Horror and the Occult in comics

[Jill Monroe]

For all the comic heads here, how many of you are familiar with the horror/occult characters/titles in comics? did anyone collect from the "Marvel Horror" line?

there are many characters in Marvel that venture into the realm of horror such as Dracula, Grim Reaper while other characters that are typically associated with "horror" have transcended that to become cosmic level entities (Mistress Death). there are many representitives of the occult in Marvel such as Mephisto, Dr. Strange, Dormammu, Dire Wraiths and Magik. some of these characters have even drawn criticism and protest from religious leaders in years past..most notably Doctor Strange, Mephisto and Magik for their "glorifying the occult and witch craft".

One of my favorite storylines (fairly recent too) involved the return of the Grimm Reaper in Avengers vol. 3 and he brought back several deceased Avengers to terrorize the living Avengers and take over their mansion. the reaction the Scarlett Witch had upon seeing them in the house was of pure shock...and the "living dead" avengers were so angry, bitter and menacing...that whole storyline was very well done. it may not qualify as a TRUE "marvel horror" story but i thought it was well done and addressed the issue of fallen team mates in a way most comics had not done so before.



what are your favorite storylines involving these characters...and are there any OTHER characters that you would like to mention/discuss?

[Hawksmoor]

Mephisto is my favourite character listed there; not for his power, but his attitude. His dirty-dealing is wonderful, especially in his trickery when attempting to convert the Silver Surfer, in the first 18 issues of his solo series.

Mephisto used numerous methods, including dangling such things as riches, women and power in front of the Surfer like a carrot; the kidnapping of his one true love, Shalla Bal; the remastering of The Flying Dutchman, and finally, imprisoning the Surfer as an errant thought within Mephisto's powerful brain, in an attempt to convert him forcibly.

None of it worked, but the efforts were admirable.

[Jill Monroe]

Mephisto is like a very glamorous version of "the devil"...but so much more menacing. although ive only seen him in a few titles and most remember him from the Infinity Wars storyline, he's definately a symbol of the occult in Marvel. but how about his SON, Blackheart. although i got my first exposure to this character on the Marvel Super Heroes video game....i saw him again in the pages of X-force when he teamed up with Selene, another powerfull sorceress. They were dabbling in some seriously dark magick and even dealing with necromancy( sp?). Then HELA, the asgardian death goddess, and yet ANOTHER occult character, appeared and intimidated Blackheart into releasing Moonstar, who was once a valkyrie. it was quite a nice story to read.

[DonDaddyD]

Personally I wish Marvel opened another facet that dealt purely with the Mythologies and occult comics. Of all the thing I know of within Marvel I not knowledable in the occult based stories but I am interested. I think the old stories in the past are fun.

[Jill Monroe]

but there ARE occult based characters and there HAVE been occult based storylines in mainstream titles. The original Magik LS (Magik: Storm and Illyana); X-men: Black Sun (featuring the debut of "Magik II"); the second Magik LS (which was VERY good); various issues in Marvel Comics presents especially in the 70's & 80's.

characters who deal with the darker side of magick are often over looked or shelved after a storyline or two and they are usually the most interesting ones.

[Foxfire]

I liked Blade in the Spiderman series. It wasn't everyday the viewer/reader was able to delve into the dark world of vampires. In the beginning it was a nice clash for Spiderman and Blade, but soon they became allies.

But it was also the introduction to Black Cat, one of my more favorite characters from the Spiderman series. Between all three it was a refreshing storyline.

I think the lead vampire's name was Morbius (sp) or something. Felicia used to date him before he was bitten by a bat.

That was more of the memorable moments for me.

[Jill Monroe]

and lets not forget the legendary crossover battle of X-men vs. Dracula. Dracula overpowered all of the X-men except Shadowcat and he attempted to take Storm as his bride. it was because of Shadowcat's imploring of Storm that she was able to overcome Dracula's evil influence and destroy him painfully with her power. (this story also immediately preceeded The X-men's journey to to Limbo and the Magik storyline)

[Foxfire]

“	Originally Posted By: Spellbinder and lets not forget the legendary crossover battle of X-men vs. Dracula. Dracula overpowered all of the X-men except Shadowcat and he attempted to take Storm as his bride. it was because of Shadowcat's imploring of Storm that she was able to overcome Dracula's evil influence and destroy him painfully with her power. (this story also immediately preceeded The X-men's journey to to Limbo and the Magik storyline)	”

This sounds awesome. I would love to read it and the storyline with Magik. I've been trying to get my hands on some Magik/Darkchilde comics to read. Any recommendations, Farrah? I need a site to purchase them from, if you have one in mind.

[Jill Monroe]

of COURSE i can recommend an essential check list of comics to pick up featuring Magik I

for starters pick up the Inferno which is now available in trade paperback and featuers all of the titles it encompassed (Uncanny X-men, New Mutants, X-factor) Magik was one of the prime catalysts for the Inferno...as was the Goblyn Queen (Madelynne Pryor)



other essential magik reading:

Uncanny X-men#160 (still a child, she is kidnapped by Belasco to Limbo)

Magik: Storm and Illyana # 1-4 (the origin of Magik, the dawn of her magickal powers, and first major victory in battle.)

The New Mutants# 14-17 (joins the New Mutants [the junior X-men], rescue's ShadowCat from the white queen, demonstrates more of her magickal power.)

The New Mutants# 19 (manifests eldritch armor)

Uncanny X-men#188 (helps the X-men in battle with her magicks, evokes surprise and shock from the team; fears her brother Colossus' reaction to her being a witch)

New Mutants#25 (takes Xavier and the new mutants to Limbo)

Uncanny X-men#191 (joins in the fight against Kulan Gath, breaks Juggernaut's power of "cyttorak"; checks the scarlett witch in battle; prooves to be more than capable of evening the odds in battle against Kulan Gath)

New Mutants Annual #1/ Uncanny X-men Annual #9 - (Defeats Amora the Enchantress of Asgard and temporarily takes her place)

New Mutants# 36-37 ("Cured" by the Beyonder of the "Darkchilde" aspect of her soul; Shadowcat inherits Magik's armour and soul sword as well as other magickal traits; Beyonder murders Magik and her team)

Secret Wars(second series)#9/New Mutants# 38-40 (resurrected by the Beyonder; healed of all emotiona/mental trauma and lethargy by Magneto and the White Queen working together)

New Mutants#58-61 ["fall of the mutants" cross over](outraged by the murder of her teammate Cypher; teleports an entire armor of soldiers to Limbo to be killed by demons; nearly shoots the man responsible for Cypher's death in the head but instead teleports him to Limbo as well. Watches her brother die in Dallas and is further outraged. takes on a more demonic appearence and attacks Magneto.)

New Mutants# 65-66 (seeks revenges against Forge for the death of the X-men, she and her team battle Freedom Force, she is the last to fall in the battle. Learns that she will be responsible for the "Inferno" from a prophecy by Destiny. Finally battles Forge. The battle is a draw on Earth so she teleports him to Limbo where she humiliates him before stabbing him through the stomach with her soul sword. Is persuaded by Wolfsbane and her team to restore him and leave him to suffer the guilt instead.)

from that point on, Magik becomes increasingly hostile and demonic..leading to the Inferno. She sacrifices herself to save NYC and the world...and is regressed to the point she was at the time she FIRST fell into Limbo...that of a 7 year old child. The rest..is all down hill from there.

but for MORE Magik action when she is in top form...check out:

Exiles issues #22-44 (replaces Blink as team teleporter; demonstrates a bloodthirsty attitude; murders the ENTIRE TEAM of Avengers; punches Havok in the mouth and squares off with nearly everyone on the Exiles team except Morph; prooves she is capable of manifesting more than one Soul Sword.)

and for a juisy ALTERNATE REALITY version of Magik check out:

Excalibur(first series)#23 ( in an alternate reality Magik and Shadowcat are crime lords over a highly technological version of London. Magik posseses her original powers AND the powers of Doctor Strange. She has resurrected Cypher and he is now Shadowcat's attourney. In this reality, Magik is very seductive and manipulative and she hides a secret. Magik beats down Phoenix III, as well as Nightcrawler before capturing and concealing the others to cover up the fact that she's actually MURDERED Shadowcat in an attempt to take over London. When the truth comes out, she murders Meggan and is shot down by Justicer Bull and her troops..only to reply "Didnt you know, the Darkchilde doesnt die...quite like everybody else" Captain Britain, his alternate counter part and THAT altnernate counterpart's sister Psylocke fight Darkchilde and Psylocke manages to restore Phoenix III who then defeates Darkchilde in battle.)

[Foxfire]

That's awesome descriptions. I'll check out the comic stores by me for them and if anything else I can check out E -bay.

Those storylines sound amazing, I'm looking forward to reading them. Thank you.