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Terra is the name used by three fictional superheroines published by DC Comics. The first Terra, Tara Markov, is an antiheroine eventually revealed to actually be a supervillainess working as a double agent. She was created by Marv Wolfman and George Pérez, and debuted in New Teen Titans #26 (December 1982).[1]
| Terra | |
|---|---|
.png) The Tara Markov incarnation of Terra as depicted in The Other History of the DC Universe #3 (March 2021). Art by Giuseppe Camuncoli (pencils), Andrea Cucchi (inks), and Jose Vallarrubia (colors). | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | Markov: New Teen Titans #26 (December 1982) Doppelgänger: New Titans #79 (September 1991) Atlee: Supergirl vol. 5 #12 (January 2007) |
| Created by | Markov: Marv Wolfman George Pérez Doppelgänger: Marv Wolfman Tom Grummett Atlee: Jimmy Palmiotti Justin Gray Amanda Conner |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Tara Markov (I & II) Atlee (III) |
| Species | Metahuman |
| Team affiliations | Teen Titans & Outsiders (as double agent) Black Lantern Corps (Tara Markov) The Ravagers League of Shadows |
| Partnerships | Beast Boy Slade/Deathstroke Outsiders |
| Notable aliases | Princess Tara of Markovia (Young Justice: Outsiders) |
| Abilities | List
|
The second Terra, a doppelgänger of Tara Markov, debuted in New Titans #79 (September 1991) and was created by Marv Wolfman and Tom Grummett.
The third Terra, Atlee, debuted in Supergirl (vol. 5) #12 (January 2007) and was created by Jimmy Palmiotti, Justin Gray, and Amanda Conner.
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The character was created with an intended finite life span. Co-creator Pérez stated that he and Marv Wolfman knew, "from the very start, that this girl was going to be a traitor and that we were going to kill this character off."[2] When creating the look of the character, Pérez noted that:
I wanted her to be cute but not beautiful. She looked like a young girl. I gave her a substantial overbite, her eyes were wide, her body was slim, she wasn't particularly busty. I wanted her to look almost elven, so that when you see her for the first time wearing full-make up and dressed in a provocative outfit where you know she's just been in bed with Deathstroke that it does jab you a bit. "Whoa, good God! This little girl is a slut!"[2]
A new Terra appeared in Supergirl (vol. 5) #12[3] while a Terra limited series was being developed, written by Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray, with illustrations by Amanda Conner.[4] Gray commented about the series, "Terra as a character has never had a definitive origin. That includes Terra 1 and 2. This mini will address that fact in some surprising ways and open the door to a new corner of the DCU. Aside from that the emphasis will be on heroism, true blue hero stuff."[5][6] Palmiotti later stated, "Terra is an enigma for obvious reasons. Every hero in the DCU is in the dark about who she is and why she's doing what she's doing, which is running around the planet saving and helping people. We've been working with Terra for months and months trying to find and develop what's special about her. In the end, it was a very simple angle, make Terra a superhero with plenty of emphasis on heroism. Everything she does is to help other people and in the service of life." The 4-issue miniseries was temporarily shelved for a number of reasons,[7][8] until its biweekly publication spanning November and December 2008. The new Terra previously appeared in Teen Titans vol. 3 #52–54 as part of "The Titans of Tomorrow...Today!" storyline and in the first issue of the Terror Titans limited series. Following this, she briefly appeared in Teen Titans vol. 3 #69 in the climax of the recruitment drive storyline, and became a supporting character in the ongoing Power Girl series.
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Tara Markov
Tara Markov is the half-sister of Brion Markov (Geo-Force) and the illegitimate daughter of Markovian king Viktor. Helga Jace, a scientist who works for Markovia's royal family, gives Tara and Brion powers to help them combat a rebellion in the country. Unlike Brion, Terra has deep-rooted psychological issues and believes that they should rule Earth rather than help the weaker masses.
In The Judas Contract storyline, Terra infiltrates the Teen Titans as a double agent on Deathstroke's behalf before being killed in battle with the former.[9]
In Blackest Night, Terra is temporarily resurrected as a Black Lantern before Geo-Force and Halo kill her.[10]
In The New 52 continuity reboot, Terra is permanently resurrected and joins Caitlin Fairchild's Ravagers.[11][12] She and Beast Boy meet after being kidnapped and held in the Colony and eventually enter a relationship.[13][14]
Tara Markov doppelgänger
The second Terra is a girl from the underground world of Strata who was transformed into a clone of Tara Markov and joined the Team Titans.[15] After the group's native timeline is destroyed during Zero Hour: Crisis in Time!, the Time Trapper rescues Terra and Mirage and transports them to the main universe.[16] Following this, Terra joins the Outsiders and assists the Teen Titans in battling Superboy-Prime during Infinite Crisis.[17] In World War III, Terra is killed by Black Adam.[18]
An alternate timeline variant of Terra appears in Titans Tomorrow as a member of Titans East.
