Mephisto

Background

In the beginning, there was a race of Elder Gods, who were the first life forms on earth and degenerated into demons. Many of these beings were destroyed by the Demogorge, who later became one with the sun. The remaining energies spawned a new race of demons, one of which was Mephisto.

Mephisto and his brethren took advantage of the human concept of evil and each of them used the name Satan as needed. Mephisto also took part in countless alliances with other demons in other realms, forming the Lords of the Splinter Realms. No one can make a deal like Mephisto.

He uses chosen mortals as "spirits of vengeance," who further his cause on earth. (One of the most well known spirits of vengeance is Ghost Rider.) This has gone on for all of human history. In 987 A.D., Mephisto gave eternal life to the English Sect of Chasidm. In return, he wanted souls. In 1349, he lost a bet to Morgan Goth, who gambled his soul to survive a plague.

In modern times, he helped a young woman named Cynthia von Doom end the cruel reign of Baron Sabbat. The power granted to Cynthia wiped out all of the children in a village and Cynthia was killed. Years later, her son Victor von Doom, would become obsessed with releasing his mother soul from Hell. Each Midsummer's Eve, Doom and Mephisto's demon's would battle for Cynthia's soul. She was eventually freed with the help of Doctor Strange.

Mephisto became fascinated by earth's newly emerging super beings, especially the seemingly pure Silver Surfer. He met the Surfer soon after he arrived on earth and saw him as a challenge. Mephisto needs humanity to stay uneducated and savage, that way he can continue to populate Hell with their souls. The Surfer's mercy and nobility threatened to change that.

He battled Reed and Sue Richards after an exorcist named Elspeth Cromwell tried to exorcise the "demons" that gave them their power. Empowered by a dark mystical energy, Mephisto took all three souls, plus that of Franklin Richards. However, Franklin's huge mutant powers tore the demon apart.

Reborn from the evil inherent in humanity, Mephisto eventually regained the six shards of his soul. He went on to torment Thor and sought the valuable souls of the Scarlet Witch and the Invisible Woman.

"Hopes and Fears"

Spidey faced Mephisto one Christmas, after seeing what he thought was a shooting star falling toward Manhattan. He headed toward the site of impact and found a hole had been slammed into the earth and put a subway full of passengers in danger. After saving the travelers, Spider-Man fell even deeper into the hole and soon found himself in Hell. Spidey was greeted by Mephisto, who revealed that the meteor had really been an angel falling to earth. Not just any angel, but the living Spirit of Christmas. Spider-Man's appearance was unexpected, but welcome. Seeing a chance to make a wager, Mephisto offered Spidey a deal: if he could save the angel from his trap, Mephisto would set both of them free. If he failed, the angel died and the demon took Spider-Man's soul.

Guessing that the angel was a source of hope for humanity, Spider-Man agreed and flung himself into the steel jaws of the trap to held it open. The strength of the trap was too much, and it snapped shut killing the angel in a burst of feathers. Mephisto happily claimed Peter's soul, a small orb with a terrified face. He then returned the soul to Spidey's motionless body, claiming that he was irritating and not worth the effort. Mephisto then went to earth to see how he had filled humanity with despair and was stunned to see New Yorkers singing carols in the street. The angel then appeared to Mephisto, alive and well, told him that his existence is caused by mankind's joy and hope. The angel told Mephisto that even he showed mercy when he allowed Peters soul to return to his body. Mephisto returned to hell in a rage and Spider- Man was returned to earth and to his wife. (Marvel Holoday Special 1993)

"Lo, There Shall Come a Champion!"

