Mala (Kryptonian)

Mala
Publication information
Publisher	DC Comics
First appearance	Superman #65 (July 1950)
Created by	Williams Woolfolk (story) Al Plastino (artist)
In-story information
Species	Kryptonian
Place of origin	Krypton
Partnerships	Kizo U-Ban
Abilities	Superhuman strength, stamina, durability, speed, agility, reflexes, healing, longevity, intelligence, breath, and senses Flight Heat vision Solar energy absorption

Mala is a supervillain in the DC Comics universe who first appeared in Superman #65 (July 1950) in the story "The Three Supermen from Space!".

A female incarnation of Mala appears in Superman: The Animated Series, voiced by Leslie Easterbrook in the second season and Sarah Douglas in the third.

Fictional character biography

Mala and his brothers Kizo and U-Ban are natives of the planet Krypton and former members of its science council. They attempt to take over the planet by removing all moisture from its atmosphere before being stopped by Superman's father Jor-El, who places them in suspended animation and sends them into outer space as an alternative to the death penalty.

Years later, the three escape after their ship is struck by space debris and come into conflict with Superman, using a machine to hypnotize Earth's population. Superman destroys the machine, but is overwhelmed by the combined might of Mala and his brothers. As such, he tricks them into fighting each other before sending them back into space.

In Action Comics #194 (Jul 1954), the three Kryptonians escape again after their rocket is once again struck by a piece of space debris. Kizo and U-Ban go to the planet Saturn (for a "vacation from trouble"), but Mala decides to get revenge on Superman. As Superman is off planet on a mission, Mala constructs a duplicate Earth in order to keep Superman out of the way. Mala, who looks exactly like Superman, decides to cause more problems for Superman by disguising himself as Clark Kent and then admitting to the public that he is Superman (never realizing that Superman really is Clark Kent).

With his plan in place, Mala summons his brothers from Saturn and prepares to destroy Earth. Superman arrives and manages to trick the three evil Kryptonians into entering their space capsule, putting them back into suspended animation once again. This is the last appearance of Mala, Kizo, and U-Ban.

Powers and abilities

Mala, like all Kryptonians, has a number of inherent superpowers. These abilities are super strength, sonic speed, invulnerability, enhanced hearing, x-ray vision, and flight.

In other media

Television

Mala as she appears in Superman: The Animated Series

A female incarnation of Mala appears in Superman: The Animated Series, voiced by Leslie Easterbrook in the second season and Sarah Douglas in the third. This version is a trusted lieutenant and partner of High General Jax-Ur who participated in his attempt to take over Krypton years prior until Jor-El foiled their plot and imprisoned them in the Phantom Zone. After being freed, she battles Superman on two occasions before being killed by a black hole.

Video games

The Superman: The Animated Series incarnation of Mala appears as a boss in Superman 64. This version is a member of the Superman Revenge Squad.

Miscellaneous

• The Superman: The Animated Series incarnation of Mala appears in Superman Adventures #7-8.
• The Superman: The Animated Series incarnation of Mala appears in Justice League Unlimited #34 as a member of General Zod's army who was sent to the Phantom Zone.