Atlee
A third Terra, Atlee, is introduced in Supergirl (vol. 5) #12 (January 2007). She is an alien from the underground world Strata, similar to the second Terra.[19][20]
In Final Crisis, Terra is among the metahumans who are kidnapped, controlled by the Anti-Life Equation, and forced to battle at the Dark Side Club. After being freed, Terra moves to Manhattan and becomes Power Girl's sidekick.[21]
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All incarnations of Terra can manipulate earth and rock. This enables them to generate earthquakes, create shields, and levitate rocks for fast transportation.
- An alternate universe variant of Terra from Earth-33 appears in Countdown to Adventure #4. This version is a sorceress.
- An alternate universe variant of Terra appears in Team Titans Annual #2. This version is a freedom fighter and partner of Nightrider.[22]
- An alternate universe variant of Terra who became a member of the Amazons' Furies appears in Flashpoint.[23][24][25]
- An alternate universe variant of Terra appears in Teen Titans: Earth One.[26]
- An alternate universe variant of Terra who took over the Earth and became known as Gaia appears in Dark Multiverse: The Judas Contract.
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Television
Terra as she appears in Teen Titans (left) and Teen Titans Go! (right)
- The Tara Markov incarnation of Terra appears in Teen Titans (2003), voiced by Ashley Johnson.[27] This version is more sympathetic and tragic than her comics counterpart and initially displays little control over her powers, the latter trait being a source of shame for her. While on the run due to her powers, she encounters the Teen Titans, during which she confides in Beast Boy her fear of losing control and he develops a crush on her, and Slade, who claims to know everything about her and offers to help her. Agreeing with Slade, she temporarily leaves the Titans to study under him before returning to serve as a double agent and dates Beast Boy until he breaks up with her when she reveals her true allegiance.[28] She helps Slade take over Jump City and seemingly kills the Titans, but develops second thoughts. After Slade betrays her, she overcomes his control, kills him, and sacrifices herself to save Jump City, turning to stone in the process.[29] Sometime later, Beast Boy discovers Terra disappeared and encounters a girl resembling her with no powers or recollection of what happened.[30]
- The Tara Markov incarnation of Terra appears in Teen Titans Go! (2013), voiced again by Ashley Johnson.[27] This version is friends with Raven and Starfire.
- Tara Markov appears in Young Justice: Outsiders, voiced by Tara Strong.[27] This version is the princess of Markovia and younger sister of Gregor and Brion Markov who gained her powers after being experimented on by Baron Bedlam's metahuman trafficking ring. Following this, she was recruited into the League of Shadows under Deathstroke and worked for them as an assassin for two years before allowing the Outsiders to rescue her and serve as a double agent within their ranks. After Artemis appeals to her better nature, Tara defects to the Outsiders.
- The Atlee incarnation of Terra appears in Harley Quinn, voiced by Kerry Knuppe.[31] This version is a member of the Legion of Doom via the sub-group, the Natural Disasters, and mentee of Poison Ivy.
Films
- The Tara Markov incarnation of Terra appears in the mid-credits scene of the DC Animated Movie Universe (DCAMU) film Justice League vs. Teen Titans.[27]
- The Tara Markov incarnation of Terra appears in the DCAMU film Teen Titans: The Judas Contract, voiced by Christina Ricci.[32] This version was branded a witch after her powers emerged during her childhood, though she was rescued by her future adult lover Deathstroke. In the present, she infiltrates the Teen Titans as a double agent. Initially cold and distant, she eventually warms up to them and kisses Beast Boy. On the one-year anniversary of her joining them, she and Deathstroke capture most of the Titans and bring them to Brother Blood. After Deathstroke betrays her, Nightwing rescues her and the Titans before she attacks and seemingly kills Deathstroke. Ashamed by her actions, she brings Blood's fortress down on herself and dies in Beast Boy's arms.
- The Teen Titans Go! (2013) and Teen Titans (2003) incarnations of Tara Markov / Terra make non-speaking cameo appearances in Teen Titans Go! vs. Teen Titans.
Video games
- The Tara Markov incarnation of Terra appears as an unlockable playable character in Teen Titans (2006), voiced again by Ashley Johnson.[27]
- The Tara Markov incarnation of Terra appears as a boss in the DC Universe Online DLC "Teen Titans: The Judas Contract".[33]
- The Tara Markov incarnation of Terra appears as a playable character in Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham via the "Heroines and Villainesses" DLC pack.
- The Tara Markov and Atlee incarnations of Terra appear as character summons in Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure.[34]
- The Teen Titans Go! incarnation of Tara Markov / Terra appears as a boss in Lego Dimensions, voiced again by Ashley Johnson.
- The Tara Markov incarnation of Terra appears as a playable character in Lego DC Super-Villains, voiced by Laura Bailey.[35]
Miscellaneous
The Teen Titans (2003) incarnation of Tara Markov / Terra appears in Teen Titans Go! (2004).[36][37] Her brother Geo-Force approaches the Teen Titans, revealing she is a princess of Markovia who gained her powers after being experimented on by the royal court and ran away. Upon learning of the girl resembling Terra, Geo-Force ultimately leaves her alone after seeing how happy she is despite being certain of her identity.
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