The gods and the Amazons
Thanks to the unofficial index of wonder woman site here is the synopsis of issue #1 which gives a lot of backstory to the whole Amazon and the Gods stories. (http://www.dcuguide.com/WW/WW2_001.php) if you want to read more.
1200 BC. On Mount Olympus the Gods are arguing. Ares, the God of War, opposes Artemis' plans to create a new race of mortals. He says that if they want power over the mortals then the Gods should let him descend upon them. Artemis points out that this will make mankind fear the Gods rather than follow them. The aim of the new race is to set an example to man. Athena says that Ares' way will eventually destroy them for without man they would die. The debate moves on to sex of the new race. It appears that the plan is for the new race to be completely female. Eventually Zeus grows angry of the debate and leaves saying that it does not matter if the race is created or not so it is up to those gods involved to settle the matter for themselves. Artemis asks Hera to intervene for them with Zeus. She says that she cannot take sides against him while he still rages. Ares also leaves saying that the new race shall not matter one way or the other, because in time all the Gods, even Zeus, will bow before his power. The gods and goddesses involved in the plan decide to proceed with the blessing of Zeus. Hermes transports Athena and Artemis down to their companions in Hades. Charon arrives and ferries the five Goddesses - Artemis, Athena, Demeter, Aphrodite and Hestia - to one of the oldest parts of the underworld, the Cavern of Souls. It is here that Gaea has gathered the souls of women whose lives have been cut short by man's fear and ignorance. The Goddesses cast their spell and the souls are transported to Greece, where they spring to life, reborn as the Amazons. The first to rise is Hippolyte followed closely by her sister Antiope. The Goddesses appear to them, and grant them gifts. Hippolyte is made their Queen. They give both Hippolyte and Antiope symbols of their trust, Gaea's Girdles. Back in the womb of Gaea one soul remains, her destiny yet to come.
In the beginning the Amazons are successful. They build a city that becomes famed for its compassion and justice. The kings of Greece grow jealous of this power and popularity and so tales are told of Amazon atrocities. The Amazons become outcasts and all the Goddesses hoped to achieve through them looks doomed to failure.
Heracles gets up from the bed of his lover. Hera's madness burns him and he must do Eurystheus' will to make it cool. His lover taunts him that the Amazon Queen that is off to find calls him "Eurystheus' trained dog". She stirs up Heracles' anger. Theseus arrives and they leave to conquer the Amazons. Heracles' lover dissolves in flames, consumed by the spirit of Ares. She has however served her purpose by fanning the flames of anger in Heracles and directing them towards the Amazons. Ares stand on Areopagus and waits for Heracles to destroy the one thing that might have kept him in check.
Heracles and Theseus lead an army to the Amazon city Themyscira. They are challenged by Amazons hidden in the trees. And directed towards a clearing where Hippolyte will speak with them. The oracle Menalippe has foreseen this day and is filled with dread. In the clearing Heracles and Hippolyte meet in single combat. Although Heracles is the stronger Hippolyte bests him though art of battle. Heracles is impressed and tells his men that the Amazons are worthy allies. They gather in good will chatting and drinking. Only Menalippe is still not content. She still feels this to be a day of dread. Heracles and Hippolyte drink together, but Heracles had drugged the wine. She wakes to find herself chained. He tells her that he must go as the madness calls him now to Troy. He leaves taking Hippolyte's Girdle with him. She prays to the Goddesses of Olympus for forgiveness for failing them. Athena appears to her and tells her that the major failing was in withdrawing from mankind. Athena frees Hippolyte, but not to gain revenge, rather to redeem themselves. The Amazons fight their way free and kill the men left occupying their home. Antiope wants to ride after Heracles, sack his home and reclaim Hippolyte's Girdle. Hippolyte tells her that Athena spoke to her and now awaits them on the shores of the Aegean. The Amazons split - those seeking revenge follow Antiope while the rest follow Hippolyte down to the sea. Antiope's final gift to her sister is her Girdle. She says that she wants nothing from Olympus anymore. Upon arriving at the sea, the five goddesses appear and explain that the Amazons will be jailers of evil for all eternity. As long as they do not shrink from their new task they will be immortal. Poseidon parts the sea and the Amazons walk to their new home. For three long months they walk, surrounded by water.
