Artemis
STATS:
Real Name: Artemis
Other names/titles: Shim'tar
The second Wonder Woman
Requiem
Occupation: Representative for the Amazons of Bana Mighdall
Wonder Girl's teacher/trainer
Base of Operations: Themyscira
Marital Status: Separated (Dalkriig Hath,Prince of
Hades)
Family: Unknown (although she considers Diana to be
a sister)
Height: 6'
Weight: 140 lbs
First Appearance: Wonder Woman #105{february 1996}
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Amazon of Antiope
Artemis grew up as part of the Amazons of Bana Mighdall in Egypt, raised as a mercenary and assasin with a taste for war. When the witch Circe transported the lost tribe of Amazons to Themyscira for invasion, Artemis was among them, though only 14 at the time. When Themyscira was then transported to a demon dimension Artemis found herself and her tribe working alongside the Themyscirans against the hordes of demons who attacked. In 'reward' for her tribe's efforts, Hippolyta granted them the most uninhabitable side of the island on which to make their home, a place they remained in even when Themyscira was finally returned to the Earth dimension much later. Over the time spent there Artemis began to develop a bitterness towards Hippolyta and her Themysciran amazons.
Sacrifical Lamb
Years later Artemis received word that a Second Contest was to be held to decide a new Wonder Woman to represent the Amazon ideal. Artemis gladly entered the Contest, competing against Diana; the former Wonder Woman, and many other amazons from both tribes. She won, to the surprise of almost everyone. Almost. For in the background it seemed Hippolyta had orchestrated the entire event and ensured Artemis' success by commisioning the Amazon Mystic Magala to transfer a portion of Diana's Gods-given powers to Artemis, enabling her to achieve what had seemed impossible. Hippolyta's betrayal of her daughter would later be discovered to be a desperate attempt to save her life in reaction to a vision fortelling the death of Wonder Woman. By allowing Artemis to win and gain the title of Wonder Woman, Hippolyta had doomed her to an inescapable end.
Wonder Woman of Bana Mighdall
And so, Artemis entered Patriarch's world as Wonder Woman, using the Sandals of Hermes and Gauntlets of Atlas to acheive the strength and speed necessary for her calling. However she was unprepared for the demands on her as an ambaasador of peace and soon arose to be a controversial figure both to the public and her teammates in the Justice League. Her over-eagerness to replace Diana led her into confrontation after confrontation which she met with reckless abandon. It wasn't long before her self-destructive path led her into direct conflict with The White Magician. Diana, having learned of Hippolyta's early deception and prophetic vision arrived too late to rescue Artemis from her inescapable destiny. She was slain in battle at The White Magician's hands and the garb and title of Wonder Woman reverted to Diana.
Hell Queen to Hell Ender
Even in death Artemis remained a tortured soul, albeit literally this time. She was chosen as wife to Dalkriig-Hath, one of the lords of Hades, and she served him there until Diana helped return her to life. Upon her 'rebirth' Artemis became a member of the demon-hunting organisation known as the Hellenders, adopting the mantle 'Requiem'. During this period she came into direct conflict with Neron on her hunt for the Demon Etrigan, and was witness to Diana's death at his hands.
Tutor, Companion and all-around Good-girl
During the period of Diana's death, Ascension to Godhood and subsequent return to mortality, Artemis gave up her role as a demon hunter, agreeing to act as a mentor to young Cassie Sandsmark; Diana's protege and the new Wonder Girl. After staying in Gateway City for almost a year training Cassie, Artemis returned with Troia and Diana to Themyscira. Acting as an ambassador for the Bana Mighdall Amazons, Artemis became a crucial figure during the civil war that erupted between them and the Themysciran Amazons. During the battle Artemis confronted Hippolyta about her duplicitous behaviour over the years and earned the role a title of Shim'Tar, the Bana Mighdall equivelant of Wonder Woman.
Architect of a New Civilisation
During the Imperiex War, Artemis helped lead the Amazons to defend Earth after Hippolyta's death at the hands of an Imperiex Probe. Artemis saw her home, Themyscira destroyed as a consequence of the war, and witness countless friends die. Afterwards, however, Artemis played a pivitol role in the island's resurrection into New Themyscira, now a university devoted to the free exchange of knowledge across the Universe. Artemis currently resides on New Themyscira, ready to be called to fight by Diana's side if need be and otherwise earning a well-deserved rest.
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