After 86 Years, Iconic DC Hero Finally Gets Costume and Superpowers

It took over eight decades for a famous DC hero to gain permanent superpowers in a major continuity. Although the DC Universe is filled with ultra-powerful superheroes and supervillains, many human characters have endured without any major superhuman power. Batman and his vigilante protégés stand side by side with god-like metahumans from the Justice League and Teen Titans’ ranks. Similarly, Amanda Waller controls the many unpredictable villains and anti-heroes of the covert Task Force X with no superhuman abilities of her own, and Lex Luthor never hesitates to fight Superman with nothing but his technology.

Not all human characters decide to stay vulnerable in the face of a world filled with larger-than-life titans, and some of them have no alternative. Billy Batson continues to be a regular child even after the Wizard bestowed upon him the permanent ability to wield the magic of Shazam. If it weren’t for the accident that left him on the verge of death, Victor Stone would never have been rebuilt with the Mother Box and become Cyborg. On the opposite side of the spectrum, John Corben willingly allowed scientists to transfer his brain into a Kryptonite-powered cyborg body to gain the power he needs to kill Superman.

Sidekicks and companions like Robin, Jimmy Olsen, and Etta Candy are perpetually vulnerable to their heroic friends’ battles, but always protected by them. However, there comes a point where it’s necessary for them to receive an upgrade of their own.

Steve Trevor Becomes A Superhero For The First Time Ever

Absolute Wonder Woman ; Written By Kelly Thompson; Art By Hayden Sherman & Jordie Bellaire

With the eyes of Zeus looming in the sky and Diana of the Wild Isle putting all her focus on controlling fear and facing the Cheetah-transformed Barbara Minerva, Wonder Woman doesn’t have enough time to keep a tab on all her other allies. Meanwhile, Steve Trevor tames his own fear with a potion, and he completes a ritual to summon Hecate. Despite his lack of mystical knowledge, Steve succeeds, and Hecate appears before him. Swearing to offer his life “in pursuit of protecting Diana,” Steve Trevor is empowered, and the Greek goddess assigns him the role of “Emissary of Hecate.”

Steve Trevor’s transformation into the Emissary of Hecate could make him a permanent equal to Wonder Woman in the Absolute Universe, but only if he can circumvent the tragic downfalls of his peers. Barbara Minerva succumbs to the temptation of the deity Urzkartaga in Absolute Wonder Woman, while Tim Drake is brutally assassinated by Clayface in the pages of Absolute Batman. Fortunately, Steve Trevor’s bargain with the goddess of magic hinges on a noble vow rather than malignant corruption, which suggests his power upgrade won’t have any negative side effects or any hidden price to pay in the future.

What do you think about Steve Trevor’s power-up?

Absolute Wonder Woman is now available from DC Comics