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| The Hiketeia | ||||
| Written by: | Greg Rucka | |||
| Illustrated by: | J.G. Jones | |||
| Published: | June 19, 2002 | |||
| Length: | 94 pages | |||
| ISBN: | 978-1779502162 | |||
The Hiketeia is a graphic novel featuring Wonder Woman and Batman.
Synopsis[]
In Gotham a young woman, Danielle Wellys, fatally stabs a man and is subsequently chased down by Batman but escapes by falling into a nearby river. Some time later Danielle makes her way to Wonder Woman at the Embassy of Themyscira where she invokes the ancient ritual of Hiketeia so that Wonder Woman must offer her protection and refuge. The ritual demands that no matter what, Wonder Woman must protect and care for Danielle, in exchange Danielle must serve Wonder Woman's demands unconditionally. Should either Danielle or Wonder Woman break the Hiketeia than they shall be killed by revengeful spirits called the Erinyes which Wonder Woman notes are watching over them. The only way the Hiketeia can end is if Danielle chooses to willing release Wonder Woman from the agreement. Wonder Woman accepts the Hiketeia as she is bound to, but does not inquire as to why Danielle seeks her protection.
Over time Danielle serves Wonder Woman as her personal aide and continues to live under her protection but Wonder Woman never enquires what Danielle was fleeing from as she is bound by the Hiketeia regardless of Danielle's past. Wonder Woman is further fearful that the event will end in tragedy as the punishment of the Erinyes has a reputation of being inevitable with the spirits damning both those that commit wrongdoing but also those that fail to punish others for their wrongdoing.
Eventually Batman tracks Danielle to the Embassy of Themyscira and tries to capture her. When he is refused access by Wonder Woman Batman explains that Danielle is wanted for murdering four men and accuses Danielle of deceiving her, but Wonder Woman ignores the new information and throws Batman into the street when he tries to entre the Embassy. That night Danielle desperately tries to convince Wonder Woman that she wasn’t lying to her and admits to the murders but explains that each of the men she killed was responsible for the death of her younger sister who was forced into prostitution and died of a drug overdose, and that she was only trying to do justice by killing the men. Wonder Woman puts Danielle to bed and promises to discuss the matter in the morning but awakens to find that Danielle has fled.
The Erinyes guide Wonder Woman to Danielle a large bridge but not before Batman arrives and the two battle with Wonder Woman quickly overpowering him. Batman attempts to invoke the Hiketeia ritual with Wonder Woman but does so incorrectly earning her distain, the two recognise that they are at an impasse, Batman must apprehend Danielle, but Wonder Woman must protect her. Overhearing this Danielle decides to release Wonder Woman from the Hiketeia, not wishing to be a burden upon her. She leaps from the bridge they are standing on, and despite Wonder Woman’s attempt to catch her, Danielle lands on the rocks below, killing herself. With the tragedy having reached its conclusion the Erinyes depart.