At one point, the immortal being called the Beyonder threatened to erase Mephisto's realm and all of reality from existence and the demon devised a ruse to spare himself. They made a wager and the Beyonder chose a champion for each of them to battle in terms of morals and ethics. Beyonder chose the demon Zarathos, a spirit of vengeance whom hated Mephisto, for himself and Spider-Man to fight for Mephisto. Meanwhile, Spider-Man learned of a plot to kill Wilson Fisk by a group of thugs. He pondered whether or not he should save the mobster's life when Zarathos appeared as the Green Goblin, warning him to stay away from Fisk, saying that he deserved to die. Zarathos also appeared to Peter as his parents, Gwen Stacy and Captain George Stacy, all telling him that he was a disappointment. The final blow came as the Spirit appeared as Ben Parker and told Peter that he could have used his power to become rich and famous. As the taunts weakened Spider-Man will to be good, the demon showed its true form. Confused by the strange events, Spider-Man still managed to defeat Zarathos and get to the scene of the attempted assassination of the Kingpin in time. In the end, Zarathos was returned to Hell and the Beyonder granted the universe the right to exist for another 24 hours. (Amazing Spider-Man #274)

"Slingers"

After Norman Osborn framed Spider-Man for the murder of mobster Joey Z, Peter was forced to continue crime fighting in four separate identities: Ricochet, Prodigy, Dusk and Hornet. After his name was cleared and he went back to the webs, the four identities were taken by four teenagers. Led by an aged, obscure former superhero called the Black Marvel, the "Slingers" did what they could against New York crime. (Slingers #1-9)

When their benefactor, Dan Lyons, died in the hospital his soul was taken by Mephisto. Soon after, the group was meeting on a Times Square rooftop when the billboard behind them came to life. They were attacked by supersized superheroes, who dragged them into the billboard. They then arrived in Hell and were greeted by Mephisto. (Slingers #10)

The four of them were held in separate cages, alive but without their powers. Mephisto told them of how he had met Lyons, as he was waiting for death in his nursing facility. Lyons spent his days longing for his youth, when he could be a hero again. The demon made the expected bargain with him, returning his youth and strength to him. He also sent him the teenagers and the means to give them the powers of their namesakes. Lyons had betrayed them and nearly let them die, and had earned their hate. Mephisto was curious if such honorable young heroes would bring themselves to save the soul of the man that betrayed them. Their forgiveness would save the Black Marvel's soul. Ricochet was the least forgiving but his refusal didn't last long, as the demon sent them to different illusions. Prodigy tried and failed to save a young man from a burning building. Ricochet was sent to an arena, where his agility and avoidance of traps wowed the audience. That is, until the crowd began to throw rocks at him, knowing that he was secretly a mutant. Hornet fell through the sky and was attacked by countless crows, he vaporized them but still crashed to the ground. His suit of armor was destroyed, leaving him helpless and vulnerable with his palsied arm. Dusk appeared in a beautiful fairytale land, the place she imagined herself in when she was afraid as a child. She briefly felt safe but was attacked by white creatures that looked like her opposite.

The four members were then reunited, having been tested by Mephisto as individuals. Now that they had faced themselves, he wanted to see how they fought as a team against his demonic horde. (Slingers #11)

Mephisto very much enjoyed the range of emotions the four of them were experiencing: despair, spite, dread. That didnt last long, as Dusk unleashed a power that wiped out the horde. Mephisto opened a portal to New York for them, offering them the chance to escape but at the same time, the horde was advancing on Black Marvel's soul. The test was obvious: escape to freedom or save the man that betrayed them and risk staying in Hell. Ricochet and Prodigy were in favor of running for the portal, while Hornet immediately flew to save their former mentor. Dusk watched as Hornet was being buried in demons and as Ricochet threw one of his disks at the crystal encasing the Black Marvel's soul. It harmlessly bounced off of the crystal, to Mephisto's amusement.

