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Arella
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Arella
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Arella
Publication information
PublisherDC Comics
First appearanceNew Teen Titans #3
(February 1981)
Created byMarv Wolfman
George Pérez
In-story information
Alter egoAngela Roth
SpeciesHuman
Place of originGotham City, Earth
Team affiliationsMonks and Nuns of the mystical world of Azarath
Notable aliasesArella

Angela Roth, commonly called Arella, is a fictional character from DC Comics. She is the pacifist mother of the superheroine Raven in the Teen Titans comics and animated series. She is the former bride of the all-powerful interdimensional demon Trigon, who had cunningly seduced her, in human form, to have someone to bear a half-human, half-demon daughter who becomes Raven.

Fictional character biography

[edit]

Born in Gotham City, Angela Roth was a depressed, aimless teenager who fell in with cultists after running away from home. The members of the cult promised to keep her fed and well-rested in exchange for taking part in a secret ritual to appeal to Trigon, who was to manifest on Earth. Although she knew Trigon was a demon, she thought his handsome human form was authentic when he first appeared to her. Upon discovering his true form, Angela became horrified, but was unable to escape Trigon, who continued to assault her.[1] After impregnating Angela, Trigon returned her to Earth to keep her away from his enemies. After failing to receive any help from state agencies, Angela attempted to kill herself with sleeping pills in an abandoned alleyway. Instead of dying, Angela was taken to the interdimensional temple of Azarath and changed her name to Arella, meaning "Messenger Angel".[2]

Soon after giving birth to Raven, Arella gave up her maternal care to the priestess Azar. She rarely saw Raven for quite some time, but took over guardianship of Raven upon Azar's death when Raven was about ten years old.

When Raven turned 18, she fled Azarath to seek help from Earth's superheroes to stop Trigon's invasion. This resulted in the New Teen Titans. Raven briefly returned to Azarath, asking her mother for help. Arella refused and sent her back to Earth. When Raven was being held as a prisoner by Trigon, Arella decided to leave Azarath to help her teammates rescue her.[3] Soon after, Trigon was sealed in another dimension. Arella agreed to go along with him in an attempt to block him from returning through the portal.

Some time later, Raven finally gave in to her father's control. Arella was transported to Azarath, which was promptly destroyed by Trigon's minions. She was among the few survivors. Arella followed the Teen Titans to Earth to help them in their fight against Trigon and release her daughter. She watched as Raven was used to destroy her father and then vanish.

Arella traveled the world, trying to find her daughter. When she finally found her, they were both taken prisoner by cultists under the control of Brother Blood. After spending some time with her daughter in Blood's fortress, they were freed by the Teen Titans.

After this event, Arella establishes a ranch that would serve as a sanctuary to troubled women. However, the Wildebeest Society kills all of the women and the workers, leaving only Arella alive. She is rescued by Deathstroke. Arella, Deathstroke, and Steve Dayton work to free the kidnapped Titans from Jericho's Wildebeest Society. When Deathstroke kills Jericho, the corrupted souls of Azarath leave him and possess Raven, turning her evil once more. Arella and Danny Chase sacrifice themselves to stop Raven, merging with the souls of Azarath into Phantasm.[4][5][6]

In other media

[edit]
Arella as depicted in Justice League vs. Teen Titans.
  • Arella appears in the Teen Titans episode "The Prophecy", voiced by Virginia Madsen.[7] This version was killed when Trigon destroyed Azarath.
  • Arella appears in a flashback in Justice League vs. Teen Titans. This version was killed when Trigon destroyed Azarath.
  • Two characters based on Arella named Melissa Roth (portrayed by Sherilyn Fenn) and Angela Azarath (portrayed by Rachel Nichols) appear in Titans.[8] Melissa is depicted as Raven's adoptive mother who poses as her biological mother before being killed by a man seeking to kill her. Angela is Trigon's lover who was previously imprisoned in Agnews Asylum before being freed by the Titans, and manipulates Rachel into summoning Trigon before being killed by him.
  • Arella appears in Teen Titans Go! #44.[9]
  • Arella appears as a character summon in Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure.[10]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Arella

