| Sabra סברה | |
|---|---|
.png) Sabra as depicted inCaptain America: Steve Rogers (2017) #18 Art by Javier Pina | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | (Minor) The Incredible Hulk #250 (August 1980) (Full) The Incredible Hulk #256 (February 1981) |
| Created by | Bill Mantlo (writer) Sal Buscema (artist) |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Ruth Bat-Seraph |
| Species | Human mutant |
| Place of origin | Israel |
| Team affiliations | X-Corporation Mossad |
| Abilities | Mutant Abilities
|
Sabra (Hebrew:סברה) is a superhero appearing inAmerican comic books published byMarvel Comics. Created by writerBill Mantlo and artistSal Buscema, the character first appeared inThe Incredible Hulk #250 (1980), before making a full appearance in issue #256 (1981). She has been a member of theX-Corporation, and often appeared as a supporting character for theHulk and theX-Men.
Ruth Bat-Seraph (Hebrew:רות בת-שרף) is amutant who serves as an agent to theMossad. She is noted to be the firstIsraeli superheroine and has been received positively by theJewish community.Shira Haas portrayed a reimagined version of Bat-Seraph, a formerBlack Widow assassin, in theMarvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) filmCaptain America: Brave New World (2025), with her inclusion receiving polarizing responses.
The character was created by Belinda Glass, the first wife ofAmerican comic book writerMark Gruenwald.[1] The name "Sabra" (צַבָּר) was derived from a term to describe a native-bornIsraeli Jew, inspired by theprickly pear cactus—a fruit that is tough and thorny on the outside but soft on the inside.[1] She was originally envisioned as the Israeli counterpart toCaptain America (Steve Rogers), much likeRed Guardian serves as the Russian equivalent.[2]
Sabra debuted inThe Incredible Hulk #256 (February 1981), created by writerBill Mantlo and artistSal Buscema.[3][4][5] She appeared in a supporting role in the limited seriesUnion Jack #1–4 (2006) by writerChristos Gage and artistMike Perkins.[6] She later appeared in theNew Warriors (1995), by writerEvan Skolnick and artistPatrick Zircher.[7] She starred in her first soloone-shot,Astonishing Tales: Sabra (2009), written by Matt Yocum.[8]
Since her debut in the 1980s, Sabra has not featured heavily in comics, only making minor cameos and appearances.[9] She was laterretconned as amutant, and a vocal supporter of the Mutant cause, with the shift beginning with her role in the 1997 crossoverOperation: Zero Tolerance.[7] This shift offered potential for deepercharacter development beyond her identity as a nationalist symbol, and to move her away from direct political associations.[7][10]
Ruth Bat-Seraph was born nearJerusalem,[11] raised on akibbutz,[12] and recruited into asuper-soldier-inspired program run by the Israeli government after her mutant powers began to manifest.[13][14][15] She later becomes the first superhuman agent to serve with the Mossad (Israeli'ssecret service).[16] She also becomes a police officer in addition to serving as a government agent.[17][18] She had a son named Jacob who was killed by a Palestinian terrorist group.[19]
Bat-Seraph's first public act as Sabra is a battle with theHulk, whom she mistakenly believes is working with terrorists.[20] Not long after that, Sabra is chosen as a pawn ofDeath in the latter's game against theGrandmaster. There, she meetsIron Man and theArabian Knight (Abdul Qamar), and battlesShe-Hulk andCaptain Britain.[21] She faces another dispute with the Hulk in which her quills strike his larynx, leaving him temporarily unable to speak, so Sabra initially believes he is still a near-mindless monster. The two fight but eventually work through their differences and search for a child who is foretold to become a genocidal maniac, while contending withAchilles of thePantheon who was sent to kill the boy.[22]
Later, during a peace conference inNew York City, Sabra assists theNew Warriors in stopping a terrorist group. However, she falls under the control of a powerful force and turns against the team. She is brought out of her trance byJustice, whose eyes remind her of her late son.[23] Some time after, Sabra is attacked byPrime Sentinels as part of the anti-mutant campaign known as "Operation: Zero Tolerance".[24] She travels back to the U.S. to track downBastion, their creator, and works to stop him alongsideIceman,Cecilia Reyes andMarrow.[25] It is also at this time that Sabra begins to work alongside theX-Men and subscribe to the philosophies ofCharles Xavier.[26] Sabra spends some time as a member of theX-Corporation's Paris branch.[27] She accompanies Xavier and other X-Men toGenosha after it was demolished bySentinels.[28]
During theJLA/Avengers crossover event, she is seen holding theWestern Wall together afterKrona's attack causes earthquakes across the globe.[29] Sabra is also one of a handful of mutants to have retained their powers after the effects ofM-Day.[30] She is later seen, under request from the British government, aidingUnion Jack against a terrorist attack on London.[31] She comes into conflict with the new Arabian Knight (Navid Hashim) because of cultural differences,[7] but they begrudgingly work together,[32] paralleling her relationship with the first Arabian Knight during theContest of Champions.[33] During theCivil War within the US superhero community over theSuperhuman Registration Act, Sabra joinsBishop's government-sanctioned team that polices unruly mutants.[34][35] Mossad assigns her to the force in exchange for intelligence and technology so Israel can enact its own registration program.[36] Sabra is identified as pro-registration in the superhumanCivil War as one of the 142 registered superheroes under theInitiative.[37][38]
During the events ofSecret Invasion, Sabra is briefly seen fighting offSkrulls in Israel,[39] and during theEnds of the Earth storyline, Sabra is one of the heroes that respond toSpider-Man's call for help againstDoctor Octopus' satellite factories. She is shown fighting through Octobots at a seemingly abandoned factory until being shot byCrossbones with a sniper rifle.[40] Prior to the events ofSecret Empire, Sabra breaks into and secures a flash drive in aHydra data storage, much to the anger of an alternateCaptain America (Hydra Supreme).[41] She later represents the Israeli government when she attendsBlack Panther's meeting in the Eden Room of Avengers Mountain.[42]
Wrist bracelets equipped with neuronic-frequency stunners that shoot "energy quills". Cape has a device that neutralizes gravity, enabling flight.
