Female Furies

Female Furies
Publication information
Publisher DC Comics
First appearance Mister Miracle #6 (February 1972)
Created by Jack Kirby (writer & artist)
In-story information
Base(s) Apokolips
Member(s) Artemiz
Bernadeth
Bloody Mary
Gilotina
Granny Goodness
Lashina
Mad Harriet
Malice Vundabar
Speed Queen
Stompa
Wunda

The Female Furies are a group of fictional women warriors appearing in comics published by DC Comics. They first appeared in Mister Miracle #6 (February 1972), and were created by Jack Kirby.[1]

Fictional team history

The Female Furies, brutally trained and led by Granny Goodness, are fanatically loyal to Darkseid. However, infighting among the Furies is commonplace, most typically to appoint a leader to the group.[1]

Big Barda was a member–being groomed for leadership–until she escaped to Earth with Mister Miracle.[1] Other former members include Knockout, Seera (abandoned Granny to help Al Bizarro), Twilight's mother, and Supergirl (Kara Zor-El). There are also known male Furies, though they are lower in rank than the females.

The majority of Furies are New Gods themselves, but Granny has been known to accept females of other races. A woman named Alianna Hubbard is the only human ever trained as a Female Fury; she was ordered to kill Mister Miracle by Granny Goodness. She appeared in Mister Miracle #25, part one of an uncompleted story. According to Mister Miracle, Alianna's strength was equal to that of his wife Big Barda, and her reflexes and speed were superhuman.

During their first appearance, Lashina, Stompa, Bernadeth, and Mad Harriet attempted to bring Big Barda back to Apokolips, after she had escaped alongside Mister Miracle. However, Barda was eventually able to convince her former teammates to help her, and the four Furies stayed on Earth for quite some time. They eventually returned to Apokolips under unknown circumstances, and were punished by Granny Goodness for their betrayal.

Darkseid has used the Female Furies on several occasions, such as when they broke into a prison to rescue Glorious Godfrey, and they have battled several super-heroes, including Superman, Wonder Woman, Superboy, and the Suicide Squad. A second wave of Female Furies, including long-time member Gilotina, Malice Vundabar, Bloody Mary, and Speed Queen, later appeared, causing trouble for Hawk and Dove. The Furies made an appearance as antagonists in Grant Morrison's acclaimed Seven Soldiers event, specifically in the Seven Soldiers: Mister Miracle mini-series. Here, they are all given human forms along with Darkseid and his other minions, with the Furies all becoming prostitutes with Granny Goodness acting as their pimp. They attempt to entice Shilo Norman, the second Mr. Miracle when he arrives at the Dark Side Club searching for Darkseid himself. They knock Shilo out, and then stuff him in the trunk of a car while he is bound and gagged, eventually torturing and setting him ablaze in a forest. This is later revealed to be a horrid illusion brought about by Darkseid's Omega Sanction.

They are later shown aiding Granny in her scheme to overthrow the Greek Gods, kidnapping Dr. Helena Sandsmark in order to antagonize her daughter Wonder Girl during the events of her solo mini-series. After the deaths of Mister Miracle and Metron during the Death of the New Gods, the Source stated Darkseid was the only remaining New God. The only Furies who were not visibly killed, currently, are Lashina, Stompa, Gilotina, Malice, Wunda, and Artemiz; although at the end of Death of the New Gods it is reiterated that all the New Gods are dead. While the New Gods were being killed off, Granny Goodness orchestrated the Amazon-American war to pose as Queen Hippolyta to train women (such as Harley Quinn and Holly Robinson) under the auspices of becoming Amazon warriors into new Female Furies. This seems to conflict directly with Terror Titans, where Lashina (in her human form), is shown to be one of the villains running the Dark Side Club with the Clock King. She is last seen being electrocuted into unconsciousness by Static, who then presumably turns her over to the authorities with the rest of the upper level Dark Side Club players.

After the end of the Fourth World, in the Final Crisis of mankind, the corrupted Mary Marvel released the Anti-Life Equation and creates new Female Furies from Earth's heroines and villainesses, including Wonder Woman, Catwoman, Giganta and Batwoman.

