Topaz (Marvel Comics)

Topaz is a fictional character, a sorceress appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.

Publication history

Topaz debuted in Werewolf By Night v. 1 #13 (1974), and was created by Marv Wolfman and Mike Ploog.

Fictional character biography

The character's origins and real name are unknown, even to herself. As an adolescent child, Topaz was found by the sorcerer Taboo, who was living in an Indian prison camp at the time. Also living in the prison camp, the locals feared the girl and called her a witch, as she was able to magically create flowers, move things with her mind and cause things to disappear. Wishing to use her abilities to his own ends, Taboo adopted her and named her Topaz. He used her as a familiar and taught her several magical spells. Years later, Taboo forced Topaz to use her powerful empathic powers to control the werewolf known as Jack Russell for a time. Taboo was searching for the magical Darkhold tome, of which he believed Jack was in possession. Cast out by Taboo after refusing to kill Russell, Topaz chose to help Jack learn to control his werewolf powers, and also became his lover. She assisted Russell many times, including helping him to learn about his family history and even helping him take on Dracula. However, some time later, Topaz was exploited by Dr. Glitternight, who stole a portion of her soul. Jack's grandmother, Maria Russoff, also once used Topaz' power to raise an army of zombies as part of a mad revenge scheme. Topaz was eventually restored to sanity however, and Maria sacrificed her life once she saw that her actions had placed her grandson in danger. Topaz later used her powers to save Jack's sister, Lissa, from the werewolf curse (which was passed from generation to generation within their family). After discovering what Glitternight had done to her, Topaz fought and defeated the villain, regaining her soul in the process.^[1]

Werewolf by Night #40 (Sept. 1976): Topaz, Jack Russell, Brother Voodoo and Dr. Glitternight. Pencils by Ed Hannigan.

Topaz also temporarily destroyed the villain known as Mephisto, but the demon lord's minions managed to trap her in another dimension with a spell that would remove another portion of her soul and rob her of her empathic powers if she ever left that realm. Later, Mephisto was revealed to be alive, and after he was once again destroyed by Franklin Richards of the Fantastic Four, Topaz was freed from her imprisonment.^[2] Her soul was eventually restored by Doctor Strange and the alien sorcerer known as Urthona).^[3] As Topaz reached the age of 21, her powers reached their full potential, and she used them to heal the wounds of Doctor Strange's loyal servant, Wong. She left Strange's side when he briefly turned to the black magics, but later returned to aid him in his fight against Dormammu.

Later, Topaz led the quiet life for a while, running a bar called The Voodoo Lounge. However, once Dormammu got word of her whereabouts, he sought revenge and had one of his agents enslave the young sorceress. Once again, Doctor Strange came to her rescue. Topaz later helped Doctor Strange in yet another battle, joining forces with Jennifer Kale and Satana against the Hellphyr force and fighting yet more zombies and demons. After winning this battle, Topaz decided to leave Strange's side yet again, and founded the group known as the Three Witches in order to protect the world from mystical threats and prevent would-be thieves from stealing the Kale family's Book of Shadows.^[4]

Powers and abilities

Topaz is a powerful mystic with exceptional empathic, telepathic, and telekinetic/psychokinetic abilities. She can magnify or diminish emotions, infuse life energy, and heal injures. She can serve as a familiar to other sorcerers, focusing and magnifying their abilities. She can absorb pain, suffering, hatred, and fear from other humans into herself.

She has taken two separate forms, one blonde European and one brunette Indian.

References

• Werewolf By Night v1 #13-16, 27-43,
• Giant-Size Werewolf By Night #3,
• Tomb of Dracula v1 #18, 62-64
• Fantastic Four v1 #276-277,
• Dr. Strange v2 #75-81,
• Strange Tales v2 #3, 11,
• Dr. Strange v3 #2, 6-9, 26-28, 30,
• Ghost Rider v3 #11, 27-30, 36,
• Spider-Man Unlimited v1 #20,
• Dr. Strange: Flight of Bones #1-4,
• Witches #1-4

Notes

1. ↑ Werewolf by Night #27 (March 1975)
2. ↑ Fantastic Four #277 (April 1985)
3. ↑ Doctor Strange (v. 2) #81 (Feb 1987)
4. ↑ Witches #1 (Aug 2004)

External links

• Topaz at the Appendix to the Handbook of the Marvel Universe
• Topaz at Marvel.com