Terra, whose real name is Tara Markov, is a geokinetic metahuman capable of manipulating earth and rock. Created by Marv Wolfman and George Pérez, she first appeared in The New Teen Titans #26 in December 1982. Born as the illegitimate daughter of King Viktor of Markovia and half-sister to Brion Markov (Geo-Force), Tara developed her powers early and left her homeland, becoming a mercenary. She allied with Deathstroke the Terminator, who exploited her instability, leading her to infiltrate the Teen Titans under the guise of a troubled young hero seeking refuge.
A pivotal development occurred in the 1984 storyline "The Judas Contract," where Terra's true allegiance was revealed: she had been spying for Deathstroke from the start, providing critical information that enabled the capture of most Titans. Her relationship with Beast Boy proved manipulative on her part, and her inherent mental instability—portrayed as sociopathic rather than coerced—culminated in a destructive rampage. Overwhelmed by rage after feeling betrayed by Deathstroke, she unleashed her powers uncontrollably, ultimately causing her own death by burial under collapsing earth.
The Terra mantle has been inherited by subsequent characters, including a time-displaced doppelgänger in the 1990s and Atlee, a heroic subterranean being introduced in 2007 who adopted the name with Geo-Force's blessing. Tara Markov herself has reappeared in various forms across continuities, such as during Blackest Night as a Black Lantern and in post-New 52 reboots as a more nuanced figure aligned with teams like the Ravagers or Defiance, reflecting ongoing explorations of betrayal, redemption, and legacy in the DC Universe.