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Arella, also known as Angela Roth, is a fictional character in the DC Comics universe, primarily recognized as the pacifist human mother of the superheroine , a founding member of the . Created by writer and artist George Pérez, she first appeared in The New Teen Titans #4 in December 1980, as part of the series' exploration of supernatural and familial themes in superhero narratives. Born Angela Roth in , Arella grew up in a restrictive and abusive household, leading her to run away at age 17 and join a satanic cult known as the Church of Blood. There, she was seduced and impregnated by the interdimensional demon Trigon during a ritual, resulting in her transportation to the peaceful mystic dimension of Azarath, where she gave birth to her daughter, . Renaming herself Arella—derived from Azarathian terminology meaning "the messenger angel"—she dedicated her life to meditation, spiritual training, and pacifism under the guidance of Azarath's leaders, rejecting her past and embracing a life of tranquility to counterbalance the demonic heritage threatening her child. Throughout her appearances, Arella serves as a supporting figure in Raven's storylines, often aiding the against threats like Trigon and his forces. Her mystical abilities, honed in Azarath, include enhanced , , and the capacity to channel spiritual energies, which she uses sparingly due to her commitment to non-violence; these powers once enabled her to temporarily slow Trigon during confrontations. Key arcs feature her rescue missions, such as retrieving from demonic realms, and her involvement in events like the Titans Hunt saga, where she merges with other spirits to become the entity Phantasm, sacrificing her form to protect her allies. Arella embodies themes of redemption, maternal sacrifice, and the struggle between light and darkness, influencing 's character development across decades of DC continuity.

Publication history

Creation and development

Arella, known in her human identity as Angela Roth, was introduced by writer and artist in The New Teen Titans #4 (February 1981), where she debuted as the mother of the new character Raven. This appearance formed part of the relaunched New Teen Titans series, which Wolfman and Pérez co-created to revitalize the concept with fresh characters and deeper emotional narratives. Wolfman conceived Arella as a pacifist figure to serve as a moral and emotional foil to her half- daughter , emphasizing themes of family conflict and redemption amid occult horror elements. Drawing from his prior work on stories like Marvel's , Wolfman incorporated his fascination with mystical family dynamics, portraying Arella's involvement with the satanic Church of Blood cult as a pivotal tragic element in her origin. In this initial storyline, Angela Roth joins the cult and is selected as the bride for the demon Trigon in , leading to her pregnancy with and subsequent flight to the pacifist dimension of Azarath. There, she adopts the name Arella—derived from Azarathian terminology meaning "Messenger Angel"—symbolizing her new role as a guardian against demonic forces. Following DC's (1985–1986) event, which streamlined the publisher's continuity, Arella's backstory received refinements in subsequent Tales of the New Teen Titans issues, highlighting her Azarathian training in emotional control and non-violence while preserving her core identity as a protective maternal figure untouched by the multiversal reboot. In the New 52 relaunch (2011), her role was minimally altered in and related titles, retaining her as Raven's origin point but with adjusted cult details to fit the rebooted universe, where she first appeared in (vol. 3) #20 (2013). The 2016 DC Rebirth initiative further stabilized her portrayal, restoring pre-New 52 emphases on her pacifism and Azarath heritage without major deviations, ensuring her continued function as a symbolic anchor for Raven's character arc. As of 2025, no major new comic appearances have been published beyond the Rebirth era.

