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Post by Admin on Oct 4, 2005 23:26:24 GMT -5
 Wonder Woman
Issue 0: “A Game of Gods and Men, Pt1: A Madness of Oracles!”
Writer: David Charlton
Cover by Brandon Herren
Edited by Charles HoM Resplendent in long robes the color of a wine-dark sea, her hair done up in tight ringlets, Princess Diana welcomed her guests into the Themysciran Embassy with widespread arms and a sincere smile. “Be at ease in Themyscira House, my friends.” She told them as the religious men and woman of many nations made their tentative way across the cool marble floor, accepting glasses of champagne or admiring the displays of Amazon culture set out for them to examine. “Let this be a day of learning and sharing for all of us.” A scholarly man in robes as austere as Diana’s were ornate was squinting at a brightly colored mosaic when she came up to him. Taller than he by a head, Diana stood respectfully at his shoulder, as he examined the bucolic scene. “It is taken from the story of Zeus and Leto.” She explained, pointing out the graceful white swan and the unsuspecting nubile maiden. “It was done by my sister Artemisia; she has many works on display here. Do you like it, Imam?” The man took off his glasses and sighed. “There are no gods but God, Princess. Who is this Zeus that you should worship him?” Not the response she had expected, Diana considered the comment for a moment: he certainly had a valid point! Zeus was a patricide and a philanderer, petty and capricious. “Imam, I’m not sure if worship is the right word. I do not pretend to be able to justify the actions or existence of my gods, I can only explain why we reverence and respect them---.” “I have to agree with Dr. Sayid, Princess.” A new voice joined the conversation; an older man with a round face and clerical collar approached them, scowling. “Your message of peace and tolerance, while welcome, has sprouted a neo-paganism movement in my own diocese! Why just yesterday I saw a sign on the local college campus advertising a bacchanalia on Saturday night…” Minutes into it, Diana was forced to concede this cultural exchange was not going the way she originally intended. |
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Post by Admin on Oct 4, 2005 23:27:50 GMT -5
Across town from the stately Themysciran Embassy, on the other side of Central Park, in a luxury penthouse suite, treasure-hunter Barbara Ann Minerva lay back in a steaming bath. She watched through drowsing eyes as Chuma, the short bald man, brown as a nut, carried a shallow bowl across the tiled floor over to the tall, exotic plant in an alcove on the far wall.
He tipped the bowl over, watering the roots of the broad-leafed plant with an incarnadine liquid.
“Hurry, Chuma!” Minerva hissed in her clipped British accent. “Urzkartaga must have the blood… and I need the strength to work its will...”
The little man emptied the deeply stained bowl, and bowed respectfully to the god, muttering a prayer in his high, musical voice. As they watched, scarlet berries began to ripen on the branches of the plant, and Minerva eyed them greedily. Soon their potency would be coursing through her veins again, as it did that first time, back in the Congo those many months ago…!
Chuma deliberately plucked the ripest berries from the vines, chanting in an African dialect she did not know. But Chuma had been the keeper of the plant god for a long time now, and was a master of its mysteries. When he deemed that he had enough, he turned and went over to his mistress, dark eyes bright in his wizened face.
“Hurry…!” Minerva squirmed in anticipation, steam rising from the waters of her bath, as Chuma began mashing the berries into a paste, saving some of the juice for a gilt goblet.
He passed her the goblet, and she drank it down in one gulp, a single red drop escaping and trailing down her chin. Almost immediately she began to feel the effects. A rush of feral vitality surged through her body, and in her head, she heard the pounding of her own blood like a rhythmic drumbeat from the deepest part of the Congo.
Her auburn hair spread out on the water around her, and she barely noticed as Chuma began panting the ellipses on her face with a fine bristled brush.
“Feel the power of the god in your veins, mistress.” Sang Chuma, lovingly applying the paint to her face, though she was past hearing him. “You are the beloved protector of Urzkartaga, and you will bring a new world of blood and worship to him.”
