Moonstone

Real Name: Dr. Karla Sofen
Height: 5' 11"
Weight: 130 lbs.
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Blond
Legal status: Citizen of the United States with a criminal record, and received an official pardon.
Place Of Birth: Van Nuys, California
Known Relatives: Father-Karl August Sofen, deceased. Mother-Marion Sofen.
Former aliases: Meteorite
Group Affiliation: Thunderbolts, former member of Masters Of Evil III-IV, former agent of Dr. Faustus, and The Corporation.
First Appearance(as Karla Sofen): Captain America #192
First Appearance(as Moonstone): Incredible Hulk #228
First Appearance(as Meteorite): Incredible Hulk #449

Karla's father was a butler to Charles Stockbridge, a multiple award-winning producer who lived in the Hollywood hills. Karla was supposed to be a companion to Deanna Stockbridge who was the spoiled daughter of her parent's employers. Karla didn't enjoy herself; she didn't like their superiority and wanted to leave. The only thing that brought her any joy was how stupid Deanna was and how she could easily trick her. Once Karl August Sofen died at the age of 42 of a heart attack, a new couple was hired as replacements, although Marion Sofen was offered a chance to stay but didn't want their charity. Karla returned with her mother to Van Nuys, her parents home. For years after her mother worked very hard so that Karla would have the chances that she never had. When Karla graduated her mother felt happy for her daughter, while Karla felt disdain for her mother and vowed that she never would be that stupid and always put needs for herself above the needs of others. This attitude fit perfectly when she studied psychology in College so she could learn to control and manipulate people better. Starting her own private practice, it slowly grew and became fairly profitable for her as she had many patients that were wealthy. She never entirely cured them so they continue coming to see her, but she didn't like depending them. She wanted more, so she learned and studied under Dr. Faustus. This led her to Lloyd Bloch, who was the original Moonstone. Karla was supposed to treat and cure Bloch but instead she forced him to reject the moonstone alien gem he had. With the alien gem, Karla would become Moonstone. Now she was stronger, tougher, and could fly. She could also produce a variety of energy blasts and could phase through solid objects.

As Moonstone she encountered the Hulk and worked for the criminal cartel called the Corporation, always looking for power and control. After being arrested and put in jail, she was broken out and recruited for the third grouping of the Masters of Evil led by Egghead. Eventually she was also recruited for the fourth group of Masters of Evil, which led by Baron Helmut Zemo, carried out the Siege of Avengers Mansion. Prior to the Thunderbolts forming she was in prison and content to serve out her sentence. Baron Zemo was now forming a new Masters of evil came up with a scheme for her release. Offered a place in the Thunderbolts, hearing of the plan, and not wanting a return to prison with extra years added she accepted. Within the Thunderbolts she took the name Meteorite as the Thunderbolts fooled the world into thinking they were heroes. As Meteorite she quarrelled with Zemo, tried to influence the team and even sabotage Zemo's efforts. Karla even sided against Zemo when the time came and even assaulted him.

When the Thunderbolts found themselves transported to Kosmos she worked out a deal to get the Thunderbolts home and even killed the Komosian King when Abe then known as Mach-1 wouldn't. She also dropped the Meteorite codename, no longer having a use for it, since the ruse was up. On the run from the law she tried to influence the team and lead them in the direction she thought was best, as the Thunderbolts struggled for redemption trying still to be heroes. Hawkeye would enter the picture when things were going poorly and Moonstone would turn her attention to him when he became the leader of the Thunderbolts. She would try to find an angle to manipulate Hawkeye, while struggling with her own heroic tendencies that seemed to be coming to the surface. Love would develop between the Hawkeye and Karla. Her alien gem was for some time was acting up and it would force her to seek answers. On Titan, ISSAC would explain all to her. She would leave in better condition then she came but since ISSAC had concerns about Moonstone and the gem, Captain Marvel is to watch over her and the Thunderbolts. Receiving an official pardon after Hawkeye turned himself so the Thunderbolts would have a chance for a normal life; Karla was unable to find a job. Also with Hawkeye in Jail her continued redemption is questionable since he can't be her moral compass and she could just go with what's easier and what she has always done. Spied on by an adult alien of the P'tah she confronts him and accepts a job offered by the alien to counsel Graviton.

Karla helps Graviton gain greater control over his powers and becomes part of his plans. The regrouped Thunderbolts eventually interfere with Graviton's plans and Karla is unsure which side she should be on. She does get Graviton to stop what he has done to the world though and disappears with several other Thunderbolts in their gambit to save the world. Waking up on the world of Counter-Earth, having been saved by Graviton. On Counter-Earth, the Thunderbolts including the newly revived Baron Zemo help to improve life on the world. Their base of operations ends up being Attilan, a huge floating city. With many people aboard the first murder occurs and the culprit turns out to be Phantom Eagle. Eventually Moonstone tries a gambit that cancels both of their powers and since she knows her powers better recovers more quickly. She seizes the opportunity and continues with her plan to stop Phantom Eagle and steals his moonstone getting more power and changing her look. Members of the Thunderbolts voice concerns about the power she possess but when Moonstone asks if anyone has a problem with it, they are hesitant to answer and say nothing. When the Thunderbolts return home from Counter-Earth, Moonstone is reunited with Hawkeye. They discuss what has happened, the team, and Zemo leading. They also discuss their relationship and Moonstone says that he has changed her and that she has to change for herself instead of doing it for him. If he's going to stay around she will never know if she is doing it for the right reasons. Finally Karla stays with the remaining Thunderbolts led by Baron Zemo.

Thunderbolts and all associated characters are the property of MARVEL COMICS TM&©2003.