New 52

During the Darkseid War, Lashina and Kanto went to Earth in search of the amazon Myrina Black, who had given birth to Darkseid's child, Grail.[2] After Darkseid's death, Lashina, Kanto, and Kalibak encountered Wonder Woman, Mr. Miracle, and several other heroes.[3] The New Gods were close to defeating the heroes until Big Barda appeared, which drove the villains back. Barda proposed a peace treaty with Lashina, but Lashina refused, declaring that the Furies would never stop hunting her down.[4]

Later, Barda returned to Apokolips and made a pact with the Furies: Barda would return to the group if they helped her defeat Grail and protect Mr. Miracle. While Grail and the newly revived, enslaved Darkseid were about to defeat Wonder Woman, Mr. Miracle, and the other heroes, Barda appeared through a boom tube alongside Lashina, Stompa, Bernadeth, Mad Harriet, Steppenwolf, Kalibak, and Kanto. Working together with the heroes, the Furies were able to defeat Grail and separate Darkseid from the Ant-Life Equation. In the ensuing explosion, Darkseid and Grail both vanish. Big Barda revealed the truth to Mr. Miracle and left with the other Furies back to Apokolips.[5]

Members

The Female Furies have included both native Apokoliptians and brainwashed Earth people.

Member First appearance Description
Artemiz Suicide Squad #35 (November 1989) Artemiz (also referred to as Artemis) is a huntress who wields a longbow and controls a pack of cyber-hounds. Artemiz was recruited into the Female Furies by Granny Goodness after Lashina was presumed dead. She has since appeared infrequently alongside the other Furies.
Bernadeth Mister Miracle #6 (February 1972) Bernadeth is the sister of Darkseid's primary servant Desaad, and one of the original Female Furies. After Barda left the group to be with her lover Mister Miracle, Bernadeth attempted to take over leadership. However, Darkseid appointed Lashina as leader. During their first mission without Barda, Bernadeth betrayed Lashina and left her on Earth to die. Lashina returned to Apokolips with the Suicide Squad, and eventually killed Bernadeth. Darkseid, appalled that Lashina brought outsiders to Apokolips, resurrected Bernadeth and disintegrated Lashina. Lashina was later revived by Darkseid, and the two have shared leadership. In the New 52, Bernadeth aided Big Barda in defeating Grail in exchange for Barda's return to the Furies.

Bernadeth's weapon of choice is the Fahren-Knife, a dagger that burns its victims from the inside.

Big Barda Mister Miracle #4 (October 1971) Big Barda is the original leader of the Female Furies who had defected to Earth due to her love for the super hero Mister Miracle. She often battled her former companions over the years. In the New 52, during the Darkseid War, Big Barda agreed to return as leader of the Female Furies in exchange for their help in defeating Darkseid's daughter, Grail.
Bloody Mary Hawk and Dove #21 (February 1991) Bloody Mary is an energy vampire part of the junior Female Furies. She has hypnotic abilities in addition to her ability to absorb life energies from her victims. She was killed by the Infinity-Man during the Death of the New Gods storyline, and has not returned since.
Gilotina Mister Miracle #8 (May 1972) Gilotina is one of the junior Female Furies, though she was first seen long before the junior Furies were formed. Gilotina eventually left the Furies after too many failed missions, and was invited by Superboy to join Project Cadmus. She later returned to the Furies and inexplicably became their leader as they challenged newcomer Precious in battle. Her leadership was short-lived, and Gilotina has not been seen since.

Gilotina has the ability to slice through any material (usually with a karate chop). In later stories, she is seen wielding a pair of swords.

Knockout Superboy #1 (February 1994) Knockout was formerly a member of the Female Furies, but similar to Big Barda, escaped from Apokolips and decided to live on Earth. She later became a member of the Secret Six where she was eventually killed by the Infinity-Man during the Death of the New Gods storyline.
Lashina Mister Miracle #6 (February 1972) Lashina is one of the founding members of the Female Furies, and often the leader of the group. After Big Barda left the group to be with her lover Mister Miracle, Lashina was appointed leader by Darkseid. Bernadeth, who had desired leadership of the Furies, betrayed Lashina during their first mission and left her stranded on Earth. Lashina, who lost her memories after being shot several times, took the name Duchess and joined the Suicide Squad. Later, she regained her memories and brought the Suicide Squad to Apokolips in attempt to get revenge on Bernadeth and reclaim her leadership to the Furies. Darkseid, disgusted with Lashina for bringing humans to the planet, killed her and revived Bernadeth. Lashina was later resurrected by Darkseid, who believed she had been punished long enough. During Final Crisis, Lashina possessed the body of Catwoman. In the New 52, Lashina is a prominent member of the New Gods and joins Kanto in hunting down Myrina Black. She later appears with the other Furies after Barda makes a pact with them, exchanging her service with them for their aid in battling Grail and the mind-controlled Darkseid.

Lashina wields several razor-sharp steel whips that she can charge with electricity.

