DC Comics has released an early look at the upcoming Wonder Woman Historia: The Amazons #1.
According to a press release from DC, the series will "explore the ancient history of the Amazons" and add on to the Wonder Woman mythos and world. The series was originally set to debut on Oct. 19, but was pushed back to its current release date of Nov. 30. According to the creators, this is a book for fans to dive into the vast mythology that surrounds Wonder Woman and the Amazons, as well as their popularity in the modern world.
"This book is very much a conversation between Phil and me talking about these characters and what makes them resonant today," said writer Kelly Sue DeConnick. "We wanted to do a Homeric epic with a woman at the center. We took all the language and iconography that we’re used to in stories about men as heroes, and put women at the center. Wonder Woman Historia: The Amazons is like a history book for a young Amazon where she learns the history of her people, from the perspective of her people."
Artist Phil Jimenez also discussed what he gravitated to in the series, saying, "The thing that excited me the most about this project was Kelly Sue’s take on the mythology." He continued, "This book also allowed me to rethink the design of the Amazons. I wanted to represent the different types of women around the world. It was important that readers see themselves somewhere represented physically among these women."
The early look given highlights Jimenez's artwork, especially since there are no word bubbles of any kind, though two pages included break down the two tribes present in the book. The first is the Tribe of Artemis, led by Antiope (which is written as meaning "opposing gaze") with other members including Thero, Lyke, Aella and Epione. The other is the Tribe of Hestia, led by Io ("Moon of Jupiter") with members Venelia, Timandra, Egeria and Eudia. The preview pages detail more about each tribe member and the attire they wear.
After that, readers can see three splash pages that are filled to the brim with color. The first features various landscapes and beings from mythology, like cherubs and what appears to be Cerberus, the three-headed dog that guards the underworld in Greek mythology. The second splash page shows a regal woman wearing a crown as she dines on pomegranates, a peacock beside her, while the third shows six different warriors with varying armor and scenery.
The final page ties in with the premise and solicitation for the issue. A woman can be seen wearing white and purple robes, meaning this could be Hippolyta (Wonder Woman's mother and future Queen of the Amazons) in the series, being that she has worn these colors in books like the current Justice League run written by Brian Michael Bendis. The solicitation reads that "a despairing woman named Hippolyta" will be featured in the story, the solicitation and early look at the series shown below.
WONDER WOMAN HISTORIA: THE AMAZONS #1
- Story by KELLY SUE DeCONNICK
- Pencils and inks by PHIL JIMENEZ
- Cover by PHIL JIMENEZ
- $7.99 US | 72 PAGES | 1 OF 3
- PRESTIGE PLUS | 8 1/2" X 10 7/8"
- Variant cover by OLIVIER COIPEL
- 1:25 "Library" faux leather design variant ON SALE 10/19/21
- The wait is over, and the entire story of the Amazons can finally be told! Millennia ago, Queen Hera and the goddesses of the Olympian pantheon grew greatly dissatisfied with their male counterparts…and far from their sight, they put a plan into action. A new society was born, one never before seen on Earth, capable of wondrous and terrible things…but their existence could not stay secret for long. When a despairing woman named Hippolyta crossed the Amazons’ path, a series of events was set in motion that would lead to an outright war in heaven—and the creation of the Earth’s greatest guardian!
- Legendary talents Kelly Sue DeConnick and Phil Jimenez unleash a reading experience the likes of which you’ve never seen, with unbelievably sumptuous art and a story that will haunt you—with subsequent issues featuring art by modern masters Gene Ha and Nicola Scott! One of the most unforgettable DC tales of all time begins here!
Wonder Woman Historia: The Amazons #1 is written by DeConnick with art by Jimenez, colors by Hi-Fi, Arif Prianto and Romulo Jr., and letters by Clayton Cowles. Main cover art was done by Jimenez, with a variant cover by Olivier Coipel and a Library Faux Design ratio variant by DC's Associate Art Director Darran Robinson. Edited by Chris Conroy, Andy Khouri and Andrea Shea, the issue goes on sale Nov. 30 from DC Comics, with the series' second and third books set to release in 2022.
Source: DC Comics