Upon arriving on the island they begin building their new home. Centuries pass and the Amazon nation renews itself. They do not age, however there still those who fall in battle, for the evil they guard is forever trying to escape. Over time civilizations rise and fall, but the Amazons know nothing of this, all they do know is that the voices of the Gods gradually grow weaker until only Menalippe can still commune with them. After 30 centuries on the island Hippolyte looks to Menalippe for help. There is a strange yearning that fills her. She is told that this yearning is the call of her unborn child. Hippolyte goes to the shore and from the clay of paradise shapes the image of a child. Up in Olympus at the Womb of Gaea the Goddess send the final soul on its way, with them stands Hermes. They each bestow on the child remarkable gifts.
Demeter grants her power and strength. Aphrodite grants her beauty and a loving heart. Athena grants her wisdom. Artemis grants her the eye of the hunter and unity with the beasts. Hestia grants her sisterhood with fire to open men's hearts to her. Finally Hermes grants her speed and the power of flight. She is honored with the name of a great warrior, she is called Diana.
Diana grows to womanhood in the company of her sisters. She learns and more than that, she excels. However fear comes to paradise. The Gods cry out that Ares is mad and that a champion must be chosen from the Amazons through tournament and the trial of flashing thunder. That champion must face Ares alone in the world of man. Diana asks her mother to be included in the tournament, but her mother denies her the right. She walks in the moonlight talking to the Gods, asking for a purpose. Athena answers her and tells her that she will have a purpose.
The next morning the tournament starts. Hippolyte has asked the participants to be masked to stop them from holding back when competing with a friend. On the final day a champion emerges who has beaten everyone. She is awarded a set of silver bracelets and asked to unmask herself. She does, and shows herself to be Diana. She tells her mother that Athena told her to do this. The Queen is still going to forbid this but Menalippe tells her that this is the will of the Gods and it is not her place to gain say it. In the temple of Hades Diana faces the trial of flashing thunder. Philippus produces a revolver and aims it at Diana. She then pulls the trigger three times. Instinctively Diana blocks the bullets with her bracelets. She asks her mother where such a contraption came from, but her mother answers that now is not the time for tales of horror. She is the presented with her Warrior's garb, the garb being that of the warrior for whom she was named.
1200 BC. On Mount Olympus the Gods are arguing. Ares, the God of War, opposes Artemis' plans to create a new race of mortals. He says that if they want power over the mortals then the Gods should let him descend upon them. Artemis points out that this will make mankind fear the Gods rather than follow them. The aim of the new race is to set an example to man. Athena says that Ares' way will eventually destroy them for without man they would die. The debate moves on to sex of the new race. It appears that the plan is for the new race to be completely female. Eventually Zeus grows angry of the debate and leaves saying that it does not matter if the race is created or not so it is up to those gods involved to settle the matter for themselves. Artemis asks Hera to intervene for them with Zeus. She says that she cannot take sides against him while he still rages. Ares also leaves saying that the new race shall not matter one way or the other, because in time all the Gods, even Zeus, will bow before his power. The gods and goddesses involved in the plan decide to proceed with the blessing of Zeus. Hermes transports Athena and Artemis down to their companions in Hades. Charon arrives and ferries the five Goddesses - Artemis, Athena, Demeter, Aphrodite and Hestia - to one of the oldest parts of the underworld, the Cavern of Souls. It is here that Gaea has gathered the souls of women whose lives have been cut short by man's fear and ignorance. The Goddesses cast their spell and the souls are transported to Greece, where they spring to life, reborn as the Amazons. The first to rise is Hippolyte followed closely by her sister Antiope. The Goddesses appear to them, and grant them gifts. Hippolyte is made their Queen. They give both Hippolyte and Antiope symbols of their trust, Gaea's Girdles. Back in the womb of Gaea one soul remains, her destiny yet to come.
In the beginning the Amazons are successful. They build a city that becomes famed for its compassion and justice. The kings of Greece grow jealous of this power and popularity and so tales are told of Amazon atrocities. The Amazons become outcasts and all the Goddesses hoped to achieve through them looks doomed to failure.
