Mephisto (Marvel Comics)
| Mephisto | |
|---|---|
| File:SS-16.jpg Mephisto battles the Silver Surfer in Silver Surfer vol. 1, #16 (September 1969) | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | Silver Surfer vol. 1, #3. October 1968 |
| Created by | Stan Lee (story) & Sal Buscema (art) |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Mephistopheles |
| Team affiliations | Thanos |
| Notable aliases | Mephisto, the Devil |
| Abilities | Unlimited magical powers Immortality Can take possession of souls that are willingly offered |
Mephisto is a fictional character that appears in the Marvel Universe and was created by Stan Lee and Sal Buscema in Silver Surfer vol. 1, #3 (October 1968).
Fictional character biography
An entity of pure evil, Mephisto is commonly mistaken for the biblical version of Satan, but has never been shown to be either devil or demon. Mephisto's true origin has yet to be revealed, despite at least two explanations as to his beginnings by Mephisto himself. Given that deceit and obfuscation are Mephisto's stock in trade, it is doubtful that anything presented to date is true. Despite the fact that Mephisto is not Satan, his appearance and behavior match the idea of the Devil. One particular trait - collecting the souls of the dead - has brought him into repeated conflict with the heroes of the Marvel Universe.
Repelled by the goodness of the Silver Surfer, Mephisto revealed himself and tried to tempt the Surfer, but failed miserably. Both the Surfer and the Thunder God Thor would become perennial foes for Mephisto, who detests the fact that they are shining examples of what mankind could one day become. [1]
Mephisto has committed three acts for which he is particularly reviled:
- The first was capturing the soul of Cynthia Von Doom - the mother of Doctor Doom - and held it for years, despite constant attempts from Doom to liberate it. With the aid of Doctor Strange, Doom eventually succeeded in freeing her soul, which then ascended to heaven. [2]
- The second concerned motorcyclist Johnny Blaze: after a botched attempt to gain Blaze's soul, Mephisto assumed the guise of "Satan" and created the Ghost Rider by bonding the demon Zarathos (a rival whom he had captured long ago) to Blaze. As "Satan," he plagued Blaze for years but was unable to gain revenge. Blaze was eventually freed of the Zarathos persona. [3]
- The final act involved manipulating the sorcerer Master Pandemonium into gathering fragments of Mephisto's soul, which had been scattered. Two of the fragments had been drawn into the body of the Scarlet Witch, who had unknowingly summoned the soul fragments in an attempt to use magic to conceive children with her husband, the android Vision. The fragments became a pair of infant twins who were ultimately absorbed back into Mephisto's essence. The revelation of her children's origins, followed by their loss, would later drive the Scarlet Witch insane [4]
At one point Mephisto also encounters the rock band KISS. After being transformed into comic book superheroes, band leader Gene Simmons meets and battles Mephisto in Hell. It is not known if this story is part of mainstream Marvel continuity. [5]
Powers and abilities
Mephisto is pure evil and possesses supernatural powers. As Mephisto exists metaphysically he is essentially invulnerable to conventional harm. Mephisto can use his magic to accomplish virtually anything - when in battle with Thor in the underworld he utilised super strength, size shifting and illusions to match the Thunder god. Mephisto and his realm are also symbiotically linked. If Mephisto is destroyed (as he was by Franklin Richards) he will begin to regenerate and reform there.
Mephisto also has the ability to take possession of living souls, but he only has claim over said souls if some form of pact is involved: he cannot indiscriminately abduct souls at will. Mephisto rules his realm through fear and manipulation, and has claimed that if his slaves were to ever rise as one against him, he would be powerless to stop them from destroying him.
Appearances in other media
Film
- Mephisto is portrayed by actor Peter Fonda in the film Ghost Rider (released 2007). The movie also stars Nicolas Cage as Johnny Blaze.
Television
- Mephisto made a cameo appareance in Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends in "The Prison Plot" as one of the illusions shown by Mastermind.
- Mephisto was due to appear in the second season of The Silver Surfer (TV series), with his demonic nature toned down and made acceptable for children.[1]
Video games
- Mephisto appears in the Silver Surfer video game for the NES.
- Mephisto is also a hidden character in the Capcom fighting game Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter.
- Mephisto's voice is heard in a bonus mission in the 2005 Fantastic Four video game.
- Mephisto is also a Boss character in the game Marvel: Ultimate Alliance.
References
- ^ First battles in Silver Surfer vol. 1, #3 and Thor vol. 1, #180 - 181
- ^ Triumph and Torment:Dr. Strange and Dr. Doom (1989)
- ^ Marvel Spotlight vol. 1, #5
- ^ Vision and the Scarlet Witch #1 - 12 (1985 - 1986) + Avengers West Coast vol. 1, #51 - 52. These events are responsible for Avengers Disassembled and House of M
- ^ Marvel Super Special #1 (1977)