La Encantadora

La Encantadora, known simply as Encantadora or by her real name Lourdes, is a fictional character in the DC Comics universe. Her first appearance was in "Secret Origins of Super-Villains 80-Page Giant" #1/4, released in December 1999. She was originally created to be a "femme fatale" enemy for Superman to confront and was mentioned as being very skilled at using magic. [http://www.dcuguide.com/who.php?name=encantadora Short character profile] at http://www.dcuguide.com/]

Fictional character biography

The young woman named Lourdes gains power from the Mists of Ibella stored in the necklace she wears. Her father had fought the temptation to succumb to the thrall of the mists and on his death bed charged his daughter with disposing of them to protect their family including her younger brother. Unfortunately it is quite evident she did not have her father's fortitude against the promises of the Mists.

Lourdes is a sultry "femme fatale" who came into conflict with Superman when she started fencing Kryptonite. However it was all fake, while it looked entirely genuine her Kryptonite was nothing more than rock. Her buyers were naturally peeved. Superman was unaware of Encantora at first but she made her presence known at a sale of her fake Kryptonite. Though Superman knew she was holding a rock he still reacted as though it was real, unable to stop his body behaving as if it were absorbing actual Kryptonite Radiation. Then Encantadora vanished.

Superman chased Encantadora and arrived in time to snatch the necklace holding the Mists of Ibella from which she gained her magical abilities. He rescues her from her disgruntled buyers and sweeps her off to jail.

Superman next encounters the sultry beauty during her bout of Christmas Shopping. She has a scuffle with Etrigan and the result is that the powers of the pair spiral out of control and cause people to face their inner demons. Superman saves the day yet again and Encantadora is apaprently left powerless and shivering. To warm her Superman gives her his cloak - and abruptly she teleports away with the perfect Christmas present for her brother who is a huge fan of Superman.

Encantadora's past came back to haunt her, during a kiss with Superman she had passed a single nano-bot into his body which started to systematically destroy his cells, slowly killing him cell by cell. Encantadora refused to stand by and let this happen, she could not take the weight on her conscience and warned Lois Lane so that help could be found for the Man of Steel.

This act enraged Encantadora's employer who sent Deathstroke to kill her. Encantadora found that Deathstroke was prepared for her abilities. Moments from death at Deathstrokes hand her fate seemed sealed, until Superman came to her rescue.

Encantadora was once again put in danger when Ra's al Ghul kidnapped her brother and threatened to kill him unless she used the Mists of Ibella to recharged the Lazarus Pits to such a degree he will become a god upon entering them. Superman and Talia Head intervene and reunite Encantadora with her brother, Victor. Superman brings her to the authorities and she vows that she will turn over a new leaf. Superman takes the necklace and flies away.

Mid flight the mists vanish from his grasp and he wishes Lourdes the best of luck on her second chance.

Personality

Encantadora is mysterious and sultry. Her flirty ways are persistent, she even offers to trade her Kryptonite for a kiss from Superman. In fact she kisses him anyway.

Lourdes is a moral woman and will not kill this is clear in her actions as she refuses to let Superman die when he is poisoned by Kryptonite.

She is devoted to her younger brother Victor and is willing to go to great lengths to make him happy, in fact it seems her criminal life is a result of her desire to give him everything he could wish for.

Powers and abilities

Lourdes has been granted great power by the magical Mists of Ibella which she wears around her neck in a vial. With it she can manipulate the perceptions of people to such an extent that Superman was effected by fake Kryptonite despite knowing it wasn't genuine. Lourdes also has a pheromonal secretion that makes men become devoted to her, this can be blocked by nose plugs or air filters however.

She can also teleport anywhere she desires at will. She seems to have internalized this power as she can seemingly use it without the mists being in her possession.

Encantadora's magical powers are unfathomed, she has very little understanding of them and has admitted to knowing very little about their source, limits and capabilities.

References

External links

* [http://www.supermanhomepage.com/comics/who/who-intro.php?topic=la-encantadora "Who's Who in the Superman Comics"] at http://www.supermanhomepage.com/