Heracles gets up from the bed of his lover. Hera's madness burns him and he must do Eurystheus' will to make it cool. His lover taunts him that the Amazon Queen that is off to find calls him "Eurystheus' trained dog". She stirs up Heracles' anger. Theseus arrives and they leave to conquer the Amazons. Heracles' lover dissolves in flames, consumed by the spirit of Ares. She has however served her purpose by fanning the flames of anger in Heracles and directing them towards the Amazons. Ares stand on Areopagus and waits for Heracles to destroy the one thing that might have kept him in check.
Heracles and Theseus lead an army to the Amazon city Themyscira. They are challenged by Amazons hidden in the trees. And directed towards a clearing where Hippolyte will speak with them. The oracle Menalippe has foreseen this day and is filled with dread. In the clearing Heracles and Hippolyte meet in single combat. Although Heracles is the stronger Hippolyte bests him though art of battle. Heracles is impressed and tells his men that the Amazons are worthy allies. They gather in good will chatting and drinking. Only Menalippe is still not content. She still feels this to be a day of dread. Heracles and Hippolyte drink together, but Heracles had drugged the wine. She wakes to find herself chained. He tells her that he must go as the madness calls him now to Troy. He leaves taking Hippolyte's Girdle with him. She prays to the Goddesses of Olympus for forgiveness for failing them. Athena appears to her and tells her that the major failing was in withdrawing from mankind. Athena frees Hippolyte, but not to gain revenge, rather to redeem themselves. The Amazons fight their way free and kill the men left occupying their home. Antiope wants to ride after Heracles, sack his home and reclaim Hippolyte's Girdle. Hippolyte tells her that Athena spoke to her and now awaits them on the shores of the Aegean. The Amazons split - those seeking revenge follow Antiope while the rest follow Hippolyte down to the sea. Antiope's final gift to her sister is her Girdle. She says that she wants nothing from Olympus anymore. Upon arriving at the sea, the five goddesses appear and explain that the Amazons will be jailers of evil for all eternity. As long as they do not shrink from their new task they will be immortal. Poseidon parts the sea and the Amazons walk to their new home. For three long months they walk, surrounded by water.
Upon arriving on the island they begin building their new home. Centuries pass and the Amazon nation renews itself. They do not age, however there still those who fall in battle, for the evil they guard is forever trying to escape. Over time civilizations rise and fall, but the Amazons know nothing of this, all they do know is that the voices of the Gods gradually grow weaker until only Menalippe can still commune with them. After 30 centuries on the island Hippolyte looks to Menalippe for help. There is a strange yearning that fills her. She is told that this yearning is the call of her unborn child. Hippolyte goes to the shore and from the clay of paradise shapes the image of a child. Up in Olympus at the Womb of Gaea the Goddess send the final soul on its way, with them stands Hermes. They each bestow on the child remarkable gifts.
Demeter grants her power and strength. Aphrodite grants her beauty and a loving heart. Athena grants her wisdom. Artemis grants her the eye of the hunter and unity with the beasts. Hestia grants her sisterhood with fire to open men's hearts to her. Finally Hermes grants her speed and the power of flight. She is honored with the name of a great warrior, she is called Diana.
Diana grows to womanhood in the company of her sisters. She learns and more than that, she excels. However fear comes to paradise. The Gods cry out that Ares is mad and that a champion must be chosen from the Amazons through tournament and the trial of flashing thunder. That champion must face Ares alone in the world of man. Diana asks her mother to be included in the tournament, but her mother denies her the right. She walks in the moonlight talking to the Gods, asking for a purpose. Athena answers her and tells her that she will have a purpose.
The next morning the tournament starts. Hippolyte has asked the participants to be masked to stop them from holding back when competing with a friend. On the final day a champion emerges who has beaten everyone. She is awarded a set of silver bracelets and asked to unmask herself. She does, and shows herself to be Diana. She tells her mother that Athena told her to do this. The Queen is still going to forbid this but Menalippe tells her that this is the will of the Gods and it is not her place to gain say it. In the temple of Hades Diana faces the trial of flashing thunder. Philippus produces a revolver and aims it at Diana. She then pulls the trigger three times. Instinctively Diana blocks the bullets with her bracelets. She asks her mother where such a contraption came from, but her mother answers that now is not the time for tales of horror. She is the presented with her Warrior's garb, the garb being that of the warrior for whom she was named.