Wonder Woman’s Sisters Bring First Transgender Amazon To DC Comics

Warning! Spoilers for Nubia & The Amazons #1

The newly released Nubia & The Amazons #1 by DC Comics has broken new ground, marking the first time Wonder Woman’s Amazons welcome a transgender woman into their society in a touching and unforgettable moment.

Nubia’s time as Queen of the Amazons is showcased in the new DC series from Stephanie Williams, Vita Ayala, Alitha Martinez, Mark Morales, Emilio Lopez, and Becca Carey. Beginning with a flashback to Nubia’s own arrival on Themiscyra, readers are reminded of the Amazons’ mystical Well of Souls: a portal through which women who have died as a result of the terror of ‘Man’s World’ are reborn, given new life among the immortal women. The five new sisters born of the Well (who represent the first group of women to come through the well in some time) wake up without knowing who they were, where they are, or what’s to come next. And for one, it is a rebirth they have spent their entire life waiting for.

After observing the women being welcomed and tested, considering their roles in the future of the Amazons, all present gather to witness the women deciding their names in the Royal Palace. One of the most emotional moments comes when “Bia” stands with tears in her eyes, lacking the words to explain what she feels, as it’s the moment her soul has desired for some time.

On Twitter, Nubia & The Amazons writers Stephanie Williams and Vita Ayala confirmed the subtextual reading, that Bia is a Black trans Amazonian. Williams said Bia will be a fully-fledged character, and assured fans she “isn’t a box to tick… that [she] is important to her community. Just as Black trans women are important to us in real life.” Vita Ayala added that they wanted to introduce Bia and her story organically, hence, why it wasn’t revealed before the issue hit comic book stands.

Williams, Ayala, and co. did a beautiful job using imagery as subtext throughout Nubia & The Amazons #1. When reintroducing the Well of Souls, it’s made clear that the souls reborn via the Well died “through acts of violence” in Man’s World. With violence against the transgender community sadly rising in the United States, readers are allowed to link the two elements of the story, presuming Bia was one victim of such violence in her previous life. Leaning even more into the metaphorical, a later scene shows the recruits given a puzzle in the form of ‘Labyrinth Spheres.’ Meant to test the new Amazons’ skills, Bia ends up finishing the puzzle almost instantly–possibly the greatest Amazon yet at ‘navigating a maze,’ offering another lens through which to view the difficult life she’s navigated so far.

In the end, Nubia & The Amazons #1 shows that all women are welcome on Themiscyra. As Wonder Woman Lynda Carter put it, trans women are Wonder Women. End of Story. Bia’s journey as a trans woman is ripe for exploration in further issues, and those looking to tag along can pick up their copy of Nubia & The Amazons #1 today.

Source: Stephanie Williams/Vita Ayala

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Liam McGuire
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Lead writer for Screen Rant’s comic team. [email protected]. Find me on Twitter @LiamRMcGuire for comic news and reporting.

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