Comic book appearances

Arella first appeared in The New Teen Titans #4 (February 1981), introduced as part of Raven's origin storyline, with subsequent appearances in issues #5 and #6 that further explored her background. She recurred throughout volume 1 (1980–1988), notably in the "Terror of Trigon" storyline across Tales of the Teen Titans #1–5 (1984), a direct market edition of The New Teen Titans volume 2. In the Post-Crisis continuity, Arella featured in The New Titans #50–54 (1990), tied to Trigon-related invasion narratives. Her presence was limited during the 1990s and 2000s, primarily through flashbacks in Teen Titans volume 2 #1–100 (1996–2003). The New 52 reboot included an appearance in Teen Titans (vol. 3) #20 (2013). During the DC Rebirth era, she appeared in Titans volume 3 #1–24 (2016–2018) and the Raven: Daughter of Darkness miniseries (2018–2019). Overall, Arella has key roles in approximately 20–25 issues across DC Comics imprints, mainly as a supporting figure in Teen Titans-related titles.

Fictional character biography

Origins and early life

Angela Roth was born in during the mid-20th century to a broken home dominated by an abusive, fanatically religious father, which contributed to her early experiences of emotional turmoil. As a teenager, she struggled with severe depression and a profound sense of aimlessness, prompting her to run away from home around age 17 and seek solace in unconventional circles. In her late teens, approximately 18 or 19 years old, Roth joined the Church of Blood, a secretive that indoctrinated its members through centered on the worship of the demon lord Trigon. The cult's ceremonies escalated to a pivotal occult in the late 1960s or early 1970s, during which Roth was selected as the ideal human vessel for Trigon's on ; disguised in a seductive human form, Trigon forcibly impregnated her as part of the demonic summoning. After the ritual, Roth, pregnant with Trigon's child, was rescued by emissaries from the interdimensional realm of Azarath and transported to their peaceful dimension, where she gave birth to her daughter, Rachel Roth (later known as ). There, she adopted the name Arella, meaning "messenger angel."

Life in Azarath

Following the harrowing events of her involvement with a that led to her union with the Trigon, Angela Roth sought refuge in the interdimensional realm of Azarath immediately after her rescue, where she gave birth to her daughter, , under the guidance of emissaries from that peaceful dimension. Upon her arrival in Azarath, Roth was renamed Arella, a name derived from ancient Azarathian roots signifying "messenger angel" and representing her rejection of darkness in favor of a pacifist existence. This transformation marked her integration into Azarath's meditative society, where she embraced a life dedicated to spiritual harmony and emotional discipline. Under the tutelage of , the revered spiritual leader of Azarath, Arella underwent rigorous training in advanced meditative practices, empathic attunement, and the art of soul-self projection—techniques designed to suppress the latent demonic influences inherited from Trigon in both herself and her infant daughter. These skills not only fortified her own but also became essential tools for shielding from her father's corrupting power, fostering a controlled environment free from violent impulses. Arella's daily life in Azarath revolved around a cloistered routine of raising Raven amid the realm's communal serenity, where she instilled the core tenets of Azarathian —emphasizing emotional restraint, toward all beings, and the rejection of or to avert Trigon's influence. She and Raven participated in group meditations within the temple, cultivating a profound sense of interconnectedness while avoiding any confrontation or disruption to the dimension's tranquil order. Over time, Arella formed a deep, mentor-like bond with , who served as a surrogate guide in her personal growth, helping her navigate the challenges of motherhood in and reinforcing her commitment to non-violence as a bulwark against her past. This relationship underscored Arella's evolution from a troubled young woman into a devoted guardian, whose in Azarath exemplified the realm's philosophy of inner balance and collective harmony.

