Themyscira (DC Comics)

A rebuilt and relocated Themyscira as seen in Wonder Woman (vol. 2) #177 (Feb 2002), art by Phil Jimenez.
Type	City-state, Island nation.
Race(s)	Amazons
Notable locations	Earth, in the midst of a vast ocean.
Notable characters	Wonder Woman Donna Troy Hippolyta Mala Philippus
First appearance	As Paradise Island: All Star Comics #8 (December 1941) As Themyscira: Wonder Woman (vol. 2) #1 (February 1987)
Publisher	DC Comics

Themyscira (pronunciation: /ðɛmˈɪskɛərə/, them-IS-kair-ə) is a fictional, lush island nation on Earth, appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The island is the place of origin of Wonder Woman and her sister Amazons. Originally known as Paradise Island since Wonder Woman and the island's first appearance in All Star Comics #8 (December 1941), and was created by William Moulton Marston to allegorize the safety and security of the home where women thrived apart from the hostile, male-dominated work place. It was renamed "Themyscira" with the character's February 1987 relaunch in Wonder Woman (vol. 2) #1. The island is named after the mythological city of Themiscyra, the capital of the Amazon tribe in Greek mythology. It is also sometimes presented that Themyscira is the capital city and Paradise Island is the entire island nation.

When Wonder Woman's homeland is first introduced in 1941, it is referred to as Paradise Island, a secret and hidden island on Earth inhabited by the Amazons of myth. The Amazons were given a break from the hostilities and temptations of Man's World, and so were decreed to start a new life improving themselves by sequestering themselves to this island away from ancient Greece, after being enslaved by Hercules. With the island blessed by the Olympian Gods, no man was allowed to physically set foot on it. When United States Army intelligence officer Steve Trevor's plane crashes there during World War II, he is nursed back to health just outside of the capital city by Princess Diana, daughter of the island's Queen Hippolyta. Diana later competes against other Amazons to become Wonder Woman, the emissary from Paradise Island who will accompany Steve back to "Man's World" and aid in the fight against the Axis powers. It was established that all Amazons are adept at a discipline called "bullets and bracelets" in which they are able to deflect bullets fired at them using the chain bands on their wrists.