Wonder Woman is known for her unmatched strength, wisdom, and resilience, but what truly sets her apart is her ability to stand toe-to-toe with gods. As a member of the Justice League, Diana of Themyscira has faced countless powerful foes, but it is her battles against divine beings that often define her heroism. Whether battling the gods of Olympus, powerful cosmic entities, or even her own divine heritage, Wonder Woman has proven time and again that no god is beyond her reach.
These 10 moments showcase the best of Wonder Woman’s ability to defeat gods, both physical and psychological, with her unwavering will and unbreakable spirit. Whether relying on her strength, strategy, or divine tools, Diana has never shied away from the challenge of taking on beings of immense power. These victories not only highlight her physical prowess but also her determination to protect the innocent and uphold justice, no matter the cost.
#10: Wonder Woman vs. Ares (The God of War) (Wonder Woman #1, 1987)
Ares, the Greek God of War, has been one of Wonder Woman’s greatest adversaries throughout her history. However, in her first solo series under George Pérez’s run, Diana faces Ares in a battle that tests not only her strength but also her wisdom as a strategist.
Ares embodies chaos and destruction, constantly seeking war and conflict. In their battle, Wonder Woman does not simply rely on her physical abilities—she confronts Ares by understanding his need for chaos and finding a way to outmaneuver him. By using her intelligence and the power of her gods-given strength, Wonder Woman is able to defeat Ares, making it clear that while she shares a divine heritage, she does not succumb to the same destructive tendencies. This victory establishes Diana as a worthy heir to the gods, someone who fights not for power but for peace and justice.
#9: Wonder Woman vs. Darkseid (Justice League #23.1, 2013)
Darkseid, the tyrannical ruler of Apokolips and one of the most powerful beings in the DC Universe, has always posed a significant threat to Earth. In Justice League #23.1, Wonder Woman faces Darkseid head-on in a confrontation that showcases both her physical prowess and her willpower.
While Darkseid is a cosmic entity of overwhelming power, Wonder Woman refuses to bow down before him. She challenges his authority, and in their confrontation, Diana uses her divine weapons, including the Lasso of Truth and the God Killer sword, to weaken him. She doesn’t defeat him in a traditional sense, but her ability to stand up to Darkseid and hold her ground forces the villain to recognize her strength. This encounter marks Wonder Woman as a true god-slayer, one capable of standing up to the very gods of the universe.
#8: Wonder Woman vs. The Cheetah (with the Power of the Gods) (Wonder Woman #170, 2001)
In one of her most personal battles, Wonder Woman faces off against her arch-nemesis, the Cheetah, who has been granted the power of the gods. In Wonder Woman #170, Cheetah temporarily gains the strength of the Greek gods, making her a god-like adversary capable of matching Diana’s divine strength.
However, Wonder Woman’s perseverance and connection to the gods enable her to overcome this challenge. By using her own divine gifts, including the magical weapons gifted to her by the gods, Diana is able to defeat the Cheetah once again. Despite the fact that Cheetah has God-like power for a time, Wonder Woman shows that no god, no matter how powerful, is beyond her ability to overcome. This battle showcases Wonder Woman’s resolve to protect the world and those she loves, even if it means facing a god-powered enemy who knows her inside and out.
#7: Wonder Woman vs. Zeus (Wonder Woman #12, 2017)
In Wonder Woman #12 (2017), Diana confronts her own father, Zeus, in a battle of wills and divine power. While she has always respected her father and his role as the king of the gods, she must challenge him for the greater good. Zeus’s role in Wonder Woman’s creation and the events that transpired between the gods has always been one of contention, and in this storyline, Diana decides that in order to protect the world, she must face him head-on.
In their battle, Diana is able to hold her own against Zeus, who is one of the most powerful beings in the DC Universe. Though their conflict is emotionally charged, Wonder Woman uses her strength and the power of her divine weaponry to prove that she is a force of nature in her own right. While she doesn’t kill Zeus, her ability to fight him to a standstill is a remarkable testament to her strength, both physical and emotional, as she stands up to one of the most powerful gods in existence.
#6: Wonder Woman vs. Hades (Wonder Woman #195, 2003)
In Wonder Woman #195, Diana faces the god of the underworld, Hades, in a battle that forces her to confront not only her physical strength but her inner resilience. Hades, seeking to use his powers to manipulate the world of the living and the dead, attempts to use his dark influence to corrupt Diana. However, Wonder Woman’s unwavering sense of justice and her connection to the gods of Olympus help her to stand firm against him.
