The Amazons (Demon Knights 9 Spoilers)

[slvn]

For those who are afraid that being an Amazon in the DCnU doesn't mean anything good, Demon Knights 9 may offer a tiny glimmer of hope. Exoristos, the exiled Amazon, is asked whether she is joining the search for Merlin as a mercenary or for higher motives. She's not exactly sure, but she says that since she was first exiled, she had been drifting aimlessly--until she joined the Demon Knights in protecting a helpless village from a marauding horde. Then, she finally once again felt like an Amazon. So, to me that implies that the Amazons at least see themselves as fighting with some kind of idealistic purpose in mind.

If you feel like you want to see that in Wonder Woman, not just read someone talk about it in another comic--OK, fair enough. I'm just saying that if Cornell is coordinating with Azz or Azz's editors at all (which I think he must be, to have had Ex say in issue 1 that men are castrated where she comes from) then what she says in issue 9 may be a hint of what we'll see about the Amazons in Azz's run down the line, when Diana's journey hits its upward swing.

[americanwonder]

Thanks for the heads-up, Slvn. :)

btw - have they said why she was exiled, yet? I'm behind on DK.

[tangentman]

Thanks for the reminder about a wonderful ongoing series! DC gives us a monthly D & D campaign with a few familiar faces (Demon, Madame Xanadu, Vandal Savage, Shining Knight). What's not to love about it?! Exoristos is easily one of my favorites in a cast that I enjoy immensely! I love the relative "realism" of how that time period might have reacted to an Amazon. Of particular interest is Exo's insistence on calling Ystin "her", despite "his" fervent wishes otherwise. I'm missing 2 issues, but has the series firmly committed to the notion of Shining Knight being a transgendered hero or is Justina simply "passing"? I'm not clear on that point, but I'm interested in seeing how it develops. I also appreciate a glimpse of the Amazons that I actually recognize. The surly misandrists in Wonder Woman aren't the real deal, AFAIC. No matter what else I can appreciate about the new series, that is one that I loathe. It's refreshing to see an Amazon who brings the "outsider's" perspective without the constant threats of castration (at least undeserved ones) and other crimes against humanity. Plus, Exoristos is just FUN! I can't wait to see more of her back story and get caught up on my reading!

[slvn]

Thanks for the reminder about a wonderful ongoing series! DC gives us a monthly D & D campaign with a few familiar faces (Demon, Madame Xanadu, Vandal Savage, Shining Knight).

Yes, exactly! In this issue, the D&D feel is a little strong for me ("keep us updated on your mission via this scrying device, and we will continue to investigate the murder here") but if you consider that a flaw at all, it's minor.

I'm missing 2 issues, but has the series firmly committed to the notion of Shining Knight being a transgendered hero or is Justina simply "passing"?

Her/his gender is still pretty much a mystery. I think there's got to be more to it than "passing,' though, or the buildup will seem a little much. I imagine we'll find out more in this arc, if they catch up with Merlin. There's also a very prominent (well, prominent in-story) and interesting same-sex couple in this issue.

I'm not sure how much to spoil, but interestingly, this book sort-of vaguely parallels Wonder Woman in that features a journey (or two) to the afterlife, but with a very different take. There's also another familiar face (to Vertigo readers) at the end of this issue.

By the way, how so you do spoiler space on here?

[Dr. Hurt]

Ystina is a girl who had to masquerade as a man to become a knight. She tries her best to sell it but nobody is buying it and they just go along with it. I remember a scene where Savage is all like "yeah sure, whatever you say", basically showing that he isnt fooled.

Oh and yay about the Amazon news!

[slvn]

Ystina is a girl who had to masquerade as a man to become a knight. She tries her best to sell it but nobody is buying it and they just go along with it. I remember a scene where Savage is all like "yeah sure, whatever you say", basically showing that he isnt fooled.

Oh and yay about the Amazon news!

