The Wonder Woman Comics Behind the DCU Series PARADISE LOST

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As a long-time admirer and student of Wonder Woman‘s rich mythology, I find myself captivated by the intricate tapestry of the Amazons’ history, particularly the tumultuous events that unfolded between the two tribes: Themyscira and Bana-Mighdall.

One of the more intriguing projects James Gunn announced for his new DCU is a series called Paradise Lost, a sort of Game of Thrones-style series about the political turmoil in the Amazon nation of Themyscira. This show would take place centuries before Wonder Woman and will certainly feature a ton of other wonder women. Recently, James Gunn even updated us that there was good progress on Paradise Lost, implying the possibility that a few drafts have been submitted for the Wonder Woman story.

What have we learned about Paradise Lost thus far? It appears the title references a Wonder Woman storyline from two decades ago, centering around an Amazon civil war. However, before we delve into that narrative, let’s explore the background of the two tribes of warrior women at the core of the comic series Paradise Lost, their history in the world of comics.

The Bloody History of Wonder Woman’s Amazons

In George Perez’s 1980s reboot of Wonder Woman, he delved deeply into the past of the Amazons. His extensive overhaul suggested that the Amazon tribe were actually the reincarnations of women whose lives ended prematurely at the hands of men. The Greek deities bestowed these souls with a new life as Amazon warriors, who emerged fully grown from clay bodies rising from the sea bottom. This event took place approximately 3,000 years ago. In Patty Jenkins’ Wonder Woman film, this concept is portrayed in Queen Hippolyta’s history lesson to young Diana.

In Greek mythology, Heracles, Zeus’s son, harbored resentment towards these powerful female warriors. He deceived them, causing their enslavement. However, Hippolyta, one of the warrior women, sought freedom with divine help. She led her people in a violent uprising against him, swearing never to be enslaved again. Yet, the gods were displeased by the Amazons’ naivety for lowering their guard initially. As punishment, the gods imposed a curse: they would forever bear the marks of slavery and isolate themselves from human society as a constant reminder of their mistake.

One Amazon Tribe Becomes Two

However, not every Amazon consented to this decision. Discarding their signature bracelets, they defied going to the sanctuary island. Antiope, Hippolyta’s sister, was at the helm of this rebellious group. A portion of the Amazons followed Antiope, while the rest obeyed Hippolyta and headed for Themyscira. On Themyscira, they believed they would remain immortal as long as they resided there. Yet, Antiope’s followers relinquished their immortality when they abandoned the gods and their divine mandates. Eventually, they vanished from existence. It wasn’t until well into the Perez run of Wonder Woman that we learned about their final destination.

An Uneasy Amazon Alliance

Over time, it became known that Antiope’s people established their home in ancient Egypt. They chose seclusion, growing increasingly hostile towards humanity. Despite this, they were still formidable warriors, frequently exchanging weapons with neighboring tribes. They retained all newborn girls and raised them, while abandoning boys. Their settlement, named Bana-Mighdall, which means “City of Women,” endured for centuries. In the contemporary world, they came to be known as the Bana, becoming adversaries of Wonder Woman. Later, the sorceress Circe moved all the Banas to Themyscira, and transported the entire Amazon population into a demonic realm.

In this otherworldly realm governed by demons, time flowed at a different pace. A full decade elapsed before two Amazonian tribes, formerly adversaries, united to combat the demonic forces. Initially, their partnership was tense, but they ultimately triumphed. Upon their return to Earth, the Banas were given their own area on the island, while Hippolyta’s Amazons settled separately. However, from the outset, the Amazonians of Themyscira treated the Banas with disdain, regarding them as inferior.

For many centuries, two distinct cultures were kept apart by long-standing traditions, with the Bana people regarding the original Amazons as ancient relics, while the Amazons saw the Banas as uncivilized barbarians. However, this fragile truce was soon shattered when Artemis, a Banan, emerged victorious in a fierce competition, assuming the role of Wonder Woman.

When Two Tribes Go To War

2002 found me immersed in the epic tale penned by Phil Jimenez and George Perez, titled “Paradise Lost.” This captivating two-part storyline unfolded against the backdrop of an Amazon civil war, where the tension between the tribes reached its boiling point. Surprisingly, a blossoming romance between Amazons from opposing factions didn’t quell the conflict. As for Queen Hippolyta, she seemed more eager to traverse realms with the Justice Society of America than tend to her new subjects.

Ancient rivalries simmering on the island fueled tension between two groups, ultimately leading to violence and full-blown war. The Amazons of Themyscira were superior warriors, but the Banas excelled in handling modern weaponry. It wasn’t until Queen Hippolyta abdicated her throne and established a council composed of members from both tribes that lasting peace was achieved, giving birth to a unified Amazon culture.

The Amazon Civil War in the DCU

This story’s development could significantly alter the HBO Max series “Paradise Lost.” Notably, unlike the original, this revised tale won’t feature Wonder Woman since it is set millennia before Diana’s birth. However, we anticipate that the show might uncover the presence of Bana-Mighdall. Unlike in the comics, Antiope, portrayed by Robin Wright, remains with her sister Hippolyta in this adaptation.

But that doesn’t mean she never founded another tribe of warrior women before rejoining her sister in exile. In fact, the Amazon civil war, and the manipulations leading to it, could draw inspiration from the Jimenez/Perez storyline. Of course, we know that in the films, Hippolyta never renounced the throne, so that’s another major detail that will be different. But with the upcoming Flash movie, DC Studios will reset a lot of history. Maybe the Amazons will be far more different from what we remember in this new DCU reality. Only the Gods of Olympus know. And for now, they’re not talking.

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2024-10-07 20:32