Topaz (Marvel Comics)

Publication history

Concept and creation

Comic book artist Mike Deodato used his wife as a reference to depict Topaz in the 2004 Witches series.

1970s

Topaz debuted in Werewolf By Night #13 (1974), created by Marv Wolfman and Mike Ploog. She appeared in the 1972 Tomb of Dracula series. She appeared as a supporting character and love interest of Jack Russel in the 1974 Giant-Size Werewolf By Night series. She appeared as a recurring supporting character of Doctor Strange in the 1974 Doctor Strange series.

1980-1990s

Topaz appeared in the 1987 Strange Tales series. She appeared in the 1990 Ghost Rider series. She appeared in the 1993 Spider-Man Unlimited series. She appeared in the 1999 Doctor Strange series. She appeared in the Dr. Strange: Flight of Bones. one-shot.

2000s

Topaz appeared as one of the three main characters in the 2004 Witches series. She appeared in the 2021 Witches Unleashed one-shot.

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.Marv Wolfman (writer), Gene Colan (penciler), Tom Palmer (inker), "Enter: Werewolf by Night", The Tomb of Dracula #18 (March 1974) 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 and Maria sacrificed her life once she saw that her actions had placed her grandson in danger.Doug Moench (writer), Don Perlin (penciler), Sal Trapani (inker), "Castle Curse!", Giant-size Werewolf by Night #3 (January 1975) 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).Doug Moench (writer), Don Perlin (artist), Werewolf By Night #28-30 (April–June 1975) After discovering what Glitternight had done to her, Topaz fought and defeated the villain, regaining her soul in the process.Doug Moench (writer), Don Perlin (artist), "The Amazing Doctor Glitternight", Werewolf by Night #27 (March 1975)

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.John Byrne (writer, penciler), Jerry Ordway (inker), "Back from Beyond", Fantastic Four #277 (April 1985) Her soul was eventually restored by Doctor Strange and the alien sorcerer known as Urthona.Peter B. Gillis (writer), Chris Warner (penciler), Randy Emberlin (inker), "The Tongues of Men and Angels...!", Doctor Strange (vol. 2) #81 (February 1987)

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.Dan Jolley (writer), Tony Harris (penciler), Ray Snyder (inker), "Mage In The Box", Doctor Strange (vol. 3 )#2 (March 1999)

Later, Topaz led the quiet life for a while, running a bar called The Voodoo Lounge.Christopher Golden (writer), Joe Bennett (penciler), Joe Pimentel (inker), "A Long Way Till Dawn", Spider-Man Unlimited #20 (May 1998) 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 Witches in order to protect the world from mystical threats and prevent would-be thieves from stealing the Kale family's Book of Shadows.Brian Patrick Walsh (writer), Mike Deodato Jr (artist), "The Gathering", Witches #1 (August 2004)

Powers and abilities

Topaz possesses mystic abilities, including empathy, telepathy, and telekinesis. She can magnify or diminish emotions. She is able to infuse life energy, and heal injures. Topaz can serve as a familiar to other sorcerers, focusing and magnifying their abilities. She can absorb pain, suffering, hatred, and fear from others into herself.

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

References

References

1. (2019). "The Marvel Encyclopedia". DK Publishing.
2. Radtz, B.. (June 29, 2021). "NEWS WATCH: Ghost Rider Teams Up with Marvel's Witches in a New Novel this November!".
3. Disney Newsdesk, Laughing Place. (June 29, 2021). ""Witches Unleashed" Announced as Third Marvel Novel from Aconyte Books' "Marvel Untold" Line".
4. Yarbrough, Beau. (May 24, 2001). "Charmed I'm Sure: Deodato unlocks the magic of 'Witches'".
5. Young, Kai. (November 24, 2022). "Every Marvel Witch Who Could Be In Agatha's Coven Of Chaos".
6. Brian Cronin. (October 25, 2011). "When We First Met – Marvel Witches".
7. Thapa, Shaurya. (December 10, 2021). "Doctor Strange: 10 Best Comic Issues Of The 1980s".
8. Newby, Richard. (October 1, 2022). "Will 'Agatha: Coven of Chaos' feature one of Marvel's oldest (and scariest) villains?".
9. King, Samantha. (July 5, 2021). "Marvel's Ghost Rider is Building A Team To Hunt Down The Devil".
10. ''Werewolf by Night'' #13-14
11. ''Werewolf by Night'' #27-30
12. O'Brien, Megan Nicole. (November 7, 2020). "Marvel: 10 Sorceresses You Had No Idea Existed".