The heroes and gods of classical mythology are the foundation for today’s modern superheroes. Unsurprisingly, many of these characters have made their way into the comics. Of course, Thor is better known for his battles alongside the Avengers than his more comedic interpretation in The Sandman. By the same token, there are characters more famously depicted in DC Comics who nevertheless exist in Marvel Comics as well. One such force plays a role in the animated series Eyes of Wakanda, confirming their existence in the MCU.
The second episode of Eyes of Wakanda, ‘Legends and Lies,’ is set in the final year of the Trojan War. The action centers around a Wakanda spy named B’kai, who, using the alias of Memnon, befriended the Greek hero Achilles. Indeed, the two became brothers in arms, though B’Kai only involved himself in the war to recover a Vibranium necklace given to Helen of Troy.
As B’kai and Achilles lead an assault on the city, they confront and defeat a force of women warriors. Though not identified by name in the episode, the subtitles specifically identify them as Amazons. This might seem odd, as the Amazons are more commonly associated with Wonder Woman and DC. Indeed, their costume designs resemble the Amazons of the DCEU. However, there are also Amazons in the world of Marvel. Moreover, their depiction in Eyes of Wakanda adheres to their history in both the comics and Ancient Greek myth.
Amazons history in myth and Marvel Comics
There are several accounts of the Trojan War and most make mention of a team of Amazons fighting on the side of Troy. These accounts say that the Amazon queen Penthesilea led twelve of her people into battle, only to fall to Achilles. Some accounts suggest Achilles fell in love with Penthesilea from afar. This does not occur in Eyes of Wakanda, though the Amazon forces do number thirteen warriors.
Like the Amazons of DC Comics, the Marvel Amazons also had a city called Themiscyra. However, their city was located on the Thermodon River in what is now modern-day Turkey rather than a magical island. The Marvel Comics Amazons were also said to be born of Ares, whereas he was the mortal enemy of DC’s Amazons.
The fall of the Amazons at Troy in the Marvel Universe was outlined in 2009’s Trojan War miniseries. In this retelling, Penthesilea and the last of her people joined the war so she could atone for accidentally slaying her sister, Hippolyta, in a hunting accident. All this was set into motion by the goddess Athena, who favored Achilles, much to the annoyance of Ares. However, at Ares’ urging, the Amazons were given a place of honor on Olympus.
The Amazons and Hippolyta would later be resurrected in modern times as part of a bargain between Hela and Pluto. She would go on to establish a new Amazon homeland, New Amazonia, on an island in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea. They have appeared sparingly since then, largely coming into conflict with Hercules, who was briefly married to Hippolyta. They also made an appearance in Deadpool after Wade Wilson was hired to steal Hippolyta’s prized bust from the temple of New Amazonia.
