The Justice League may embody heroism in the DC Universe, but the team has long carried a glaring flaw in how they operate—one that has drawn criticism both in-universe and from readers. In recent years, DC has been gradually addressing this issue, and now, they’ve taken a major step toward resolving the biggest critique fans and characters have against the League.

This shift reflects a new era of heroism where saving the day goes beyond action-packed battles and includes more impactful, altruistic efforts.

On February 19, 2025, Wonder Woman #18 by Tom King, Daniel Sampere, and Tomeu Morey will hit comic shop shelves. Based on DC’s four-page preview, this is the moment fans have been waiting for—Wonder Woman finally facing the Sovereign one-on-one.

The preview also features narration from the Sovereign, noting how Superman and the Justice League prioritized rebuilding the Washington Monument after it was destroyed in battle. This detail highlights how both the League and DC writers have responded to longstanding criticism of "superhero collateral damage"—the idea that heroes cause massive destruction but rarely take responsibility for repairing it.

How Was the Washington Monument Destroyed in the DC Universe?

Comic Page Comes From Tom King’s Wonder Woman #6 (2024) – Art by Daniel Sampere & Tomeu Morey

Before diving into how Wonder Woman #18 not only addresses but ends the "superhero collateral damage" critique, it's important to recap who caused the destruction of the Washington Monument—especially since this criticism is based on heroes being involved in the damage. In Wonder Woman #6, Diana faced off against multiple of her rogues’ gallery, including Silver Swan, Giganta, Angle Man, and Doctor Psycho. During the battle, Giganta ripped the monument from the ground and used it to crush Wonder Woman.

True to her heroic nature, Diana lifted the monument off herself and continued the fight. After defeating Giganta and the others, she was soon confronted by Grail, Darkseid’s daughter. The two battled, with Diana eventually defeating Grail, only to collapse from exhaustion and her injuries. The next issue quickly moved on, perpetuating the critique that superhero stories focus on action without addressing the aftermath. However, in Wonder Woman #18, King surprises readers by revisiting the fate of the Washington Monument and the Justice League's response to its destruction.

Superman Proves True Heroism Includes Recovery, Not Just Saving the Day

Comic Page Comes From Tom King’s Wonder Woman #18 (2025) – Art by Daniel Sampere & Tomeu Morey

After Wonder Woman #7, which moved on from the battle in Washington D.C., fans were left to believe this was yet another case of a superhero causing massive destruction without taking responsibility for it. To be fair to Diana, though, she was immediately taken hostage by the Sovereign, then stranded on an island with Cheetah, and endured the loss of Steve Trevor. She also reed the newly reformed Justice League and became a mother. With so much on her plate, it’s understandable why rebuilding the Washington Monument wasn’t at the forefront of her priorities.

However, in Wonder Woman #18, fans learn that when Superman discovered the Washington Monument's destruction, he declared, "...this symbol of strength would not lie in ruin under his watch" and deployed the Justice League to rebuild it. The narration is accompanied by art showing the monument standing strong once again, emphasizing that Superman and the League took responsibility and followed through. This moment acts as a direct rebuttal to the criticism that superheroes don’t address the consequences of their battles. Yet, this display goes beyond merely countering the critique.

The Justice League Just Went A Step Beyond Fixing Their Biggest Critique

Cover B Jim Lee Variant for Justice League Unlimited #1 (2024)

The reconstruction of the Washington Monument was initiated by Superman, despite having no involvement in its destruction. This is especially notable because it demonstrates heroes taking responsibility for recovery efforts, even when they weren’t directly involved in the crises. Moreover, the destruction occurred before the Justice League was reformed, meaning the team wasn’t even active at the time. Therefore, they aren't just addressing damage caused by one of their own, but are showing a level of heroic responsibility that extends beyond mere crisis management and into broader humanitarian efforts.

By having Superman and the others take responsibility for something they weren’t directly involved in, DC not only tackles the critique of superheroes ignoring the consequences of their actions but also pushes a new overarching narrative forward. This shift reflects a new era of heroism where saving the day goes beyond action-packed battles and includes more impactful, altruistic efforts. This development is exciting because it allows the concept of heroism to evolve, exploring new dimensions and opening the door for fresh, compelling narratives.

DC Is Officially Redefining the Responsibilities of Heroes Across Their Narratives

Comic Comes From Tom Taylor’s Titans #5 (2023) – Art by Nicola Scott & Annette Kwok

Wonder Woman #18 isn’t the only recent example where DC has made a noticeable effort to have their heroes overcome the criticism of neglecting the aftermath of their battles. Other narratives have also emphasized heroes taking responsibility for the damage they cause. A prominent example in pop culture right now is Robert Pattinson’s Batman, who is shown assisting in recovery efforts after the catastrophic flooding caused by the Riddler at the end of the movie. This marks a significant departure from the typical portrayal of the Dark Knight on the big screen.

This new trend of showing heroes taking responsibility beyond defeating villains can also be seen in Tom Taylor’s Titans run, where the team frequently participates in recovery and restoration efforts. A prime example is Titans #5, where the heroes prevent further damage to the Borneo rainforest and work to restore it with Swamp Thing’s help. Similarly, Mark Waid’s Justice League Unlimited series highlights heroes engaging in actions that go beyond combat, such as assisting with the aftermath of their battles. If DC continues in this direction with the Justice League and others, critiques of their heroism will become much harder to argue.

Wonder Woman #18 is available February 18, 2025, from DC Comics!