Minerva, her face, neck and breast dotted in the red paint of the berries of the thirsty god, blinked once and when she opened her eyes, they were yellow slits like a cat’s! Chuma watched as she thrashed in the water, muscle and sinew rippling beneath skin that was sprouting fine spotted fur…
“But first, the acolytes of all other idols must fall, and surrender their blood to the god. Go then, my mistress. Go! To the house of the Amazon!”
With a roar, the Cheetah exploded from the bathtub!
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Post by Admin on Oct 4, 2005 23:32:21 GMT -5
On Paradise Island, Steve Trevor sat on a peristyle overlooking the sparkling waters of the Atlantic Ocean, the sun glinting off the white marble facades of the city of the Amazons below. He enjoyed the breeze, and relaxed on the terrace, sipping mountain-spring water as he tapped on his laptop computer.
As it always happens when he didn’t check it for a few days, his mailbox was full. After a moment, he was distracted by the sound of General Phillipus leading a troop of armored Amazons across the island on a routine scouting expedition to Doom’s Doorway, the giant bronze gates that guarded the entrance to Tartarus and the horrors below the island the Amazons were pledged to guard against for all eternity. He watched them from his balcony rail, then with a rueful sigh, he turned back to his email, and resigned himself to a few hours work.
It was a lot of the same stuff. His official capacity was the United States Special Liaison Officer to Themyscira, but he had to be a diplomat, a translator, an event-planner, a teacher, a student, public relations man and a dozen other things. He missed the old days when his biggest headache was coordinating war-games for the Pentagon.
But Diana had changed all that…
He thought about her with a pang. Today would be the day she would be hosting the summit of religious leaders at the embassy. He could not refrain from a smile. He’d told her that was going to be a bad idea…
A beep sounded on his laptop, alerting him to a new email. The blinking icon proclaimed: TOP SECRET. EYES ONLY.
It was addressed to KingsPawn1.
It seemed a dark cloud suddenly shrouded the classical glory of the tropical island, but it was only his imagination. With some trepidation, he opened and read the short email.
hope your mission to themyscira is going well. we await word of your progress. do not forget what the objective has always been.
And that was all. It was not signed, but there was no need. Steve knew exactly who it was from. His mood irrevocably ruined, he snapped the laptop shut, and when he looked up--- he was no longer alone! A beautiful woman with long violet hair sat atop his balcony rail, staring at him with baleful red eyes.
“Circe!” He leapt to his feet, wishing he hadn’t left his 9 mm. inside his chambers.
The witch laughed mirthlessly, and dropped lightly to the terrace. She wore surprisingly modern raiment, if shockingly risqué. She stalked closer to Steve, measuring him frankly.
“Don’t look so surprised, mortal. I told you we’d meet again. I do not forget my promises so quickly.” She said in her thick, throaty voice.
Steve remained stock still as the witch who once tried to aid the war god Ares set the world on nuclear fire sidled very close to him, tilting her head back to look him in the eye.
“What do you want?” He demanded. “If Queen Hippolyta knew you were here, she’d---.”
“She’d what?” Said Circe scornfully. “Call her darling daughter, your precious Wonder Woman, to escort me off the island? Oh, I’ll be gone long before then; actually, I just dropped in to see the fireworks.”
He glared down at her.
“What fireworks?”
She smiled crookedly at him, and trailed a finger down his chest provocatively.
“You refused me once, mortal. Can you do so again…?” She pressed herself to him, whispering. “Or do you dare open that Pandora’s Box?”
He grasped her by the shoulders and held her at arms length.
“Damnit, Circe, what do you---.” And then it dawned on him. She was teasing him. Pandora’s Box. An ancient euphemism for the horrors contained in Tartarus, the horrors contained only by the Bronze Gates on the other side of this very Island.
“You’re going to open Doom’s Doorway!” He gasped. “You’re going to unleash all those monsters on the world…!”
“Oh, no, not me!” Circe’s red eyes sparkled mischievously. “I told you, I’m just here to witness the momentous event. Pandora herself would be proud…!”
Steve shoved her aside, and took off running, his only thought to get to Phillipus in time!
Behind him echoed the mocking laugh of Circe!
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Post by Admin on Oct 4, 2005 23:33:48 GMT -5
Hera, help me! Diana groaned inwardly.
