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Mephisto also heals [[Aunt May|May Parker]] in exchange for changing the personal [[timelines]] of Peter Parker ([[Spider-Man]]) and [[Mary Jane Watson]] so that they never married, claiming he did so only because he hated their happiness (also adding that he has no interest in taking Spider-Man's soul because such a deal results in him tormenting a soul that is willing to accept the punishment because their sacrifice saved another).<ref>''One More Day'' — ''Amazing Spider-Man'' #544; ''Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man'' #24; ''The Sensational Spider-Man'' #41 and ''Amazing Spider-Man'' #545 (Oct. 2007 - Jan. 2008)</ref>
Mephisto also heals [[Aunt May|May Parker]] in exchange for changing the personal [[timelines]] of Peter Parker ([[Spider-Man]]) and [[Mary Jane Watson]] so that they never married, claiming he did so only because he hated their happiness (also adding that he has no interest in taking Spider-Man's soul because such a deal results in him tormenting a soul that is willing to accept the punishment because their sacrifice saved another).<ref>''One More Day'' — ''Amazing Spider-Man'' #544; ''Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man'' #24; ''The Sensational Spider-Man'' #41 and ''Amazing Spider-Man'' #545 (Oct. 2007 - Jan. 2008)</ref>

During the ''[[One Moment in Time (comics)|One Moment in Time]]'' storyline, Mephisto in the form of a red pigeon unlocks the door of the police car that Eddie (one of [[Electro (Marvel Comics)|Electro]]'s henchmen) was in freeing Eddie.<ref>''Amazing Spider-Man'' #638</ref>


Following the ''[[Siege (comics)|Siege]]'' storyline, Mephisto's minions worry that Mephisto would barter off a part of his realm. The Dísir leader Brün tries to negotiate with Mephisto in order to invade Hela's Hel. Mephisto tells her that he has no interest in Hel and allowing the Dísir to invade Hel would not break his agreement with Hela.<ref>''Thor'' #611</ref> Thor later meets with Mephisto who wanted to talk to Thor before he enters his domain. He tries to make a bargain, promising to give him the Eir-Gram and a "happily ever after" for Asgard if he agrees. But Thor remains silent the whole time. Seeing that he wants to do this the hard way, Mephisto grants him entry to Hell.<ref>''Thor'' #612</ref>
Following the ''[[Siege (comics)|Siege]]'' storyline, Mephisto's minions worry that Mephisto would barter off a part of his realm. The Dísir leader Brün tries to negotiate with Mephisto in order to invade Hela's Hel. Mephisto tells her that he has no interest in Hel and allowing the Dísir to invade Hel would not break his agreement with Hela.<ref>''Thor'' #611</ref> Thor later meets with Mephisto who wanted to talk to Thor before he enters his domain. He tries to make a bargain, promising to give him the Eir-Gram and a "happily ever after" for Asgard if he agrees. But Thor remains silent the whole time. Seeing that he wants to do this the hard way, Mephisto grants him entry to Hell.<ref>''Thor'' #612</ref>

Revision as of 01:29, 25 August 2010

Mephisto
Mephisto, as seen on the variant cover for Amazing Spider-Man #545 (Jan. 2008).
Art by Marko Djurdjevic.
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
First appearanceSilver Surfer #3 (Dec. 1968)
Created byStan Lee
John Buscema
In-story information
Team affiliationsSix-Fingered Hand
Notable aliasesSatan
AbilitiesSuperhuman physical attributes and intelligence
Immortality
Magic

Mephisto is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in Silver Surfer #3 (Dec. 1968) and was created by Stan Lee and John Buscema.

Debuting in the Silver Age of comic books, the character has appeared in over four decades of Marvel continuity. The character has also appeared in associated Marvel merchandise including animated television series; feature film; toys; trading cards and video games.

Publication history

Mephisto debuted in Silver Surfer #3 (Dec. 1968), and was established as a perennial foe for the cosmic hero, also appearing in Silver Surfer #8 - 9 (Sep. - Oct. 1969) and #16 - 17 (May - Jun. 1970).

Writer Mike Conroy stated

Mephisto was the tempter who could offer the endlessly soul-tormented Silver Surfer the world, even dangling the Surfer's off-limits long-distance lover in front of him. As always the case with Lee's heroes, the Surfer's goodness and nobility won out, but Mephisto was only stymied, not defeated, and the pattern was set.[1]

Mephisto also becomes a foe for the Thunder God Thor, appearing in Thor #180 - 181 (Sep. - Oct. 1970), Astonishing Tales #8 (Oct. 1971) and reappearing again in Thor with issues #204 - 205 (Oct. - Nov. 1972). He was later revealed to be the being to whom Johnny Blaze had sold his soul to and had been cursed to become the Ghost Rider by,[volume & issue needed] a retcon placing him in the role originally played by Satan during Johnny Blaze's first series. This was later retconned back to Satan,[volume & issue needed] though Mephisto's influence is still felt in the 1990s by the Danny Ketch Ghost Rider.