Ricochet charged to the crystal, but Mephisto warned him that his energy would eventually expire while the demon's control would not. The group refused to play his game anymore. Looking back, they saw that the crystal had cracked and Dan Lyon's soul had been freed. They walked back to the portal, saying they were all free. As they left, Mephisto mused that they may have been noble today but everyone feels spite. Time would tell which direction they would choose. (Slingers #12)

"The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Illinois"

Yet again, Mephisto's soul was shattered and rained down on earth in 666 pieces. The shards reanimated the recently dead, such as the Jack O'Lantern (Steven Levins). Jack O'Lantern formed an army of the dead in Sleepy Hollow, Illinois and was defeated by Ghost Rider. (Ghost Rider #8-#10)

"One More Day"

After reforming himself from the 666 pieces, Mephisto made an offer to a desperate Peter Parker. Peter's Aunt May had been shot by a sniper hired by Wilson Fisk and didn't have long to live. Peter begged help from Doctor Strange, Doctor Doom, Doctor Octopus, Reed Richards and others, but none could help. Despondent, he came across a woman who revealed herself to be Mephisto. In return for saving May's life, the demon wanted something from Peter. Not his soul. Souls that are claimed after saving someone's life spend eternity in torment, but still have a sense of happiness that their sacrifice is noble. Instead, he wanted Peter's marriage. Peter and Mary Jane's souls would forget that they were once united, except for a small part. That tiny fragment would scream out in loneliness forever, bringing much pleasure to the Lord of Hell.

MJ took the deal, and whispered something to the demon before the spell was cast. After the deed was done, Peter woke up and found his aunt happily making breakfast for him at her home (which was no longer burned by Charlie Weiderman). He and MJ had just broken up from a long term relationship (in everyone's minds) and Harry Osborn was alive again. He claimed that he had been in Europe. This seemed to surprise no one.

"One Moment In Time"

It turns out that Mephisto stopped the Parker marriage by altering a minor event in time. Shortly before the wedding, Spider-Man captured Electro after he escaped from an armored car. Spider-Man had originally foiled the heist and captured everyone involved, but after Mephisto's interference, one of the hired thugs escaped police custody and went on a rampage. Spider-Man again had to chase him down, which actually led to his momentary defeat by the overweight criminal. (Facepalm.) This made him late for the wedding, making MJ end their engagement. The petty thug returned years later, during the Superhuman Civil War, and tried to kill Anna Watson. MJ couldn't take all of the danger of people trying to hurt their loved ones and she left for California to pursue her acting career. It was there that she met and started dating Bobby Carr.

"Circle of Four"

Mephisto's estranged son, Blackheart, concocted a scheme to bring Hell to Earth in Las Vegas and have the Inferno sweep across the globe. However, the scheme was halted, but not ended, by Dr. Strange and Damian Hellstrom. Fighting in the affected area of Sin City was done by the Red Hulk, Ghost Rider, X-23 and Agent Venom (Flash Thompson)). Blackheart contacted his father to taunt him with his victory, but Mephisto was less than impressed that "a small bit of hell now touches a small bit of earth." Blackheart promised that he would rule all of the souls of earth and would torment his father for eternity. (Venom #13)

After Red Hulk, Venom, Ghost Rider and X-23 were killed by Blackheart's goons, they went to Hell and were treated to their perfect lives. Flash was made into the new Spider-Man, Hulk was named a hero to his country, Ghost Rider became the protector of her native Mexico and X-23 destroyed Weapon X with the help of Wolverine. Mephisto then turned their dreams upside down and had their perfect lives end with the death of loved ones. They then awoke from their hallucinations and realized they had died and gone to hell, and Mephisto explained that the torture of hades can be made worse by showing them their dreams. He offered to send them back to earth to defeat Blackheart if they promised to make a covenant with him. At some point on earth, they would owe him a favor that they could not refuse. They agreed. (Venom #13.3)

The four eventually defeated Blackheart by joining the Venom symbiote and the Spirit of Vengeance to the Red Hulk. Returned to Hell, Blackheart groveled to his father to be given another chance. Mephisto returned his son to a casino, as a bathroom washer for a burrito buffet. (Venom #13.4)

"Isnt It Bromantic?"

