Difference between revisions of "Mephisto"
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Ever the master of doubt and deceit, Mephisto has at various points claimed to be, been mistaken for, or outright denied being the [[Satan]] of Abrahamic mythology. He should not be confused with the "Satan" who fathered Marvel's half-demonic anti-heroes Daimon and Satana Hellstrom, who has also clamied and denied being the "true" Satan at various points. Furthermore, neither Mephisto nor "Satan" should be confused with Satannish the Supreme, a rival Hell Lord (who may or may not be the true father of the Hellstrom siblings but definitely not the same "Satan" who originally claimed to be their father). | Ever the master of doubt and deceit, Mephisto has at various points claimed to be, been mistaken for, or outright denied being the [[Satan]] of Abrahamic mythology. He should not be confused with the "Satan" who fathered Marvel's half-demonic anti-heroes Daimon and Satana Hellstrom, who has also clamied and denied being the "true" Satan at various points. Furthermore, neither Mephisto nor "Satan" should be confused with Satannish the Supreme, a rival Hell Lord (who may or may not be the true father of the Hellstrom siblings but definitely not the same "Satan" who originally claimed to be their father). | ||
| − | He was later revealed to be the being to whom Johnny Blaze had sold his soul to and thus had been cursed to become the Ghost Rider, in a retcon that placed him in the role originally played by "Satan". This was later retconned back to Satan, | + | He was later revealed to be the being to whom Johnny Blaze had sold his soul to and thus had been cursed to become the Ghost Rider, in a retcon that placed him in the role originally played by "Satan". This was later retconned back to Satan, though Mephisto's influence is still felt in the 1990s by the Danny Ketch Ghost Rider. |
He was also used as a plot device to erase Spider-Man's marriage to Mary Jane Watson in a story ordered by editorial and marketing. | He was also used as a plot device to erase Spider-Man's marriage to Mary Jane Watson in a story ordered by editorial and marketing. | ||
Revision as of 15:10, 15 October 2025
Mephisto is a being that was invoked by Diablo.
"In great Mephisto's cursed name, I call upon my granted power to 'waken thou whom stone did claim in this, my dark and dreadful hour!" - Diablo ("Both Alike In Dignity...")
History
In "present day", Diablo invoked Mephisto to undo the Grey Gargoyle's petrification of humans and gargoyles. ("Both Alike In Dignity...")
Characteristics
Appearances
- "Both Alike In Dignity..." (Mentioned Only)
Production Background
Inspired by Mephistopheles of the Faust legend, he was introduced into Marvel Comics by writer Stan Lee and penciler John Buscema, Mephisto debuted in Silver Surfer #3 (cover dated Dec. 1968), and was established as a perennial foe for the cosmic hero. Mephisto went on to become a foe for the Norse god Thor in Thor #180–181 (Sept.–Oct. 1970), Astonishing Tales #8 (Oct. 1971) and Thor #204–205 (Oct.–Nov. 1972).
In Marvel's cosmology, Mephisto is one of many "Hell Lords", demonic entities (who may or may not all be merely differing aspects of the same entity), who each rule over their own respective "Hell dimensions" (which may or may not all merely be differeng regions of the same dimension). Like his literary antecedent, Mephisto constantly schemes to swindle mortals out of their souls through various diabolic pacts so that he may inevitably drag them down to his infernal realm to be eternally tortured for his own devilish amusement. He particularly covets the souls of especially noble and selfless heroes such as the Silver Surfer and Thor.
Ever the master of doubt and deceit, Mephisto has at various points claimed to be, been mistaken for, or outright denied being the Satan of Abrahamic mythology. He should not be confused with the "Satan" who fathered Marvel's half-demonic anti-heroes Daimon and Satana Hellstrom, who has also clamied and denied being the "true" Satan at various points. Furthermore, neither Mephisto nor "Satan" should be confused with Satannish the Supreme, a rival Hell Lord (who may or may not be the true father of the Hellstrom siblings but definitely not the same "Satan" who originally claimed to be their father).
He was later revealed to be the being to whom Johnny Blaze had sold his soul to and thus had been cursed to become the Ghost Rider, in a retcon that placed him in the role originally played by "Satan". This was later retconned back to Satan, though Mephisto's influence is still felt in the 1990s by the Danny Ketch Ghost Rider.
He was also used as a plot device to erase Spider-Man's marriage to Mary Jane Watson in a story ordered by editorial and marketing.
See Also
- Mephisto at Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia
