Alias: Tara Markov
Titans Member
joined: New Teen Titans #30 [1983]
Terra Team Titans - Beginnings - Terra meets the Titans in NEW TEEN TITANS #28 [1983].
Tara Markov was the illegitimate daughter of the King of Markovia, who sent her to the United States in order to avoid a scandal. Tara's royal blood gave her the ability to gain earth-moving powers, which she did, with the help of Dr. Helga Jace, who used the same process to make Prince Brion, Tara's half-brother, into the hero known as Geo-Force.
Terra's duplicity is revealed in NEW TEEN TITANS #34 [1983].
It is unclear how or when her earth-manipulating abilities were acquired, or how much ‘help' Dr. Jace was; Jace referred to Terra's acquisition of her powers as ‘meddling' – hinting she may not have had full permission to acquire said powers. Sometime after she acquired these abilities, she left Markovia to embark on her own.
Tara was full of rage and hate, which may have stemmed from the fact that she was an illegitimate daughter to a king (a fact that made her an ‘embarrassment'). She was only fifteen when she had a reputation for using her powers to do others' dirty work, if the price was right. She picked up an assignment turned down by
Terra and Slade plot against the Titans in NEW TEEN TITANS #39 [1984].
Deathstroke, the Terminator – to kill a powerful African tribesman. She took the assignment, became friendly with the king and joined his family. Tara ended up killing him.
It was through this assignment that Tara eventually hooked up with the Terminator, who used her to fulfill his contract with the H.I.V.E. Regarding the destruction of the New Teen Titans. Tara adopted the name "Terra" and fabricated a story of being held hostage by terrorists, although the story itself had many holes and inconsistencies.
Joining the Titans: The Judas Contract
Changeling, who met Terra when she was attempting to destroy the Statue of Liberty, invited her to join the Titans. Gar quickly developed a crush on her, and Terra performed well with the group in order to perpetuate the lie. Terra was reunited, albeit briefly, with Geo-Force when the Titans teamed up with the Outsiders against the Fearsome Five.
Terra delivers Nightwing to the H.I.V.E. in NEW TEEN TITANS ANNUAL #3 [1984].
Terra fought a partially rigged battle against the Terminator, which served to win over the Titans. Despite Raven's suspicions, Terra was inducted into the group and made privy to their secrets. Once she had all the information she needed, the traitorous Terra gave it to the Terminator, who used the knowledge to kidnap the Titans and take them to the H.I.V.E. base near the Colorado Rocky Mountains.
During a pitched battle in the H.I.V.E. complex, Jericho possessed his father's body, thereby freeing the Titans, and began fighting Terra. Feeling betrayed and thinking that the Terminator was turning against her, Terra went crazy and brought the complex down on herself. Despite this fact, she was buried with a Titan's funeral.
Terra's betrayal was never made public, and the superhero community believed she died a hero. Batman later disclosed Terra's crimes to her half-brother Geo-Force. Brion became so distraught that he changed his costume from the tan and brown arrangement which resembled Terra's to the current green and yellow Geo-Force suit.
The New Terra
Years later, another Terra appeared, claiming to be a time-tossed adventurer from the future. She believed that she was an orphan girl injected with the original Terra's D.N.A. and made to look like Terra with reconstructive surgery.
However, a mysterious orb from the Time Trapper cast dispersions on this story; The Time Trapper revealed that this new Terra was indeed from this timeline. Terra II also unearthed the original Terra's coffin to find it empty.
Recently, while staying in Markovia, Terra II had the Markovian scientists conduct a D.N.A. test to discover, beyond a shadow of a doubt, if she was the original Terra. Terra II was frightened at the prospect that she could be this psychopathic traitor. Her ‘brother' Geo-Force (Brion) received the test results. He mercifully tells Terra that the results are negative.
As Terra leaves, Brion looks at the results: the D.N.A. test is positive. The most recent Terra is indeed the original, somehow rescued from death by the Time Trapper. At the present time, Geo-Force is the only one aware of this information. (also see below for info on Terra II)
Terra had control over the Earth and often flew on a chunk of rock to reach her destination. Terra could transform the consistency of earth and rock, cause earthquakes, tap into lava flows, and create shapes out of solid rock.
Alias: Tara Markov
Titans Member
first appeared as Team Titan in New Titans #79;
joined New Titans in New Titans #0
False Future Origins
Lord Chaos creates a new Terra in TEAM TITANS #1 [1992].
Terra II's story began 10 years in the future; Or, rather, the false future where Lord Chaos reigned and a force known as the Team Titans struggled to overthrow his tyranny. Lord Chaos sought to destroy the rebels known as the Team Titans.
