Character Spotlight: Nemesis

Expanding on my spotlight plans I am now introducing my character spotlight series. I plan on running character spotlights along with creator spotlights and eventually team and book spotlights. The idea is to share information on creators, stories and characters that you may not be exposed to otherwise. There's plenty of people who only read one title or another and they might find it helpful to get information on other happenings in the Wildstorm universe. I'll do my best in my spotlight installments to avoid major spoilers unless otherwise noted.

Rather than do something logical like start with a big character like Midnighter, Grifter, Zealot or Majestic I thought I would start with a character that hasn't been as exposed, at least not until more recently. Sorry to anybody looking for a blast from the past this entry. You'll have to wait until next time as I've picked Nemesis.

If you want to play along at home, listed below is a list of spotlight entries I plan on making in the coming weeks. Keep in mind, this list is subject to change based on my reading schedule. As I write about these books and characters I'm for the most part not writing cold. I'm writing entries shortly after reading and re-reading a lot of material found in single issues, trade paperbacks, etc.

Coming soon for Creator Spotlight:

Gail Simone (writer of Welcome to Tranquility, Gen13)

Warren Ellis (writer of Stormwatch, The Authority)

Jim Lee (founder, editor and artist of Wildstorm)

Coming soon for Character Spotlight:

Jenny Sparks (The Authority)

Dane (Wetworks)

Grifter (Wildcats)

If you want to see a particular character, team or creator under the spotlight in the near future write a comment nominating your pick. I'll try and work in the requests with my named picks.

From Khera and trained as a Coda warrior, Charis Adrastea (a.k.a. Nemesis) is currently featured as a member of the Wildcats and had her own 9 issue limited series run titled Wildcats: Nemesis. She was also a featured character in Wildstorm: Armageddon and Wildstorm: Revelations.

Part of what makes Nemesis so different from most other people is that due to genetics she is capable of living for thousands of years and packs a lot of strength for such a small woman. Aside from her ability to live so long, she is very much in tune with the emotions of those around her (empathy).

Wearing specialized body armor, Nemesis is highly skilled in various forms of combat. She is deadly with both guns and her two prized and indestructible swords made from the Creation Engine. Her swords can cut through pretty much anything.

When the Kherubim/Daemonite war spread to Earth, Charis was among the Coda warriors stuck on our planet. Nemesis was asked to infiltrate the Daemonites by posing as a traitor but she was compromised when the Daemonites asked her to kill a recently captured Zealot. As a higher ranking member of the Coda, Zealot ordered Nemesis to kill her but Charis couldn't go through with it so she blew her cover and fought the Daemonites instead. After this, Charis wasn't just an enemy to the Daemonites as this conflict developed problems with the Coda as well.

Around the same time, Charis hooked up with a member of the Brotherhood of the Blade (a rival faction of male warriors) named Raven. Raven later betrayed his lover by killing 200 Coda on the Isle of Lesbos. Not only did he kill all the Coda he also set Charis up in the process so she would take the blame.

Over the years Nemesis has avoided many assassination attempts and has worked hard to clear her name. Charis' nickname was given to her by the Coda after her perceived betrayal.

If you've enjoyed this character in the Wildcats books or gotten interested in her from recent events I highly recommend picking up the trade or single issues for Wildcats: Nemesis. It's a strong read. My next character spotlight will most likely be about Jenny Sparks.