Artemis is the name of several characters appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The most prominent character to use the name is Artemis of Bana-Mighdall, an Amazonian warrior.
Artemis of Bana-Mighdall
Artemis of Bana-Mighdall is a fictional character created by William Messner-Loebs and Mike Deodato, first appearing in Wonder Woman (vol. 2) #90 in September 1994.
Fictional Character Biography
Artemis belongs to the Bana-Mighdall, a tribe of Amazons who diverged from the Amazons of Themyscira millennia ago. While the Themysciran Amazons were granted immortality and lived in peace, the Bana-Mighdall Amazons renounced the Olympian gods and became fierce, warlike desert dwellers, surviving through combat and conquest in the Middle East. They worshipped their own goddess, whom they called Artemis (leading to the warrior's name), and developed a highly insular and aggressive culture focused on combat prowess.
Artemis grew up in Bana-Mighdall, becoming one of their most skilled and formidable warriors. She possesses a deep pride in her heritage and a fierce loyalty to her tribe, often displaying an aggressive and unyielding demeanor.
As Wonder Woman
During a period when Wonder Woman (Diana) was deemed too distracted by her duties as ambassador to be a proper warrior, the Olympian gods ordered a new contest to select a champion. Artemis of Bana-Mighdall entered this contest on behalf of her tribe, as part of their efforts to merge their magic with the Themysciran Amazons and save their dying city. Despite Diana's efforts, Artemis won the Challenge, largely due to a subtle manipulation by the gods. As the new Wonder Woman, Artemis donned a different costume and wielded the Gauntlet of Atlas. Her tenure as Wonder Woman was marked by a more brutal and direct approach to justice, often clashing with the more diplomatic heroes of the Justice League. She eventually died in battle against the White Magician, sacrificing herself to save Diana. She was later resurrected by the gods and returned to her original identity.
Later Roles
Following her resurrection, Artemis continued to be a powerful, albeit often reluctant, ally to Diana. She briefly adopted the alias of "Shim'Tar," a powerful warrior identity of her people. In more recent comics, Artemis has been a prominent member of the "Red Hood and the Outlaws" team, alongside Jason Todd (Red Hood) and Bizarro. In this iteration, she primarily wields a large, mystical battle-axe known as the "Axe of Ra," continuing to act as a formidable, no-nonsense warrior.
Powers and Abilities
Artemis of Bana-Mighdall possesses superhuman strength, speed, durability, and agility, comparable to that of Diana. She is an exceptionally skilled hand-to-hand combatant, master of various martial arts, and an expert with virtually all forms of weaponry, particularly swords, spears, bows, and her signature battle-axe. She is highly proficient in tactical planning and survival in hostile environments.
Other Characters Named Artemis
- Artemis Crock: A character who first appeared in Infinity, Inc. #34 (January 1987). She is the daughter of villainous Golden Age characters Paula Brooks (the original Huntress) and Lawrence Crock (Sportsmaster). While initially known as Artemis, she later adopted the identity of Tigress to avoid confusion with the Amazonian Artemis. Artemis Crock is a highly skilled athlete, archer, and martial artist, operating primarily as an anti-hero or sometimes a villain, often associated with various supervillain teams or with younger hero groups like the Young Justice.