#badra

A while ago I got to do some work for DC as a writer and an artist on a Wonder Woman short for Wonder Woman: Black and Gold (Volume 1, Issue 5). I started making comics without ever having any aspirations to work on superheroes. I still largely don’t; I’ve always known I loathe drawing crumbling city blocks and airborne cars, for example. Plus I have a lot of trouble thinking my artwork looks right for a superhero property. Ten years ago if an editor were to look over my portfolio, I’d expect them to go, “This is nice! I’m sure it’s great for your own thing, but it’s not quite appropriate for superheroes.” I still largely operate this way, but occasionally an editor might have a really specific vision where my work is part of the visual language, and it becomes exactly right for the project, and I think this was one of those stories.

I asked my editor if I could use a supervillainess that hadn’t been touched since 1948, the Meteor Girl known as Queen Badra, and I got clearance. I’ve always loved DC heroes like Starfire and Superman because their origin stories resonate with my diasporic and refugee background, and Badra’s origin really stood out to me because it also fell along those lines, but her appearance was so brief, and she basically disappears from popular consciousness. Badra has basically the same origin as Superman, and she arrives on Earth to eventually lead a gang of wayward young girls in a series of petty crimes. Badra is apprehended by Wonder Woman and the Amazons’ Kanga regiment (the Amazons canonically ride giant kangaroos, it’s great). In the end the Amazons take her in to rehabilitate her because Wonder Woman believes that her powers can be used to do good.

For Wonder Woman: Black and Gold, I expanded on Badra’s origins a little more while telling a story about Wonder Woman repatriating alien artifacts. I got to be a little art history nerd in a comic about Wonder Woman’s capacity to find the best in people who are hurt and lashing out. It was such a fun experience. I’m so proud to say that Badra is listed as appearing exactly three times as of today: once in an issue of Comics Cavalcade in 1948, once in a Wonder Woman official encyclopedia, and once in my little short comic.

Chapter 1: The Fall of Sabal

I pointed the rocket launcher at Pagan Min's helicopter at the royal palace of Kirat. I took a deep breath and pulled the trigger, seeing the explosion in the sky. I felt a mix of relief and remorse. Had I made the right choice? Pagan had revealed that Lakshmana was my half-sister, the result of his involvement with Ishwari, my mother. Mohan, upon discovering the betrayal, killed Lakshmana and tried to kill my mother, but Ishwari reacted and killed him in self-defense. After that, she fled Kyrat with me. Pagan then decided to hand over Kirat to me, which awakened my desire to rule the country and honor the memory of my family. I wanted to transform it into a modern democracy. I sometimes wondered if Pagan was the only sane one in that country of madmen. I remembered his crimes and his tyranny. I knew that Pagan was not a kind leader. He dominated Kyrat with cruelty and ostentation, using his militia to intimidate the people and profiting from drug trafficking. I remembered all his evil deeds, which included torture, mass murder, betrayal, corruption, destruction, kidnapping, propaganda, slavery, prostitution and animal cruelty. He wanted to end the traditions of Kyrat and prevent the progress of the country. He deserved to be tried by the Hague Tribunal for his crimes, but there were still those who defended him. That was one of the reasons why we lived in a violent world, dominated by autocracy and corruption.

I knew that Pagan had to fall. But I didn't trust Amita, the leader of the Golden Path who dreamed of turning Kyrat into a drug empire. I made a vow to myself to never become a despot like Pagan Min and to defend Kyrat and its people. I wished that my mother and sister would feel proud. The snow of the Himalayas covered everything with its beauty and its cruelty. I thought of Bhadra, the girl I had met in this war. She was the only one I cared about in that insane country. She was like a younger sister, or the only friend. I knew she was destined to be the Tarun Matara, the reincarnation of the goddess Kira. She would be exploited by the religious fanatics of Sabal, just like my mother had been exploited by my father. I couldn't let that happen. I have to rescue her.