The princess had been cornered by a Baptist minister and a Methodist minister, both of whom seemed to be more interested in arguing with each other than discussing their commonalities or Diana’s own message.
She sighed, and excused herself politely. They never noticed.
Other Amazons, sisters that were on-staff here at the embassy, seemed capable of holding down the fort for a while, and Diana needed a break so she left the reception hall and fled into the kitchen, where she noticed an owl perched on the open window sill.
She approached the bird cautiously, knowing them to be messengers of her especial patron, Grey-eyed Athena.
What news, brother of the wind? She asked, holding out her arm; the owl lit from the sill and settled on her wrist.
Princess, Athena bids thee beware! Dangers surround thee on all sides, and soon thou will be beset. She hath foreseen it!
What dangers, wise one?
The owl screeched and flapped its wings nervously.
Not all believe in thy mission of peace and truth! For some, there is only blood and death! She comes through the park!
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Post by Admin on Oct 4, 2005 23:34:32 GMT -5
The sun was setting and the shadows grew long in Central Park. A jogger rounded a curve in the road and was faced with a strange figure blocking his way.
He gaped as the thing was poised to spring, a long tail whipping the grass behind it…
He screamed, but not for long. The Cheetah was upon him in an instant, ripping out his throat and feeling the warm gush of blood suffuse her body. Claws like razors shredded the man’s chest, and the thing that was once Barbara Minerva fed upon the heart of her prey.
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Post by Admin on Oct 4, 2005 23:34:57 GMT -5
She was finished in moments, strengthened by the infusion of fresh blood. She loped with dizzying speed towards her destination.
To the other side of the park. To Themyscira House.
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Post by Admin on Oct 4, 2005 23:37:21 GMT -5
Diana returned to the Hall of Reception, troubled by the warning from Athena. It was not news to her that there were those that opposed her mission to spread Amazon values, indeed, she had encountered many already that would kill to silence her message, but to purposefully bring about blood and death…? What kind of monster would do such a thing?
She comes through the park!
With a growing sense of urgency, Diana went to Arsinoe, the Captain of her Household Guard, and shared her concerns. Disarmed but for a simple spear for the peaceful convocation, Arsinoe frowned and merely nodded and went about alerting her sisters of the imminent danger.
“Honored guests!” Diana faced the crowd, who hushed at the sound of her voice. “Forgive me, but unforeseen circumstances dictate that we must postpone our historic gathering for a little while. I hope that---.”
Her words were cut off by a spectacular crash! The double doors to the street outside shattered into splinters, and with a screeching roar, a monster bounded into Themyscira House!
Panic ensued instantly. People scattered and screamed, fleeing before the blur that was the Cheetah. She rampaged into the room, leaping over an Amazon who turned to face her empty-handed, onto a terrified Buddhist monk!
“NO!”
Wonder Woman was already in motion. She flung her ceremonial robes off her shoulders, revealing a breastplate familiar to the world, and launched herself with the speed of Hermes at the attacker. The Cheetah reared up over the monk, her jaws slavering to sink into his throat…
Diana hit her straight on, sending the two of them rolling backward in a heap, giving the monk time to scramble away. They grappled furiously. Diana managed to grab her opponent’s hands, keeping those deadly claws away, but had to struggle to contain that monstrous strength.
“Whoever you are, you’ve just made a big mistake.” The Princess gritted, straddling her foe.
The Cheetah snarled, snapping with her teeth.
“You’re the one who’s made the mistake, disciple of false gods!” Hissed the creature. “You’re blood will feed Urzkartaga for many days to come!” She curled her back legs up and dug them into Diana’s side, then pushed mightily, sending Wonder Woman hurtling off of her, scratched and bleeding.
“Princess!” Cried Arsinoe, who interposed herself between the Cheetah and her prey, as Diana shook her head groggily from the impact of her fall.
With a swipe of her claws, the Cheetah shattered Arsinoe’s spear. The Amazon fearlessly charged her foe, but fell, gurgling on her own blood as the next swipe opened her throat!
