Bernadeth

Bernadeth is an extraterrestrial supervillainess appearing in comic books published by DC Comics.

Bernadeth
Bernadeth, art by John Byrne.
Publication information
Publisher	DC Comics
First appearance	Mister Miracle #6 (February 1972)
Created by	Jack Kirby
In-story information
Alter ego	Bernadeth
Species	New God
Place of origin	Apokolips
Team affiliations	Female Furies
Abilities	Immortality Superhuman physical attributes Skilled combatant Wields the Fahren-Knife

Publication history

She first appeared in Mister Miracle #6 (February 1972) and was created by Jack Kirby.^[1]

Fictional character biography

The co-leader of the Female Furies, Bernadeth wields a "fahren-knife" that burns her victims from the inside.^[2] As the sister of Darkseid's servant DeSaad, Bernadeth is both notorious and feared by the masses of Apokolips.^[3] She was one of the first Furies to be recruited, though Bernadeth hated being led by others. When Big Barda left for Earth to be with Mister Miracle, Bernadeth joined her alongside Lashina, Stompa, and Mad Harriet for a brief period of time.^[4]

Bernadeth later returns to Apokolips with the other Furies sans Barda.^[5] She views Barda's defection as a way to gain leadership herself. However, Darkseid gives Lashina leadership of the Furies. During a mission to retrieve Glorious Godfrey, Bernadeth betrays Lashina, leaves her on Earth, and assumes control of the Female Furies.^[6] When Lashina returns to Apokolips with the Suicide Squad, she confronts Bernadeth and kills her in battle.^[7] Darkseid is appalled by Lashina bringing outsiders to Apokolips, so he kills her and resurrects Bernadeth.^[8] Darkseid later resurrects Lashina as well, with Bernadeth agreeing to share leadership duties.^[3]

During Countdown to Final Crisis, Bernadeth unsuccessfully tries to stop Jimmy Olsen and Forager from escaping Apokolips. After they escape, Bernadeth is confronted by Infinity-Man, who kills her.^[9]

Bernadeth later appears alive as part of the "Dark Side Club". She created drugs that helped Granny Goodness brainwash superheroes into fighting at the Dark Side Club arena.^[10]

The New 52

In The New 52, Darkseid is enslaved by his daughter Grail, leading Bernadeth and the other Female Furies to accept an offer from Big Barda to help defeat Grail and protect Barda's husband, Mister Miracle. Bernadeth participates in the final battle against Grail and Darkseid, which resulted in the pair's defeat. Bernadeth then leaves for Apokolips with the rest of the Furies, including Barda.^[11]

DC Rebirth

In DC Rebirth, Bernadeth and the Female Furies are assigned to seek out mystical artifacts that will empower Darkseid.^[12] However, Bernadeth and the Furies are ambushed by Steve Trevor and return to Darkseid. Despite threatening them, Darkseid allows the Furies to live as he decided he had further use for them.^[13] Bernadeth later joins in the battle against Wonder Woman and A.R.G.U.S. in the Amazon rainforest, which results in Darkseid's destruction.^[14]

At some point, Bernadeth attended the birth of Big Barda and Mister Miracle's son alongside the other Furies. She let Mister Miracle borrow her Fahren-Knife to "cut her as she needs to be cut". Barda assumed this to be a threat, but when the child was born, it left Barda's womb strangled by her invulnerable umbilical cord. With no other options, Mister Miracle used the Fahren-Knife to cut her cord and save the baby's life. Afterwards, Mister Miracle returned the weapon to Bernadeth, thanking her. She replied that she was glad it helped, but that she would use it to kill him when they returned to war.^[15] Bernadeth later joins Kalibak and Kanto in a meeting with Mister Miracle, Barda, and Lightray to discuss a potential peace treaty between Apokolips and New Genesis.^[16]

Powers and abilities

As a New God, Bernadeth is nigh-immortal and possesses superhuman physical abilities. She is a skilled combatant and wields the Fahren-Knife, a fiery dagger made from Darkseid's skin.

Other versions

• Bernadeth appears in the Amalgam Comics series Unlimited Access.^[17]
• Bernadeath appears in Sensation Comics Featuring Wonder Woman.^[18]

In other media

Television

• Bernadeth makes a non-speaking appearance in the Justice League Unlimited episode "Alive!".^[19]
• Bernadeth makes a non-speaking appearance in the Justice League Action episode "It'll Take a Miracle!".^[19]

Film

An alternate universe variant of Bernadeth makes a cameo appearance in a flashback in Justice League: Gods and Monsters.

Video games

Bernadeth appears as a character summon in Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure.^[20]