Ajay heard the noise of a helicopter and recognized the voice that came from it, it was Hurk: Hey, brother! Want a ride? Ajay: are you sure this helicopter is safe? It looks kind of old and rusty. Hurk: Chill out, man. This is my baby. I fixed it up. It will fly like a turbocharged eagle. Ajay: That doesn't make me very confident. Hurk: Trust me, brother. Ajay arrived at Ghale Residence with a heavy heart. He had just learned the whole truth about his father, his mother and his little sister, and the farce that was the Golden Path. One thing didn't leave Ajay's mind: Bhadra. He couldn't allow an innocent girl to suffer what his mother had suffered at the hands of his father. Ajay remembered the sad look of Bhadra when she was taken to become Tarun Matara. The sadness in her green eyes contrasted with her beauty, which had fascinated him since the day they met. She had a great admiration for his father, but if she knew the truth, it would be a great disappointment. Ajay felt a fondness for Bhadra, as if she were his sister. He wanted to protect her from all the evil that plagued Kyrat.

Suddenly, the radio rang. It was Sabal.

Ajay, Pagan is dead. - he said with a solemn voice. Brother, it's over. I can hardly believe it. Did you find Lakshmana? - Sabal asked with enthusiasm. Yes, I did, Sabal. My mother can rest in peace now. Thank you. - Ajay replied coldly. Kirat is free, brother. Thanks to you. Mohan is also resting in peace now. Come home. I'll need a right-hand man to bring Kirat back to its roots. - Sabal said and hung up. Ajay felt a wave of anger and contempt for Sabal. Right-hand man? I had done all the dirty work and now Sabal wants to use me as a puppet? I won't let Sabal turn Kirat into a theocracy. I won't let Sabal do to Bhadra what my father had done to my mother: use her as a religious and political instrument, without caring about her feelings or desires. Ajay turned off the radio angrily and left Ghale Residence. He was tired of hearing Sabal's lies.

He went to visit his neighbors Reggie and Yogi. They were lying around doing nothing as usual. What a waste of life, he thought with contempt. He wouldn't tolerate them smoking near Bhadra when she came to live with him. She deserved more respect and consideration. Reggie: Hi, neighbor. Yogi: Ah! Mr. Ghale. Well, I guess that's it, then? Reggie: No more panic and destruction?

Yogi: Are you going to retire the old rocket launcher? Reggie: Put it on the shelf, the way it was: collecting dust. Yogi: Unless… Reggie: You have unfinished business? Maybe? Loose ends to tie up? Yogi: Or people you need to kill. Reggie: That's what I said, Donald. Yogi: My name is Yogi. Ajay said goodbye coldly and crossed the small stream. He thought to himself: "Sabal, I'm not your brother. I'm not your right-hand man. I'm the king of Kyrat. And I will free my people from the oppression of you and Amita". He muttered, with hatred. He had a mission: to rescue Bhadra, the young girl he considered a sister, the young girl he promised to protect. Ajay contacted Hurk by radio and asked for one more favor: that he take him by helicopter to Jalendu, where he had to save a princess in arrived at the Jalendu Temple with the intention of finding Sabal and Bhadra, the leaders of the Golden Path. He wanted to end the conflict that plagued Kirat and free Bhadra. But what he saw left him horrified. Sabal was at the entrance of the temple, with the rebels who supported Amita, the other candidate for the leadership of the Golden Path. All tied up and on their knees. He shouted, ordering them to be executed, making an insane speech.

You chose to fight against your own people. By taking Amita's side, you decided that you would make your own legacy and spit on the Gods. Now you kneel before the Tarun Matara, asking for forgiveness. No, no. Where was all this forgiveness when you massacred your brothers and sisters? You committed crimes against the very Gods. That's why I tell you: today you chose to cut your own neck. I don't.

Bhadra was sitting on a throne, dressed in ceremonial clothes. She seemed to be in a trance, as she did not react to anything. She looked at the void with a cold look. Ajay felt a pain in his chest when he saw Bhadra in that state. He couldn't believe that Sabal had done that to her. He couldn't let Sabal continue with that madness.

Wait, what about Bhadra? — asked Ajay, interrupting Sabal.

Now she is the Tarun Matara. The sins against the Gods can only be erased with blood. Purification is necessary to move forward, brother. — answered Sabal, with a crazy look.

The Tarun matara does not object? And you? - accused Ajay, with a furious look.

Ajay, what objection will Bhadra make? Are you crazy? She is in shock. For hours I think Amita was right. You have other intentions with Bhadra. — said Sabal, with contempt.