Mad Harriet Mister Miracle #6 (February 1972) Mad Harriet is a cackling madwoman and one of the original members of the Female Furies. The most unpredictable member of the group, Harriet is fiercely loyal to Darkseid. At one point, Mad Harriet is captured by the gods of New Genesis, but is eventually returned to Apokolips. She also briefly befriended Harley Quinn. During the Death of the New Gods, Mad Harriet was killed by a barrage of gunfire intended to kill Mary Marvel. She later possessed the body of Batwoman during Final Crisis. In the New 52, Mad Harriet appears with the other Female Furies as they battle Grail and the Anti-Life Equation-empowered Darkseid in exchange for Big Barda returning to the Furies.

Mad Harriet uses razor-sharp claws that emit a powerful energy. She refers to her claws as "power spikes."

Malice Vundabar Hawk and Dove #21 (February 1991) Malice Vundabar is the niece of Virman Vundabar and has the appearance of a young, innocent girl. Her appearance is a deception, as she is actually a vicious member of the junior Female Furies. While she rarely battles herself, she has the standard superhuman strength, speed, and durability of a New God. She typically uses her pet shadow demon named Chessure to slay her enemies. She was one of the few New Gods whose death was not seen during the Death of the New Gods storyline.
Speed Queen Hawk and Dove #21 (February 1991) Speed Queen is a member of the junior Female Furies. She wears roller skates that enable her to move at an incredibly fast speed. She was killed by the Infinity-Man during the Death of the New Gods storyline, and has not been seen since.
Stompa Mister Miracle #6 (February 1972) Stompa is a massive woman and one of the original members of the Female Furies. Stompa is the most physically powerful and durable member of the group. At one point, Stompa was believed dead after being stabbed by Big Barda's lance, though she later appeared in healthy condition. In Final Crisis, Stompa possessed the body of Giganta, and called herself Gigantrix. In the New 52, Stompa appears with the other Female Furies as they battle Grail and the mind-controlled Darkseid in exchange for Barda's return to the Furies.

Stompa wears "Seismic Boots," which enable her to create earthquakes and tremors by stomping the ground.

Twilight's Mother Supergirl #27 (December 1998) Her name unknown, Twilight's mother escaped from Apokolips and left her daughter to be raised on Earth, where she eventually became a Supergirl villain/supporting character.
Wunda Seven Soldiers: Mister Miracle #1 (November 2005) Wunda is a recent addition to the Female Furies. She is a dark-skinned New God with light-based powers. It is possible that she inhabited Wonder Woman's body during Final Crisis, as Gigantrix referred to her as Wunda.

The following characters are known to have been brainwashed into becoming members:

Other versions

Amalgam

In the Marvel/DC amalgam series Unlimited Access, the Furies appear as part of the New Gods. Only two of the Furies are merged with Marvel characters: Lashina and Scarlet Witch merge to become Red Lash, and Stompa and Blob merge to become Blobba. Bernadeth and Mad Harriet are also seen in the series, though they do not merge with any Marvel characters.

Flashpoint

In the Flashpoint reality, the Furies are assembled by Wonder Woman who asks Arrowette, Cheetah, Cheshire, Giganta, Hawkgirl, Huntress, Katana, Lady Vic, Silver Swan, Starfire, Terra, and Vixen to join her.[7]

Ame-Comi Girls

In the Ame-Comi universe, the Female Furies are space pirates led by Big Barda. The team consists of Barda, Stompa, Mad Harriet, Lashina, Bloody Mary, and Speed Queen.

Sensation Comics Featuring Wonder Woman

The Female Furies appear in the story "Dig For Fire," where they discover that Wonder Woman has traveled to Apokolips. Together, Lashina, Stompa, and Mad Harriet defeat Wonder Woman and throw her to her death into the fire pits. Wonder Woman survives, and later battles the Furies once again (this time with Bernadeth as well), though Darkseid ends the battle and allows Wonder Woman to travel home.

In other media

Television

(l-r) Granny Goodness, Lashina, Stompa, and Mad Harriet as seen in Superman: The Animated Series

Film

External links

References

  1. 1 2 3 Wallace, Dan (2008). "Female Furies". In Dougall, Alastair. The DC Comics Encyclopedia. New York: Dorling Kindersley. p. 120. ISBN 0-7566-4119-5. OCLC 213309017
  2. ↑ Justice League #41
  3. ↑ Justice League #45
  4. ↑ Justice League #46
  5. ↑ Justice League #50
  6. ↑ "Alianna (comic book character)". Comicvine.com. Retrieved 2011-01-16.
  7. ↑ Flashpoint: Wonder Woman and the Furies #2 (July 2011)
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