Lord Chaos planned to plant a spy in their group and infiltrate them from within. Chaos' men broke into a rebel hospital, and kidnapped a girl who bore a passing resemblance to the original Tara Markov. Chaos extracted the residual DNA from the first Tara's bones and injected it into the girl, giving her earth powers like the original Terra. His scientists them planted false memories in her brain, so she believed herself to be the daughter of Brion Markov (Tara's brother, the hero known as Geo-Force).
Terra breaks free of Chaos, as her origin is recounted in TEAM TITANS #1 [1992].
As a final touch, the doctors gave her plastic surgery, making her a dead ringer for the original Terra. This Tara was brainwashed into serving Chaos. Chaos thought her ties to the original Titans would easily ingratiate her into these new Team Titans (apparently, there were no records of the first Terra's betrayal of the Titans). Chaos' assumption was correct; She successfully infiltrated the Team Titans. Before she could reveal their location, however, the Team Titans' leader discovered her duplicity.
The Team Titans mysterious leader gives the order to kill Troy in NEW TITANS #80 [1991].
The Teamers used a cerebro mind probe to discover the truth about her. Even they were shocked to discover the horrors Chaos was capable of. Tara's body would reject the DNA in a matter of weeks; she would die. Chaos gave this no thought, as long as she was useful to him. At this time, Tara also discovered that she was not Brion Markov's daughter, and was merely a pawn of Chaos. With super-computer Prestor Jon's help, the DNA would not be rejected by her body; she would not die. Having learned the truth, she joined the Teamers in battle with Lord Chaos. She proved herself to be a valuable member, finally free of Chaos' influence. She was quickly offered membership into the Team Titans, and accepted.
Back to the Past
Shortly thereafter, the Team Titans leader gave the team a mission: travel 10 years into the past to stop Chaos from ever being born. To accomplish this, the Teamers were assigned to kill Donna Troy before she would give birth to the child who would become Lord Chaos! The Teamers successfully traveled to the past and came into conflict with the Titans. Donna gave birth to her son before the Teamers could intervene. However, the Titans and the Team Titans were able to stop Chaos and spare Donna's life at the same time.
After this, the Teamers found themselves stranded in the past, unable to return to their future. With nowhere else to go, they resided at Donna Troy's New Jersey farmhouse. The Teamers tried to find a place in this new world. Tara also found herself attracted to Gar Logan (Changeling), who was rather unnerved by her appearance!
Zero Hour
As the Teamers started settling into their new world, their lives were disrupted by the time crisis known as ZERO HOUR. It was revealed that the Team Titans leader in the future was the villainous Monarch! He created that false future world so he could train meta-humans (The Team Titans) to act as sleeper agent assassins. He brought various super-powered beings from alternate realities and trained them as Team Titans. He knew of the impending time crisis, and wanted a super-powered army at his command. Extant (the time villain that Monarch had transformed into) commanded all the Team Titans to attack the heroes who were trying to unravel this time crisis. Extant sought to use the time disruption to his advantage. His plan was thwarted; the heroes contained the Teamers. Time continued to collapse, erasing the false timelines that had emerged. As a result, all the Team Titans were erased from existence!
The Time Trapper reveals the truth: Terra, Mirage and Deathwing are from this timeline!
From NEW TITANS ANNUAL #11 [1995].
Identity Crisis
Strangely enough, three people remained unscathed from Monarch's false timeline: Tara Markov (Terra II), Miriam Delgado (Mirage) and Deathwing (who was believed to be a future Dick Grayson). Terra and Mirage remained members of a new Titans team, led by Arsenal (Roy Harper). Shortly after the team was reformed, a strange orb appeared, with messages for Mirage and Terra.
Terra gets the shock of her life in NEW TITANS ANNUAL #11 [1995]
The orb was sent by the Time Trapper. The Time Trapper revealed that Mirage, Deathwing and Terra were from this timeline, NOT an alternate timeline, as they had thought. That is why they survived the time crisis. Mirage was a runaway street urchin from Brazil. The Time Trapper kidnapped her and implanted false memories in her brain; she believed she grew up in Monarch's false timeline. The Trapper became aware of Extant's petty manipulations of time, and set up his own sleeper agents (Terra, Mirage and Deathwing) that would be able to fight Extant's programming. The Time Trapper also revealed that Terra was from this timeline as well. The Trapper explained: "Terra, you come from this time period. I found you moments befo--". At that point, Terra destroyed the orb, not wanting to know the truth about her past.
Terra was curious about what the Time Trapper's message might have said. She visited the first Terra's graveside soon after... only to find an empty coffin!
Could this new Terra actually be the original, traitorous Titan? Was her origin in Chaos' false future a complete and utter sham? What was the Time Trapper about to reveal concerning her past? These questions have plagued this second Tara Markov, and she was unsure if she even wanted to discover the true answers. Shortly after this, the Titans group disbanded. Following that, Terra II took up residence in Markovia, the homeland of Terra I.
