Phase (DC)
Phase is a female comic superhero who features in DC Comics.
Contents |
Biography
Enya Wazzo
She materialized out of thin air in the middle of L.E.G.I.O.N. headquarters on the planet Cairn, seemingly as a replacement for the Durlan member who vanished at that exact moment. Phase was fully grown but suffered from total amnesia, possessing no personal memories of who she was, where she came from, or how she arrived; she only retained her basic skills, such as fighting and language. Initially, there was confusion and suspicion, but L.E.G.I.O.N.'s leader, Vril Dox, and other members soon found her to be competent and strangely sympathetic to their mission of justice. With no other prospects, she accepted the name 'Phase' because of her ability to pass through solid objects and quickly joined the intergalactic police force, becoming a valuable and respected member of the team. (L.E.G.I.O.N. v1 #9) The newly arrived and amnesiac Phase found herself almost immediately thrust into an active field mission as a full-fledged, albeit probationary, member of the team. The issue offered little in the way of uncovering her mysterious past, with the focus remaining on her integration and performance. She traveled with the L.E.G.I.O.N. members to the planet Hellas, which was experiencing a major crisis involving its sun and significant civil unrest among its populace. During the mission, Phase proved highly effective, utilizing her unique ability to become intangible to navigate hazardous situations and combat opponents. She operated with remarkable control and composure, demonstrating fighting skills and self-assurance that defied her recent memory loss. While some members, notably Vril Dox, remained suspicious and resentful of her abrupt appearance and replacement of the vanished Durlan, most of her teammates quickly grew to respect her professionalism and competence in battle. Phase, in turn, dedicated herself to the L.E.G.I.O.N.'s mandate, her personal search for her true identity becoming a secondary concern to her immediate duties and survival. (L.E.G.I.O.N. v1 #10)
Overview
Personality and attributes
In appearance, Phase was depicted as a tall, athletic woman with short, dark hair and sharply defined features, often illustrated with a look of composed confidence. Her standard L.E.G.I.O.N. uniform—a sleek bodysuit of dark hues accented with the organization’s insignia—was modified for her phasing abilities, designed to adapt as her body shifted between tangible and intangible states. (L.E.G.I.O.N. v1 #9)
The single most dominant personality trait Phase displayed was a profound composure under pressure. Despite materializing in a completely alien environment with absolute amnesia, a situation that would cause panic or confusion in most, Phase remained remarkably calm and collected. When confronted by the suspicious and aggressive L.E.G.I.O.N. members, she did not scream or break down; instead, she reacted with a practical, defensive efficiency. Her interactions were measured, and she used her powers to evade capture in a cool, tactical manner rather than out of blind fear. She spoke concisely, explaining her lack of memory with an almost detached matter-of-factness. This inherent calmness in the face of extreme distress immediately set her apart and established her as a highly reliable and formidable individual, despite the mystery of her origins. (L.E.G.I.O.N. v1 #9)
Another aspect of Phase's personality was her adaptability. Having suddenly arrived in a new and complex environment with no personal memories, she did not become paralyzed by confusion. Instead, she quickly assessed her situation and utilized the inherent skills and abilities that remained in her muscle memory. She understood the language being spoken and was able to process information rapidly. When the initial conflict subsided, she readily accepted her predicament and the temporary name 'Phase', demonstrating an open-mindedness and willingness to adjust to her new reality rather than futilely fighting against it. Her ability to seamlessly transition from an unknown entity to a functional, accepted member of the team within the single issue's events showcased an exceptional capacity to adapt to extreme circumstances. (L.E.G.I.O.N. v1 #9)
Phase’s personality was characterized by discipline, restraint, and quiet resolve. Though initially reserved, she exhibited a strong moral core and a tendency to challenge the ethical ambiguities of L.E.G.I.O.N.’s operations. Her interactions with Vril Dox frequently highlighted her humanity in contrast to his utilitarian logic—she valued compassion and justice over cold efficiency. Despite the internal conflict between her dual identities, Phase rarely allowed emotion to compromise her duties. Her sense of responsibility and empathy toward others marked her as both a soldier and a humanitarian, embodying a balance between idealism and pragmatism. (L.E.G.I.O.N. v1 #15)
Powers and abilities
The primary and defining ability Phase demonstrated was her power of phasing, or intangibility. (L.E.G.I.O.N. v1 #9) Phase possessed no superhuman strength or durability, but she was not an ordinary human. Her most distinctive ability was molecular intangibility, allowing her to pass through solid matter at will. (L.E.G.I.O.N. Annual v1 #2) She materialized abruptly within the L.E.G.I.O.N. headquarters, appearing literally out of thin air in a burst of light, which was the first indication of her unique capabilities. As the L.E.G.I.O.N. members reacted with suspicion and attempted to apprehend her, she seamlessly utilized this power to evade capture, passing through solid objects like walls and security restraints as if they were not there. This ability made her incredibly difficult to contain or restrain. (L.E.G.I.O.N. v1 #9) This power rendered her immune to most forms of physical attack and enabled her to infiltrate secure environments undetected. She could also selectively phase other objects or people in contact with her, a skill she used both defensively and offensively. Her control was precise enough to disrupt electronics or phase partially through opponents to incapacitate them. In combat, she relied on agility, tactical awareness, and teamwork rather than brute force, using her phasing to outmanoeuvre and disarm rather than destroy. Though her abilities granted her immense versatility, they required focus and composure—emotional instability could disrupt her control, leaving her momentarily vulnerable. (L.E.G.I.O.N. Annual v1 #2)
Beyond this, she also displayed a high level of physical competence; she moved with agility and grace, suggesting extensive training in hand-to-hand combat and evasion. Although she was amnesiac and could not recall her past, her reflexes were sharp, and she exhibited a strong capacity for language and understanding, allowing her to quickly communicate and integrate with the team after the initial conflict was resolved. Her physical appearance was striking, and she also seemed to have a basic set of standard intelligence, though her past and other potential powers remained a mystery. (L.E.G.I.O.N. v1 #9)
Notes
- Phase was created by Keith Giffen, Alan Grant and Barry Kitson where she made her first appearance in L.E.G.I.O.N. v1 #9 (November, 1989).
Appearances
- L.E.G.I.O.N. v1: (1989)
- Legion of Super-Heroes v4:
External Links
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