Wonder Woman Just Killed The Justice League

SPOILER WARNING for Tales from the Dark Multiverse: Wonder Woman: War of the Gods!

Wonder Woman is a fierce warrior and a powerful member of the Justice League. She is pure of heart, fighting for truth and justice. In DC’s Dark Multiverse, however, any hero can be corrupted and the Justice League learns this the hard way in a deadly battle against the Amazon princess.

The Tales from the Dark Multiverse series takes some of DC’s most well-known stories and alters them into grim nightmares. The collection has remixed a handful of classics, like Batman: Knightfall, Blackest Night, and Infinite Crisis, with more still on the way. One of the newest releases focuses on George Pérez’s War of the Gods storyline from 1991. In the original tale, Wonder Woman defeats Circe and her matron goddess, Hecate, using the power of truth. Unfortunately, the fight doesn’t end so easily in the Dark Multiverse.

Tales from the Dark Multiverse: Wonder Woman: War of the Gods by Vita Ayala and Ariel Olivetti explores what would happen if Hecate was able to possess Diana’s soul at the end of their battle. At first Wonder Woman is able to resist the evil witch’s sway, but she is quickly compromised by anger and fear. Posing as a U.S. Air Force general, the Greek god of fear, Phobos, causes the deaths of Queen Hippolyta, Steve Trevor, and Etta Candy, devastating Diana. With Hecate now in control and seeking more power, the possessed hero travels to Mount Olympus and slays the entire Greek pantheon. Despite the bloodshed, the villain’s thirst for power is unsatisfied and she sets her sights on Earth’s heroes.

With the help of her Amazon sisters, Wonder Woman takes over Washington D.C., declaring it the new Amazon nation. The Justice League is quick to respond, and the heroes quickly realize that the Wonder Woman they know is gone. Batman prepares to attack, but Flash stands in his way, hoping that they can still save their former teammate. Unfortunately, Hecate takes this opportunity to drain the life force from the speedster, killing him. The battle that ensues results in many more casualties as Wonder Woman kills Batman, Green Lantern, and Martian Manhunter. She is even able to defeat Superman, ripping his heart out of his chest. Several of DC’s mystical heroes arrive on the scene as Superman falls and they use their combined powers to hold the villain in place. They find a way to strip Hecate of her powers, but doing so costs them their lives. By the end of the feud, only a few heroes remain, including Zatanna, Red Tornado, and Captain Atom.

While the heroes technically defeat Hecate, it isn’t a true victory. The ramifications of the event are massive as fear spreads around the world. At first, people blame the Amazons, arresting them for Wonder Woman’s transgressions. Eventually, this spirals out of control to the point where all women are considered a threat. A panel reminiscent of The Handmaid’s Tale further confirms how intense these prejudices become. Phobos also takes advantage of everyone’s fears, waging war on Earth’s remaining superhumans. As for Wonder Woman, she remains possessed but powerless, imprisoned for Hecate’s actions.

Perhaps the darkest outcome of this story is the loss of Earth’s greatest heroes. It serves as one of DC’s most horrific ways of showing why it is a bad idea to mess with Wonder Woman. Although she was possessed, Diana is capable of taking down most of these heroes on a regular basis. It’s lucky that the Justice League has her on their side because she’s shown the path of destruction she can leave. Tales from the Dark Multiverse: Wonder Woman: War of the Gods is available now.

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