Deadpool was hired to kill Peter Parker after being led to believe that he had conducted some nasty experiments at Parker Industries. After "befriending" Spider-Man to learn more about Peter, he does kill Mr. Parker. After Peter arrives in Hell, he is met by a smug Mephisto, who told him that he is the architect of Peter's greatest failure. He wanted Peter to know that no matter how many or how great his victories, his soul will always feel empty. He will always be lonely. He was resuscitated by Deadpool, who learned that Peter was a good person. (Spider-Man/Deadpool #5)

Appearances

Cover Date	Appearance Information
Feb 1983	FB: Ghost Rider #77
Sep 1993	FB: Marvel Comics Presents #135 (Story 2)
Dec 1997	FB: Ghost Rider (Vol. 2) #92
Date TBD	FB: Silver Surfer #8
Mar 1991	FB: Ghost Rider (Vol. 2) #11
Jul 1997	App: Flashback - Ghost Rider #Minus 1
Date TBD	App: Silver Surfer #3
Date TBD	App: Silver Surfer #8
Date TBD	App: Silver Surfer #9
Sep 1970	App: Thor (Vol. 1) #180
Oct 1970	App: Thor (Vol. 1) #181
May 1970	App: Silver Surfer #16
Jun 1970	App: Silver Surfer #17
Oct 1972	App: Thor (Vol. 1) #204
Nov 1972	App: Thor (Vol. 1) #205
Feb 1975	BTS: Fantastic Four (Vol. 1) #155
Mar 1975	BTS: Fantastic Four (Vol. 1) #156
Apr 1975	App: Fantastic Four (Vol. 1) #157
Jan 1977	App: Marvel Super Special #1 (Kiss Special)
Jul 1978	App: Avengers (Vol. 1) #173
Aug 1981	App: Thor (Vol. 1) #310
Year 1982	App: Thor (Vol. 1) Annual #10
Aug 1981	App: Defenders #98
Sep 1981	App: Defenders #99
Oct 1981	App: Defenders #100
Nov 1982	App: Thor (Vol. 1) #325
Jan 1983	App: Ghost Rider #76
Jun 1983	App: Ghost Rider #81
Jan 1977	App: Marvel Super Special #1 (Kiss Special)
Mar 1985	App: Fantastic Four (Vol. 1) #276
Apr 1985	App: Fantastic Four (Vol. 1) #277
Sep 1980	App: Doctor Strange (Vol. 2) #75
Year 1985	App: Thor (Vol. 1) Annual #13
Dec 1985	App: Secret Wars II #6
Jan 1986	App: Secret Wars II #7
Mar 1986	App: Amazing Spider-Man (Vol. 1) #274
Mar 1986	App: Secret Wars II #9
Jun 1986	FB: West Coast Avengers #9
Dec 1986	FB: West Coast Avengers #15
Date TBD	App: Fantastic Four Annual #20
Date TBD	App: Daredevil (Vol.1) #266
Jul 1989	BTS: Doctor Strange: Sorcerer Supreme #5
Aug 1989	App: Doctor Strange: Sorcerer Supreme #6
Sep 1989	App: Doctor Strange: Sorcerer Supreme #7
Oct 1989	App: Doctor Strange: Sorcerer Supreme #8
Year 1989	App: Silver Surfer Annual #2 (Story 3)
Sep 1989	App: Daredevil (Vol.1) #270
Dec 1989	App: Avengers West Coast #52
Dec 1989	App: Silver Surfer (Vol. 3) #32
Date TBD	App: Daredevil (Vol.1) #278
Date TBD	App: Daredevil (Vol.1) #279
Date TBD	App: Daredevil (Vol.1) #280
Date TBD	App: Daredevil (Vol.1) #281
Date TBD	App: Daredevil (Vol.1) #282
Feb 1991	App: Thor (Vol. 1) #429
Mar 1991	App: Thor (Vol. 1) #430