Conflicts with Trigon and death

Arella's first major conflict with Trigon occurred during his invasion of Azarath, the peaceful dimension where she and had resided for years. As Trigon, seeking to conquer through his daughter, launched his assault when Raven was in her early teens, the realm faced imminent destruction. Initially refusing Raven's plea for aid, Arella later joined the defense efforts after the arrived, using her powers to sense and counter Trigon's demonic influence while aiding in the chaotic evacuation of survivors. Azarath was ultimately destroyed in the assault. Guiding the Titans to Trigon's dimension, Arella recounted her origins and helped free from captivity. In a desperate act to thwart Trigon's plans and protect , Arella sacrificed herself by entering a portal to the netherverse, becoming the eternal guardian of the gate to prevent the demon lord's return. This role did not end her existence immediately but isolated her as sentinel. Years later, during the Titans Hunt storyline, Arella merged her essence with that of (Phantasm) and the purified souls of Azarath, empowered by Azar's spirit, to exorcise Trigon's lingering taint from and the Titans. This union formed the entity known as Phantasm, effectively ending Arella's individual form and marking her ultimate sacrifice against her former mate's influence. Her pacifist philosophy continued to influence through these events and the enduring legacy of Phantasm in subsequent narratives.

Powers and abilities

Empathic and mystical powers

Arella's primary supernatural ability is , which she developed through rigorous training in the pacifist dimension of Azarath under the guidance of the priestess . This power enables her to sense and absorb the emotions of others, allowing her to calm escalating conflicts by diffusing anger or fear and to detect malevolent influences, such as demonic presences tied to her former husband Trigon. For instance, during crises involving Azarath's souls, Arella used her to soothe tormented spirits and prevent emotional outbreaks from overwhelming allies. In addition to , Arella possesses the capacity for soul-self projection, manifesting an energy construct composed of dark mystical essence. This form facilitates astral travel across dimensions and enables minor telekinetic feats, such as levitating objects or shielding companions, though it is notably weaker and less versatile than the version wielded by her daughter . The soul-self draws from Arella's inner spiritual reservoir, reflecting Azarath's meditative disciplines, and serves primarily for reconnaissance or evasion rather than direct confrontation, as demonstrated in her rescue of from Trigon. Arella's mystical repertoire includes limited energy manipulation sourced from Azarath's training, allowing her to channel spiritual energies. She could use this to erect protective barriers capable of impeding Trigon's advance or slowing the opening of interdimensional portals, as demonstrated in her sacrificial stand against him during the Titans Hunt saga. These barriers function by absorbing and redirecting hostile mystical forces, but their potency relies on Arella's alignment with Azarath's pacifist ethos, limiting their scope to defensive applications. Complementing these, Arella's abilities include emotional soothing through empathy, which aids in stabilizing psychological states in herself and others, including , by counteracting corrupting influences. Rooted in Azarath's philosophy of over aggression, these abilities emphasize restoration and harmony, often employed to counteract the corrupting influence of demonic heritage. Such healing proved vital in stabilizing 's volatile powers during shared trials. However, Arella's powers are intrinsically linked to her emotional discipline; lapses in control, such as during intense stress, render her vulnerable to external corruption, particularly from Trigon, who exploits emotional turbulence to erode her defenses. By design, her abilities are non-offensive, prioritizing containment and pacification, which ultimately contributed to her limitations in direct confrontations and her reliance on collective efforts with the . This shared empathic foundation with underscores their mother-daughter bond, influencing the younger's development of similar yet amplified traits.

Combat and other skills

In addition to her mystical training, Arella mastered techniques and emotional discipline, allowing her to suppress intense rage and avoid triggering her demonic heritage. These skills not only sustained her own mental stability amid traumatic experiences but also served as a foundational teaching tool for her daughter in controlling similar impulses. Arella possesses occult knowledge gained through her training in Azarath, which aids in protective mystical applications against demonic threats. Her were evident in resourcefulness during interdimensional escapes and prolonged evasion from Trigon, including navigating hostile realms and sustaining herself in isolation. Unlike many combatants, Arella had no formal weapons training, instead relying on improvised defenses incorporating meditative chants to enhance her resilience. These non-supernatural proficiencies complemented her empathic abilities, reinforcing her role as a supportive figure in battles against demonic threats.

