Tala

TALA

Real Name: Tala

Class: Human magic-user? / Demon?

Occupation: Sorceress, agent of chaos

Group Affiliation: Dark Circle

Known Relatives: None

Aliases: None

Base of Operations: Hell

First Appearance: Phantom Stranger II #4 (December, 1969)

Powers: Tala was a skilled sorceress who could cast spells that created darkness, let her fly or teleport, and cast illusions. She was also able to target victims with curses. She had superhuman durability, but could be restrained by barriers made of natural substances such as water or earth.

History: Tala's origins were shrouded in mystery. She was either a human sorceress, a demonic entity, or a combination of the two. She took pleasure in spreading chaos and stealing human souls.

Tala clashed with the Phantom Stranger on a number of occasions, and ended up feeling a great love towards him, or at least what passed for love in her mind.

(DC Comics Presents #25) - Pete Ross blamed Superman for failing to rescue his son Jon from the alien Nyrvnians because the Legion of Super-Heroes told him it was Jon’s destiny to learn how to be a warrior and save Earth from a future space conflict. He contacted Tala, who placed a curse on Superman that would sap his strength and steal his soul, with the aid of fortune teller Madame Benita, who stole a lock of Superman’s hair from the Superman Museum. Tala’s curse could only affect a guilty conscience, and Superman felt guilty about his actions. Phantom Stranger traveled to Tala’s hellish abode to battle for the soul of Madame Benita. Tala, still calling Stranger her love, once again offered Stranger a place at her side, which he refused. Superman rescued Jon, freeing his guilty mind, and ending the curse, and Stranger took the soul of Benita away from Tala, telling her she’d never triumph.

Comments: Created by Robert Kanigher & Neal Adams.

Tala received a profile in Who's Who: The Definitive Directory of the DC Universe #23.