Wonder Woman (50)

Synopsis

As the sun rises over Paradise Island, Queen Hippolyta kneels naked on the beach, praying to her gods. She wistfully uses her finger to draw an outline of a baby on the sand and lets the course grains trickle through her fingertips before looking up lovingly into the sky. High above, Diana flies gracefully among the birds, enjoying her own moment of peace and solitude.

Just then Cydippe interrupts Hippolyta’s gazes and announces that it is time for them to return to the temple. As she drapes a cloak around the Queen’s bare shoulders Hippolyta wonders how many dawns the Amazons have witnessed in their lifetimes. For immortals it is easy to lose count. She says to Cydippe that she can remember when the sun shone down on the shimmering Aegean sea as Lord Poseidon parted the waters to provide the Amazons safe passage here to Themyscira. And that other dawn when they first beheld this emerald paradise and knew they were finally home. And it was on yet another dawn like this that she first held her beautiful beloved Diana. As Hippolyta looks on she remarks to Cydippe how her daughter frolics amongst the birds and the clouds, despite all she has gone through to bring the Amazons to this historic juncture – Diana still seems so innocent.

Cydippe tells Hippolyta that she sounds melancholy today – almost apprehensive. The queen nods and replies that they are all a little nervous but some are better at concealing it than others. Cydippe then asks how Hippolyta’s talk with Menalippe had gone. She replies that the Oracle had told her she felt better and outwardly she does indeed appear to be fine. But Cydippe comments that while that may be true, there is still something missing in Menalippe’s eyes. Hippolyta suggests that perhaps the upcoming pilgrimage will rekindle the flame in the Oracle.

They ride back to the city and soon all the Amazons are gathered at the temple, dressed in ceremonial robes. Menalippe performs a ceremony in preparation for the Summit. She blesses the Amazon sisters who are about to venture forth into Man’s World for the first time in centuries, granting them strength and wisdom in their endeavours. The Amazons cross their wrist and the clang of several hundred bracelets reverberate around the temple as they perform the traditional salute. “For the glory of Gaea!”.

As the ceremony finishes and the crowd begins to disperse, Niobe comments to her Amazon sisters how passionless Menalippe’s voice had sounded, as if she did not believe what she was saying….as if she doubted the very Gods themselves. Penelope replies that Niobe is being ridiculous. Menalippe has kept their faith’s fire burning for centuries, even when the Gods chose not to manifest themselves physically. Niobe in turn retorts that this is different. Back then they at least knew where the Gods were and could still hear them. She adds that perhaps Menalippe going to Patriarch’s world is not such a good idea right now. Penelope snaps back, asking if she is suggesting that the Oracle is somehow not worthy?

Sensing the rising tensions between her two Amazon sisters, Hellene interjects, saying that Penelope knows in her heart that was not what Niobe implied and that being such a crucial time for Themyscira, everyone is just a little nervous. Iphthime then joins in, adding that Hellene is right and that others may share their Princess’ optimistic zeal but she for one still harbours grave misgivings about the venture. The Amazons are to travel to a world where neighbours can live beside each other for a lifetime without ever communicating! And without communicating, how can there be any sharing or understanding? Any society? If they will not listen to each other then why should they listen to the Amazons? Who can blame Menalippe for her incertitude!

Hippolyta overhears the conversation and interrupts, telling them that Iphthime’s words have only proven just how desperately they are needed on Man’s World. It is the Amazon’s duty to humanity to at least try. She then turns to Diana and says that all is now ready. Her daughter should return to the outside world and tell them that the Amazons are coming!

Later that morning in the Royal Palace Diana is dressed in her familiar red blue and gold armour as Myrrha hands the Princess her traveling bag. Diana thanks her and says that she had almost forgotten it, adding that the great significance of all of this is suddenly making her feel a little anxious too. Menalippe assures Diana that there is no need for nervousness. The Gods would not have brought them this far if it were not a just cause. Diana smiles and says that she is so glad the Oracle has come to see her off. She takes Menalippe’s hand as the Oracle replies that it is still her function to bless any new venture, if the Gods so will it. Diana says it means a lot to her.

