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Helen was born to such pain. I won't let it poison her life. The truth is a powerful tool. All we've done is refine it... to give Helen the best chance at a future filled with love and success. 
Paula von Gunther was the leader of the Four Horsewomen and an enemy of Wonder Woman.
History
Helen Paul was a girl rescued by Wonder Woman from a branch of the Sons of Liberty in Central New York, of which her parents were part but were killed during the raid of Diana and A.R.G.U.S. against them. Raised by a retired A.R.G.U.S. couple, Harold and Petra Paul, she could always count on Diana's presence in her life as she grew up until she chose to join A.R.G.U.S. as well.[2]
However, the truth about Helen Paul's origin came to light when the supervillain Leviathan revealed to her his true past as a descendant of the Valkyrie Gudra through her descendants known as the von Gudras. At this point, Leviathan revealed to Helen that that was the real reason Diana had taken her from her family and had always watched over her, just as he had revealed to her her real name: Paula von Gunther, the Warmaster.[2]
Assembling the Four Horsewomen
After discovering her heritage as the descendant of the Valkyries, Paula was visited by three of her ancestors in the form of spirits, with them telling her she had to complete a mission: paying the blood debt the Amazons had with the Valkyries themselves. In fact the Spear of Gudra showed to Paula that the Amazons, through history, were always enemies of her family, and it all started when the Valkyries found Themyscira: coming in peace, they were all slaughtered by the Amazons with only Gudra, her great ancestor and owner of the spear she wields, survived. Knowing the truth and also realizing Diana lied to her to deny her the power of her lineage, Paula decided to assemble a team of Four Horsewomen that would put an end to Wonder Woman and her people.[3]
She first recruited Devastation, daughter of the Titans, raised as the natural opposite of Wonder Woman and seeking revenge against her after Diana took her family away from her. [4] She then visited the hideout of Armageddon, daughter of the original foe of Diana, convincing her to join her cause.[1] With only two women missing from completing her team, Warmaster goes then to the banks of the Tyrrhenian Sea, where she awakens the mysterious Genocide from her sleep, adding another piece to her fearsome group of warriors.[5]
After she sent Armageddon and Devastation to try and recruit Donna Troy into their team, Paula transported to her headquarters in Norway Wonder Woman herself, challenging her in a fight and telling her what she discovered about her true identity after taking possession of the Spear of Gudra. Wishing to make Diana admit her betrayal towards her and the Amazons own betrayal against the Valkyries, Paula put Diana in front of an ultimatum: she either could open the portal to Themyscira, giving Paula the chance to get there with the Four Horsewomen, or see the Warmaster and her warriors kill each and every hero that would try to protect the access to the island.[6] Diana refused and so Paula fled collapsing the base atop of Wonder Woman although she would be rescued by Donna Troy.
Despite Wonder Woman refusing to help, Genocide manged to force entry to Themyscira allowing her and Paula to attack the Amazons. Diana and Donna followed closely with Donna teaming up with the Amazons Nubia and Maggie to defeat Genocide while Diana tried to help Paula come to her senses. Diana was eventually successful in persuading Paula that neither of them truly knew whether it was the Amazons or the Valkyries to blame for their feud, and that neither of them had to be weighed down by their ancestors choices. Paula yielded, allowing Donna to destroy Genocide, and agreed to be held on Themyscira so that she could find reformation.
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Powers and Abilities
Abilities
- Weaponry: Paula is an expert in the use of spears and thanks to her time with A.R.G.U.S. she has also received training with several firearms.[6]
- Leadership
- Military Protocol
Paraphernalia
Equipment
Transportation
- Robot Flying Horse[8]
Weapons
- Gudra's Spear[2]
- Luger Pistol[2]
Notes
- Paula von Gunther was created by William Moulton Marston and Harry G. Peter, first appearing in Sensation Comics #4. However, in the Prime Earth continuity, Paula von Gunther first appeared as part of the New 52 DC Universe in Wonder Woman Annual (Volume 5) #3 by Steve Orlando and V. Ken Marion.
Trivia
- Her family name was spelled the same as her past versions as von Gunther from Wonder Woman #752 onwards. Presumably, the van Gunther spelling in Wonder Woman Annual (Volume 5) #3 was an error.
Related
- 11 Appearances of Paula von Gunther (Prime Earth)
- 6 Images featuring Paula von Gunther (Prime Earth)
- 2 Quotations by or about Paula von Gunther (Prime Earth)
- Character Gallery: Paula von Gunther (Prime Earth)
Footnotes
  A.R.G.U.S. member |
 This character is or was primarily an enemy of Wonder Woman and the Amazons in any of her various incarnations. This template will categorize articles that include it into the "Wonder Woman Villains category." |