Warning: contains spoilers for Artemis: Wanted #1!
In the aftermath of the era-defining Wonder Woman crossover event Trial of the Amazons, Amazon Queen Hippolyta's murder has been resolved with a shocking twist. Trial of the Amazons was the first Wonder Woman crossover in decades, and so it appropriately shook up all three Amazon tribes. Artemis: Wanted #1 features multiple key Wonder Woman legacy characters pursuing justice for Hippolyta's murder - in addition to her apparent murderer, Artemis of Bana-Mighdall.
During Trial of the Amazons, all three Amazon tribes - the Themyscirans, the Bana-Mighdall, and the newly-discovered Esquecida - unite on Themyscira to decide the new champion who will defend Doom's Doorway. During the celebrations, former Queen Hippolyta is found poisoned in her chambers. Cassie Sandsmark, one of the current two Wonder Girls, deduces that Artemis of Bana-Mighdall is to blame. At the conclusion of the crossover, Artemis - who once held the title of Wonder Woman - is on the run from her sisters and her apparent crimes.
Artemis: Wanted #1 by Vita Ayala, Skylar Patridge, Romulo Fajardo Jr., and Pat Brosseau reveals that Hippolyta planned her own death and asked Artemis - who she believes to have the honor of a true Amazon - to poison her. Throughout the issue, two fellow Amazons (Cassie Sandsmark and Donna Troy, the first Wonder Girl) chase Artemis through the American midwest, eventually catching up to her. Donna is adamant that Artemis deserves punishment, while Cassie suspects there's more to the story. Cassie ends up being right, as Hippolyta descends mid-Amazonian battle, decreeing Artemis' honor. Because Artemis agreed to Hippolyta's plan, not only are the Amazon tribes united, but Hippolyta herself has become a goddess, defending the Amazons in the heavens.
This one-shot concludes the Trial of the Amazons event on the perfect note. With the explanation of Artemis' involvement in Hippolyta's murder - as well as Hippolyta's divine reveal - the Amazons have, at last, been completely united, especially as Artemis returns home to the Bana-Mighdall compound, honored by her sisters instead of reviled. DC's expansion and focus on the Wonder Woman-related corner of the DC Universe is paying off in droves, especially as the publisher continues to spotlight legacy characters like Donna, Cassie, and Artemis - which is to say nothing of the Amazons' new Queen, Nubia.
As the Amazonian world expands, so do the story possibilities for these characters, and readers can see that on full display in this one-shot. Wonder Woman herself doesn't even need to be present. The divine twist and Artemis' absolution in Artemis: Wanted #1 brings the historic Trial of the Amazons event to an ideal close. Wonder Woman fans are living in exciting times as the Amazons continue to expand and exert their influence outside of their isolated communities. With Hippolyta's new godly status and Artemis of Bana-Mighdall reentering the fold, anything is possible for Wonder Woman's sisters as they honor and expand her legacy.
Check out Artemis: Wanted #1, available now from DC Comics!