Preview: Wonder Woman Historia: The Amazons

Article by Steve J. Ray

As Wonder Woman's 80th Anniversary year draws to a close, after all the amazing releases we've already seen it would be easy to believe that DC Comics couldn't possibly have any more surprises up their sleeves. Thankfully, particularly if you're as huge a fan of the Warrior For Peace as we are, it seems like this year is a gift that will keep on giving... and 2022 will be as well.

When DC announced its adult-targeted Black Label imprint, back in 2018, one of the first titles announced was Wonder Woman Historia: The Amazons. It's taken three and a half years but in November 2021 the wait will be over. Looking at some of Phil Jimenez's preview, it will also have been well worth it, too!

In the mid-late 80s, two men revitalized Wonder Woman and took her to all new heights; those men were George Perez and Phil Jimenez. Seeing Mr. Jimenez working on the character he helped return to greatness for issue #1 fills my heart with joy, and when you see what's coming, I'm sure that yours will be soaring with me.

Here's the full press release, complete with stunning artwork, direct from DC Entertainment:

WONDER WOMAN HISTORIA:
THE AMAZONS

Launches November 30, 2021

“Keep to the darkness,” Hera whispers.

“For the light will be your undoing.”

The wait is over, and the entire story of the Amazons can finally be told! Best-selling DC talent Kelly Sue DeConnick (Aquaman) and Phil Jimenez (Wonder Woman By Phil Jimenez Omnibus) will explore the ancient history of the Amazons, expand the mythology and world of Wonder Woman as we know it, and launch one of the most highly-anticipated releases of the year! One of the greatest DC tales of all time begins on November 30 with Book One of Wonder Woman Historia: The Amazons, a three-part DC Black Label epic spanning thousands of years!

“This book is very much a conversation between Phil and me talking about these characters and what makes them resonant today,” said 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.”

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 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 Wonder Woman Historia: The Amazons #1, featuring unbelievably sumptuous art and a story that will haunt you. Design pages featuring notes by Phil Jimenez will complement the reading experience, giving insight into the various Amazon tribes shown above. The Tribe of Artemis - including Antiope - is detailed alongside the Tribe of Hestia, with more tribes to be revealed when you pick up Woman Historia: The Amazons #1 from your local comic shop on November 30!

“The thing that excited me the most about this project was Kelly Sue’s take on the mythology,” said Jimenez. “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.”

Wonder Woman Historia: The Amazons #1, written by Kelly Sue DeConnick, art by Phil Jimenez, colors by Hi-Fi, Arif Prianto & Romulo Fajardo Jr., and letters by Clayton Cowles, publishes on Nov 30, 2021.

The main cover is by Jimenez, and the variant cover is by Olivier Coipel. There willalso be a Library Faux Leather Design ratio variant with gold foil and textured treatment by DC’s Associate Art Director Darran Robinson which will be available from participating retailers.

Wonder Woman Historia: The Amazons is edited by Chris Conroy, Andy Khouri, and Andrea Shea. Book Two and Three will be released in Spring and Fall 2022 respectively, featuring art by modern masters Gene Ha (Book Two) and Nicola Scott (Book Three).

How amazing does that look, and how cool will books two and three be? I don't know about you, dear reader, but this is a series that I'll definitely be picking up!

Images and Press Release Courtesy of DC Entertainment