Yep, almost everyone thinks they see through the disguise, but sometimes everyone is wrong; I still think Cornell is playing it coy. He has one of the princesses refer to the knight's ambiguous gender as an open question this week. And in earlier issues, Not only does Ystin deny being female, but Merlin in the flashback sequence calls Ystin "squire" and refers to the youth's "double nature." Merlin might have been playing along, of course, but I'm not so sure he would do that, especially at no-fooling around moment like he's in when he says that.

Maybe in this continuity, Ystin started out as a man, became physically female somewhere along the line, but still considers himself male. Or maybe--more to the point of tangentman's question--he has been female-bodied all along but considers himself, and is, truly male-gendered, not just "passing" for the sake of knighthood.Or something approximately the reverse of that. Or not; we'll see. :)

[SteveGus]

Thanks for the reminder about a wonderful ongoing series! DC gives us a monthly D & D campaign with a few familiar faces (Demon, Madame Xanadu, Vandal Savage, Shining Knight). What's not to love about it?! Exoristos is easily one of my favorites in a cast that I enjoy immensely!

I too am enjoying this book. Cornell's writing at its best reminds me of Simone on Secret Six: it's an ensemble cast of people with their own agendas, some of which are quite nasty.

And let's hope we get more live Amazons back before American Ninja Warrior premiers.

[jack-be-nimble]

Thanks for the heads-up, Slvn. :)

btw - have they said why she was exiled, yet? I'm behind on DK.

Demon Knights is one of the new books I've been enjoying a lot. Like others have said, I like the ensemble D&D aspect of the book.

As far as I can recall, they haven't addressed the reason for her exile. Whether it was her own choice or not remains to be seen.

My own speculations is that she could be Antiope. Pre-DCnU, she was Hippolyte's sister and the second queen of the Amazons.

[Fan-El]

"that men are castrated where she comes from"

Now that's a really positive image of powerful women, isn't it! So threatened by men and so contemptuous of them that they have to castrate them? Someone at DC has issues with strong women.

[NotSuper]

"that men are castrated where she comes from"

Now that's a really positive image of powerful women, isn't it! So threatened by men and so contemptuous of them that they have to castrate them? Someone at DC has issues with strong women.

I don't think that's the real reason, my avatar-sibling.

No men even live with the Amazons, so this is likely just used to scare the yokels who might invade them.

[americanwonder]

... As far as I can recall, they haven't addressed the reason for her exile...

Thanks for the info, Jack.

My own speculations is that she could be Antiope...

Oh, I do like this idea.

... my avatar-sibling.

lol. For a second there, I thought you were talking to yourself, NotSuper.

[FIFTY-TWO (52)]

Actually, at the beginning of the comic, they're doing kind of a head count of the characters for new readers. One of the people looking in on Exoristos notes that she's a warrior exile. He also remembers an ambassador who referred to herself as an Amazon leaving a bounty on Exoristos' head; that she was wanted dead or alive.

[slvn]

He also remembers an ambassador who referred to herself as an Amazon

Yeah, it's interesting that the reclusive Amazons sent an ambassador.

leaving a bounty on Exoristos' head; that she was wanted dead or alive.

Yeah, so now she's not just an exile, but a fugitive. We still don't know why, though. I continue to think that she might have tried to save her lover or keep her son. I guess some might be disappointed that the Amazons would put out a "dead or alive' bounty on one of their own, but I didn't think it was too surprising--we know that these Amazons can be ferocious. I just thought it was nice to hear that what makes someone feel like an Amazon is fighting for a good cause.

[brettc1]

Thanks for the heads-up, Slvn. :)

btw - have they said why she was exiled, yet? I'm behind on DK.

Was it because she wouldn't kill guys she had sex with?

[Dr. Hurt]

If the Amazons want her, then they didnt banish her. She escaped, therefore banishing herself. Or maybe she was exiled but some Amazon with a grudge was looking for her.