Playtime! The Titans play wargames in NEW TITANS #126 [1995]
Terra aided the Titans again during the Technis Imperative conflict, which involved the Justice League as well as all Titans, past and present. The two teams eventually worked together to save the earth and former Titans teammate, Victor Stone (Cyborg).
The Truth?
Terra fears the truth behind her DNA test in Titans Secret Files #2 [2000]
While staying in Markovia, Terra II had the Markovian scientists conduct a D.N.A. test to discover, beyond a shadow of a doubt, if she was the original Terra. Terra II was frightened at the prospect that she could be this psychopathic traitor. Her Ôbrother' Geo-Force (Brion) received the test results. He mercifully tells Terra that the results are negative.
As Terra leaves, Brion looks at the results: the D.N.A. test is positive. The most recent Terra is indeed the original, somehow rescued from death by the Time Trapper. At the present time, Geo-Force is the only one aware of this information.
Recently, Gar's obnoxious cousin Matt took it upon himself to hold a membership drive party for an all-new Titans West. Although the party was crashed by a jealous Duela Dent and vengeful Fear & Loathing, a few potential members remained. Gar finally agreed to have the team re-form, and Titans West was re-dubbed Titans L.A. - with members that included Beast Boy, Flamebird, Herald, Bumblebee, Terra, Hero Cruz, Captain Marvel Jr. and Bushido.
But Titans LA was short-lived; When visiting New York, Gar Logan mentioned that no one had any real devotion to the team. Beast Boy and Flamebird attempted to recruit the DEO orphans as the new version of Titans West, but they declined. Eventually, the new West Coast group of Titans dissolved before it even truly began.
Terra has control over the Earth and often flew on a chunk of rock to reach her destination. Terra can transform the consistency of earth and rock, cause earthquakes, tap into lava flows, and create shapes out of solid rock.
New Teen Titans #26 [1982]: After the Titans return, Kid Flash goes home to Blue Valley and Changeling meets Terra on top of the Statue of Liberty, which she is trying to destroy. First appearance of Terra.
New Teen Titans #28 [1983]: Changeling captures Terra and brings her to Titans' Tower, where she claims that she has been committing crimes for terrorists who are holding her parents captive; Terra and the Titans confront her parents' supposed captors. First appearance of Marcia and Jennifer Long.
New Teen Titans #30 [1983]: The New Brotherhood of Evil follows Raven; Terra suddenly decides that she wants to be a Titan; ; While the Titans return to Titans' Tower, where Robin says that Terra can join the group, Raven seeks solitude in St. Peter's Cathedral, where the New Brotherhood of Evil finds her; During the Titans' and the New Brotherhood of Evil's battle in Times Square on New Year's Eve; The New Brotherhood of Evil takes Raven to Zandia; Terry Long proposes to Donna Troy. Terra joins the Titans this issue.
New Teen Titans #34 [1983]: Terra is unhappy on her sixteenth birthday because she does not feel like a Titan; The Terminator holds a stockbroker hostage in exchange for the Titans; Terra and the Titans battle him, with Terra coming out looking like the hero; She later meets with the Terminator, revealing herself as his accomplice in his contract with the H.I.V.E. Terra revealed as a traitor.
New Teen Titans #37 and Batman and the Outsiders #5 [1983]: Fearsome Five member Gizmo breaks his villain group out of prison; Under Psimon's leadership, the Fearsome Five kidnap Dr. Helga Jace and force her to make them a group of Mud Men to help in their battles; Dick Grayson tells Bruce Wayne that he wants to terminate their heroic partnership; The Titans and the Outsiders team up to defeat the Fearsome Five after the villains expel Dr. Light from the group and attempt to kill him; Robin chafes under Batman's leading the two groups in battle and takes over, proving that Robin does not always have to be in Batman's shadow. Terra is reunited with her brother, Geo-Force, in this story.
New Teen Titans #39 [1984]: Terra and the Terminator plot the fall of the Titans. Wally West decides to quit being Kid Flash, leaves his ring and costume with the Titans, and returns to Blue Valley; Dick Grayson gives up his Robin identity, turning Titan leadership over to Wonder Girl; Terra's contact lens camera relays Robin's and Kid Flash's civilian identities to the Terminator. Last appearance of Dick Grayson as Robin. Kid Flash leaves the team.
Tales of the Teen Titans #42-44, Tales of the Teen Titans Annual #3 [1984] "The Judas Contract": Terra gives her collected information on the Titans to Deathstroke, who captures each of the teen heroes and delivers them to the H.I.V.E., except Dick Grayson. Joseph and Adeline Wilson confront Dick at Titans' Tower, telling him of Terra's association with the Terminator, who brings the Titans to the H.I.V.E.'s Rocky Mountain headquarters. Dick Grayson learns the origin of The Terminator and about the accident that made his son Joseph a mute; Dick becomes Nightwing and agrees to let Adeline and Joseph accompany him to the H.I.V.E. base after Joseph takes the identity of Jericho and "possesses" him. They help free the Titans, but not before Terra kills herself. This event is catalogued as "The Judas Contract." First Dick Grayson as Nightwing in issue #44. First appearance of Joe Wilson in issue #42, as Jericho in issue #44. Death of Terra in Tales of the Teen Titans Annual #3.
