WARNING: Contains Potential Spoilers for WONDER WOMAN #14!

Tom King has officially broken me with his latest release featuring Wonder Woman. If by some chance you haven't read it yet, I urge you to stop now and dive into the story, as this article will be filled with spoilers that detail how one specific image of Diana Prince left me a sobbing mess.

By portraying her as utterly broken and grieving, the narrative challenges the very essence of what Wonder Woman embodies.

Tom King, Daniel Sampere, Tomeu Morey, and Clayton Cowles’s Wonder Woman #14 blindsided me within the first few pages with the shocking death of Steve Trevor, who was shot in the chest by The Sovereign. This moment left me gobsmacked, as there was little to no build-up; one moment, Steve is alive and happy, and the next, he is gone.

While Steve’s death broke my heart, it was Wonder Woman’s grieving and her reaction to his loss that ultimately left me a sobbing mess. The scene of her crying on the floor of a cave while curled around Steve Trevor’s American flag was the moment that broke the dam of my tears.

Wonder Woman’s Heartbreaking Grief for Steve Trevor Reveals the Depth of Her Love

The Sight of Wonder Woman Clinging to Steve Trevor’s Flag Is Utterly Heart-Wrenching

For those unfamiliar with the significance of Diana clinging to the American, this particular flag was part of the Flag Presentation Ceremony at Steve’s funeral, a poignant tradition where an American flag is given to the family or next of kin of a fallen service member. Because Diana was unable to attend the funeral due to being wanted by the U.S. government, she ends up taking the flag from a distant relative of Steve’s. In that moment, her embrace of the flag symbolizes one of the last tangible pieces of Steve that she possesses.

While I have always found death in stories to be tragic, what truly moves me is witnessing the grief of those left behind. Seeing Diana—often a pillar of strength—broken as she curls into herself and cries on that cave floor shattered any semblance of control I had over my emotions. This stark image is jarring, especially since fans are used to seeing Wonder Woman as a figure who rarely allows herself to cry. Yet, as sad as this moment is, I adored it because it embodies a profound truth: there is no stronger display of love than that which endures after death.

Wonder Woman #14 Strips Diana of Her Indomitable Spirit (& I Loved It)

“No Thank You.”: Wonder Woman’s Iconic Catchphrase Gets Heartbreaking Twist

Based on the timestamps provided in the comic, we learn that Diana stayed in the cave with Steve’s American flag for at least eight days. By the eighth day, we witness her berating herself for her grief, demanding that she get up and carry on with life. Her words to herself—“Damn you, he is gone and you are not. Get the hell off the floor”—echo her internal struggle. Yet, despite her frustration and desire to be strong, she responds with her iconic catchphrase, now tinged with heartbreak: “No thank you.”

This moment amplifies the devastation I felt while reading this issue, as King expertly twists Diana’s catchphrase—once a powerful symbol of her strength and endurance—into a poignant expression of defeat and hopelessness. By portraying her as utterly broken and grieving, the narrative challenges the very essence of what Wonder Woman embodies. Known for her unwavering refusal to surrender under any circumstance—just look at Tower of Babel—this moment represents her ultimate act of surrender. It is both heart-wrenching and humanizing, ultimately making Diana all the more relatable and lovable to readers.

King Is Gearing Up to Give Wonder Woman One Hell of a Comeback

Wonder Woman Enters a Never-Before-Explored Era of Her Character Development

With Wonder Woman #14, Tom King has brought Diana to what could be the lowest point of her life. As heartbreaking as this is, it sets the stage for one of her most epic comebacks. The 'birth' of her and Steve’s daughter, Elizabeth "Lizzie" Marston Prince, indicates that motherhood will play a significant role in Diana's character journey. However, it would be naive to think that a baby can entirely heal her grief. It’s going to be awesome to witness the new heights Wonder Woman will reach as she embarks on this unexplored era in her character history.

Wonder Woman #14 is available now from DC Comics!