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Nubia
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Real Name
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Zahavah
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First Appearance
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Wonder Woman #204 (February, 1973)
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Creators
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Robert Kanigher, Don Heck
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Team Affiliations
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Aliases
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Wonder Woman, Princess Zahavah
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Base of Operations
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Themyscira
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Powers
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Superhuman strength, Superhuman speed, Superhuman agility, Sensitivity to magic
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Skills and Abilities
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Skilled fighter, Skilled archer, Skilled swordswoman
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Tools and Weapons
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Staff of Understanding
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Nubia (Zahavah) is a superheroine in the DC Universe and a member of the Justice League of America and the newly crowned Queen of the all the Amazons.
History[]
Earth-One[]
In her original origin, Nubia was Wonder Woman’s long-lost twin, equally powerful and the rightful heir to Queen Hippolyta.
Hippolyta sculpted two babies from clay and asked Aphrodite to give them life. The Roman god Mars stole one of them Nubia and raised her in secret as his agent, since he could not attack the Amazons directly, Nubia would do it for him. He trained her in all forms of combat and used a magic ring to suppress her consciousness, shaping her into a living weapon. As an adult, Nubia ruled a floating island inhabited by men, where she was the only woman. She led with strength and compassion, never killing those who opposed her simply for being a woman, insisting that “a true woman doesn’t destroy life she cherishes it,” even lives like theirs. She eventually traveled to Themyscira and challenged its champion. Though clearly superior to Diana in combat, Nubia allowed the duel to end in a draw and declared herself the true Wonder Woman. Hippolyta secretly recognized her as her long-lost daughter.
Later, Mars and Nubia led an assault on Themyscira. During the battle, Diana realized Nubia was under mind control and freed her. The sisters turned against Mars and mocked him, accusing him of fearing women. Enraged, Mars disowned Nubia. Now free, Nubia vowed to lead her people with peace. Hippolyta publicly revealed that Nubia was her daughter, and the long-separated sisters embraced. Nubia reclaimed her royal title and chose to remain on Paradise Island.
DC Rebirth[]
Nubia was the reincarnation of Princess Zahavah, a royal from an ancient kingdom in Madagascar. She was reborn as Nubia, an adult formed from Zahavah’s soul by the Well of Souls in Themyscira. She emerged from the well at the same time Diana was born.
Nubia was tasked with guarding Doom’s Doorway—a gateway to Tartarus—to prevent anything from entering or escaping. She remained there as a lone guardian for a long time, and to pass the time in solitude, Nubia learned to play the lyre.