For centuries you have told us to suffer for our sins. Now you tell us to suffer for yours. Forgive me, Lord Hermes, but that is not fair. 
Wonder Woman (Volume 2) #24 is an issue of the series Wonder Woman (Volume 2) with a cover date of December, 1988.
Synopsis for "Combat Zone"
Millennia ago, condemned as Earth's first mass-murderer, the mad king Ixion had been chained to an enormous wheel by Hermes and cast into Tartarus. There had he remained, subject to countless tortures that eventually mutated him into a monster in body as well as mind.[1] Only when the Gods became occupied with the New Olympus project was he freed, his liberators none other than Euryale and Phobos.
Now unopposed, the monstrous trio rampage through Boston, indiscriminately killing civilians and police. Thousands (the Kapatelises included) are left horrified witnesses to this carnage - most prominent of all the captive Hermes. Though deprived of his caduceus, the Messenger-God is determined to repent for his carelessness, and gathers his last shred of power to magically signal Wonder Woman.
(Meanwhile, on an outpost in the South Pacific, Etta Candy discover far more hostile signals, indicating an extraterrestrial invasion.)
Instants later, Wonder Woman returns to Boston, whereupon she binds Phobos with the Lasso of Truth and tackles Ixion onto the shores of Martha's Vineyard. Simultaneously, the National Guard mobilizes, pinning down Euryale and Phobos with heavy-arms fire. Amidst this chaos, Hermes escapes, recovers his caduceus, and beheads Euryale; subsequently, the restored Messenger-God flies the bound Phobos to Martha's Vineyard, where Wonder Woman is steadily overpowering Ixion.
Despite Wonder Woman's pleas, Ixion refuses to surrender, declaring death preferable to re-imprisonment and further torture. Hermes' arrival (and Phobos' taunting) reveals further difficulties: since Tartarus had disappeared with the old Olympus, only Themyscira is suited to contain Ixion. The horrified Wonder Woman protests, only to be interrupted by a squadron of jets from the National Guard; at Hermes' advice, she stands by and watches the jets obliterate Ixion.
Shortly after, Wonder Woman returns to the Kapatelis home and reconciles with Julia. In doing so, both women acknowledge their own shortcomings as well as those of Hermes - for the episode has, if nothing else, proven that even Gods can be all too human.
Appearing in "Combat Zone"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
- Euryale (Apparent Death)
- Ixion the Assassin (Dies)
- Phobos
Other Characters:
- Boston Police Department
- Captain James Smith (Single appearance; dies)
- Lieutenant Placide
- Officer Richter
- Officer Zelaya
- Massachusetts National Guard
- United States Air Force
- Maj. George Baines
- Horace Westlake
- WHGP News
- Brian Hatcher
- Omar Ramos
- Pat (Single appearance; dies)
Locations:
- United States of America
- Massachusetts
- Boston
- Martha's Vineyard
- Wakefield
- Kapatelis summer home
- New Hampshire
- Temple of Hermes
- Massachusetts
- Pacific Ocean
Items:
- Caduceus
- Wonder Woman's Armaments
Vehicles:
Notes
- This issue is reprinted in the following:
See Also
Links and References
- ↑ In Classical mythology, Ixion was not particularly notorious for the quantity of his victims; rather, his notoriety stemmed from his "invention" of patricide, as well as his attempted rape of Hera. Additionally, Pérez depicts Ixion as a giant and mentions vultures as part of his punishment, indicating some conflation with the lesser-known Tartarus prisoner Tityos.