NUBIA: A REAL ONE Lets Wonder Woman’s Sister Shine

Wonder Woman’s comic twin sister is getting her chance to shine. Per The Hollywood Reporter, DC Comics will release Nubia: A Real One, a YA graphic novel, on February 2, 2021. Writer L.L. McKinney (A Blade So Black) and artist Robyn Smith (Wash Day) will handle the project and introduce a new generation of fans to the often overlooked and underutilized character.

Nubia first appeared in Wonder Woman #204 in 1973. She was created alongside Diana/Wonder Woman, kidnapped by Ares, and raised away from the other Amazons of Themyscira. Diana and Nubia reunited in conflict years later and, after discovering her true roots, Nubia sided with the Amazons. Since then, the character has made a few appearances. One such appearance featured a new version of her who was the first Wonder Woman. She did not get the widespread recognition as Wonder Woman but many diehard comic fans of color love her.

In the novel, Nubia has the same physical qualities as Wonder Woman but society treats her like a threat due to her Black skin and statuesque frame. Nubia’s moms try to keep her safe but they can only do so much in this world. Her determination to defy the odds and protect her friend sets her on a heroic journey.

Nubia: A Real One (fantastic name, btw) puts this character in the hands of two Black women who center Black characters in their stories. McKinney spoke to DC about what it meant to take on this story as a Nubia fan and Black nerd. “I’ve been a fan pretty much since birth, and I’ve watched her get moved around and appear in various iterations—none of them touching me the same way her original one had,” said McKinney. “I mean, this was Wonder Woman’s twin sister, just as strong, just as fast, if not stronger and faster. And, she was BLACK!”

Robyn Smith

Smith said illustrating Nubia was a dream and a chance to create something truly special. “As an Afro-Caribbean artist, I’ve always strived to center the Black community in the comics I make, so being hired to illustrate Nubia was a dream,” said Smith. “When I heard L. L. McKinney was the writer, I was even more excited. Working together has been great, especially since our artistic objectives seem to be the same: all Black everything.”

Fans can pre-order Nubia: A Real One right now and have one more reason to look forward to 2021. It’s time for Nubia to show the world why she’s a powerful force in the DC universe.

Featured Image: Robyn Smith