THERESA ORIZABA

Real Name: Theresa Orizaba Galvez

Identity/Class: Human variant (Lycanthropes)

Occupation: None

Group Membership: None

Affiliations: Alfonso Galvez

Enemies: Alfonso Galvez

Known Relatives: Orizaba (father), Alfonso Galvez (husband)

Aliases: "Blood-Beast"

Base of Operations: Costaguay

First Appearance: Chamber of Chills#5/1 (July 1973)

Powers/Abilities: Theresa Orizaba was an attractive woman cursed to transform into a red shaggy haired monster with sharp fangs and claws during the full moon. In this form she possessed superhuman strength and a ferocious thirst for blood. She was able to avoid these transformations as long as her father was able to cast his protective spells on her. It is unknown what other abilities she may have possessed while assuming the form of the "Blood-Beast".

History:
(Chamber of Chills#5/1 (fb) - BTS) – Sometime in the past Theresa was cursed that took the form of her transforming into a bloodthirsty monster during the phases of the full moon. Her transformations were constantly held in check preventing them from occurring by her father, Orizaba using his ability to harness the forces of black magic. Her father kept her isolated from the rest of the world and lived in a ramshackle hut deep within the jungles of Costaguay.

(Chamber of Chills#5/1) – After returning home with her father who successfully cast his magic spell of protection preventing her from transforming into the “Blood-Beast” during the full moon they meet Colonel Galvez who waiting for their return. Galvez complements her beauty and implores her father, Orizaba to use his magic to become the general of Costaguay and promises to reward them generously. Wanting what is best for his daughter and being financially poor he agrees. After becoming the country’s Chief of the Military Galvez once again asks her father for help in becoming the President. Galvez’s inquiry is met with resistance by the aged sorcerer as he had not yet been paid for his previous task. Galvez threatens to do harm to Theresa and although his father is hesitant he quickly agrees to once again use his sorcery.

(Chamber of Chills#5/1) – Galvez now the new president of Costaguay is approached by Theresa and her now angry father who was requesting his payment that was promised. In response Galvez has Orizaba taken away and placed in a dungeon below the Presidential Palace. Galvez forces Theresa into marrying him as she was the most beautiful woman on the island. Later on in the evening as the full moon began to rise Galvez and Theresa were in their bedroom getting ready to consummate the marriage. Galvez tells Theresa that he was the luckiest man in the world for having wealth, power and the most beautiful woman in Costaguay. Theresa thinking to herself, “true, but not for long”, begins to transform as the curse takes effect. Without her father’s spells and incantations, Theresa changes into the “Blood-Beast” and savagely kills her evil husband.

Comments: Created by Larry Lieber (writer), Jay Scott Pike (pencils), Chic Stone (inks)

It has not been revealed how Theresa ever became cursed with this form of lycanthrope. The source of the curse may have originated with her father and his dabbling with the forces black magic. His spells and incantations did not seem to be able to be used on himself without repercussions. Maybe his attempt to have a beautiful daughter with the use of his magic had the consequence that lead to the curse. Although his daughter did become the most beautiful woman on the island, the selfish nature of the spell would transform her into the horrible "Blood-Beast" during the full moon as a result.

I am not sure if Theresa should be considered a werewolf or not, but maybe as another form of lycanthrope, possibly an animal native to the Caribbean islands.

Profile by AvatarWarlord72.

CLARIFICATIONS:
Theresa Orizaba Galvez has no known connections to:

• Alfonso Galvez, victim of Duncan Sloan @ Strange Worlds#4/4
• Ghamola, the Blood-Beast of Daka-Jur @ Savage Tales I#9
• any other Theresa or characters with the name Blood or Beast or a combination of both

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Chamber of Chills#5, p1, pan1 (main image)