Amazons Attack!

Last updated
Amazons Attack!
AmazonsAttack.jpg
Art by Pete Woods.
Publication information
Publisher DC Comics
ScheduleMonthly
Format Limited series
Genre
Publication dateMarch–August 2007
No. of issues6
Main character(s) Queen Hippolyta, Nemesis, Sarge Steel, Cassie Sandsmark, Supergirl, Circe
Creative team
Written by Will Pfeifer
Artist(s) Pete Woods
Collected editions
Hardcover ISBN   1-4012-1543-2

Amazons Attack! is a six-issue comic book limited series that was published by DC Comics. Written by Will Pfeifer and pencilled by Pete Woods, the first issue was released on April 25, 2007.

Contents

Development

A proposed story titled Amazons Attack! was originally slated as one of the mini-series that lead into the Infinite Crisis storyline, but was cancelled and never appeared. Though the projects share the same title, the planned Crisis tie-in was a completely different storyline that involved the U.S. military invading Themyscira. [1]

Plot

After leaving the DC Universe during the events of Infinite Crisis , the Amazons return to attack Washington, D.C., in retaliation for the American government's illegal detention of Wonder Woman.

The Amazons teleport to Washington, D.C., where Diana is being held captive and tortured by the Department of Metahuman Affairs. The DMA wants the schematic plans for an Amazonian Purple Ray, wishing to deploy the device for their own uses. Diana refuses their demand. Led by the newly resurrected Hippolyta and her adviser Circe, the Amazons are joined by mythical creatures such as chimeras, pegasus, hydras, and several cyclopes. The Amazon forces waste no time in murdering every male in sight, both adult and child, regardless of whether or not they are armed. Hippolyta is bent on destroying Man's World once and for all and emphasizes this point by slicing the head off of Lincoln's statue at the Lincoln Memorial. Two Amazons enter the White House and attempt to assassinate the President of the United States, but are stopped by Black Lightning.

The Amazons are unaware that Wonder Woman's capture was orchestrated by Circe, and that Diana was rescued by Nemesis shortly before their invasion. While the Justice League and the U.S. military assemble to combat the assault, Wonder Woman comes face-to-face with her reborn mother. After realizing that Hippolyta is not an impostor, Diana tries reasoning with her mother to stop the war. Instead Hippolyta grows angry with her daughter, telling Diana that her rightful place is by her side.

Diana leaves and finds Circe, who admits that her mobilization of the Amazon forces has been a ruse to force the destruction of the Amazon's homeland, Themyscira. Hippolyta overhears this conversation, and drives a battle spear through Circe's chest. Circe then disappears. Donna Troy also tries reasoning with Hippolyta to end the war: Hippolyta agrees to peace talks if Donna and her sister Diana both meet with her at the same time, but the Amazons launch attacks on California and Kansas.

The escalating attacks lead Amazon leaders Philipus and Artemis to question Hippolyta's motives. The severity of the situation causes the U.S. President to invoke the provisions of the McCarran Internal Security Act.

Consequently, Wonder Girl's mother is held with other women at an internment camp. Cassie and Supergirl confront the soldiers guarding the camp, and are themselves threatened with arrest due to their ties to the Amazons. The Teen Titans arrive to attempt to stem the conflict, only to have Wonder Girl and Supergirl battle against them as well as the military before flying off to Washington D.C., to talk with Hippolyta. Cassie convinces the Amazon queen to engage in peace talks with the U.S. President. When Hippolyta agrees, Cassie promises to bring the U.S. leader to her. [2]

During the fighting in Washington, D.C., Nemesis is stung by several giant venomous Stygian Killer Wasps native to Themyscira. Diana then calls upon Athena to transport her to her homeland in the hopes of retrieving an anti-venom for Nemesis. While on the island Athena refuses to return Diana back to Man's World and stops a missile from destroying her subject's home. Athena then attacks Diana for questioning her actions.

Wonder Girl and Supergirl block the path of Air Force One. The President's guards are powerless against the two superheroes; he agrees to have the plane land. However, a party of Amazon warriors on winged horses attack Air Force One, causing it to crash-land; the President is severely injured. Wonder Girl and Supergirl realize their plan has gone awry; the Amazons press their attack on the downed survivors. Superman enters the fray: his forceful landing creates both a powerful shock-wave and a crater in the ground. He attempts to reason with the stunned Amazons, but just as the warriors are about to react to Superman's entreaties, a hidden troop of U.S. forces slaughter the Amazons with gunfire.

Due to the high-tech weaponry deployed, Batman deduces that the off-Washington attacks are the work of an outside group. When he informs Wonder Woman of his discovery, she informs him that the group must be a rogue tribe of Bana Amazons. Batman leaves for Gotham, intending to dispatch Catwoman to infiltrate the group.