“Arsinoe!” Cried Diana. But that was all she had time to do. The Cheetah was upon her in the next instant. Fueled by anger and despair, Diana held nothing back; she aimed a blow at the Cheetah that sent her crashing back into the far wall, and through it, exploding into the street outside. Horns blared and tires screeched, and there was the sound of metal crashing against metal as cars swerved to avoid the figure that was suddenly rolling in the middle of Park Avenue.
Diana went to Arsinoe, who had her hands pressed to her throat to staunch the spurting gush of blood, and gathered her into her arms.
“I’m going to get you to a hospital!” She told the wide-eyed Captain of her Household Guard, who could only nod in wordless shock.
But the Cheetah wasn’t finished. She appeared at the gaping new hole in the wall, thirsty for blood and ready for more.
“I’m not done with you yet, Wonder Woman! I won’t be done until I soak the roots of Urzkartaga with the blood of every false prophet here!”
Holding Arsinoe up with one hand, Diana removed her tiara and snarled back: “But I am done with you, monster. This ends now!” And with fantastic speed, she whipped the tiara through the air towards the Cheetah! It struck her a glancing blow, knocking her back into the street, and returned to Diana’s waiting hand.
Bleeding from the forehead, the Cheetah lay senseless on the sidewalk, surrounded by a crowd of wide-eyed onlookers. Already, there could be heard the sound of police sirens.
But Diana could not wait for them. Satisfied that the Cheetah was, for now, no longer a threat, she held Arsinoe close to her, and whispering a prayer to Asklepios, took to the skies.
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Post by Admin on Oct 4, 2005 23:39:45 GMT -5
The Bronze Gates were built into the side of a small hill, far outside the city, and General Phillipus’ troop was already there, offering up libations at the simple shrine nearby.
Penelope sang a hymn of praise to Persephone, and the others prostrated themselves solemnly, so no one noticed the oracle Menalippe rise and walk straight to the gates in slow, deliberate steps. No one noticed as she gripped the wheel-latch mechanism and threw her weight into it. No one noticed anything at all until the sound of frantic hooofbeats reached their ears.
Steve Trevor crested a hill and came into view, riding furiously for them, and at his side upon a white mare was Queen Hippolyta herself and the captain of her royal guard Euboea.
“Stop her!” He yelled desperately.
Phillipus and her troop rose from their attitude of worship, puzzled, the General herself looking in confusion to her queen.
Steve reined in his horse expertly, and called urgently to the oracle: “Menalippe, no!”
Alert now, all the Amazons turned as one to their beloved oracle, standing shaking by Doom’s Doorway, her hands still on the wheel latch. She looked back at them, tears welling in her eyes. She seemed poised to turn the wheel the final measure.
“Damnit, Menalippe, back away from the Doorway.” Steve drew his 9 mm. and aimed it at her with a steady hand.
A look of fury on her face, General Phillipus had her sword halfway out of its scabbard before Queen Hippolyta’s strident voice called: “Nobody move! Menalippe, back away from the Bronze Gates immediately!” The queen slid gracefully from her horse and took a commanding step towards her sister, but Menalippe shook her head, her lip quivering.
“It doesn’t stop.” She whimpered, looking upon the stricken and confused faces of her sisters. “The dreams, the visions… I cannot sleep for the horrors that awaken me every night… They have made me as mad as Cassandra!”
“I swear to God, Menalippe, back away, now!” Steve cocked the slide on his weapon and took a bead on her.
But no one heeded him.
“Beloved,” Spoke Penelope, stepping forward, sudden tears in her own eyes. “I know better than any the horrors that assail you in the night… I have held back the sobs and soothed your brow for years now. Do not do this, I implore you!”
“Menalippe, I will not say this again.” Snapped Hippolyta. “You do not want to be responsible for the consequences of such an act, nor can we allow you to commit it.”
But her queen’s words seemed to only strengthen Menalippe’s resolve.
“It’s better this way, my queen. Better this fate for the world than what awaits us!” She cried, tears coursing down her cheeks--- and she spun the wheel latch!
“No!” Penelope’s scream came too late. General Phillipus rushed the Door, but she was too far away. Steve’s gun roared three times in succession, with deadly accuracy.
