"Oh Mighty Isis!" These were the words that school teacher Andrea Thomas would utter to transform into the superheroine called Isis. In 1975, before Wonder Woman or the Bionic Woman, Isis became the first female superhero to lead a regular weekly television series.
Isis was created to be a companion show for Shazam!, both series created by Filmation Associates. Because of her association with Captain Marvel, her series eventually bled over into DC Comics. Because of this, she's earned a place on this blog!
Buckle up, and we'll review the long and complicated history of the mighty Isis!
In September of 1974, a new live-action series called Shazam! began appearing on Saturday mornings. This was the first live-action superhero show since the Batman series of the late 1960s, and it became an instant favorite. It featured the adventures of the original Captain Marvel.
Seeking to cash in on the series' popularity, Filmation considered creating a female-centered companion series based on Captain Marvel's sister, Mary Marvel.
Eventually, Filmation decided to pass on Mary Marvel and create their own superheroine. This was a financial decision, because if Filmation created the character, they wouldn't have to pay licensing fees for the character (like they were already doing to use Captain Marvel). Additionally, if they had sole ownership of this new female hero, then they could also profit from merchandising.
Young fans of superheroes waited anxiously for the debut of this new heroine, who had already been advertised in DC comic book advertisements covering the 1975 Saturday morning lineup.
On September 6, 1975, at 10:30 am, the wait was over! The lovely Joanna Cameron stepped stealthfully into the role of bespectacled teacher Andrea Thomas, and also into the role of Isis, a mighty superhero who looked a lot like Andrea Thomas, but who didn't wear glasses and had much longer hair!
The opening credits told us how Isis came to be. Joanna Cameron is the descendant of an Egyptian Queen who had been endowed with the powers of the goddess Isis. By possessing a special amulet, this Queen and any of her descendants could call upon powers of flight, speed, control of elements, and the skills of all animals. Joanna unearthed the amulet while on an expedition and soon was leading the double life of a teacher and hero.
Fans of both Filmation series got a huge surprise on the morning of October 18, 1975. On that week's episode of Shazam!, Isis guest-starred, teaming with Captain Marvel for the first time. This duo would eventually team up on six episodes (3 for each series) over the next two seasons. Needless to say, these six episodes are among those that fans remember best, even decades later.
Following the format of Shazam!, at the end of each episode of Isis, the heroine would break the 4th wall and speak directly to the viewers, providing lessons of morality based on the events of that week's episode.
Both series were renewed for the 1976/1977 season. Isis made her printed debut in the pages of Shazam! #25. While the issue is cover-dated October, it was actually printed in June, hitting book stores well before the new TV season started airing. The story in Shazam! #25 was the only time Isis interacted with any other DC hero. Even though Isis and Captain Marvel had already met on television, this comic story depicts the first time they meet in print. Captain Marvel doesn't know Isis, and although the story tells her origin to the readers, she doesn't share that information with Captain Marvel. The issue ends with a breaking of the 4th wall, when Isis informs readers that her own series will be published soon.
Isis #1 was published a month later, with a cover date of November 1976 (it actually hit comic stands in July of that year). The title was part of the DC TV Comics sub-genre published at that time (other DC TV Comics included Welcome Back Kotter and Super Friends).
This title lasted only 8 issues and it was published bi-monthly.
Sadly, after two seasons of Isis, and three seasons of Shazam!, the CBS network opted not to renew either series. When Isis was released in syndication, it was retitled as The Secrets of Isis. In all, the show produced a total of just 22 episodes.
Two years later (1979), Isis returned in a new series, but this time she was animated. Isis gathered a team of international, legendary heroes that consisted of Sinbad, Super-Samurai, Merlin, and Hercules. As a team, they were referred to as the Freedom Force. The Freedom Force was one of seven different segments that appeared on the hour-long animated series called Tarzan and the Super 7. There were a total of five Freedom Force installments, and they were rerun the following year when the show was retooled as Batman and the Super 7 for the 1980/1981 season.
In the Freedom Force, Isis was voiced by Diane Pershing.