Other notable appearance included posing as Satan in Marvel Spotlight #5 (Aug. 1972); tormenting the titular superhero team in Fantastic Four #155 - 157 (Feb. - Apr. 1975) and Thor #310 (Aug. 1981) and #325 (Nov. 1982). Mephisto also guest starred in two limited series: Vision and the Scarlet Witch vol. 2, #1 - 12 (Oct. 1985 - Sep. 1986) and Secret Wars II #1 - 9 (July 1985 - March 1986), before starring in the self-titled limited series Mephisto vs. #1 - 4 (April - July 1987), battling several of Marvel's super teams.

Mephisto continued to torment the Scarlet Witch in Avengers West Coast #51 - 52 (Nov. - Dec. 1989); created a new adversary for the Marvel heroes in Daredevil #270 (Sep. 1989); appeared in the graphic novel Triumph and Torment: Dr. Strange and Dr. Doom (1989) and starred in the One More Day storyline in Amazing Spider-Man #544; Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #24; The Sensational Spider-Man #41 and Amazing Spider-Man #545 (Oct. 2007 - Jan. 2008).

In 2009, Mephisto was ranked as IGN's 48th Greatest Comic Book Villain of All Time.[2]

Fictional character biography

Mephisto is a perennial villain in the Marvel Universe, and is responsible for a number of evil acts, including capturing and holding the soul of Cynthia von Doom — the mother of Doctor Doom — until Doctor Strange and Doom free her to ascend to heaven and [3] — and posing as Satan creates the Ghost Rider by bonding the demon Zarathos to Johnny Blaze.[4]

Mephisto acted as servant of the mad titan Thanos during the War of the Gems, seeking to attain that power for himself. He is also responsible for capturing the souls of heroes Mister Fantastic (whose intelligence was also stolen by Mephisto), the Invisible Woman, and Franklin Richards due to a botched summoning by an exorcist;[5] furthermore, he creates his 'son' Blackheart, a demonic entity that plagues many of Earth's heroes;[6] and manipulates the sorcerer Master Pandemonium into gathering scattered fragments of his soul.

When the Scarlet Witch attempts to use magic to conceive children with her husband, the android Vision, she unknowingly summons two of the soul fragments which are born as her infant twins. The revelation of her children's origin, followed by their loss when reabsorbed into Mephisto, drives the Scarlet Witch insane.[7] Mephisto also tries to destroy the Avenger Hawkeye when he enters Hell to try and save the soul of his deceased wife, Mockingbird.[8]

Mephisto also heals May Parker in exchange for changing the personal timelines of Peter Parker (Spider-Man) and Mary Jane Watson so that they never married, claiming he did so only because he hated their happiness (also adding that he has no interest in taking Spider-Man's soul because such a deal results in him tormenting a soul that is willing to accept the punishment because their sacrifice saved another).[9]

During the One Moment in Time storyline, Mephisto in the form of a red pigeon unlocks the door of the police car that Eddie (one of Electro's henchmen) was in freeing Eddie.[10]

Following the Siege storyline, Mephisto's minions worry that Mephisto would barter off a part of his realm. The Dísir leader Brün tries to negotiate with Mephisto in order to invade Hela's Hel. Mephisto tells her that he has no interest in Hel and allowing the Dísir to invade Hel would not break his agreement with Hela.[11] Thor later meets with Mephisto who wanted to talk to Thor before he enters his domain. He tries to make a bargain, promising to give him the Eir-Gram and a "happily ever after" for Asgard if he agrees. But Thor remains silent the whole time. Seeing that he wants to do this the hard way, Mephisto grants him entry to Hell.[12]

Powers and abilities

Mephisto is an extremely powerful immortal demonic entity possessing magical powers and abilities gained by manipulation of the forces of magic. Mephisto is capable of using his power for a variety of uses, including superhuman strength, shape and size shifting,[13] projecting illusions,[14] manipulating memories,[15] altering time,[16] and is highly resistant to injury.[17]

The character has been shown to be energized by sources of evil in the human realm, such as the alien Dire Wraiths.[5] Like other demons, Mephisto is symbiotically linked to, and considerably more powerful within, his own realm, and the character is able to transform the structure at will.[18] Within it he has threatened multiple solar systems, and stalemated a nourished Galactus until the latter ran out of energy and threatened to consume it.[19] If Mephisto's physical form is destroyed, the character will regenerate and reform in his domain.[20]

Mephisto is known for acquiring souls, but cannot subjugate the will of another being without the victim's permission. This is usually some form of pact.[21]

Other versions

Universe X

In Earth X sequel, Universe X, Mephisto is the force behind Pope Immortus (secretly Kang) and his extermination of Reed Richards's Human Torch's to assume mutant dominance.[volume & issue needed]

