Major Story Arcs

Earth-One

Nubia is DC Comics ’ first Black superheroine. Originally, she was one of the royal twin princesses of Themyscira, sculpted from clay by Queen Hippolyta and brought to life by Aphrodite. According to some accounts, Nubia was shaped from clay moments before Diana, making her the rightful heir of the Amazons.

At birth, she was abducted by the god of war—known as Ares or Mars—leaving Hippolyta inconsolable, believing she had lost her daughter. Unable to attack the Amazons directly, Ares raised Nubia in secret among warriors and violence, training her in every form of combat so she would become his ultimate weapon against the Amazons, whose devotion to love he despised. Despite this, Nubia never fully surrendered to his will. To keep her under control, Ares used a magical ring that suppressed her true consciousness.

As she grew, Nubia surpassed all of Ares’ male soldiers and became his supreme warrior. She eventually ruled a floating island inhabited by men, serving as both military leader and strategist. She was the only woman there and led her people with strength and compassion, refusing to kill simply to prove her worth. Even though the men initially resisted taking orders from a woman, Nubia earned their respect over time.

Years later, Nubia traveled to Themyscira and challenged Diana. Though she proved herself to be Diana’s equal, she chose to let the duel end in a draw and declared herself the true Wonder Woman. Hippolyta secretly recognized her long-lost daughter. When Ares launched an assault on the Amazons, Diana was able to free Nubia by destroying the ring that bound her mind. United at last, the sisters turned against Ares, who disowned Nubia in fury. Finally free, she vowed to lead her people in peace. Hippolyta publicly revealed Nubia’s true heritage, and the sisters embraced as Nubia reclaimed her royal title and chose to remain on Paradise Island.

Nubia is also seen in a few issues of Superfriends, in which she is wearing a costume inspired by Wonder Woman:

A gold disc with a red feather in the top center.

A blue, strapless, legless bodysuit with yellow ovals over the breasts.

A pair of white gauntlets, over which are a pair of Amazon bracelets.

Tall, yellow boots, with the top edges folded down.

Continuity

In modern continuity, Nubia was born as a standard Amazon from the Well of Souls and does not have the same level of power as Diana, but she is still one of the most skilled Amazons. In earlier stories, Nubia was portrayed as a woman who was abused and imprisoned by her captor, who sexually assaulted her before she was reincarnated as an Amazon. Nubia has been revealed to be queer and is in a relationship with another Amazon, Io, eventually becoming the new Queen of the Amazons.

Other Versions

Earth-23

In the last issue of Final Crisis, a new Nubia appears as the Wonder Woman of Earth-23 and has regular dealing with the Superman of her Earth.

She differs from the New Earth Diana in that she seems to be based on (the equivalent of on her Earth) and has complete access to its technology and mystical devices, suggesting her position may be more akin to Queen Hippplyta rather than Diana.

Nubia's Wonder Woman armor is different from that of the New Earth Diana in that has actual body plates covering her abdomen area showing stomach muscles in grey plate.

The specific background of has yet to be fully revealed at this time.

Pre-Crisis

Nubia possessed a magic sword created by Mars/Ares which was the only weapon on Earth that could counteract Diana's magic lasso. She could also glide on air currents like Wonder Woman and possessed super-strength as well as all other Amazon abilities.

Post-Crisis

Nu'Bia wears special magical armor with a raised embossed lion's head on its breastplate. Nu'Bia has been shown traveling back and forth to Hades at will, and from there to other mythological realms. Typically when she is about to appear at a new location the lion's head on her armor appears as part of the doorway, suggesting that the armor might be the source of this ability. In honor of an ancient pact, the Gorgons of the underworld blessed Nu'Bia with the Cold Sight, which allows her to turn anyone to stone. She carries an unspecified magic sword. She possesses super-human strength and all other abilities equal to that of a standard Themyscirian Amazon and has millennia of experience in fighting and killing demons.

Amazon Family

Queen Hippolyta, ruler of Themyscira and mother to Diana and Nubia.

Princess Diana, Wonder Woman and twin sister to Nubia.

Donna Troy, the first Wonder Girl and sister to Nubia, member of the Titans of Myth, Queen Hippolyta's adopted daughter.

Jason, son of Hippolyta and Zeus also the first male born on Themyscira.

Phillipus, general and former co-ruler of Paradise Island.

Artemis, of Bana-Mighdall, Bana warrior, former co-ruler of Paradise Island and former Wonder Woman.

Cassandra Sandsmark, the second Wonder Girl, Granddaughter of Zeus.

The Olympian, Achilles Warkiller became the King of the Amazons, later gives Queen Hippolyta back the throne.

Steve Trevor, love interest to Wonder Woman, first man on Themyscira and honorary Amazon.

The Amazons, of Themyscira.

Personal Data

• Height: 6'5"
• Weight: 180 lbs
• Hair: Black
• Eyes: Brown

Powers and abilities

Nubia's Powers are thought to be just like her sister Diana since they both were made the same way.

• Superhuman Strength: She has the ability to lifted far in excess of 100 tons.
• Superhuman Durability: Nubia possesses a high resistance to damage and magical attacks. Like Wonder Woman Nubia is extremely resistant to blunt force attacks.
• Flight: Nubia is capable of unassisted flight through magical means.
• Superhuman Reflexes: Nubia was easily able to keep up with Wonder Woman in a Hand-to-Hand battle and she possesses reflex abilities similar to speedsters, such as the Flash. Batman noted that Wonder Woman's reflexes are superior to that of even Superman himself.
• Superhuman Speed: Since Nubia has superhuman-reflexes her speed should be on the same level as Wonder Woman's.
• Superhuman Agility: Nubia's agility is far beyond that of even an olympic level athlete.
• Superhuman Stamina: Nubia can last a great deal of time in any fight and with virtually anyone. She has held her own in combat with foes as powerful as a Wonder Woman.
• Healing: Nubia can heal at superhuman levels.
• Superhuman Senses: All five of Nubia senses can be used at an superhuman degree.
• Hand-to-Hand Combat: Nubia is a trained warrior and can fight with the best of the best.

Weaknesses

Nubia is somewhat vulnerable to piercing weapons, such as projectiles.