Isis (DC Comics)
Isis (DC Comics)
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Isis (DC Comics)

Isis is the name of several female characters appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The name is associated with the DC Universe's iteration of the ancient Egyptian goddess of the same name and others who have adopted the name.

The first rendition of the character, Andrea Thomas, is an American high school teacher who possesses powers linked to ancient Egyptian mythology. In this iteration, she shares a connection with Captain Marvel/Shazam, as both characters draw their powers from divine sources. Andrea's abilities are specifically tied to the Egyptian goddess Isis, who grants her the ability to assume the role of a superhero using her name. In addition to serving as the main character in The Secrets of Isis, a live-action television program starring Joanna Cameron that served as the second half of The Shazam!/Isis Hour, the character appeared in several late 1970s DC Comics publications.

In more recent publications, the name primarily refers to Adrianna Tomaz, a reimagining of the original character first introduced in 52 #12 (July 2006). She is a superhero of Egyptian or Kahndaqi heritage and she holds a prominent role as Black Adam's love interest, advisor, and Queen of Kahndaq. Initially enslaved by the criminal organization Intergang, Adrianna is offered to Black Adam in an attempt to secure an alliance. However, he frees her and she proves herself a capable advisor and ruler. She is also the older sister of Amon Tomaz, who becomes Osiris under Black Adam's tutelage and the trio form the Black Marvel Family, a counterpart of the Marvel/Shazam Family, and worked towards the betterment of Kahndaq although the character is subjected to comic book deaths. A new version appears in the New 52 initially as an activist who becomes a freedom fighter when Amon is killed in his successful attempt to resurrect Black Adam but past aspects of the character is restored following DC Rebirth although the character instead remains dead.

The television series Smallville depicts Isis as a supervillain form taken on by Lois Lane (portrayed by Erica Durance) when possessed by the Amulet of Isis. Adrianna Tomaz appears later in the episode, portrayed by Erica Cerra. The Arrowverse television series Legends of Tomorrow introduces a new incarnation of the character named Zari Tomaz, portrayed by Tala Ashe. This version was portrayed as a wisecracking hacker from the future with wind powers derived from an amulet and no superhero code name. After the fourth season, another version of the character (also portrayed by Ashe) is introduced after an in-universe timeline change: Zari Tarazi, a social media influencer. The Adrianna Tomaz version of the character appears in the DC Extended Universe film Black Adam (2022), portrayed by Sarah Shahi.

Like the main character of the first half of the program, Captain Marvel, Isis has roots in ancient Egyptian mythology. The television series The Secrets of Isis stars Joanna Cameron as Andrea Thomas, a high school science teacher who draws power from her namesake.

Isis later appeared in animated form on Filmation's Tarzan and the Super 7 show in 1980, as part of a segment called The Freedom Force. She later guest starred on The Kid Super Power Hour with Shazam!'s "Hero High" segment, though Cameron did not voice the character.[citation needed]

Isis' first appearance in comics was in Shazam! #25 (September – October 1976). She was later given her own TV tie-in book the following month, titled The Mighty Isis, which ran for two years, out-surviving the TV series. The eight-issue run by DC Comics began in October 1976 and ended in January 1978; early issues featured a special "DC TV" logo. All stories starred the Andrea Thomas character from the television series; the book was edited by Denny O'Neil, written by Jack C. Harris and most issues illustrated by Mike Vosburg (the first issue was illustrated by Ric Estrada and Wallace Wood). Although early issues stayed within the format of the TV series, later issues covered storylines beyond the scope of the show, such as a story arc involving Andrea abandoning her "human" alter ego and cutting ties with her friends and family, resulting in Rick Mason revealing his love for her. Like other DC characters who have been reimagined, this version of Isis, though not mentioned or appearing in Crisis on Infinite Earths, can be assumed to have been retconned out of existence following the 1985 DC miniseries.

The superhero Isis was re-introduced in the DC Universe in the weekly comic book 52, in issue #3 (May 2006).

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