Contributed by Michael McDermott
Mephisto is a demon who rules a fiery “hell” dimension. He is a being of pure evil, and his entire existance seems to be devoted to causing suffering and capturing the souls of various mortals. Mephisto has many different forms and appearances, and although his natural state appears to be male, he can assume a female form when it suits his purposes.
Over the years Mephisto has been a threat to nearly every character in the Marvel Universe, and has targeted various heroes as Adam Warlock, Thor, Wonder Man, Black Panther, Hellcat, and many others in his schemes. The hero he seems most interested in is the Silver Surfer.
In one encounter, he assumed the form of the the female Nova, and seduced the Surfer and managed to trick him into surrendering his soul. The Surfer was now Mephisto’s property, although he did eventually manage to escape.
Mephisto: “You exist for my amusement… to do and be anything I desire… take any shape… serve any purpose. It is mine to deem you slave… or lover… or nothing.” (Silver Surfer vol.3 #100)
Given that he is a creature of pure evil, Mephisto is ob-viously incapable of love, and therefore his sexuality changes to suit whatever scheme he is currently involved in. This is best illustrated in a scene from Black Panther #2, where Everett Ross asks Mephisto if he is gay. His reply: “No. At least, not today.”
Mephisto has a son,Blackheart, and in an alternate future has a daughter named Malevolence. There is no information on who the mother of these offspring is.
Mephisto first appeared in Silver Surfer #3, volume 1 and is outed in Silver Surfer #99 & 100.
Created by Stan Lee and John Buscema. Art by Buscema and Joe Sinnott from Silver Surfer #3.
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