Nov 1992	FB, BTS: Thor (Vol. 1) #454
May 1991	App: Thor (Vol. 1) #432
Dec 1990	App: Silver Surfer (Vol. 3) #44
Jan 1991	App: Silver Surfer (Vol. 3) #45
Jun 1991	App: Doctor Strange: Sorcerer Supreme #30
Mar 1991	App: Silver Surfer (Vol. 3) #47
Date TBD	BTS: Cloak & Dagger (Vol. 3) #14
Date TBD	BTS: Cloak & Dagger (Vol. 3) #15
Feb 1991	BTS: Cloak & Dagger (Vol. 3) #16
Apr 1991	App: Cloak & Dagger (Vol. 3) #17
Jun 1991	App: Cloak & Dagger (Vol. 3) #18
Apr 1991	App: Silver Surfer (Vol. 3) #48
May 1991	App: Silver Surfer (Vol. 3) #49
Jul 1991	App: Quasar #24
Jul 1991	App: Infinity Gauntlet #1
Sep 1991	App: Quasar #26
Aug 1991	App: Infinity Gauntlet #2
Sep 1991	App: Infinity Gauntlet #3
Oct 1991	App: Infinity Gauntlet #4
Nov 1991	App: Infinity Gauntlet #5
Jun 1991	App: Sensational She-Hulk #28
Dec 1991	App: Hearts Of Darkness
Nov 1991	App: Ghost Rider (Vol. 2) #19
Jul 1992	App: Marvel Comics Presents #105 (Story 2)
Dec 1991	BTS: Thor (Vol. 1) #441
Jan 1992	BTS: Thor (Vol. 1) #442 (Story 1)
Jan 1992	App: Thor (Vol. 1) #442 (Story 2)
Jan 1992	App: Thor (Vol. 1) #443
Aug 1992	App: Thor (Vol. 1) #450
Sep 1992	App: Thor (Vol. 1) #451
Oct 1992	App: Thor (Vol. 1) #452
Nov 1992	App: Thor (Vol. 1) #453
Nov 1992	App: Thor (Vol. 1) #454
Dec 1992	App: Thor (Vol. 1) #455
Jun 1993	App: Wonder Man #22
Jul 1993	App: Wonder Man #23
Aug 1993	App: Wonder Man #24
Sep 1993	App: Wonder Man #25
Jun 1993	App: Infinity Crusade #1
Aug 1993	App: Infinity Crusade #3
Nov 1993	App: Infinity Crusade #6
Oct 1993	App: Avengers West Coast #99
Nov 1993	App: Avengers West Coast #100
Year 1994	BTS: Avengers (Vol. 1) Annual #23
Year 1994	BTS: Thor (Vol. 1) Annual #19
Jan 1994	App: Marvel Holiday Special 1993
Feb 1993	App: Spirits Of Vengeance (Ghost Rider/Blaze) #7
Mar 1993	App: Spirits Of Vengeance (Ghost Rider/Blaze) #8
Apr 1993	App: Spirits Of Vengeance (Ghost Rider/Blaze) #9
Jul 1993	App: Ghost Rider (Vol. 2) #39
Nov 1994	App: Thunderstrike #14
Dec 1994	FB: Thunderstrike #15
Dec 1994	App: Thunderstrike #15
Sep 1994	App: Silver Surfer (Vol. 3) #96
Oct 1994	App: Silver Surfer (Vol. 3) #97
Nov 1994	App: Silver Surfer (Vol. 3) #98
Dec 1994	FB: Silver Surfer (Vol. 3) #99
Dec 1994	App: Silver Surfer (Vol. 3) #99
Jan 1995	App: Silver Surfer (Vol. 3) #100
Nov 1997	App: Silver Surfer (Vol. 3) #133
Jan 1998	App: Silver Surfer (Vol. 3) #135
Feb 1998	App: Silver Surfer (Vol. 3) #136
Mar 1998	App: Silver Surfer (Vol. 3) #137
Sep 1998	App: Nighthawk #1
Oct 1998	App: Nighthawk #2
Nov 1998	App: Nighthawk #3
Mar 1999	App: Daredevil (Vol.2) #5
Oct 1999	FB: Slingers #11
Sep 1999	App: Slingers #10
Oct 1999	App: Slingers #11
Nov 1999	App: Slingers #12
Dec 1999	App: Thor (Vol. 2) #18
Jan 2000	App: Thor (Vol. 2) #19
Year 2000	App: Thunderbolts Annual 2000
Nov 2001	App: Thor (Vol. 2) #41