Bhadra? She is your hostage, Sabal! You are using her as a symbol to manipulate people! She is a girl, not a goddess! — said Ajay, indignant.

You don't see what you did to her, Sabal? She is catatonic! She doesn't speak, doesn't move, doesn't feel anything! She is a shadow of what she was before! You destroyed her! — shouted Ajay, pointing to the motionless girl.

You don't understand anything, Ajay! You are nothing but a foreigner, an outsider! You don't know what's best for Kirat! You betrayed your father's will and let Amita escape. You are weak, cowardly, useless! — said Sabal, pushing Ajay away with force.

Sabal, you've gone mad! You're killing people in the name of a lie! You're betraying everything the Golden Path stands for! — said Ajay, drawing his gun.

Don't challenge me, Ajay! I am the leader of the Golden Path! I am the protector of the Tarun Matara! I am the chosen one of the Gods! — said Sabal, raising the knife.

No, Sabal. You are a tyrant, a fanatic, a murderer. And I'm going to end this once and for all. — said Ajay, shooting Sabal. When the Golden Path soldiers were going to attack Ajay, they heard howls of wolves and saw Bhadra with a bloody face. She seemed to cry tears of blood. They were horrified by the scene and knelt down, begging for forgiveness. They said that Sabal had awakened the wrath of the gods and that Ajay was the chosen one and the new leader of the Golden Path. Sabal fell to the ground, moaning in pain. Ajay ran to Bhadra and hugged her. She was cold and pale. She did not react to his touch. Her eyes were empty and her face expressionless. She seemed to be in a trance, disconnected from reality. Ajay felt sorry for her and angry at Sabal. How could Sabal do that to her?

Bhadra, it's me, Ajay. I came to free you. Let's get out of here. Let's go to Ghale Residence. There you'll be fine - Ajay said, stroking her face. He saw the fear in her green eyes, which looked lost and empty. Suddenly, she looked into his eyes and began to speak in a strange language that he did not understand. He carried her in his arms and left the temple, avoiding the corpses that Sabal had left behind. He got into his helicopter and flew as fast as he could away from that hell. When he got close to Ghale Residence, he got out of the helicopter with Bhadra in his arms. She was shaking and sobbing softly, clinging to his chest.

It's okay, Bhadra. It's okay. I'm here with you - he said, trying to comfort her.

Ajay… Ajay… - she whispered, with a weak voice.

I'm here, Bhadra. I'm here - he repeated, carrying her in his arms. he climbed all the way up to the house and found Yogi & Reggie in the living room. They were surprised to see him and even more so to see Bhadra.

Hey, man, you're back! - Yogi said, getting up from the rug.

And you brought a girl! - Reggie said, widening his eyes.

Who is she? - Yogi asked, approaching.

It's Bhadra - Ajay said, with a tense voice.

The Tarun Matara? The reincarnation of the goddess? - Reggie asked, impressed.

Yes, but she's bad

Ajay said - Sabal forced her to watch him kill people.

That's crazy! - Yogi said - What did he want with her?

I don't know, but I'm afraid to imagine - Ajay said - Do you know how to get her out of this state?

Well, we have some experience with herbs - Reggie said - Maybe we can make a tea.

Or maybe we just need to wait for her to wake up - Yogi said - She needs to rest after going through a scene of terror.

Whatever it is, I need you to take care of her - Ajay said - She's just a child. She doesn't deserve this.

Sure, man, we'll take care of her - Yogi said - You can count on us.

Thank you - Ajay said. He thought about everything that had happened since he arrived in Kyrat. In his father, in his mother, in Pagan Min, in Amita, in Sabal. He had lost everything and everyone he loved or respected. He looked at Bhadra and felt a pang of affection. She was the only person he still had some connection with. She was the only person he wanted to protect. He wondered if she would recover from the trauma she had suffered. He wondered if she would forgive him for not arriving sooner.

He was exhausted and worried. He didn't know what had happened to Bhadra while he was away and how she would react when she woke up. Ajay fell asleep without realizing it, tired of the war and violence that plagued Kirat. He dreamed of Sabal wearing the Yalung mask dragging Bhadra to the Jalendu shrine. Ajay follows him desperately, but the scenery changes to Shangri-La, the legendary Tibetan paradise. It is a magical and beautiful place, full of colors and lights. He sees a woman resembling Bhadra sitting on a throne of flowers, dressed in red and gold clothes. She is beautiful and radiant, like a goddess. She calls him by name.