— Sabra's equipment as quoted inThe Marvel Encyclopedia by DeFalco et al. (2019).[43]
Throughout her comic appearances, Sabra's various costumes have always incorporated elements of theIsraeli flag, specifically theStar of David, to emphasize her national identity.[9][44] Upon debut in the 1980s, Sabra's original outfit reflected the "look of the time", using a headband and a "short girl-boss haircut".[45] The outfit was also adorned by an anti-gravity blue cape, with a clasp sporting the Star of David.[46] The cape contains a gravity-polarization device which gives Sabra the power of flight.[47][3] The cape also has an "optical navigation device which functions as an auto-pilot".[45] She also uses neuronic-frequency stunners built into her two wrist bracelets that shoot "energy quills" (described as small bundles of low-density plasma) which travels below thespeed of sound and can paralyze the nervous system of any organic being almost instantaneously.[3]
In the 1990s, Sabra's costume no longer used a cape as it was "either deemed ridiculous or too complicated to draw", and instead featured a "second Star of David clasp at the hip and went for sort of a Cloak vibe", being compared to that ofCloak.[45] Since the 2000s, Sabra's costume has been a black and white body suit with a subtle gray brooch sporting the Star of David.[45]Dissident Muse Journal writerFranklin Einspruch criticised the watering down of her outfit calling it an "understatement" and that she has become a "generic Western brunette with a meaningless array of belt pouches and a black and white body suit".[45]
In addition to her superhero equipment and powers, Sabra has used standardmilitary weapons and is a trained member of theIsraeli military.[9][48] She has also trained as apolicewoman and is well-trained inKrav Maga.[10][49][50]
Sabra possesses superhuman abilities due to hermutant heritage, including "superhuman strength, speed, agility, reflexes, endurance, and stamina".[51][52][53][54] Her mutant ability also allows her to transfer her powers and life force to others.[55][56]Comic Book Resources ranked her at number seven in their list of the "10 Strongest Female Marvel Protagonists".[55] She can withstand high fire impacts including that ofPistol-caliber rifle, and can heal /regenerate faster and more extensively than a regular human being.[57]
Although there were several attempts to create local superheroes in Israel [...] none of them managed to survive for long. The only ones who succeeded in this mission, even going one step further and creating a female superhero rather than a male one, were the guys fromMarvel.