Ultimate Marvel

Mephisto (as Satan) appeared in Ultimate Comics: Avengers as the man Johnny Blaze sold his soul to avenge his love Roxanne, and to punish the guilty as a "bounty hunter for Hell." [22]

Marvel Mangaverse

The demonic Mephisto and his pawn Hulk are the main threats in Marvel Mangaverse.[volume & issue needed]

In other media

Television

  • Mephisto makes a cameo appearance in the Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends episode "The Prison Plot." He is featured as an illusion caused by Mastermind.
  • Mephisto was due to appear in the proposed second season of the Silver Surfer with the demonic nature toned down and made acceptable for children.[23] He makes a cameo at the end of episode 21, Down To Earth, Part 3.[24]

Film

  • Actor Peter Fonda plays Mephisto (as Mephistopheles) as one of the two main villains alongside Blackheart in the 2007 film Ghost Rider. Mephisto appears, as with Blackheart, in his human form throughout most of the film, only showing glimpses of a horned, goat-like demon. Peter Fonda has expressed interest in returning to portray the character again for Ghost Rider 2.[25]

Video games

  • Mephisto appears in the Silver Surfer video game for the NES
  • Mephisto appears as a secret character in the game Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter as a palette swap of Blackheart.
  • Mephisto's voice is heard in a bonus mission in the 2005 Fantastic Four video game.
  • Mephisto appears in the game Marvel: Ultimate Alliance voiced by Fred Tatasciore. Doctor Doom uses Nightcrawler combined with the Mutant Amplifier to teleport to Mephisto's Realm in order to gain a Twilight Sword to use on Odin. When Nightcrawler escapes them, Mephisto has Blackheart and some demons recapture Nightcrawler and capture Jean Grey. When the heroes find Ghost Rider trapped, he tells the player that he will release Ghost Rider when the one who touches the Book of Despair takes his place for the remainder of the level. After Blackheart is defeated, the players engange Mephisto who uses the astral energy to resurrect the X-Man that was dropped into the Infinity Vortex. The resurrected X-Man when defeated will sacrifice their life to help defeat Mephisto. When it comes to the future part revolving around finding the damaged Ultimate Nullifier at Castle Doom, Uatu mentions that Mephisto will one day seek to conquer Earth. If the player successfully finds the damaged Ultimate Nullifier, Mister Fantastic will repair it and use it to prevent Mephisto from invading Earth before all is lost. If the damaged Ultimate Nullifier isn't found, the team of heroes will be forced to band together once again to fight Mephisto with the resulting battle causing a tremendous amount of destruction. Mephisto has special dialogue with Thor.
  • Mephisto appears in the Ghost Rider video game voiced by Kirk Thornton. He brings Ghost Rider to Hell and has him fight the demonic forces that plan to resurrect Blackheart.

References

  1. ^ Conroy, Mike. 500 Comicbook Villains, Collins & Brown, 2004.
  2. ^ Mephisto is number 48 , IGN.
  3. ^ Astonishing Tales #8 (Oct. 1971) and Triumph and Torment: Dr. Strange and Dr. Doom (1989)
  4. ^ Marvel Spotlight #5 (Aug. 1972)
  5. ^ a b Fantastic Four #277 (Apr. 1985)
  6. ^ Daredevil #270 (Sep. 1989)
  7. ^ Vision and the Scarlet Witch #1 - 12 (1985–1986); Avengers West Coast #51 - 52 (Nov. - Dec. 1989)
  8. ^ Thunderbolts Annual (2000)
  9. ^ One More Day — Amazing Spider-Man #544; Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #24; The Sensational Spider-Man #41 and Amazing Spider-Man #545 (Oct. 2007 - Jan. 2008)
  10. ^ Amazing Spider-Man #638
  11. ^ Thor #611
  12. ^ Thor #612
  13. ^ Thor #310 (Aug. 1981) and Daredevil #279 (Apr. 1990)
  14. ^ Thor #310 (Aug. 1981)
  15. ^ Silver Surfer vol. 3, #1 (Jul. 1987)
  16. ^ Amazing Spider-Man #545 (Jan. 2008)
  17. ^ Infinity Gauntlet #5 (Nov. 1991)
  18. ^ Silver Surfer #3 (Oct. 1968)
  19. ^ The Silver Surfer: Judgment Day (1988): Written by Stan Lee, the creator of both characters.
  20. ^ Mephisto vs. Fantastic Four #1 (April 1987)
  21. ^ Triumph and Torment: Dr. Strange and Dr. Doom (1989)
  22. ^ Ultimate Comics Avengers 2 #2 (Aug 2010)
  23. ^ Interview with Larry Brody
  24. ^ Silver Surfer Script 21
  25. ^ Arya Ponto (2007-08-16). "Peter Fonda Talks About Working with Russell Crowe and 'Ghost Rider 2'". JustPressPlay.net. Retrieved 2007-08-17. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
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