In honor of her 50th anniversary, Wonder Woman‘s iconic ally Nubia is joining the Justice League! Previously relegated to the role of Diana’s sister and sometime rival, Nubia has made her own legacy as the Amazon’s most powerful warrior as well as their new queen. A newly announced special issue unites her with Earth’s greatest heroes and showcases a bright new future for the character!
Nubia is a character who has been revitalized in recent years, shown to have a rich story of her own. Expanding Nubia’s history has also reimagined what was previously known about Themyscira and Amazon culture. Her heroes’ journey has taken her far beyond Diana’s shadow, to the point of ascending the throne as the Queen of all Amazons. Now a legend in her own right, Nubia is a natural choice to team up with the Justice League.
One of the creators largely responsible for Nubia’s reinvention within DC mythos is writer Stephanie Williams, who took to Twitter earlier this week for an announcement. Nubia and the Justice League Special #1 from Becky Cloonan, Michael W. Conrad, Stephanie Williams, Amancay Nahuelpan, and Alitha Martinezis is heading to comic shelves November 29, 2022. Williams’ post also featured the one-shot’s cover by artist Travis Moore and colorist Alejandro Sanchez. Queen Nubia is front and center clad in her stunning blue and gold armor. Behind her forms a team of her fellow Justice Leaguers, comprised of Batman, Wonder Woman, Martian Manhunter, Black Adam, Hawkman, Superman, Aquaman, Black Canary, and Green Arrow. DC hasn’t teased much in terms of plot, but the cover is emblazoned with the celebratory title “ALL HAIL THE QUEEN!“
Wonder Woman’s Nubia Celebrates 50 Years
Seeing a Black, queer woman at the head of the Justice League feels like a momentous occasion for Nubia’s anniversary. Nubia’s newfound notoriety is a sign that better and brighter days lay ahead for the character. It’s a testament to how meaningful Queen Nubia’s story has become among readers that she’s even getting an anniversary special one-shot. Fans can only hope that Nubia’s next 50 years of publication are even more enriching and exciting for the newly christened Justice Leaguer.
A warrior’s warrior and a queen among Amazons, Nubia of Themyscira is an icon, and it’s smart for DC to celebrate this moment. At the same time, it is a painful reminder that Nubia as a character has been long underserved until creators like Stephanie Williams were recently able to revitalize her. Nubia’s meteoric rise has taken her out of Diana’s shadow and into the spotlight of stories that are all her own. Now, these stories have set her on a trajectory to team up with the Justice League; not as Wonder Woman‘s plus one, but as the leader of an entire heroic warrior nation.
Nubia and the Justice League Special #1 will be available from DC Comics on November 29, 2022.