Reception and legacy

Critical reception

Arella's introduction in the early 1980s New Teen Titans series was praised for enhancing the emotional depth of the team's narratives, particularly through her portrayal as a devoted mother confronting demonic forces. Later fan discussions on comic enthusiast sites have often pointed to Arella's underutilization beyond her supporting role in Raven's origin, appreciating her rich backstory while lamenting her sparse appearances in subsequent arcs. For instance, analyses of her limited involvement post-Crisis on Infinite Earths emphasize how her pacifist ideals and history of cult involvement provide untapped potential for deeper exploration of redemption themes. Reception during the New 52 era (2011–2016) was mixed, with critics noting her marginalization in Raven-centric stories despite opportunities to expand her narrative. Overall, Arella is valued for anchoring Raven's emotional arc through themes of protection and exile, though enthusiasts continue to advocate for standalone stories that delve into her independent journey. Recent fan discussions have echoed this sentiment, calling for more spotlights on her Azarath upbringing and post-Trigon life. No major new comic appearances for Arella have occurred between 2023 and 2025.

Cultural impact

Arella's portrayal as Raven's mother has resonated in fan culture, particularly through and that emphasize mother-daughter dynamics and themes of redemption. On platforms like , numerous fan-created illustrations depict Arella alongside , often exploring emotional bonds forged amid adversity, with works such as "Arella's daughter" by benderjam highlighting tender yet poignant family interactions. Similarly, cosplay communities at major conventions have incorporated Arella into ensembles, frequently pairing her with to underscore generational and resilience, though specific instances remain niche within broader franchise tributes. In online fanfiction, Arella features prominently in numerous stories on as of 2025, where creators delve into alternate lives for the character, such as reimagined escapes from Trigon's influence or deepened explorations of her pacifist philosophy in narratives. These works often amplify her role in emphasizing emotional restraint and maternal sacrifice, reflecting broader fan interest in subverting traditional villainous parent tropes. has occasionally praised this sacrificial dimension as a key element of her appeal in lore. Commercially, Arella appears in key Teen Titans merchandise tied to her comic origins, though her standalone figures are rare compared to core Titans. Graphic novels like The New Teen Titans Omnibus (DC Comics, 2011 onward) showcase her maternal arc, with strong sales in the 2010s underscoring enduring interest in her backstory of cult escape and abuse survival—elements cited in analyses of motifs in American . Her narrative of fleeing has influenced discussions around complex parental figures in live-action adaptations, notably in the 2018 Titans series, where a version of her character highlights intergenerational trauma.

In other media

Animation

Arella made her first appearance in animated media in the Teen Titans television series (2003–2006), where she was voiced by . In the season four episode "The Prophecy," she appears as a vision in the dimension of Azarath, serving as a spiritual guide to her daughter and revealing details of the prophecy tied to Trigon's impending invasion. This portrayal draws from her comic biography as a pacifist resident of Azarath who sought to shield from her father's demonic influence. Arella's role in the series remains limited to this episode and related narrative arcs, such as the season four finale "The End" trilogy, where she is referenced in the context of Raven's heritage and the apocalyptic events, though she does not physically appear beyond visions. Depicted as a serene, cloaked figure embodying maternal wisdom and fatalism, she emphasizes themes of protection and inner peace without engaging in combat. In the 2017 direct-to-video animated film Justice League vs. Teen Titans, Arella has a minor role in flashback sequences detailing Raven's origins, again highlighting her life in Azarath and her efforts to raise Raven away from Trigon. She is portrayed as a supportive yet tragic maternal figure, appearing briefly to provide emotional context to Raven's struggle with her heritage. The voice actress for this appearance is uncredited in official cast lists. Overall, Arella's animated portrayals across these works total around two major credits, consistently presenting her as a non-combative, ethereal presence focused on guidance and her Azarathian , often in dreamlike or visionary contexts rather than active storylines.

