WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Sensational Wonder Woman #3, by Andrea Shea, Bruno Redondo, Adriano Lucas and Rob Leigh, on sale now.
In Wonder Woman's latest adventure in Sensational Wonder Woman #3, she's faced with a major physical and emotional test. Diana's picked up a distress call from a familiar face, but Queen Hippolyta warns her not to act against her better judgment, since she doesn't think the rescue mission, more so the sketchy character involved, is worth the hassle.
While Diana flies to her friend's aid in Sensational Wonder Woman #3, the Amazon Artemis proves Hippolyta correct with a betrayal that could push Wonder Woman to the limit and possibly break the Justice Leaguer.
Diana's on her jet speeding towards Warworld, Mongul's arena where he's pitting gladiators to the death. There, Artemis is fighting off all challengers, proving to the crowd that she can still dominate the competition, even while being held there against her will. And as soon as Wonder Woman lands, Artemis turns her attention to her by swinging her iconic ax at Diana.
Artemis reveals she wanted a challenge, a worthy opponent and someone to wow the audience with, which is why she really sent the call. She knew Diana would come running due to her savior complex, leaving Wonder Woman stunned as Artemis is living up to Bana-Mighdall's sinister tag. Hippolyta always saw Artemis and the defected tribe as selfish, haughty and ruthless women who aren't worth the sacrifice. They always disappointed Themyscira with some of their savage ways, and Diana is now experiencing that first-hand.
Artemis is clearly jealous, as she goes on and on about living in Wonder Woman's shadow, and it seems like this is her way to release some pent-up resentment that's been building for a while. Mongul kicks it up a notch, dropping them onto some floating rocks below the arena. Just as Artemis thinks it'll give her the upper-hand, Diana uses her shield to knock Artemis' sword and ax away, bringing her to her knees. Frustrated and fed up, the issue ends with her holding Artemis ready for the death blow, angry of incessantly defending her only to be backstabbed.
While Wonder Woman almost certainly won't kill Artemis, she still hates how much this drama stings. She backed Artemis and her people to the death, relentlessly telling her mom to give them a second chance. Granted, this still a young Artemis, who's not quite the person she'll be when she's a hero with Jason Todd or who will go on to briefly take up the Wonder Woman mantle. Still, this experience shows Diana why trusting Artemis is always a test. Wonder Woman always believed in total loyalty. but this episode made her much more sympathetic to Hippolyta's skepticism. especially towards those who turned their backs on Paradise Island.