Ajay… Ajay… I'm waiting for you. You finally arrived. You are an honorable man, my chosen one, my companion… - she says, with a sweet and melodious voice.

Bhadra? Is that you? - he asks, confused. She shakes her head. Ajay doesn't understand if it's yes or no.

Who are you? - Ajay asks, perplexed.

I am Kira, the mother goddess of all kirats. I thank you for saving the Tarun Matara from Sabal's bloodlust. I would forgive everyone, no matter the side; they are all my sons and daughters. - She says, with a bitter voice. She began to cry and said that she didn't want Sabal to kill her people. Ajay felt relieved to hear her words, but also anguished to know that he had caused so much suffering.

I am to blame for putting Sabal in power of the Golden Path. - He says, with a tone of remorse.

It's not your fault, Ajay. Sabal was blind by faith. You are not to blame. - She says, with a loving voice.

Ajay, I just wanted to fulfill my mother's last wish: to free the people of Kirat, honor my father's legacy and protect Bhadra. She is the only person in this madness that I still care about. I don't want for Bhadra the same fate as my mother; I want her to be happy as possible, to have a normal life. I want to see her smiling; something I rarely see. Bhadra has no reason to smile; I don't want to see children going through the nightmare that Bhadra went through. - He says, with a tone of sadness. The young goddess is touched by his answer and smiles at Ajay.

Ajay, protect Bhadra, protect Kirat. - She asks, with a loving voice. She gets up from the throne and walks up to him. She hugs him and kisses him passionately. In his ear, she whispers:

Ajay, protect Bhadra, protect Kirat. - She asks, with a loving voice. She gets up from the throne and walks up to him. She hugs him and kisses him passionately. In his ear, she whispers:

Ajay, protect me. She takes him to a tent made of silk and petals. Inside, they make love, without fear or guilt. When the scene starts to heat up, Ajay wakes up all sweaty and panting. He is confused and scared. What a strange dream… Ajay got up from the rug and looked at Bhadra, who was still sleeping deeply. He felt a mix of relief and anguish when he saw her there, so fragile and innocent. He approached her carefully and stroked her face. She opened her eyes slowly and stared at him. He saw a glint of recognition in her gaze, but soon after a cloud of confusion and fear took over her. She squeezed his hand and asked, with a trembling voice:

Where am I? Who are you? What happened to me? Ajay felt a tightness in his chest when he heard those words. He remembered everything they had been through together, how he saved her from Sabal's clutches, how he protected her from Pagan Min's soldiers, how he considered her a sister. He tried to explain, with a gentle voice: You're safe, Bhadra. I'm Ajay, your friend, your… your ally. We fought against Sabal and Pagan Min, we freed Kyrat, we… He stopped talking when he saw Bhadra's expression change. She looked at him with a mix of fear and gratitude.

You saved me from Sabal? He told me I was the Tarun Matara, the goddess of Kyrat. He forced me to see terrible things. He hurt a lot of people. She looked into Ajay's eyes and remembered everything he had done for her. She felt a wave of relief and affection for him.

You are very brave, Ajay. You are very good. She started to sob and clung to him. Ajay hugged her and tried to calm her down. He said:

It's okay, Bhadra. I'm here. You're safe with me. He smiled and stroked her hair.

Sabal is dead. I had no choice but to kill him. He was a madman, a fanatic, a murderer who deceived you, used you and hurt you. You don't have to be afraid of him anymore. You're not a goddess, Bhadra. You're a girl, a… - He says, but is interrupted by her.

A almost younger sister? Is that what you were going to say? - She asks, indignant. - Do you think I'm a child? That I don't know what I feel? - She breaks free from his embrace and faces him defiantly. - In my land, I am a woman.

She thinks of her grandmother, who at 12 was already a great hunter and took care of three children alone. How she wished she had that decision-making ability, that willpower. How she wanted to be a woman like her.

Ajay stroked her hair.

You are safe with me. I will take care of you. I will protect you. — he says, trying to calm her down. He looked into her eyes and was overcome by a strong feeling. He remembered the dream he had with the Goddess. She looked a lot like Bhadra. Was she Bhadra or Kira? He shook his head and pushed those thoughts away.

