cloak"
Kelly Thompson Delivers A Fantasy Noir Comic From Image Comics
In regard to Kelly Thompson's original work, there are a handful of comics to turn to, with one of the best being Black Cloak. Written by Thompson, art by Meredith McClaren, and letters by Becca Carey, Black Cloak takes place in a fantasy/sci-fi world that seems magical on the surface, but there is corruption underneath. After the death of a royal family member, the Black Cloaks are on the job to unravel the murder mystery, but this is just the tip of the iceberg.
This is Thompson's first Image Comics' series, and it certainly leaves readers wanting much more down the line. With each issue, the mystery and stakes build. The world building is also bound to intrigue readers more and more with each issue. Perfect for fans of Blade Runner or Saga, Black Cloak has its first arc collected as a trade paperback, and the second arc continues in single issue form, but no worries. That arc will also be collected as a trade paperback in March 2025.
Birds of Prey (2023)
- Writer
- Kelly Thompson
- Penciler
- Leonardo Romero
- Inker
- Leonardo Romero
- Colorist
- Jordie Bellaire
- Letterer
- Clayton Cowles
Dinah Lance is one of the DCU’s most elite fighters, and combined with her sonic scream, she’s a fearsome foe in any scenario…but sometimes even the Black Canary needs help. Faced with a personal mission brought to her by a mysterious new ally, and up against near-impossible odds, she re-forms the Birds of Prey with an unrivaled group of badasses — Cassandra Cain, Big Barda, Zealot, and Harley Quinn — and only one goal: extraction without bloodshed. What could possibly go wrong?