Though not a warrior, the oracle was still an Amazon. She threw up her iron bracelets, and sparks flew. Two bullets ricocheted away from her, but one slipped by and a spray of blood erupted from her chest. She was slammed against the Bronze Gates, and the force of her impact caused them to creak slightly, infinitesimally, inward.
But it was enough.
Sobbing her lover’s name, Penelope was the first to reach her, cradling Menalippe’s head in her lap . The priestess could only sob one word, over and over again: “Why? Why, why, why?”
Death quickly clouding her eyes, a bubble of blood bursting upon her lips, Menalippe croaked her last breath.
“Because I love you…”
And behind them, something big came through Doom’s Doorway.
TO BE CONTINUED...
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Post by Admin on Sept 3, 2005 21:39:00 GMT -5
 Real Name: Princess Diana of Themyscira Secret Identity: None Occupation: Ambassador Base of Operations: Manhattan/Paradise Island Age: Immortal (appears mid-20s) HT: 6' WT: 145 lbs Eyes: Blue Hair: Black Super Powers and Special Abilities:Diana was granted at birth the blessings of five goddesses and one god: Aphrodite gave her beauty and a loving heart; Athena granted her wisdom; Hestia bestowed upon her the power to open men's hearts to hear her message of truth and peace; Demeter granted her the amazing strength and near invulnerability of Gaea; Artemis blessed her with the eyes of a hunter and unity with all beasts; and lastly, Hermes gave her flight and speed. In addition to these gifts, she is armed with the Lariat of Hestia, a lasso of truth which compels any within it's golden links to speak no lies; indestructible silver bracelets forged from the shards of the shield of Zeus, which can deflect bullets; a ruby-inlaid tiara which can be used as a boomerang; and a variety of weapons and armor of Themysciran and Olympian craftsmanship. History:Diana was shaped from the very clay of Themyscira, crafted lovingly by the hands of her mother Queen Hippolyta, and given life by the Earth Mother Gaea herself. Raised among the Amazons of Paradise Island, and the only child ever born to them, she had 3,000 sisters to train her in, not only every form of classical combat, but the gentler arts of music and crafts and nature as well. It was Diana herself, as a young woman, who discovered the shipwreck victim adrift on the Atlantic Ocean, an amnesiac orphan girl she took in named Donna Troy. Raised in the house of Hippolyta as Diana's little sister, young Donna soon began to exhibit unexplained powers and abilities much like Diana's own. There came a time soon after that the Amazonian oracle Menalippe declared the need for a new champion to Patriarch's world, a successor to the Wonder Woman mantle that Queen Hippolyta herself donned during the dark days of the Second World War, when she fought side-by-side with the legendary Justice Society of America. Though forbidden to enter the tournament by a protective mother, a helmed Diana won the contest, and was chosen to go out into Patriarch's World and combat the machinations of the mad god of war, Ares. Up against a shadow conspiracy that infiltrated governments across the world, Diana, newly rechristened as Wonder Woman, battled the disciples of the god of war, with USAAF Colonel Steve Trevor at her side, and narrowly prevented a worldwide nuclear conflagration, earning the eternal enmity of Ares. But the dreams of the oracle did not end there; the ineffable threat still loomed in Patriarch's World, so Diana remained, establishing a permanent mission of peace and justice. Working as an Ambassador of the Amazons from her embassy, Themyscira House in Manhattan, Princess Diana also finds herself defending her mission as Wonder Woman against such super villains as Dr. Psycho, the Silver Swan and the immortal witch Circe. Accepting an appointment from the American President Maxwell Lord IV, Steve Trevor acts as the liaison of Patriarch's World to Themyscira, the only man ever allowed to set foot on Paradise Island. Recently, Diana has begun to encounter other emerging heroes, working with the likes of the Flash and Superman, with whom she has developed a strong emotional attachment, and she has opened Themyscira House to her little "sister" Donna Troy as she comes home to Patriarch's World to continue her education and follow her own destiny. Respected and beloved, Diana has become a symbol and torchbearer for her mission, and known the world over as Wonder Woman! |
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Post by mockingbird on Aug 3, 2011 15:25:48 GMT -5
To let us know what you think of this issue, please visit the letters page here!
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