In 1981, Filmation rolled out a new Saturday morning show called The Kid Super Power Hour with Shazam! The 30-minute show featured two animated segments with live action wrap around material. One of the animated segments was called Hero High, a school where young heroes are trained on how to use their powers. One installment of Hero High featured Isis as a guest star. She was voiced by Linda Gary.
After a 25 year absense, DC decided it was time to give Isis a fresh spin. They reimagined the character enough that they could call her their own creation and avoid any conflict with the version created by Filmation.
In 52 #3 (May 2006), an enslaved Egyptian refugee named Adrianna Tomaz is introduced. She was offered as a gift to Black Adam from Intergang. After freeing her, she saw a potential in Black Adam for positive change for their country of Kahndaq. After weeks of talking with Adrianna, Black Adam began to change his negative view of the world. Soon, he offers the amulet of Isis to Adrianna. Holding the amulet and saying "I am Isis!" Adrianna is transformed to a costume that shares the color scheme with the original Filmation version of Isis. ("I am Isis, was soon changed to "Oh Mighty Isis")
In her powered form, she posesses superhuman strength, speed, and stamina. Her strength is on par with Earth-residing Kryptonians. Other abilities include limited telkinesis, flight, and control over elements and weather.
Isis and Black Adam eventually married and traveled the Middle East, freeing children and searching for Adrianna's brother, Amon. Amon is ultimately found, and given the ability to tap into his own powers as Osiris.
In 2010, viewers of Smallville got a double dose of Isis! In the season 10 episode called "Isis", Lois Lane (Erica Durance) accidentally activates an ancient artifact that takes control of her body and transforms her into the Goddess Isis, complete with magical super powers.
The same episode features the Met Museum curator, Adrianna Tomaz (played by Erica Cerra), who is responsible for staging the Isis-based exhibit.
In 2017, the television series, Legends of Tomorrow, added a new character in their third season. This character was Zari Tomaz, played by Tala Ashe. Rather than being Egyptian, the character is Persian-American.
While Zari never uses the codename Isis, she does possess the Air Totem (the amulet of Isis), and with it she can control wind and air.
In one Halloween-themed episode, she's seen sporting a costume that is very similar to that of the original Isis. The character of Zari Tomaz was a regular character on the series from season 3 through its 7th and final season.
In the fourth season of Young Justice (2021), the heroine Isis is called upon by the team in four episodes. Her powers are magical in nature and include teleportation and flight. Isis was voiced by Lacey Chabert.
Finally, the most recent representation of the character was in the 2022 motion picture, Black Adam. Adrianna Tomaz (Sarah Shahi) is a former professor and current resistance fighter in the nation of Kahndaq. She's responsible for freeing Black Adam to assist with defeating Intergang. She's the voice of reason, helping Black Adam balance his power with actual justice. She helps him transition from ruler to protector, and centers his moral values.
In the film, she never gains any powers, nor is she ever called Isis, but she does have knowledge of ancient artifacts.
Before we bring this tour to its conclusion, I feel obligated to update the current status of the DC version of the character. Isis, along with husband Black Adamm had a healthy run. Still, when DC Comics rolled out their "New 52" reboot (2011, when DC tried to erase its entire history and start anew), Adrianna Tomaz is back to being a woman fighting Kahndaq's evil rule. In her storyline, an unknown voice tells her she will be chosen to weild power. Nothing ever came of this plotline, before the DC Rebirth jump started the DC Universe again.
Following the DC Rebirth reboot (2016), both Isis and her brother Osiris are noted as being deceased.
Will Isis have more adventures? Oh, I'm pretty sure the answer is yes! The character is over 50 years old and is still a fan favorite. I have no doubt we will see more of Isis in DC's future!
I hope you've enjoyed this hero history! This character holds a special place in my childhood, and I really enjoy the fact that her legacy continues.
Adrianna Tomaz, and all related characters, names, and elements, and the distinctive likenesses thereof are trademarks of DC Comics, Inc.
Andrea Thomas and The Secrets of Isis, and the distinctive likenesses thereof are the trademarks of Universal Television.
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