Belasco (Marvel Comics)

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Belasco
N'astirh
Notable aliasesLucifer
AbilitiesSkilled in magic
Invulnerability
Commands legion of demons

Belasco is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character's first appearance was in Ka-Zar the Savage #11; he was created by Bruce Jones and Brent Anderson.[1]

Fictional character biography

Belasco is an ancient, evil

Illyana Rasputin
.

Early history

Belasco's early history is told by the poet Dante, though there is some dispute as to the veracity of these accounts. Allegedly, Belasco was a sorcerer in 13th Century Florence, Italy who used his knowledge of alchemy and the black arts to contact the Elder Gods (actually extra-dimensional demonic entities). He forged a pact with them enabling them to cross the barrier to our dimension using a pentagonal arrangement of five Bloodstones. In return, Belasco was granted immortality and immense mystical power. He was also given a demonic appearance, as he was intended to form a new race of Earth-dwelling demons.

To this end, he kidnapped Bice "Beatrice" dei Portinari, beloved of Dante, to give birth to the first of this new race. He fled with her to the Atlantean isle of Pangea, where the Elder Gods directed him to Mt. Flavius, where their summoning ritual could take place. While en route, Belasco raped Beatrice, and she was nine months pregnant by the time they arrived. He embarked onto the island, closely pursued by Dante, and took Beatrice into a network of underground passages designed to resemble Hell. Dante found them just in time to witness Beatrice dying in childbirth and, enraged, he attacked Belasco. During the battle, a pipe was accidentally struck, releasing an unknown liquid that placed Belasco in suspended animation. At some point on the island, Belasco also lost the locket containing the Bloodstones.

Modern history

Belasco and Magik by Niko Henrichon

In recent years, the volcano mountain becomes active again, releasing Belasco. He quickly locates the locket and finds a new sacrifice, Shanna O'Hara. He places her under his mental control and begins the spell. He seeks to make Shanna the mother of a demonic race he would father. However, Shanna's mate Ka-Zar appears and hurls the locket into the volcano, sealing away the Elder Gods and apparently destroying Belasco.[2]

However, he instead is trapped in

S'ym.[6]

During Illyana's seduction, Belasco also attempts to transform Ka-Zar and Shanna into demons to be parents to a new demonic race. He is seemingly defeated when Ka-Zar impales Belasco on his own sword.

Belasco eventually takes control of Limbo once more. The cultist "Rev" worships Belasco, mistaking him for Lucifer. Belasco seeks to wipe out humanity, using the Rev as a pawn. The Rev is defeated and killed by the Punisher.[9]

Belasco also turns

Witchfire against her team by influencing her demonic side.[10] She finally is restored to normal and returns to Beta Flight, Alpha Flight's support group.[11]

Later, Belasco and the fear-demon

Cable, the son of Madelyne Pryor, who had been the ally of S'ym and N'astirh during "Inferno". Belasco banished D'Spayre and summoned himself, Cable, and Cable's ally Lee Forrester to Limbo, where S'ym threw Belasco out of his way and fought with Cable. Cable won, and he and Lee returned to Earth.[volume & issue needed
]

It was eventually revealed that Illyana's best friend

N'Garai demons, fought the X-Men again soon after, but were defeated by the X-Men with the assistance of the new Magik.[volume & issue needed
]

Quest for Magik

Cast into an even lower level of hell by his disappointed gods, Belasco used the life-force of a low level demon to regain access to the Limbo dimension after seeing a version of Magik (Illyana Rasputin) alive which was brought back when the Scarlet Witch House of M. Once there, Belasco fought his way through Amanda Sefton's minions and even used a Bloodstone containing a portion of Illyana's soul, to resurrect Illyana in her Darkchylde form to overthrow Sefton, however his creation had all of Illyana's memories but lacked her soul. Disappointed, Belasco banished her before battling the sorceress himself. As opposed to their first battle, Belasco was successful and cast Amanda out of Limbo, becoming Limbo's ruler once again. Belasco then summoned the New X-Men because he felt the scent of the House of M Magik on them. It is revealed that Belasco's fixation on Illyana is not simply for her powers, but also because he fell in love with her. Finally Belasco was defeated by Magik with the help of a reformed Pixie, who stabbed him with a 'Souldagger'.[volume & issue needed] Now Magik is the new ruler of Limbo, served by S'ym and N'astirh and in search of her soul.[volume & issue needed]

Dark Web

During the "Dark Web" storyline, Belasco saves Mary Jane Watson and Black Cat from some demons. He would like to make use of Black Cat to obtain his misplaced Soulsword from the Screaming Tower where they will have competition from the Thief Army, the Heven's Devils, the HYDRA Expedition Force Agares, and S'ym. To help them out, Belasco skins himself and uses part of his soul to make a Soul Compass.[12]

Powers and abilities

Belasco is one of the most powerful sorcerers on Earth and possesses a wide knowledge of the mystical black arts. He possesses the ability to manipulate the forces of magic for a variety of effects, including the ability to fire concussive bolts of mystical energy, create protective shields of mystical energy, transform and transmute matter both living and inanimate, travel inter-dimensionally, shoot mystical rays, control the minds of humans and animals, and raise the dead under certain circumstances. He has an encyclopedic knowledge of spells from a variety of books of occult spells that he can use.

He was also endowed by the Elder Gods with immortality and some degree of invulnerability. His demonic form apparently also possesses augmented physical strength, as he was effortlessly able to overpower Ka-Zar with his one good arm, and pick him up by his throat using his tail. However, his own sword, which was forged by the Elder Gods themselves, has the power to harm him. It was this which cut off his right arm under unrevealed circumstances.

Belasco's powers are somehow linked to those of

Otherplace
and Magik took on her "Darkchilde" form, Belasco simultaneously reverted to human form, losing most of his power and his invulnerability in the process.

He has also come to possess a wide knowledge of the advanced technology left by the Atlanteans in Pangea.

Additionally, he is an exceptional swordsman and battle tactician and was seen wielding a battle axe with great skill.

Other versions

Universe X

In the

Nightcrawler of the X-Men, who had become amnesiac and was displaced in time.[volume & issue needed
]

References

  1. ^ Ka-Zar the Savage #11-13. Marvel Comics.
  2. ^ Magik #1
  3. ^ The Uncanny X-Men #160. Marvel Comics.
  4. ^ Magik: Storm and Illyana #1-4. Marvel Comics.
  5. ^ The New Mutants #50. Marvel Comics.
  6. ^ Ka-Zar the Savage #29. Marvel Comics.
  7. ^ Fantastic Four #314. Marvel Comics.
  8. ^ The Punisher vol. 2 #35-40. Marvel Comics.
  9. ^ Alpha Flight #122-124. Marvel Comics.
  10. ^ Alpha Flight #129-130 (Feb.-March 1994). Marvel Comics.
  11. ^ Mary Jane & Black Cat #1-2. Marvel Comics.

External links