New Titans #79 [1991]: Donna fades away with a mysterious figure [as part of a War of the Gods crossover]. Deathstroke, Dayton, Pantha, Phantasm and Arella plan their next move. Councilwoman Elizabeth Alderman begins her crusade against the Titans as a platform in her bid for mayor. A mysterious group of teenagers try to track down Donna Troy in an attempt to kill her. On the last page, one of those teenagers is revealed as Terra! This issue features the first appearance of the Team Titans. Story continued in New Titans Annual #7 [which establishes the backstory of the Team Titans]. First appearance of Elizabeth Alderman.
New Titans Annual #7 and New Titans #80 [1991]: Waverider leaves an unconscious Nightwing to meet Joe Wilson, while in the future, a mysterious leader details his plans to his Team Titans: they will go back in time to eliminate Donna Troy before she can give birth to her son, who will turn out to be Lord Chaos. Lord Chaos vows to follow them to the past and insure his future. First appearance of Lord Chaos in New Titans Annual #7. First appearance of future-Nightwing (later Deathwing) in New Titans Annual #7.
New Titans #86-87 [1992]: The Team Titans continue to hunt Donna Troy while Lord Chaos, having seized control of a corporation, plots to stop them. Donna Troy learns she is pregnant. Terra II makes herself known to Changeling.
Total Chaos: New Titans #90-92, Team Titans #1-3, Deathstroke #14-16 [1992]: The Team Titans have been sent to the past to kill the pregnant Troia before she gives birth to her son, who could become a god-powered dictator named Lord Chaos in the future. The Team is defeated, and Troia, having lost her powers, gives birth to a normal baby boy. Mirage of the Team Titans kidnaps Starfire and impersonates her so that she can date Nightwing. First appearance of Battalion in Team Titans #2. First appearance of Rose Wilson in Deathstroke #15. Birth of Robert Troy Long. Team Titans #1 is released in five different versions, but unlike variant cover gimmicks, all five are double-sized while selling for the regular price. Although all contain a common story, each also includes a different full-length origin story for a group member [Origins of Mirage, Terra II, Nightrider, Redwing and Killowat].
New Titans #0, 115 [1994]: Under government control, Arsenal leads a new team of Titans, including Impulse, Damage, Green Lantern, Darkstar, Mirage, and Terra. Government funded and based in New Jersey. Changeling betrays the team. First appearance/mention of Crimelord in issue #115. First issue with new Titans members Terra II, Mirage, Impulse and Damage having already joined the team.
Outsiders #17 [1995]: Geo-Force comes to blows with Arsenal and Green Lantern when he demands to meet their teammate 'Terra', who looks exactly like his dead sister. Donna Troy [Darkstar] intervenes, breaks up the fight and convinces Terra II to talk to Geo-Force. Terra II tells Geo-Force she is not his sister, but before that can talk further she is captured by a giant robot. Geo-Force and the Titans later rescue Terra and learn she's been kidnapped by a Markovian group of scientists looking to duplicate her powers. Geo-Force and Terra II talk, and Geo-Force wants to get to know her, despite the fact she is not his real sister. Geo-Force later visits the first Terra's grave and tells her he is closer to the new Terra than he ever was with her.
New Titans Annual #11 [1995]: A YEAR ONE tale featuring Arsenal's Titans team. The Time Trapper reveals Mirage, Deathwing and Terra are all from this timeline. Mirage is a street urchin from Brazil. Terra destroys the Time Trapper's message before it reveals her origins, and later unearths the original Terra's coffin to find it empty. Minion adjusts to like on earth. Supergirl recounts how she first met Arsenal and when she was asked to join the team.
The Titans Secret Files #2 [2000]: It's the debut of Titans LA in an astonishing all-new Special. Whether he wants it or not, Beast Boy finds himself saddled with a new West Coast branch of the Titans. But it may be the new team's final appearance as well if Fear and Loathing and the madcap Harlequin have their say. First Titans L.A. Titans LA members include Beast Boy, Flamebird, Herald, Bumblebee, Terra, Hero Cruz, and Captain Marvel Jr. In another story, Terra finally finds out exactly who she is...though the truth may not be what she wanted to hear. Geo-Force learns her DNA matches the original Terra! Contains profile pages showcase the new Titans lineup, and new villains - including the Hangmen and Epsilon.
George Perez on Terra