Aegeus (comics)
| Aegeus | |
|---|---|
| File:Ww299.gif Wonder Woman #299 | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | Wonder Woman #297 (November 1982) |
| Created by | Dan Mishkin Gene Colan Frank McLaughlin |
| In-story information | |
| Full name | Nikos Aegeus |
| Species | Human |
| Place of origin | Earth |
| Abilities | Enhanced physical strength Mystical lightning that can destroy or teleport |
Nikos Aegeus is a fictional character in the DC Comics universe. The character is a minor supervillain who has primarily fought Wonder Woman.
Fictional character biography
Pre-Crisis
Nikos Aegeus is the wanted leader of a Greek terrorist cell. After executing an ambassador, he and his gang escaped to an uncharted island in the Aegean Sea (eventually revealed to be Paradise Island, home of the Amazons) where Aegeus encountered Bellerophon, the blind adventurer of ancient times. Bellerophon endowed Aegeus with the lightning of Zeus and provided him the winged horse, Pegasus, as his steed. During an Air Force training exercise, Aegeus kidnapped Steve Trevor in order to learn the location of Paradise Island so Bellerophon could use the Amazons' Purple Healing Ray to restore his sight and conquer them. Aegeus located Paradise Island within the Bermuda Triangle but was beaten in battle by Wonder Woman and betrayed by his ally, Sofia Constantinas. He then escaped to parts unknown.[1]
Aegeus returned a few months later using Vulcan's dagger, an indestructible weapon, to take revenge on Colonel Trevor and Wonder Woman for humiliating him at Paradise Island. It was revealed that Aegeus had been hired by rogue US Government operative, Howard Kohler, to further Kohler's agenda of sabotaging upcoming arms talks with the Soviet Union. Aegeus was set free since his participation in a public trial would endanger the arms talks. He vowed that he'd meet Wonder Woman in battle again, but such a meeting would never occur.[2]
Post-Crisis
Aegeus was not seen during the Crisis on Infinite Earths and did appear again for over a quarter of a century. Aegeus returned in 2010's Wonder Woman #600 as a terrorist who attempts to hold Washington D.C. hostage, but was defeated by Diana and Superman.
The New 52
In The New 52, Aegeus is a descendant of Poseidon. He was recruited by the goddess of peace, Eirene, to kill Wonder Woman after she had gained the mantle of the God of War. After several failed attempts to take Wonder Woman's life, Aegeus was vaporized by Eirene.[3]
Rebirth
After the events of DC Rebirth, Aegeus was reverted to his original pre-New 52 design. He appeared as a new adversary for Batman's Justice League of America, and was depicted as an arms dealer selling weaponry forged out of ancient myth to criminals and plunderers out from an occupied Penn City, Pennsylvania. He was first seen closing a deal with a Gotham City crime syndicate at his stronghold in The Mayor's office. When the Justice League of America confronted Aegeus and his army, the villain easily defeated Lobo before sending an armed militia of Penn City's citizens on a flight of Chimera to begin his initial attack on the city.[4]
Powers and abilities
Aegeus was bestowed enhanced strength by Bellerophon. The ancient Greek also provided the power of mystic lightning that could destroy or teleport, as well as the steed Pegasus to carry him aloft. Aegeus somehow obtained Vulcan's dagger, a bladed weapon that could allegedly cut through any substance, including Wonder Woman's magic lasso and Amazon bracelets.
