RUTH XENOBIA

Real Name: Ruth (surname unrevealed, possibly Xenobia)

Identity/Class: Human, possible magic user (see comments)

Occupation: Fortune teller

Group Membership: None

Affiliations: Doctor Strange (Stephen Strange) (indirectly), Peter Parker

Enemies: The Empirikrul (probably - see comments)

Known Relatives: Madame Xenobia (grandmother)

Aliases: "Mademoiselle Xenobia" (nickname from Peter Parker)

Base of Operations: Greenwich Village, New York City, New York, USA

First Appearance: Marvel Team-Up I#80 (April, 1979)

Powers/Abilities: Ruth Xenobia uses cartomancy (tarot card reading) as a focus for divination. Her grandmother may have also given her instruction in palmistry. Whether or not she possesses true magical talent or an enthusiasm for fortune telling has yet to be revealed (see comments).

Height: Unrevealed (approximately 5'6")
Weight: Unrevealed (approximately 121 lbs.)
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Black

History: (Marvel Team-Up I#80) - After Peter Parker and Cissy Ironwood were attacked in Central Park by Dr. Stephen Strange, who had been transformed into a werewolf as the result of a curse, Parker decided to visit Madame Xenobia's storefront fortune-telling shop in hopes that she could provide him with more information about Dr. Strange's affliction. After telling Madame Xenobia that he was more interested in receiving a tarot reading, Parker was introduced to the Madame's granddaughter Ruth, who conducted the reading for him. Ruth used a tarot spread referred to as the "tree of life" and interpreted the cards for him. She divined that black magic threatened Doctor Strange's soul and before parting ways with Peter, she told him that she felt pity for his friend, as the tarot reading was leaning towards a negative outcome.

Comments: Created by Chris Claremont, Mike Vosburg and Gene Day.

    While there is nothing in the text to confirm whether Ruth or her grandmother possesses authentic magical abilities, Madame Xenobia read Peter Parker's palm and nearly divined his secret identity. As she acknowledged Ruth as having more talent as a tarot reader, it is possible that they are actual magic practitioners, which would have put them in the cross hairs of the technocratic Empirikul when they attempted to rid all reality of magic.
    Possibly that of the Hellphyr as well! --Proto-Man

   This story was reprinted in Essential Marvel Horror TPB Vol. 1 (2006).

    This profile was completed on 06/30/2026 but its publication was delayed, as it was intended for the Appendix's 25th anniversary celebratory event.

Profile by Odd Rob.

CLARIFICATIONS:
Ruth Xenobia should be distinguished from:

• MADAME XENOBIA - her grandmother--Marvel Team-Up I#80
• RUTH - Archangel of great power, sister of Esther, sent to Earth to stop Kazann--Ghost Rider V#1
  
• RUTH - of the Waterboys--Punisher II#41
• RUTH - host body for one of the Brood--Uncanny X-Men I#232
• RUTH - girlfriend of Strike--Marvel Comics Presents I#32
• RUTH - mutant friend of Eli, taken in & captured by Poppa & the Underground, freed by Magneto--X-Men Unlimited I#36
• RUTH - brothel owner, ally of Sabretooth, cared for Bonnie Hale--Sabretooth: Mary Shelley Overdrive#2
  
• other "Ruth"  or "Xenobia" characters, groups, items, races or events
  

Appearances:
Marvel Team-Up I#80 (April, 1979) - Chris Claremont (writer), Mike Vosburg (pencils), Gene Day (inks), Al Milgrom (editor)

First posted: 09/23/2026
Last updated: 06/30/2026

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

Non-Marvel Copyright info
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