You're probably thinking of the Spider-Man villain. Or maybe you're thinking of the DC goddess from the Shazam! sequel. Honestly, when people ask who played Calypso comics fans often get a little twisted up because the name belongs to two very different powerhouses in the two biggest comic book universes.
In the Marvel world, Calypso Ezili is a priestess—a Voodoo practitioner who spent years manipulating Kraven the Hunter. In the DC cinematic universe, Calypso is a literal daughter of Atlas. It’s a bit of a mess for casual viewers, but the actresses who stepped into these roles had to bring a very specific kind of intensity to the screen.
The Marvel Icon: Ariana DeBose in Kraven the Hunter
For decades, Marvel fans wondered if we’d ever see the comic book version of Calypso in live-action. She’s not your typical "henchman." She’s a chaotic force of nature. In the 2024 film Kraven the Hunter, the task of bringing this complex character to life fell to Ariana DeBose.
DeBose isn't your average casting choice for a gritty superhero movie. She's an Oscar winner. She has that Broadway-honed presence. When she was cast, the buzz was all about how she would translate the Voodoo priestess vibes of the comics into a modern, Sony-produced Spider-Man spin-off.
In the source material, Calypso is often depicted as the one who actually pushes Kraven toward his obsession with Spider-Man. She’s toxic. She’s brilliant. She’s dangerous. DeBose had to take that 1980s comic book energy—which, let’s be real, was sometimes a bit of a caricature—and turn it into a grounded, formidable woman.
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The Marvel version of Calypso first appeared in Amazing Spider-Man #209. She was created by Denny O'Neil and Alan Weiss. She’s known for her heartbeat-based powers and her ability to drive people into a murderous frenzy. DeBose's portrayal moves away from the more supernatural "zombie-raising" elements of the early comics to fit the more realistic tone of the Sony Marvel universe. It’s a massive departure from her role in West Side Story, showing a range that most people didn’t expect.
Lucy Liu and the DC Twist
Now, if you were watching Shazam! Fury of the Gods, you saw a completely different Calypso. This one was played by the legendary Lucy Liu.
This is where it gets confusing for people searching for who played Calypso comics history buffs. See, Lucy Liu’s Calypso doesn't actually exist in the DC comics. Not really. While Marvel has a deep lore for their Calypso, the DC film writers basically invented Liu’s character (along with her sisters Hespera and Anthea) to serve as the antagonists for the Shazam family.
Liu played Calypso as a vengeful goddess. She was the "chaos" sister. While Helen Mirren played the more stoic Hespera, Liu got to ride a dragon and turn people into statues. It was campy. It was fun. But it wasn't based on a long-standing comic book history.
Why the distinction matters
If you’re a purist, Ariana DeBose is the answer to who played the "real" comic book character. Lucy Liu played a character inspired by Greek mythology who happened to share the name in a comic book movie.
- Ariana DeBose (Marvel): High-stakes, grounded, tied to Kraven.
- Lucy Liu (DC): High-fantasy, mythological, original creation for film.
The Voice Behind the Animation
We can't talk about who played Calypso comics enthusiasts remember without mentioning the 90s. For many of us, the definitive version of Calypso wasn't in a movie theater. It was on Saturday morning television.
In Spider-Man: The Animated Series, Calypso appeared in the "Kraven the Hunter" episodes. She was voiced by Susan Beaubian.
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Beaubian gave Calypso a sophisticated, yet menacing tone that defined the character for an entire generation. In the show, she’s a scientist named Dr. Mariah Crawford who eventually becomes involved with Kraven. It’s a much more sympathetic take than the comics, where she’s often just straight-up evil. This version of the character actually seeks a cure for Kraven’s animalistic mutations.
The Evolution of Calypso’s Power
In the comics, Calypso isn't just a girlfriend or a sidekick. She’s a threat on her own. After Kraven took his own life in the famous Kraven’s Last Hunt storyline, Calypso became a primary antagonist for Spider-Man.
She used her drums to control the Lizard. She nearly drove Peter Parker insane.
When you look at who played Calypso comics history shows us a character that demands a certain level of theatricality. You can't play her small. Whether it’s the booming voice of Beaubian, the cold intensity of Liu, or the soulful grit of DeBose, the character requires someone who can command the screen.
What to Look for Next
If you want to understand the character better, don't just stick to the movies. The casting of these women reflects how Hollywood views "mystical" characters today versus thirty years ago.
- Read Todd McFarlane’s "Torment" arc: This is the peak of Marvel’s Calypso. It’s dark, visceral, and shows exactly why she’s a top-tier villain.
- Compare the performances: Watch DeBose in Kraven and then flip over to Liu in Shazam!. It’s a masterclass in how the same name can be interpreted in two completely different genres—urban thriller versus mythological epic.
- Check out the 90s cartoon: It’s on Disney+ and gives the most "approachable" version of the Marvel character.
The role of Calypso is a rare bridge between the supernatural and the street-level heroics of the comic world. While the name might pop up in different universes, the actresses who have stepped into the role have all shared one common trait: they make the character feel like she’s the one actually in control of the room.
Actionable Insight: To truly appreciate the casting of Calypso, start with Spider-Man #1 (1990) to see her most iconic comic iteration, then watch Ariana DeBose’s performance to see how modern cinema has stripped away the tropes to create a more grounded version of the Voodoo priestess.