#Wondyvillains Year End Review

[wondyvillains]

Top 10 Wonder Woman Villain Moments of 2022

Trying something a little bit different this year... let's look at the top 10 moments of the year featuring Wonder Woman's Villains!

Medusa's Redemption - Medusa is one of Wonder Woman's deadliest adversaries, so many of us weren't too surprised when she emerged as a major threat on Themyscira in the pages of NUBIA & THE AMAZONS. What did surprise us was Nubia using her mythical spear to purify Medusa of her reptilian curse. Similar to Paula von Gunther in the 1940s, Medusa was ultimately invited to join the Amazons and continues to remain on Themyscira despite her past deeds. Compassion and rehabilitation have always been major themes for the Wonderverse, so it was truly a delight to see Nubia redeem Medusa this year.

The Villainy of Our Fears - One of the first supervillain teams to ever appear in comics is Villainy Inc., a group of Wonder Woman's archenemies who first appeared way back in 1948. While there has been a modern incarnation led by Queen Clea, the team hadn't been used for decades until 2022. Doctor Psycho takes command of the newest incarnation which is comprised of some… questionable members. While many of us would have loved to see the classic 8 members return, it's great to see the Villainy Inc. name live on.

Feral - While Greg Rucka has established quite possibly the best version of Cheetah in her 79 year history, subsequent writers have fallen back into the habit of treating Cheetah pretty poorly. However, the current comics by Becky Cloonan and Michael W. Conrad are showcasing Cheetah as a powerhouse and a reluctant ally for Wonder Woman. While it remains to be seen where her character is going, seeing her interact with Steve, Etta, and Siggy on a regular basis has been very entertaining, to say the least.

Dolos, the Duke of Deception - The Duke of Deception was a major archenemy from the 1940s to the 1960s, but modern Wonder Woman stories have pushed the Duke to the wayside in favor of other villains like Deimos and Phobos. 2022 saw the Duke's return, with a major addition to his mythos: he is now Dolos, a figure from Greek myths and the embodiment of trickery and deceit. Fans have long speculated that the Duke and Dolos were one in the same, but it's great to see it confirmed in the comics.

The Men of Historia - If you haven't read WONDER WOMAN HISTORIA, you don't know what you're missing. The male Olympian Gods are outraged when Athena, Aphrodite, Hestia, Demeter, Artemis, and Hecate create the Amazons. Zeus, Ares, Poseidon, and several others appear as the antagonists in some of the most beautiful pieces of art ever put to page.

Dark Crisis - Several of Wonder Woman's rogues gallery appear throughout this major event. Ares is one of the first recruited into Darkseid's Dark Army, though he is later joined by Cheetah, Giganta, and Angle Man. While none of the Wondyvillains get too much spotlight, it's great to see some representation even if they're all possessed by the Great Darkness.

Giganta vs. Nubia - We're still waiting for a big, iconic Giganta story, but for now, we'll take this fun romp from DC PRIDE 2022 SPECIAL. In this segment of the anthology special, Giganta joins the Babes of Bodyslam, a group of female wrestlers, as part of her parole. This ultimately leads to a clash with Nubia, a breakout Wonder Woman character in her own right.

Trial of the Amazons - The first big major event featuring Wonder Woman since War of the Gods (because Amazons Attack should always be ignored), Trial of the Amazons is a decent story that unfortunately doesn't feature any classic Wonder Woman villains in a major capacity. While Chaos serves as the major antagonist, we do get an Echidna appearance as well as Altuum the Survivor, a new villain introduced for 2022.

Hell Hath No Flurry - Blue Snowman's had quite a year in 2021, but we haven't seen much of them in 2022 beyond this chapter of SENSATIONAL WONDER WOMAN SPECIAL #1. Byrna has been gender-bending since the 1940s, and it's fitting that they'd be the antagonist of a story about a young boy who dresses as Wonder Woman.

Gigantaur - 2022's JURASSIC LEAGUE was… a choice. Fans weren't sure what to expect… but the series ended up being quite a fun ride. Featured in the series is a dinosaur version of Giganta who serves as arch-nemesis of Wonderdon (Wonder Woman as a triceratops). Ares also makes a brief appearance.

[wondyvillains]

2021 Year-End Review

2021 has been a fantastic year for Wonder Woman's villains, so let's explore the lineup of villains used throughout this wonderful year and the stories they have appeared in:

ALKYONE • Wonder Woman Historia: The Amazons, Vol. 1 - Minor Role

APOLLO • "Beat the Heat" (WW: B&G #3) - Main Role • Wonder Woman Historia: The Amazons, Vol. 1 - Minor Role

ARES • Tales from the Dark Multiverse: War of the Gods - Minor Role • Wonder Woman: Earth One, Vol. 3 - Main Role • Wonder Woman Historia: The Amazons, Vol. 1 - Minor Role

BADRA • "Memories of Hator" (WW: B&G #5) - Main Role

BLUE SNOWMAN • "A Change of Heart" ('Tis the Season to be Freezin') - Main Role • "Bittersweet" (DC Love is a Battlefield) - Main Role • "Ice Blue" (Sensational WW #4) - Main Role • "In Memoriam" (WW 80th Anniversary Special) - Cameo • "The Queen's Hive" (Sensational WW #6) - Supporting Role