Diana returns to Washington, D.C., with the anti-venom and supplies Nemesis with the cure. Using the Outsider Grace as a shield, the Banas then join forces with Hippolyta and her Amazons in battling the remaining U.S. military forces.

Batman uses a spell given to him by Zatanna that renders Circe powerless for one hour. Wonder Woman confronts Circe, while Hippolyta defends the sorceress. Wonder Woman confronts her mother about the decisions she has made. Since Circe is powerless, Hippolyta is no longer under anyone else's influence: her decisions are her own. Hippolyta throws down her weapon.

Athena appears, displeased with what the Amazons have done and prepared to pass judgment. Circe is banished to Hades. Themyscira rises from the ocean. The Amazons disappear to parts unknown. Hippolyta is exiled to rule over an empty Themyscira.

Athena watches events unfold, with the Greek gods in chains behind her. She reveals that the Amazons have been turned into regular mortal women scattered throughout the world with no memory of their past lives. On the final page of the series, it is revealed that Granny Goodness has imprisoned the Greek gods, incapacitated Athena, and stolen her identity. [3]

Reception

In their review at IGN, Dan Phillips, Jesse Schedeen and Kevin Fuller described the series as "ill-conceived" and "awful". [4] Kevin Powers, reviewing the title at Silver Bullet Comics, described it as "lackluster". [5] The level of displeasure among certain fans led some readers to mail their copies of Amazons Attack back to DC Comics editors. [6]

Tie-in issues

Collected editions

The series has been collected into a single volume:

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wonder Woman</span> Comic book superheroine

Wonder Woman is a superhero created by the American psychologist and writer William Moulton Marston, and artist Harry G. Peter in 1941 for DC Comics. Marston's wife, Elizabeth, and their life partner, Olive Byrne, are credited as being his inspiration for the character's appearance.

Nemesis is the name of two fictional characters in the DC Comics universe. Thomas Andrew Tresser first appeared in The Brave and the Bold #166 and was created by Cary Burkett and Dan Spiegle. Soseh Mykros first appeared in JSA Annual #1 and was created by David S. Goyer and Uriel Caton.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wonder Girl</span> Alias of multiple DC Comics superheroines

Wonder Girl is the alias of multiple superheroines featured in comic books published by DC Comics. Donna Troy, the original Wonder Girl, was created by Bob Haney and Bruno Premiani and first appeared in The Brave and the Bold #60. The second Wonder Girl, Cassie Sandsmark, was created by John Byrne and first appeared in Wonder Woman #105. Both are protégées of Wonder Woman and members of different incarnations of the Teen Titans. The alias has also been used in reference to a younger version of Wonder Woman as a teenager. In the 2020s, DC introduced a third Wonder Girl in Yara Flor, who hails from a Brazilian tribe of Amazons and was shown in a flashforward to one day succeed Diana as Wonder Woman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Donna Troy</span> DC Comics superhero

Donna Troy is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. She is the original Wonder Girl and later temporarily adopts another identity, Troia. Created by Bob Haney and Bruno Premiani, she first appeared in The Brave and the Bold #60. Donna has been commonly featured in stories involving the Teen Titans, which she originally joined during their second adventure and is since depicted as a founding member of the team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Themyscira (DC Comics)</span> Fictional location in DC Comics

Themyscira is a fictional unitary sovereign city-state and archipelagic island nation appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Previously known as Paradise Island and the Amazon Isles, it first appeared in All Star Comics #8.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hippolyta (DC Comics)</span> DC Comics character

Queen Hippolyta is a fictional DC Comics superhero, based on the Amazon queen Hippolyta from Greek mythology. Introduced in 1941 during the Golden Age of Comic Books, she is the queen of the Amazons of Themyscira, the mother of Wonder Woman, and in some continuities, the adopted mother of Donna Troy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Artemis of Bana-Mighdall</span> Fictional Amazon superheroine

Artemis of Bana-Mighdall is a fictional Amazon superheroine and antihero, a comic book character published by DC Comics. The character was created by William Messner-Loebs and Mike Deodato, and debuted in Wonder Woman #90 as a rival to Princess Diana of Themyscira. Artemis had briefly succeeded Diana as the new Wonder Woman, but was later killed while assuming the role, fulfilling a prophecy of Wonder Woman dying. After her death, Artemis was sent to the Underworld, but eventually returned to the world of the living.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ares (DC Comics)</span> Supervillain appearing in DC Comics

Ares is a character appearing in DC Comics publications and related media. Based on the eponymous Greek mythological figure, he is the Olympian god of war and major recurring adversary of the superhero Wonder Woman. He has been featured significantly as a persistent foe throughout every era of Wonder Woman's comic book adventures, and in many adaptations of her stories in other media.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Circe (character)</span> Fictional character in DC Comics

Circe is a fictional character appearing in DC Comics publications and related media. Based upon the eponymous Greek mythological figure who imprisoned Odysseus in Homer's Odyssey, she is a wicked sorceress and major recurring adversary of the superhero Wonder Woman. She has been presented variously since first appearing in 1949’s Wonder Woman #37, though her characterization has consistently retained a key set of features: immortality, stunning physical beauty, a powerful command over sorcery, a penchant for turning human beings into animals and often, a delight in humiliation.

