The Keeper of Infinite Earths - Union of Peace
Created by Bob Justice & Matt Parmenter
"Blood Rite" Created by Matt Parmenter
Stigmata
Alter Ego: Maria Durbin
Occupation: Super Hero
Known Relatives: Gerald & Regina Durbin, parents
Group Affiliation: Union of Peace
Base of Operations: New York, NY
Background/History:
Maria was a very strictly raised Irish-Catholic girl. She studied scripture and
church history with the intention of serving the church. Her parents actually
worried that she might be verging on an unhealthy obsession. Not long after her
fifteenth birthday, she awoke one morning covered in blood. There were four
wounds on her body through her wrists and ankles. Her studies made her instantly
recognize the wounds as being in the same places as Christ would have had on the
cross marking her with the stigmata. Even more shocking was what happened when
she realized what a mess there was, the blood flowed back into the wounds,
leaving little trace other than the scars on her wrists and ankles. She told her
mother and she did not believe her until Maria held up her hand and blood shot
out of her wrist. Her parents sought help for her and the conclusion was that
she was a mutant, but Maria knew better. The Union of Peace member, Healer,
heard of her plight and came to investigate. He discovered that in addition to
her bizarre ability to generate and control huge amounts of blood, her blood had
the ability to heal injuries. After convincing her parents that it was a gift
and not a curse, the team volunteered to train her in the use of her powers
which gave her the opportunity to help people in need and serve as an example to
the world of the power of God. Once her control had increased to a sufficient
level, she joined the Union using the name, Stigmata. Although commonly believed
to be a mutant, there is one nagging question. As her control increased, she
generated her blood through the center of her palms which heal automatically
leaving no trace. The original wounds that signify the stigmata left round scars
on both sides that have never faded.
Personality/Motivations:
Maria is a painfully proper and respectful young woman. She is honorable to a
fault and obeys the Commandments to the very best of her ability, earning the
nickname "Saint Maria". Her reputation has been known to work against
her in that regard. She will do anything to protect the innocent and safeguard
lives.