Live-action and film

Arella has been adapted in live-action television through the series Titans (2018–2023), where her character is divided into two figures to expand on Rachel Roth's (Raven's) backstory: Melissa Roth, her adoptive mother played by , and Angela Azarath, her biological mother portrayed by Rachel Nichols. Melissa Roth is introduced in the series premiere ("Titans"), depicted as a protective figure who raises in hiding after taking her from the , emphasizing themes of maternal sacrifice and flight from threats. Angela Azarath debuts in season 1, episode 7 ("Asylum"), with appearances in episodes 8 (""), 10 ("Koriand'r"), and 11 ("Dick Grayson"), using flashbacks to explore her seduction by Trigon, involvement in his , and the ritualistic circumstances of Rachel's birth on Azarath. This adaptation alters Arella's comic origins by portraying Angela as a willing devotee to Trigon rather than a reluctant victim turned pacifist, culminating in her by neck snap at Trigon's hands in season 1, episode 11, for failing to secure — a more abrupt and visually intense scene compared to the ' sacrificial battle, heightening emotional tension through 's visions and confrontations. The split allows for deeper exploration of 's dual heritage, with representing nurture and Angela embodying demonic legacy, diverging from Arella's unified role as a redeemed Azarathian . Arella does not appear in the Arrowverse crossover Crisis on Infinite Earths (2019–2020). As of November 2025, she has no role in major feature films, though the DC Universe's untitled project remains in script development under DC Studios co-CEOs and , with no confirmed casting or character details.

References

  1. https://comicvine.gamespot.com/arella/4005-12523/
  2. https://www.dc.com/comics/raven-daughter-of-darkness-2018/raven-daughter-of-darkness-5
  3. https://13thdimension.com/marv-wolfman-and-the-origin-of-the-new-teen-titans/
  4. http://www.sequentialtart.com/archive/june99/wolfman.shtml
  5. http://www.sequentialtart.com/article.php?id=2901
  6. https://www.dc.com/blog/2025-10-24/new-teen-titans-remains-one-of-dc-s-most-important-and-entertaining-comics
  7. https://www.cbr.com/teen-titans-raven-facts/
  8. https://www.comics.org/character/33098/
  9. https://gocollect.com/comic/the-new-teen-titans-4
  10. https://comicbookrealm.com/report/character/21401/arella-angela-roth&t=appearances
  11. https://www.dc.com/graphic-novels/the-new-teen-titans-1984/the-new-teen-titans-the-terror-of-trigon
  12. http://www.dccontinuityproject.com/arella.html
  13. https://leagueofcomicgeeks.com/character/37905/arella
  14. https://comicvine.gamespot.com/the-new-teen-titans-6-last-kill/4000-21154/
  15. https://comicvine.gamespot.com/trigon/4005-5310/
  16. https://dc.fandom.com/wiki/Angela_Roth_(New_Earth)
  17. https://dc.fandom.com/wiki/New_Teen_Titans_Vol_1_4
  18. https://dc.fandom.com/wiki/New_Teen_Titans_Vol_1_5
  19. https://dc.fandom.com/wiki/New_Teen_Titans_Vol_1_6
  20. https://dc.fandom.com/wiki/Phantasm_II_(New_Earth)
  21. https://www.reddit.com/r/teentitans/comments/1osu2yr/do_you_think_arella_deserves_more_screen_time_in/
  22. https://www.deviantart.com/benderjam/art/Arella-s-daughter-1128152672
  23. https://www.deviantart.com/tag/arella
  24. https://archiveofourown.org/tags/Angela%20%22Arella%22%20Roth/works
  25. https://www.amazon.com/New-Teen-Titans-Omnibus-Vol/dp/1401271286
  26. https://titans.fandom.com/wiki/Angela_Azarath
  27. https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/tv-shows/Teen-Titans/Arella/
  28. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0719031/
  29. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5091548/
  30. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1043813/characters/nm0000145
  31. https://www.tvmaze.com/characters/573773/titans-angela-azarath
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