Through her courage, wisdom, and the power of the gods, Wonder Woman manages to best Hades in their battle. She doesn’t rely solely on her physical strength but uses the power of her heart and her commitment to the protection of others to defeat the lord of the underworld. This victory solidifies Wonder Woman as a truly God-like figure, one capable of standing up to the darkest forces in existence.
#5: Wonder Woman vs. Ares, God of War (Wonder Woman #47, 2016)
In Wonder Woman #47, Diana faces off against Ares once again, but this time, the stakes are higher. Ares has taken control of the powers of war, and Diana must stop him before he plunges the world into chaos. What makes this battle particularly significant is Wonder Woman’s understanding of Ares’ manipulation and her ability to stop him without succumbing to the same violent urges.
By tapping into her divine strength and wisdom, Wonder Woman is able to take down Ares in a battle that highlights her growth and maturity as a hero. This victory doesn’t come through brute force alone but through her determination to stop the cycle of violence and hatred that Ares embodies. It is a symbolic victory, showing that Wonder Woman can defeat the god of war not by becoming like him, but by using her strength for peace and justice.
#4: Wonder Woman vs. The First Born (Wonder Woman #23.2, 2013)
In Wonder Woman #23.2, Diana faces the First Born, the first son of Zeus, who is a formidable god determined to claim Olympus as his own. The First Born is an ancient and powerful entity, and his desire for revenge against the gods of Olympus makes him a dangerous adversary.
Wonder Woman must confront him in a battle where she is forced to push her powers to their limits. She not only relies on her physical strength but her connection to the gods, especially her own legacy as the daughter of Zeus, to defeat him. In the end, Wonder Woman triumphs through sheer determination and divine strength, showing that even the gods can be challenged by someone with the right heart and the will to fight for justice.
#3: Wonder Woman vs. Cthulhu (Justice League Dark #13, 2012)
In a battle that pits Wonder Woman against one of the most terrifying and powerful entities in the DC Universe, Diana faces off against the cosmic horror known as Cthulhu. As part of a storyline where the Justice League Dark confronts supernatural threats, Wonder Woman’s bravery and divine power are essential in stopping Cthulhu from destroying the world.
Though Cthulhu is a god-like entity whose powers far exceed most in the universe, Wonder Woman stands strong against the creature. She uses her wisdom, strength, and divine weaponry to face off against a being that is as terrifying as it is powerful. Wonder Woman’s victory over such a cosmic being is a reminder of her strength and her ability to stand up against gods of every kind.
#2: Wonder Woman vs. Circe (Wonder Woman #37, 1989)
In Wonder Woman #37, Wonder Woman faces one of her most powerful and persistent foes: Circe, the sorceress who has constantly challenged Wonder Woman with her dark magic. Circe, a figure of immense magical power, has tried to use her abilities to twist the fate of the Amazons and manipulate the world to her whims.
In this battle, Wonder Woman relies on her strength, intelligence, and willpower to overcome Circe’s magic. Unlike many other gods and goddesses, she faces, Circe’s magic presents a unique challenge, one that requires Diana to think beyond physical strength. The battle represents the ongoing struggle between divine powers, and Wonder Woman’s ability to overcome Circe showcases not only her combat skills but her resolve to protect her people and the world.
#1: Wonder Woman vs. Zeus (Wonder Woman #12, 2017)
In Wonder Woman #12, Diana faces off against her father, Zeus, in one of the most emotional and powerful battles of her career. After learning of her true parentage and the complicated history between her and the gods of Olympus, Wonder Woman must confront Zeus, who represents both a source of power and a deeply painful part of her past.
What makes this battle particularly heartbreaking and powerful is the emotional weight it carries. Diana is forced to fight her father, not because she wants to, but because she understands the necessity of stopping the destructive forces at play. It’s a moment where Wonder Woman’s strength is tested—not only physically but emotionally as well. In this battle, Diana proves that she is not only capable of defeating gods but of doing so while maintaining her compassion and sense of justice.
Wonder Woman’s victories over gods are some of the most significant moments in her heroic career. Each battle showcases her strength, intelligence, and unwavering commitment to justice. Whether confronting Greek deities like Ares and Zeus or battling cosmic beings like Cthulhu, Wonder Woman consistently proves that no god is beyond her reach. These moments not only define her as a warrior but as a symbol of hope, resilience, and the will to fight for what is right—even when facing the most powerful beings in existence.