CHEETAH • "Batgirls" (Future State: The Next Batman #2, 4) - Minor Role • "Better Angels" (WW 80th Anniversary Special) - Main Role • "Blink of an Eye" (Flash #770-771) - Minor Role • Dark Nights: Death Metal - Minor Role • Future State: Suicide Squad - Minor Role • "Hell & Back" (Suicide Squad #8) - ???? • "In Memoriam" (WW 80th Anniversary Special) - Cameo • Injustice (DC Animated Film) - Cameo • "Suburban Horror" (Deathstroke Inc. #1-2) - Cameo • "Sword of Deathstroke" (Deathstroke Inc. #3) - Main Role

CIRCE • "The Acquaintance" (WW: B&G #2) - Main Role • The Adventures of Young Diana - Supporting Role • Future State: Nubia - Supporting Role • Tales from the Dark Multiverse: War of the Gods - Minor Role • "What Doesn't Kill You" (WW: B&G #1) - Main Role

DEIMOS • Wonder Woman Historia: The Amazons, Vol. 1 - Cameo

DOCTOR CYBER • Batman Secret Files: The Signal - Minor Role • "How the Wonder Woman Was..." (WW: B&G #5) - Main Role

DOCTOR POISON • "The Queen's Hive" (Sensational WW #6) - Supporting Role

DOCTOR PSYCHO • "Afterworlds" (WW #770-779) - Supporting Role • "Forget Me Not" (Sensational WW #1) - Main Role • "Through A Glass Darkly" (WW #781-782) - Supporting Role • Wonder Woman: Earth One, Vol. 3 - Cameo

DUKE OF DECEPTION • Wonder Woman: Earth One, Vol. 3 - Minor Role

EARL OF GREED • Wonder Woman: Earth One, Vol. 3 - Minor Role

EMPEROR OF SATURN • "Saturn Rising" (WW 80th Anniversary Special) - Minor Role

ERIS • "Without Love" (WW: B&G #2) - Main Role • Wonder Woman Historia: The Amazons, Vol. 1 - Cameo

FIRST BORN • "A God With No Name" (WW: B&G #2) - Main Role

GIGANTA • "Amazing" (WW: B&G #4) - Supporting Role • "Attack of the 50-Ft WW" (WW: B&G #6) - Main Role • Batman Secret Files: The Signal - Minor Role • "Beacons of Hate" (Flash #775) - Minor Role • Dark Nights: Death Metal - Minor Role • DC Super Hero Girls TV Series - Supporting Role • "Dear Giganta" (Dear DC Super-Villains) - Main Role • "In Memoriam" (WW 80th Anniversary Special) - Cameo • Injustice (DC Animated Film) - Cameo • "The Queen's Hive" (Sensational WW #6) - Supporting Role

GRAIL • Future State: Nubia - Supporting Role • "Infinite Multiverses" (Infinite Frontier #6) - Cameo

GUNDRA • "Afterworlds" (WW #770-779) - Minor Role

HECATE • Tales from the Dark Multiverse: War of the Gods - Main Role • Wonder Woman Historia: The Amazons, Vol. 1 - Supporting Role

HERCULES • Wonder Woman: Earth One, Vol. 3 - Cameo

HUMAN FIREWORKS • "How the Wonder Woman Was..." (WW: B&G #5) - Supporting Role

HYPNOTA • Future State: Suicide Squad - Supporting Role • "Love Failed" (WW: B&G #4) - Main Role •"X-Over" (Suicide Squad #4) - Cameo

IMAGE-MAKER • "Through A Glass Darkly" (WW #781-783) - Main Role

JANUS • "Afterworlds" (WW #770-779) - Main Role

LIAR LIAR • "Lords & Liars" (WW #766-769) - Main Role

THE MASK • "The Empty People" (Sensational WW #7) - Main Role

MAX LORD • "Lords & Liars" (WW #766-769) - Main Role • Wonder Woman: Earth One, Vol. 3 - Name Only

MEDUSA • "What Doesn't Kill You" (WW: B&G #1) - Supporting Role

MEPHISTO SATURNO • "Saturn Rising" (WW 80th Anniversary Special) - Minor Role

MINISTER BLIZZARD • "Break the Ice" ('Tis the Season to be Freezin') - Main Role • "Dear Diana..." (WW 80th Anniversary Special) - Minor Role

MOUSE MAN • "How the Wonder Woman Was..." (WW: B&G #5) - Supporting Role

PAULA VON GUNTHER • Wonder Woman: Earth One, Vol. 3 - Supporting Role

PHOBOS • Tales from the Dark Multiverse: War of the Gods - Supporting Role • Wonder Woman Historia: The Amazons, Vol. 1 - Cameo

QUEEN ATOMIA • Wonder Woman: Earth One, Vol. 3 - Cameo

SATURNETTE • "Saturn Rising" (WW 80th Anniversary Special) - Main Role

SILVER SWAN • "The Queen's Hive" (Sensational WW #6) - Supporting Role • Wonder Woman: Evolution #1 - Main Role

THEM! • "Whatever Happened to Cathy..." (WW: B&G #4) - Minor Role

VERONICA CALE • Batman Secret Files: The Signal - Minor Role • "Ice Blue" (Sensational WW #4) - Supporting Role