The Olympian Gods are characters based upon classical mythology who appear primarily in Wonder Woman, Captain Marvel and Aquaman comics.

The Amazons of DC Comics are a race of warrior women who exist as part of Greek mythology. They live on Paradise Island, later known as Themyscira, an isolated location in the middle of the ocean where they are hidden from Man's World.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Who Is Wonder Woman?</span> Comic book arc

"Who is Wonder Woman?" is a five-issue comic book story arc written by Allan Heinberg with art by Terry Dodson and Rachel Dodson.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Circle (DC Comics)</span>

"The Circle" is a four-issue comic book story arc written by Gail Simone with art by Terry Dodson and Rachel Dodson. Published in issues #14-17 of Wonder Woman, it marked the first arc by Gail Simone on her run of the book.

The fictional DC Comics character Wonder Woman was created by William Moulton Marston. She was introduced in All Star Comics #8, then appeared in Sensation Comics #1, Six months later, she appeared in her own comic book series. Since her debut, five regular series of Wonder Woman have been published, the fifth launched in June 2016 as part of DC Rebirth.

<i>Wonder Woman</i> (2009 film) 2009 film directed by Lauren Montgomery

Wonder Woman is a 2009 American animated superhero film focusing on the superheroine of the same name. The plot of the film is loosely based on George Pérez's reboot of the character, specifically the Gods and Mortals arc that started the character's second volume in 1987. It is the fourth film of the DC Universe Animated Original Movies released by Warner Premiere and Warner Bros. Animation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Philippus (character)</span> Comics character

Philippus is a fictional character created by DC Comics. She made her first appearance in February 1987 as an Amazon character in the Wonder Woman comic book. The character was created by writer/artist George Pérez.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zeus (DC Comics)</span> DC Comics character

Zeus is a fictional deity in the DC Comics universe, an interpretation of Zeus from Greek mythology. His appearances are most significant in stories of Wonder Woman. With the 2011 relaunch of DC Comics dubbed The New 52, Zeus has received a prominent role in the Wonder Woman mythos, as he is now the biological father of Wonder Woman through Hippolyta.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Medusa (DC Comics)</span> DC Comics character

Medusa is a fictional character appearing in DC Comics publications and related media, commonly as a recurring adversary of the superhero Wonder Woman. Based upon the eponymous Greek mythological figure whose story was chronicled in Ovid's Metamorphoses, she is a snake-haired Gorgon with the ability to turn living creatures to stone with her gaze. Since her debut in 1964, Medusa's physical appearance has been presented variously as DC Comics' continuities have shifted and evolved. Though she has routinely been depicted with snakes for hair, she has sometimes been shown as bipedal and sometimes with a serpentine lower body. However across continuities, she has consistently been written with the ghostly ability to possess or influence other beings after her physical body has been killed, as well as an uncanny capacity for resurrection after death. Her characterization has been that of a dangerous immortal creature who is at turns both vengeful and sympathetic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hermes (DC Comics)</span> DC Comics character

Hermes is a character in DC Comics. He is based on the Greek god of the same name.

"Trial of the Amazons" is a seven issue crossover event from DC Comics written by Becky Cloonan, Michael W. Conrad, Jordie Bellaire, Vita Ayala and Joelle Jones. The story details a civil war between the Amazons, and has Wonder Woman crossing the path with Nubia, Yara Flor, Cassie Sandsmark, Donna Troy, Hippolyta, and Artemis of Bana-Mighdall. The event received positive reviews, although the ending received criticism for it being rushed.

References

  1. "Wonder Woman Preview", Wizard #184 (February 2007), p. 87.
  2. Teen Titans #48
  3. Beatty, Scott (2008). "Granny Goodness". In Dougall, Alastair (ed.). The DC Comics Encyclopedia. New York: Dorling Kindersley. p. 148. ISBN   978-0-7566-4119-1. OCLC   213309017.
  4. Phillips, Dan. "IGN: Comic Book Reviews for August 29, 2007". Uk.comics.ign.com. Archived from the original on 2011-07-13. Retrieved 2011-02-06.
  5. Jason Brice (2007-08-30). "Wonder Woman #12 Review – Line of Fire Reviews – Comics Bulletin". Archived from the original on 2007-10-17. Retrieved 2011-02-06.
  6. "Blog@Newsarama » Amazons — and unhappy readers — attack!". Blog.newsarama.com. 2007-09-05. Archived from the original on 2011-07-19. Retrieved 2011-02-06.