Origin
Due to massive radiation exposure at Los Alamos National Laboratory, Gemma Sinclair’s unborn child is mutated. That child, Nekra, was born an African-American with chalk white skin. This made her a freak in her parent’s eyes and they shunned her. Her childhood was miserable and she eventually ran away to New Mexican desert. Soon after, she met-up with Mandrill who was abandoned by his father and the two formed a kinship. Due to their appearance, they are eventually attacked by an angry mob and Nekra discovered her rage gave her immense strength and invulnerability.
Creation
Nekra was created by Steve Gerber and Ross Andru, first appearing in Shanna the She-Devil #5, August 1973. Shanna #5 turns out to be the last issue of the series but Nekra creator Steve Gerber eventually transfers the storyline into Daredevil #109-112 (May-August 1974) and Marvel Two-In-One #3 (May 1974).
Major Story Arcs
Evil is Born
Deciding they didn’t want to be persecuted anymore, they left for Africa where Mandrill started up the Black Specter Cult, using his powers to manipulate women into serving them, with Nekra serving as his head priestess. They were eventually defeated by Shanna.
Nekra is involved in many unsuccessful schemes and along the way learned voodoo from Black Talon. Nekra fell in love with the Grim Reaper and used her powers to revive him as a zombie after he was killed. Grim Reaper has a requirement to kill one person every 24 hours and does not share Nekra’s love, so he kills her. Mandrill flips out and attacks the Grim Reaper until he is attacked and seemingly killed. However, as Mandrill is seen as a member of the Hood’s troops, he survived the attack.
Nekra is later revived by Daemon Hellstrom and sent after Dr. Druid who she eventually shoots in the head. Latest news shows Nekra has a daughter, Death Reaper, who’s father may have been the Grim Reaper.
Powers and Abilities
Nekra possesses the mutant ability to increase her own strength, speed, durability, agility, reflexes, stamina and resistance to pain by harnessing violent emotions within her, especially hate. She is able to lift 10 tons at peak strength. Nekra is also an formidable hand-to-hand combatant and skilled in the ways of voodoo.
Physical Characteristics
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 140 lbs.
Eyes: Black
Hair: Black