WARNING: The following article contains spoilers for Justice League #11 by Scott Snyder, Francis Manapul and Tom Napolitano, in stores now.
The heroes of the DC Universe not only find strength in each other, but in the furry, scaled or feathered company they often keep. Over the years, we've seen many animal sidekicks accompany their respective masters on perilous journeys, from Krypto the super-dog and Ace the Bat-Hound to the super-powered feline Streaky and Wonder Woman’s kangaroo, Jumpa. All of these animals are fan-favorites in their own right, and now, it appears we can add a new one to the list.
In the latest chapter of the “Drowned Earth” crossover event, fans are introduced to Wonder Woman’s newest animal sidekick, but rather than another kangaroo, it's a two-headed space parrot named Asteria.
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When “Drowned Earth” began, Wonder Woman and Aquaman were attacked by a space kraken who created a cosmic whirlpool, a vortex that transported the heroes to a plane of existence known as the Blood Reef. When the Amazon Princess eventually resurfaced in the Reef, she was wearing a new battle armor, ready to take on the villainous Ocean Masters. But Diana Prince didn’t arrive alone; at her side, she had a techno-organic, two-headed bird accompanying her on her quest.
In Justice League #11, once Wonder Woman and Aquaman are reunited, Diana introduces Arthur to her new flying friend. She explains the name Asteria means means “of the wind,” a name Diana gave the bird in honor of “an ancient sister who fought against the gods.” We don’t exactly know how the two met, but Diana does reveal she found the parrot on the Reef. One can assume that Asteria was alone in the cosmic plane, and that Wonder Woman, as she always does, rescued it, an assumption that would explain the bond the have quickly formed.
One would assume Asteria has a story of her own, something we hope Justice League writer Scott Snyder will reveal at some point. As it stands, the two-headed parrot doesn’t appear to be a simple throwaway addition. The metal-feathered creature must have a role to play in the events to come, but whether Asteria will remain at Wonder Woman’s side once “Drowned Earth” concludes is anyone’s guess right now.
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