What nonsense, Ajay! She is only 14 years old! And she is like a younger sister! I would never get involved with her! — He thinks, condemning himself.

I like her. — He thinks, confessing.

Ajay drove his jeep to Sabal's residence, the former leader of the Golden Path whom he had killed to save Bhadra. He had a mission: to recover Bhadra's belongings that Sabal and his followers had confiscated and take them to the Gale residence. On the way, he encountered no resistance from the members of the Golden Path. On the contrary, everyone knelt before him with reverence and fear. There were rumors that everyone involved in the Jalendu massacre had suffered horrible deaths and that Ajay was the chosen one of the goddess Kira. He even heard comments that he had supernatural powers, as it was impossible for one man to defeat Pagan Min and Sabal. He thought that was ridiculous! People made up many stories and that's how Legends were born.

Arriving at Sabal's residence, Ajay searched the rooms for Bhadra's objects. She had many books, some still new in leaf. Bhadra seemed like a girl of much culture and curiosity. He smelled something burning coming from the backyard and went to check. It was a bonfire with several books thrown on it. Ajay recognized some partially burned covers: Pride and Prejudice, Romeo and Juliet, Wuthering Heights… It seemed that Sabal was not very romantic. He was a perverted fanatic who wanted to eliminate any western influence from Bhadra's mind. Ajay was outraged by that scene of barbarism and returned to the house with anger.

He opened Sabal's closet and found a diary with his handwriting. Ajay picked up the diary and sat down in the chair to read what was going on in that madman's head.

"I discovered the new Tarun Matara. It was a divine sign that she crossed my path when I saved that orphan girl from her dying mother. I had no idea that she would be the new Tarun Matara and much less that she was a descendant of the former king of Kyrat and a humble servant. When Pagan Min took power, she escaped to Banapur with Bhadra in her arms. On that terrible day, she succumbed to the injuries caused by the royal guard. Before she left, she revealed everything to me."

"I feel blessed by the gods and I know that goddess Kira chose me to lead Kyrat by her side. Now that Pagan is dead and Bhadra is Tarun Matara, I will restore the monarchy in Kyrat. I will be the new king of Kyrat and together with Tarun Matara I will rule by her side as her protector. Mohan Ghale never deserved it. He corrupted himself with this filth of western culture. I deserve it. I will join Bhadra who is both princess and manifestation of goddess Kira. I trust that Bhadra will have no resistance. Amita tried to poison Bhadra's mind by saying that a 14-year-old girl cannot take on this commitment. Amita and Alexia (Ajay's cousin) brought these western books to Bhadra and planted these western illusions in her head. Amita does not understand that, when the time comes, Bhadra will transcend her identity to be Tarun Matara. I will become king of Kyrat and take Alexia as my concubine."

Ajay was horrified by everything he read. He returned to Gale residence to deliver Sabal's diary to Bhadra. She needed to know the truth about her past. She was still dominated by Sabal even though he was dead. He wanted to know her decision about their future.

2021 has been a fantastic year for Wonder Woman's villains, so let's explore the lineup of villains used throughout this wonderful year and the stories they have appeared in:

Far Cry 4: The Twilight of Kyrat

The Tarun Matara’s Ball

The royal palace gleamed under the torchlight. Ajay Ghale, now wearing the heavy weight of the crown, paced back and forth.

"Relax, Your Majesty. You look like a recruit on his first day in the jungle," Marty Alencar teased, leaning against the wall with a drink in hand.

"It’s Bhadra, Marty. I saw in a documentary that in Brazil, you throw debutante parties to introduce girls to society, right?" Ajay paused, apprehensive. "My challenge is that society here expects a Living Goddess, and all I want is for her to be a teenager."

"In Brazil, there’s waltzing, expensive dresses, and crying parents," Marty shrugged. "Here? If she doesn't bless the harvest, people panic. It's a different kind of pressure, my friend."

The door swung open. Bhadra emerged in a ceremonial dress made of red silk and gold thread. She was no longer the scared girl from the mountains.

"How do I look?" she asked, her voice steady, but her eyes searching for approval.

"You look... incredible," Ajay smiled, offering his arm. "Ready to be the face of a new Kyrat?"