Bernadeth is an extraterrestrial supervillainess appearing in comic books published by DC Comics.
Publication history She first appeared in Mister Miracle #6 (February 1972) and was created by Jack Kirby.
Fictional character biography The co-leader of the Female Furies, Bernadeth wields a "fahren-knife" that burns her victims from the inside. As the younger sister of Darkseid's servant DeSaad, Bernadeth is both notorious and feared by the masses of Apokolips. 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.Mister Miracle #8-12 (June 1972 - February 1973)
Bernadeth later returns to Apokolips with the other Furies sans Barda.New Gods (vol. 2) #6 (November 1984) 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.Suicide Squad #3 (July 1987) When Lashina returns to Apokolips with the Suicide Squad, she confronts Bernadeth and kills her in battle.Suicide Squad #34-36 (October - December 1989) Darkseid is appalled by Lashina bringing outsiders to Apokolips, so he kills her and resurrects Bernadeth.Mister Miracle (vol. 2) #17-18 (July - August 1990) Darkseid later resurrects Lashina as well, with Bernadeth agreeing to share leadership duties.
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.Countdown to Final Crisis #19 (December 2007)
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.Birds of Prey #118 (July 2008)
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.Justice League (vol. 2) #50 (July 2016)
DC Rebirth In DC Rebirth, Bernadeth and the Female Furies are assigned to seek out mystical artifacts that will empower Darkseid.Wonder Woman (vol. 5) #39 (March 2018) 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.Wonder Woman (vol. 5) #41 (April 2018) 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.Wonder Woman (vol. 5) #45 (June 2018)
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.Mister Miracle (vol. 4) #7 (May 2018) 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.Mister Miracle (vol. 4) #9 (August 2018)
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.Unlimited Access #4 (March 1998) Bernadeath appears in Sensation Comics Featuring Wonder Woman.Sensation Comics Featuring Wonder Woman #16-18 (digital)
In other media Television Bernadeth makes a non-speaking appearance in the Justice League Unlimited episode "Alive!". A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information. Bernadeth makes a non-speaking appearance in the Justice League Action episode "It'll Take a Miracle!".
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.
References