Sabra has been positively received by theJewish community,[59] and has been dubbed the "Superheroine of theState of Israel".[19] Noted for being the first and most famous Israeli superheroine,[60] Nirit Anderman of theIsraeli newspaperHaaretz noted that despite there being multiple attempts in the late 1970s to create Israeli superheroes, such as Sabraman, Super Shlumper and Falafel Man, none of them took off compared to Sabra.[58] Nicole Lampert ofThe Jewish Chronicle called the character a "great Jewish superhero",[61] while Brenton Stewart ofComic Book Resources referred to Sabra as one of Marvel's most prominent international superheroes, adding that "while she's never had her own series, she's carved out one of the most fascinating histories [...] in her various encounters with the X-Men, the Hulk and Marvel's other heroes".[62] Cali Halperin ofJewish Telegraphic Agency listed her as one of the "5 Female Jewish Superheroes Everyone Should Know".[63]
Sabra has been included in other character rankings includingScreen Rant's "10 Best Marvel Characters Who Made Their Debut In The Hulk Comics" where writer Dalton Norman called her "an important fixture in the Marvel Universe".[10] Deirdre Kaye ofScary Mommy also included Sabra on their list of comic female heroes and role models.[64] In 2022, Margaret David ofSlashFilm included Sabra in their "10 Marvel Characters We Expect To See Introduced InMCU Phase 5" list, noting, that "with the world of theAvengers under siege by new paranoia and powers, mirroring our world's rampant and long-standing problem ofanti-Semitism, Sabra's probably going to be the vehicle for meaningful commentaries. Further, it's going to be great to see more diversity and faith in our heroes."[65]
The character has also been received negatively byPalestinians andArabs for valorizing the Mossad, with thePalestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI) finding her appearance inThe Incredible Hulk #256 "sickening".[66] Writing forThe Daily Beast, Asher Elbein called the character a tragedy, noting that Marvel utilises her to represent Israel, she "does not question her government" and is driven by personal loss causing her to respond with prejudice, reinforcing theArab-Jewish conflict without nuance.[7] In November 2023, theBoycott, Divestment and Sanctions National Committee also called the character a personification of "apartheid Israel" that promotes the "oppression of Palestinians", and called for a boycott against Marvel merchandise duringBlack Friday of that year.[67]
In 2022, it was announced that a version of Sabra would appear in the fourthCaptain America film as part of theMarvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).[68]Variety reported thatMarvel Studios would be "taking a new approach with the character", and changing her origin, aiming to avoid perpetuating harmful stereotypes,[69] and criticism frompro-Palestinian organizations.[70] This change included only using the name "Ruth Bat-Seraph" and not "Sabra" due to its connection to theSabra and Shatila massacre, which occurred two years after the character's 1980 comic debut and has since carried negative associations.[19] A week before the theatrical release of the film, now titledCaptain America: Brave New World (2025), producerNate Moore reported that the character would also no longer be amutant or aMossad agent, and would instead be depicted as a formerBlack Widow assassin.[71][72] Despite the changes to her character, a protest occurred at the film's premiere.[73][74]
Several critics expressed polarising concerns about Sabra's depiction in the MCU prior to her debut.[19] Palestinian-American writer and analystYousef Munayyer called the decision to include her "insensitive" due to theGaza–Israel conflict.[75]Marvel Comics criticKent Worcester questioned the decision to include the character in the first place, given her minor role in the comics and the political sensitivities surrounding her.[19] Israeli writerEtgar Keret opined that the character did not reflect modern times, saying that she was created before thefirst andsecond Intifadas, adding that she "was created in a totally different reality and state of mind. And now it's tough to keep this kind of icon of simplicity".[68]
With a contrary view, theAmerican Jewish Committee (AJC), aJewish civil rights group, initially criticized the removal of the character's Israeli identity after some fans mistook the character's origins at theRed Room to mean that she is ofRussian-descent.[76] They compared it to changing Captain America's nationality and argued that "identity politics" should not be something superheroes worry about.[19][76] However, it was later reported onThe Wrap that the character would still be of Israeli descent.[76]York University professor Shama Rangwala opined that Marvel "wants to have mass appeal but will likely end up pleasing no one" due to alienating bothpro-Israel and pro-Palestinian audiences.[19]
Critical responses to the character were also polarized with many arguing that the MCU's iteration of the character was stripped of her comic counterpart's characteristics (such as being a mutant or having a costume).[a] In a review for the movie,Vulture writer Darren Franich argued that Bat-Seraph was "buried in a quick shift from vague antagonist to vague ally", adding that "on the page, [Bat-Seraph] was motivated by national pride, but onscreen she has no motivation, quickly becoming an inessential secondary sidekick".[80]The Times of Israel writer Jordan Hoffman criticised the movie but praised Haas saying that, "not even a well-trained Israeli security agent slash assassin can save this movie".[81] Conversely,The Jerusalem Post writer Hannah Brown noted that while "she doesn't wear superhero duds like tights and a cape, she is nevertheless a force to be reckoned with" and also praised Marvel's decision to keep the character Israeli.[82]
Sabra makes a non-speaking cameo appearance in theFantastic Four episode "Doomsday" (1996).[86][87]
Ruth Bat-Seraph appears inMarvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) filmCaptain America: Brave New World (2025), portrayed by Israeli actressShira Haas.[88][89][90][91] In the film, Bat-Seraph is a formerBlack Widow assassin who was trained in theRed Room,[92] and is the head of security forPresidentThaddeus Ross.[93] During an international summit, she fightsIsaiah Bradley who attempts to assassinate President Ross and imprisons him; however she eventually discovers that he was under the influence of mind control.[94] She then aidsCaptain America andFalcon in stoppingSamuel Sterns.[92] She later befriends an exonerated Bradley who buys them tickets to abasketball game.[95]
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