BELLEBELLE
Real Name: Belle (surname unrevealed)
Identity/Class: Human;
active circa 1971
A.D.
Occupation: Unrevealed
Group Membership: None known
Affiliations: Central government of Orbia
Enemies: Joshua
(surname unrevealed; presumably ex-husband)
Known Relatives: Joshua (presumed ex-husband)
Aliases: None
Base of Operations: At least formerly Potonga,
Orbia, Africa
First Appearance: Savage Tales I#1 (May, 1971)
Powers/Abilities: Belle did not demonstrate any particular abilities.
She was highly materialistic and
valued wealth and possessions over love, and she betrayed her husband
who loved her (including facilitating an assassination attempt) without
remorse.
History:
(Savage Tales I#1/4 (fb) - BTS) - Belle was born
in Africa in what she referred to as a filthy hovel, growing up poor
and living in dirt and with humiliation.
Belle eventually married Joshua
because he was educated, and she thought he would be able to provide
her with the life of luxury she felt that she deserved.
However, Joshua was more
interested in serving his community than accumulating wealth. He
eventually became the governor of the province of Potonga, the most
progressive province in the newborn nation of Orbia. Although they
lived in the governor's mansion, and she was well enough off, when
Joshua encouraged her to be proud, she instead interpreted that as
deserving more wealth.
Plotting to humiliate and/or slay Joshua to prevent his interference in their efforts to sell oil rights to foreign powers and to otherwise prey on the people of Potonga, the Central government of Orbia made an offer to Belle to assist them. She accepted, apparently gaining valuables such as a costly necklace from Johannesburg, dozens of gowns from New York and perfume from Paris.
(Savage Tales I#1/4) - When
Joshua returned home after fighting off government agents who sought to
make a sex slave of a local woman, Belle noted from his bruised hand
that he had been fighting the Central government's men again. She asked
him if he couldn't just leave well enough alone, and he insisted that
he could not let the federals overrun their province like a pack of
scavenging wolves.
Belle argued that Potonga was free now, but Joshua countered that they would never be free while the government dangled foreign dollars in front of them, enslaving people while calling them employees. Apologizing for getting heated, Joshua kissed Belle, but she told him not to start something that he couldn't finish, and she reminded him that he had an appointment with "that white girl reporter --right now." She told him that later, she would help him finish what he started, and he promised to hold her to that promise.
After he went up to his office, Belle, looked through her valuables before allowing in men who planned to photograph Joshua in a compromising position with the female reporter, who was also part of this plot.
(Savage Tales I#1/4 - BTS) -
When the reporter suddenly pulled Joshua into a compromising position,
the men took a photograph and then took advantage of the bright flash
dazzling him to beat him. Almost within the hour, as planned, the
capital was flooded of posters of Joshua with girl, earn him scorn from
detractors and supporters alike. 
(Savage Tales I#1/4) -
When Joshua lamented how he had allowed himself to be manipulated,
Belle told him that anyone could have made the mistake. He further
expressed his lack of understanding how those men had gotten in past
their locked doors, but Belle advised him to think of his safety, and
as the people rioting outside, a rock came through their window and
nearly struck Belle. Telling Joshua that he was important and needed to
get across the border until the matter was forgotten, she led him to a
car she had brought around back.
When Joshua told her that he felt like a coward running out, Belle assured him that it would only be a few days and that he would be able to explain everything to everyone once the people had calmed down. Joshua expressed feeling terribly alone and asked if Belle could come with him, and she agreed, telling him she just had to get her bag, but he should wait right there.
(Savage Tales I#1/4 - BTS) - After
Belle left, the central government's
would-be assassin fired a shot that struck and apparently shattered the
bone in Joshua's left arm. When the man came closer to finish the job,
Joshua suddenly fought back, disarming and knocking him down. Joshua
picked up his gun, but resolved that the man would confess, have a
trial and go to jail.
(Savage Tales I#1/4) - Seeing a man with a gun in the shadows, the returning Belle asked if her husband was finally dead. Shocked to hear this, Joshua asked her why and told her that he loved her. She explained that love would not buy the things she needed and deserved, and she related how she refused to be poor for him or anyone, which was why she had taken the government's offer. Furious, Joshua told her that he ought to kill her, but Belle mockingly told him that perhaps he should, but that he would not, "Because, for all your muscle, you're weak. Admit it, Joshua, inside you're mush."
Belle watched as Joshua, in physical and emotional
agony, headed away toward the jungle.
Comments: Created by Sergius O'Shaughnessy and Gene Colan
While not specified in his handbook profiles, I believe the adventures of Black Brother took place at the time of publication, 1971. I WOULD like to see some sort of follow-up, in a story set back in that time, but it's been over 55 years at this point, and it is NOT seeming too likely!
The story was in
black-and-white. The colorized face picture is from Black Brother's
OHotMU profile.
It would have been
nice if Belle and Joshua would have received last names...
Belle previously had
a sub-profile in Black Brother's profile from 05/07/2005.
This profile was
completed 09/25/2025, but its publication was delayed as it was intended
for the Appendix 25th anniversary 's celebratory event.
Profile by Snood.
CLARIFICATIONS:
Belle should be distinguished from:
Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A to Z hardcover#2 (May, 2008) - Jeff Christiansen (head writer/coordinator), Madison Carter, Mike Fichera & Stuart Vandal (coordination assistants), Sean McQuaid, Stuart Vandal, Ronald Byrd, Michael Hoskin, Mark O'English, Eric J. Moreels, Madison Carter, Mike Fichera, Al Sjoerdsma, Chad Anderson, David Wiltfong, Chris Biggs, Jacob Rougemont, Rich Green, Kyle Sims, & Anthony Flamini (writers), Brian Overton (copy editor), John Denning & Cory Levine (assistant editors), Mark D. Beazley (editor, special projects), Jeff Youngquist & Jennifer Grunwald (editor)
First posted: 09/26/2026
Last updated: 09/25/2025
Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.
Non-Marvel
Copyright info
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