REVIEW: ‘Nubia: Queen of the Amazons,’ Issue #1

Queen Nubia Supremacy! Nubia: Queen of the Amazons #1 is published by DC Comics. This first issue of a new mini-series featuring Nubia front and center once again is written by Stephanie Williams and illustrated by Alitha Martinez. John Livesay and Mark Morales collaborate on inking duties with Alex Guinmares handling colors while Becca Carey handling letters for the comic. Taking place right after the Nubia: Coronation Special, this first issue places Nubia on a more global scale as she leaves home to visit the world of Man on a mission–and there’s a target on her back.

So much has happened in Nubia’s short reign: sisters have been saved, conflicts and trials have been had, and a former queen, Hippolyta has been put to rest. Nubia stands tall with a new weapon with powers and specs we’re still learning about as Queen of The Amazons, ready to lead the three tribes: the Bana-Mighdall and Esquecida tribes along with those sisters of Themyscira. It is so wonderful to see newer characters first introduced in the last mini-series showing up once again, finding their place on the island and also being of counsel to Queen Nubia. Favorites of mine like Bia and Karessi have found roles as oracle and weapon-smith assistant in Io’s workshop. Seeing the continuity of these women and the recently reclaimed and redeemed Medusa means the world to me as Themyscira has always been a place for all women who have been hurt in unimaginable ways to be reborn anew and find new purpose.

If I thought that Martinez and company brought their best to the table last series, then the artwork this time around is only moving past my expectations. There’s a lot to love with this newer and fuller look of the Amazonian family with all three tribes present on the island and also accompanying Queen Nubia who is basically on tour. Seeing Nubia speak: directing people to action and to stand with Diana and so many others at her side is a lovely gesture and super awesome to see once I think about how far the darker sister has come from being basically a background character.

I especially enjoyed the coloring of this book from the impressive emphasis on the intricate costume of the assassin in the first pages of the comic to the neutral-toned feel of Themyscira alive with more Amazons working and being united. Casey’s lettering really helps illuminate the emotions of certain scenes helping to build up the climax of this first issue where a protest in Brazil goes awry.

The highlights of the book for me are the pages of Nubia and her fellow Amazons being invited to the Hall of Justice and all the interactions between her people and the heroes and heroines who make up the Justice League. From funny moments involving social media and supercomputers to sparring with winged heroes, there’s enough to love even though this issue is not an action-heavy one. There are plenty of little details that make Nubia: Queen of the Amazons #1 worth rereading, like seeing reporter Tawny Young (who originally was a reporter that covered stories on Green Lanterns Hal Jordan and John Stewart in DC comics history) reporting on Nubia’s arrival, and her appearance this time is closer to how she debuted in comics in the 80s.

Reading Nubia: Queen of the Amazons #1 leaves me in awe and leaves me as entertained as I was reading the first issue of the last mini-series. This creative team has worked to make Nubia a stand-alone character in her own right and it is so glorious to see on the page. They have successfully built on that and have continued crafting Nubia into a headliner and ultimately, being exactly what  Themyscira needed and what the rest of the world has been waiting for. As a comic book reader and fan, I’m happy to see it with a creative team that has done so with much care and appreciation for such a beloved character.

Nubia: Queen of the Amazons #1 is available where comics are sold.