DC has officially introduced a new version of Wonder Woman, but this time, the character isn’t a heroic successor to Diana Prince.
She’s a genetically engineered clone with a disturbing weapon hidden inside her body.
The reveal comes in Next Level: One Shot #1, which also establishes the central mystery behind DC’s upcoming “Next Level” lineup. What initially looks like another dangerous Suicide Squad mission quickly becomes something much bigger: an invasion of genetically engineered copies of the DC Universe’s most powerful heroes.
And Wonder Woman’s clone may be one of the most terrifying examples yet.
Meet Wonder Woman’s new, darker counterpart
Diana Prince may be the most recognizable Wonder Woman, but she isn't the only person to carry the mantle.
Her mother, Queen Hippolyta, has worn the title, as has Artemis of Bana-Mighdall. DC has also explored alternate and corrupted versions of Diana over the years.
The new character introduced in Next Level: One Shot #1 takes that idea in a particularly disturbing direction.
She is one of a group of genetically engineered copies known as Drones—artificial versions of famous superheroes created using their DNA.
Unlike Diana, however, this Wonder Woman wasn't created to protect humanity.
She was built as a weapon.
DC's new Wonder Woman clone has a horrifying power
The Drones are creations of a new incarnation of the mysterious Cadmus organization. Their purpose is straightforward: create customized superhumans that can be sold to whoever is willing to pay.
The Wonder Woman Drone possesses many of the abilities associated with Diana, including her tremendous strength and speed. Visually, however, she looks far less heroic, with dark markings around her eyes and a more aggressive, spiked version of Wonder Woman's traditional armor.
But her appearance is the least disturbing thing about her.
Each Drone contains a version of Starro inside its stomach.
Yes—Starro, the extraterrestrial starfish famous for controlling people's minds.
The creatures can be expelled from the Drones and used to infect another person, effectively creating a copy of the exposed individual.
It's an unsettling combination of superhero cloning and body horror, and it gives the new Wonder Woman a capability that the original Diana certainly doesn't have.
The new Wonder Woman isn't necessarily the villain
Here's where the story becomes more complicated.
The Drones were created by Cadmus, but the Wonder Woman, Superman and Batman clones introduced in the issue don't appear to be loyal servants of their creators.
Instead, they seem to be fighting against Cadmus and trying to escape its control.
Their methods aren't exactly heroic. They forcibly recruit Deadshot and appear willing to sacrifice themselves to accomplish their mission.
But their objective may put them on the side of the angels—or at least on the less terrible side of the conflict.
The Wonder Woman Drone describes the group as “the last Suicide Squad,” suggesting that their mission is expected to end with their deaths.
That makes the character more interesting than a straightforward evil Wonder Woman clone. She may be dangerous, but she could ultimately be fighting for her own freedom.
DC's entire “Next Level” universe may be part of the mystery
The Wonder Woman clone isn't an isolated twist.
Early in Next Level: One Shot #1, Rick Flag gives Deadshot a list of heroes who could potentially be Drones. The names include Vixen, the Doom Patrol, Etrigan, members of the Bat-Family, the Teen Titans and Red Hood.
That's a much bigger problem than one group of artificial superheroes.
If even some of these characters have secretly been replaced—or duplicated—then DC has created a mystery that can stretch across multiple upcoming titles.
The real question isn't simply “Who is the new Wonder Woman?” It's “Who in the DC Universe can still be trusted?”
That's potentially the hook that connects the entire Next Level initiative.
Deadshot gets a way to identify the clones
The issue also gives Deadshot an important piece of technology.
Because the Drones carry Starro organisms inside their bodies, Deadshot gains equipment capable of detecting them.
In theory, that gives him a way to determine whether someone is a genuine superhero or a genetically engineered replacement.
In practice, however, Deadshot isn't exactly walking away from the issue in perfect condition.
And considering how many possible Drones have already been teased, having a way to identify them could become extremely important in the stories ahead.
DC is playing with a familiar “Secret Invasion” idea
The concept inevitably recalls Marvel's 2008 Secret Invasion storyline.
That story revolved around the Skrulls secretly replacing superheroes and infiltrating Earth's hero community, creating paranoia over who was real and who was an impostor.
DC's version isn't identical—the Drones are genetically engineered rather than shapeshifting aliens—but the storytelling opportunity is similar.
A familiar hero can suddenly become suspicious.
A trusted ally might actually be a replacement.
And readers are encouraged to look at established characters differently.
DC appears to be adding another layer to that formula by allowing its Drones to combine different abilities.
The issue introduces a Man-Bat/King Shark hybrid, for example, showing that Cadmus can apparently mix and match genetic material to create entirely new superhuman combinations.
Rick Flag also hints that Cadmus' technology goes far beyond simply cloning existing heroes.
That could make the Wonder Woman Drone only the beginning.
What this means for DC's new era
Next Level: One Shot #1 appears to be doing more than introducing a bizarre new version of Wonder Woman.
It establishes a shared mystery for several upcoming DC stories: genetically engineered Drones may already be hiding among the heroes readers know.
That gives the “Next Level” launch an overarching question that can potentially connect otherwise separate series.
For Wonder Woman, meanwhile, the new clone creates an especially strange addition to her legacy.
She has the strength and speed associated with Diana—but none of the certainty that comes with being the original.
Whether this new Wonder Woman ultimately becomes an enemy, an antihero or something closer to a tragic hero remains unclear.
For now, one thing is certain: DC's newest Wonder Woman doesn't just have a dark side. She has Starro inside her stomach.
And that may be the least normal thing about the new DC era.
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