She then turns to hug her mother who wishes her a safe journey back. Diana notices Hippolyta is trembling and the queen replies that when next they embrace, it will be on the shores of a land she has not stood upon for nearly 4000 years. As Diana lifts into the sky waving back, she assures Hippolyta that the embrace will be felt by the gods themselves.

Not far away Hellene, Penelope and Iphthime watch as the Princess rises high into the sky and Iphthime remarks to Penelope how fretful Hellene looks watching Diana depart. “How sadly she acknowledges the cosmic inconsistency of the scene”. When Penelope asks what Iphthime means by “inconsistency”, her friend replies that she refers to the paradox: Princess Diana, the Amazon’s ambassador of peace, proceeding to Patriarch’s World dressed in her battle armour…

The following day New York is abuzz with anticipation for the forthcoming arrival of the Amazons. As the radio warns of traffic chaos once the celebrations get underway, Vanessa Kapatelis stares excitedly out of her hotel room window at the street below. She asks Diana if Hippolyta will understand all the frenzy and the Amazon Princess replies that she is sure she will. Celebration is a pretty universal concept, although she hopes that the sheer magnitude of it all will not overwhelm her mother too much. Diana remembers how dumbstruck she had first been when she saw just how many people lived in a major city in Patriarch’s World!

Just then Julia enters the room wearing her new outfit for the occaision. Both Diana and Vanessa look on approvingly and a smiling Julia suggests her daughter shows them her own outfit. The giddy young girl skips excitedly into her room to change as Diana comments how relieved she is to see Vanessa her old self again. Julia nods and says that although she still has her low moments, she makes sure she is there for her daughter. She has felt guilty for spending too much time away from her and she sometimes feels that Vanessa resents not having a normal childhood.

Diana nods in agreement and says that she apologises for that. Julia tries to explain that she has not meant to imply anything about the Amazon’s involvement with her daughter, but Diana continues that her own mother’s imminent arrival has forced her to analyse her future. Once the Amazons have set foot in this world the mission Diana was born for – to open the world to Amazon principles and to bring about this reunion between cultures – will be completed. What will she do next? She cannot just keep imposing herself upon Julia and Vanessa, endangering them both with her very presence.

Julia replies that Diana knows full well that she and Vanessa would not trade any of the time they have spent with her, no matter the dangers faced. She then asks Diana if she has spoken about this with Hippolyta. Diana says that her mother has so many more important matters to tend to at the moment and she should not even be burdening Julia with this right now either.

Julia gently takes her hand and replies that Diana is insulting both Julia and Hippolyta if she truly thinks that and that there is more to this than the Amazon Princess is telling her. Diana responds that to be honest she really does not know. She then asks to use the phone and calls the home of Donna Troy.

Terry answers it assuming it is Donna and is disappointed when he realises it is Diana. He tells her he has not heard from his wife for a couple of days now. She replies that she hopes there is nothing wrong and asks if Donna and Terry would be attending the banquet tomorrow night, as she would really love to see them both. Terry tells her that he knows Donna really wanted to go but is not sure they will be able to now. His wife is probably off on some Titans mission and “they can take forever”. He continues that he wishes Diana and the Amazons the best for the ceremony and says goodbye before hanging up.

Diana puts the receiver down and says to Julia that she could hear the concern in Terry’s voice. She had so wanted Donna to meet Hippolyta. Just then Vanessa emerges in her outfit and Julia is taken aback by how grown up “her baby looks”. Diana adds that the outfit is perfect and that she looks a credit to Themyscira. She then bids them goodbye as there is still one final thing to attend to…

See Story Arc for last

https://www.amazonarchives.com/all-titles/date/1990s/1990/wonder-woman-volume-2-50

1/1/91

DC Comics

070989317819

50

2

January

1991

1

1

United States

1.50

Modern Age

English

Magazine

2018-07-02 21:57:35

Wonder Woman (vol. 2)

Embrace The Coming Dawn

~$12.00

2026-02-18

2018-07-02 21:57:35