Belladonna
(Narda Ravanna)
Context
Belladonna is an obscure Spider-Man (Peter Parker) opponent, seen in but one 1980 storyline. She’s not entirely forgotten, though, due to :
- A memorable outfit.
- A small entry in the 1983 edition of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe.
- Being involved in a Roderick Kingsley story. The big “who is the Hobgoblin ?” mystery would start but a few years later.
Background
- Real Name: Narda Ravanna.
- Marital Status: Single.
- Known Relatives: Desiree Vaughn-Pope (sister).
- Group Affiliation: None.
- Base Of Operations: New York City.
- Height: 5’5” Weight: 120lbs. Age: 30’s.
- Eyes: Blue-grey. Hair: Brown
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Powers and Abilities
Belladonna is a talented chemist, both in the field of cosmetics and in devising nasty poisons to use against her enemies.
She also has some knowledge of engineering, enabling her to create the traditional death-traps.
History
Sisters Narda Ravanna and Desiree Vaughn-Pope built a combination fashion studio and cosmetics company. It quickly became one of the most profitable ones in Europe. Desiree handled the business end, while Narda oversaw the cosmetics labs.
Rival fashion designer Roderick Kingsley attempted to buy the sisters’ company. When they refused to sell, he manufactured fraudulent charges that their cosmetics were causing skin disorders. The resulting bad publicity ruined the company. In the end the ladies had no choice but to sell to Kingsley.
The loss of their company affected the two sisters differently. Desiree lost her ambition and drive, becoming a vapid libertine. Narda, on the other hand, was consumed with rage. The two came to America, ostensibly to start a new business, but Narda secretly was planning revenge.
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She created the identity and weapons of Belladonna. Ravanna planned to terrorize, humiliate, and ultimately kill Kingsley. When Spider-Man (Peter Parker) interfered with her schemes, she began plotting to kill him as well.
Her henchman, the Cat Burglar (then using equipment stolen from the Prowler), lured Spider-Man into a trapped room, where she planned to leave both men to die. But Spider-Man escaped, ultimately deduced Belladonna’s identity, and captured her.
Description
In her everyday life, Narda Ravanna is a handsome woman with short brown hair. She dresses in expensive, fashionable clothes (as one might expect from her occupation).
As Belladonna, she wears a distinctive purple trenchcoat and matching wide-brimmed hat over a black sleeveless gown and elbow-length purple gloves. A veil covers the upper half of her face, a dark blue scarf adorns her neck, and she smokes a long cigarette holder.
Personality
Belladonna is cold, calculating, and utterly ruthless. She thinks nothing of threatening innocent lives, or even her own henchmen, in her pursuit of revenge.
Despite her vicious streak, she is something of a coward. In her first confrontation with Spider-Man, she was clearly shaken and panicked, and only narrowly escaped. For the most part, she prefers to create elaborate schemes and devices, and let her henchmen do the physical labor and take the risks.
Quotes
“I hope you’ll realize that this is purely personal, Spider-Man ! I just don’t like you !”
DC Universe History
As a noir-ish femme fatale, Belladonna would be a natural opponent for Batman.
Game Stats — DC Heroes RPG
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Belladonna
| Dex: 04 | Str: 02 | Bod: 03 | Motivation: Psychopathic |
| Int: 07 | Wil: 03 | Min: 03 | Occupation: Head chemist for cosmetics company |
| Inf: 05 | Aur: 04 | Spi: 03 | Resources {or Wealth}: 007 |
| Init: 016 | HP: 025 |
Skills:
Charisma: 05, Gadgetry: 07, Scientist: 07, Weaponry (Exotic, Firearms): 04
Advantages:
Connoisseur, Luck, Scholar (Chemistry).
Connections:
Fashion industry (High), Underworld (Low).
Drawbacks:
SIH (Roderick Kingsley).
Equipment:
- FOG SPRAYER [BODY 03, Fog: 06, Poison Touch: 05, Bonuses: Poison Touch is linked to Fog, and will automatically attack any and all characters within range every phase that they breathe the fumes. Prolonged exposure to the gas causes the victim’s pupils to dilate. After 4 phases, treat as if the victim had 2 APs of Ultra Vision, and give them a -2 CS to their OV vs. Flash attacks.]
The fog sprayer takes the form of twin nozzles that are hidden in the sleeves of Belladonna’s trenchcoat. It is not clear how Belladonna manages to avoid the effects of her own gas. She may take a chemical antidote, or be wearing nose filters (as her mouth is uncovered). Perhaps her ever-present cigarette holder contains an oxygen supply?
Originally, the fog would cause Spider-Man’s webbing to disintegrate, but Spidey soon altered his web-formula to prevent it. - Gas Gun [BODY 05, Poison Touch: 07, Bonus: Poison Touch has Range. This pistol fires direct blasts of a much more concentrated form of the fog sprayer gas. Belladonna usually employs it for Killing Combat]
Source of Character: Spider-Man comics.
Helper(s): Jackson, The Angel.