Nubia

CHARACTER

Nubia

Real name

Nubia

Debut

Wonder Woman v1 #204
(February 1973)

Created by

Robert Kanigher, Don Heck

Affiliations

Amazons, Wonder Woman (sister)

Abilities

Amazon

Nubia is an Amazon whose origins have changed through various incarnations of the character.

History[]

Pre-Crisis

Nubia, Wonder Woman’s "twin sister," is DC Comics' first Black superheroine. She was introduced as a stoic and formidable warrior, wearing a helmet that concealed her identity, and was the only Amazon capable of matching Diana in combat. Originally, Nubia was one of the royal twins of Themyscira—both sculpted from clay by Queen Hippolyta and brought to life by Aphrodite. Not wanting her child to grow up alone, Hippolyta created two daughters: Diana, formed from white clay, and Nubia, formed from darker clay just moments earlier and older by a single breath of life. According to some accounts, Nubia is the true heir to the Amazons. She might have even inherited the title of Wonder Woman had she not vanished.

Unlike her sister, who was blessed with divine gifts from the goddesses and Hermes, Nubia was kidnapped at birth by the god of war, Ares—also known by his Roman name, Mars (the Greek and Roman names are often used interchangeably in DC mythology).

Instead of growing up among the Amazons, Nubia was raised in chaos, surrounded by warriors and violence. From the moment she could walk, she was thrown into battle. As Ares’ only female apprentice, Nubia quickly surpassed her male peers and eventually came to lead them.

Nubia became Mars’ supreme warrior and even helped him wage war against the Amazons. Although she was treated almost like an adopted daughter, it was eventually revealed that Nubia never truly desired a life of war. Her indomitable Amazon spirit remained intact, making her difficult for Ares to fully control. To keep her obedient, he gave her a special ring that clouded her mind.

Years later, Diana encountered Nubia—who, by that point, had become her roommate. After several confrontations, Wonder Woman was able to free her by reflecting the sun’s heat off her bracelets, causing the enchanted ring to expand and fall off. With her mind cleared, Nubia defied Mars and chose to lead her warriors down a path of peace. It was then that Queen Hippolyta revealed the truth: Nubia was Diana’s sister.

Post-Crisis

Nu'bia is an Amazon warrior who was charged by the Greek Gods with defending the entrance to the river Styx and the Tartarus Gate. Sometime during her time in the underworld, Nu'bia met the Zoroastrian god of light, Ahura Mazda, and became his lover. Nu'bia sided with Wonder Woman.

Post-Rebirth

Nubia becomes queen of Themyscira during Hippolyta's stint with the Justice League. Her exploits as ruler are explored in the Nubia & the Amazons series.

Earth-23

Hailing from the island nation of Amazonia, Nubia functions as Wonder Woman; a diplomat and guardian as well as a representative of her people. Often accompanying Superman and the Justice League, her adventures take her around the world in order to protect justice, liberty and equality.

Renee Montoya ventures forth with Earth-5's Captain Marvel in an attempt to recruit each universe's equivalent of Superman to join Nix Uotan's Army of Heaven on Earth-Zero (the primary DC Earth). The beginning of the issue illustrates their visit to a universe where a black Superman is apparently the President of the United States. This Superman confers with a black Wonder Woman, whom he refers to as Nubia. This Nubia is apparently one of the "Wonder Women of Amazonia", and she uses a relic called the Wonder Horn to summon Renee and the others into her world.

After the events of Flashpoint, Nubia is revealed to be the Wonder Woman of Earth-23 and a member of that Earth's Justice League alongside President Calvin Ellis a.k.a. Superman.