Real Name: Andromeda
Occupation: Monarch
Legal Status:
Citizen of Aethiopia
Identity:
The general populace of Earth is unaware of the existence of Andromeda except as
a figure from Greek/Roman mythology.
Other Aliases:
None
Place of Birth: Aeithiopia (now part of modern Egypt)
Place of Death:
Mycenae (now part of modern Greece)
Known Relatives:
Cepheus II (father), Cassiopeia (mother), Phineus, Agenor (uncles, possibly
deceased), Perseus
(husband), Perses,
Electryon, Sthenelus, Alcaeus, Mestor (sons), Gorgophone, Autochthe (daughter),
Acrisius (father-in-law), Hercules,
Helen of Troy, Castor, Pollux (descendants),
Cepheus I (paternal grandfather), deceased, Arabus (maternal grandfather,
deceased), Zeus
(father-in-law), Poseidon,
Hermes (ancestors),
Group Affiliation:
None
Base of Operations:
Mycenae (now part of modern Greece)
First Appearance:
Wolverine/Hercules: Myths, Monsters & Mutants #3
History:
Andromeda was a member of the Iasid Dynasty of Argive Kings who ruled the area
of Aethiopia, a Greek territory located in the area of Southern Egypt. She was the daughter
of King Cepheus II, a descendant of King Epaphos (Apepi), a son of Zeus, and
Queen Cassiopeia, daughter of King Arabus, a son of Hermes, who gave his name to
the land of Arabia beyond the Erythrean Sea (Red Sea).
Born sometime in the Late 14th Century BC,
Andromeda was the only child of King Cepheus and Cassiopeia, and as such, any prince that
took her as a bride would succeed Cepheus as king. For this reason, Cepheus
allowed his brother, Phineus, to covet Andromeda as a bride. However, in the
ceremonies leading to their marriage, Cassiopeia vainly declared that Andromeda
was more beautiful than the Nereids, the goddess of the sea that served Poseidon, their patron god. Offended, Poseidon sent a curse that plagued
Aethiopia with famine and plague.
The Priests of Poseidon eventually
consulted the Temple of Ammon for advice and from the divination they received,
they advocated that Cepheus sacrifice Andromeda as a tribute to Poseidon to
satisfy him, but the Argive prince Perseus eventually arrived in the land after
slaying Medusa. He promised Cepheus he would rescue Andromeda for her hand in
marriage. However, Poseidon sent a sea creature to take Andromeda, and Perseus slew it
using the head of Medusa to turn it into stone. Cepheus’s brother, Phineus,
had conspired with his brother, Agenor, to prevent Perseus from taking Andromeda
as a
bride, but according to the myth, they were eventually dispatched by Medusa’s head as well.
It is unrevealed how long Andromeda and
Perseus lived in Aethiopia before advancing to Argos, Perseus’s homeland.
Their son, Perses, became Cepheus’s successor to the throne, and Perseus soon inherited the
throne of Argos after the death of King Acrisius, his grandfather, but he
eventually left Argos to his uncle, King Proteus, for the land around Tiryns,
where Andromeda followed him. Perseus also claimed the ruins of Mycenae, refortifying
the city and doubling it in size.
Andromeda and Perseus had several sons who
became kings of Tiryns, Mycenae and other lands. Their descendants include the
demigod Hercules and
Helen of Troy. They also welcomed
Dionysus as a guest and
started the first rituals for him at Mycenae.
There are no known stories about
Andromeda’s later years. According to one myth, Perseus fell in battle in his
old age after trying to use Medusa’s head in battle in Asia Minor, but this
exploit is usually attributed to his son, Perses.
According the the traditional stories,
Andromeda and Perseus lived long lives and died of old age, their names being
set in the stars by the gods.
Height: 5’5”
Weight: 115 lbs.
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Blonde
Strength Level: Andromeda possesses the normal
human strength level of a woman of her size, weight and build who engages in
extensive physical activities.
Known
Superhuman Powers: None
Comments:
This bio includes references to the Marvel Universe version of Andromeda. She
has been played by actress Judi Bowker (Clash of the Titans - 1981), Alexa
Davalos (Clash of the Titans - 2010) and Rosamund Pike (Wrath of the Titans -
2012). She was voiced by Beth Souci in the 1998-1999 TV Series, “Disney’s
Hercules.”
Andromeda is also the progenitor of the
“damsel in distress” archetype of West European folklore.
Clarifications:
Andromeda is not to be confused with:
Andromeda,
Atlantean warrior-woman and member of the Defenders. @ Defenders #143
Andromeda,
Asgardian demi-goddess and member of the Pantheon @ Incredible Hulk #412
Andromeda, Laurel Gand, 30th Century Daxamite adventurer and thrill-seeker, @ Legion of Super-Heroes IV #5
Last updated: 12/02/23