Daimon Hellstrom
Daimon Hellstrom | |
---|---|
Publication information | |
Publisher | Marvel Comics |
First appearance | Ghost Rider #1 (vol. 2) (September 1973) |
Created by | Roy Thomas Gary Friedrich Herb Trimpe |
In-story information | |
Alter ego | Daimon Hellstrom |
Species | Human/demon hybrid |
Team affiliations | Defenders God Squad Hellfire Club Masters of Evil Midnight Sons Shadow Hunters S.H.I.E.L.D. Paranormal Containment Unit |
Notable aliases | The Son of Satan Hellstorm |
Abilities | Dark magic user Fire projection Ability to heal others Peak human physical capabilities |
Daimon Hellstrom, also known as the Son of Satan and Hellstorm, is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.
Daimon made his live action debut in the Hulu television series Helstrom, played by Tom Austen.
Publication history
Encouraged by the success of the titles Ghost Rider (vol. 2) and The Tomb of Dracula, both of which starred occult characters, Stan Lee proposed a series starring Satan, to be titled The Mark of Satan.[1] Editor Roy Thomas had reservations about this idea and suggested a series focusing on the son of Satan instead[2] (due to an oversight, "The Mark of Satan" is mentioned in a blurb in Ghost Rider (vol. 2) #1).[2][3] According to Thomas, Lee approved of the idea, and Gary Friedrich and Herb Trimpe were assigned the task of designing the character. However, Trimpe denies this, claiming Friedrich alone designed Daimon Hellstrom and only brought him in as artist after the character was fully realized. Thomas has said he later realized that a 1960s fanzine character created by his friend Biljo White had looked very similar.[2] Thomas recalled in 2001:
"... I realized that name and basic concept had been a fanzine comic by a friend of mine, Biljo White, back in the early '60s! He wound up looking even looking a lot like Biljo's character, by sheer coincidence, because I don't think Herb Trimpe and Gary Friedrich, who did the actual story, ever saw him and I don't think I described it much. The branded chest, a trident, and so forth... I think it just came out looking almost identical. I explained it to Biljo, and he understood, but it was really weird, because if you look at his old fanzine, it's almost the same character!"[4]
The character Daimon Hellstrom first appeared in Ghost Rider (vol. 2) #1–2 (Sept. 1973 – Oct. 1973), then was spun off into a feature, "The Son of Satan", in Marvel Spotlight #12–24 (Oct. 1973 – Oct. 1975).[5][6] During the "Son of Satan" run, Marvel Spotlight was a controversial series, with numerous readers writing to object to the depictions of Satanism and Wicca as being either inaccurate or furthering the cause of evil. Nonetheless, sales were strong, prompting Marvel to launch the character into his own series, The Son of Satan, written by John Warner.[2] The character's success faded soon after the series launch, and The Son of Satan was cancelled with issue #7, though an unused fill-in was published as The Son of Satan #8 (Feb. 1977).[2][7]
Hellstrom then became a recurring character in The Defenders, Steve Gerber having added the character to the team during the time he was writing the "Son of Satan" feature in Marvel Spotlight, and Hellstrom continued to appear in Defenders following the cancellation of Marvel Spotlight. One of the later writers on Defenders, J. M. DeMatteis, featured a number of subplots focused on Daimon Hellstrom, commenting that he "was absolutely my favorite character. Characters like Son of Satan are a wonderful metaphor for what we all contain, good and evil, high and low aspirations. He's literally the son of the Devil, trying not to be what his father is. For a writer like me, how can you not feast on that?"[2] Hellstrom's story reaches a resolution of sorts in The Defenders #120–121 (June–July 1983), as Hellstrom is freed from his Satanic heritage and marries his teammate the Hellcat.[8]
In 1993, he received his own series once more with Hellstorm: Prince of Lies. As suggested by the title, his surname was spelled "Hellstorm" during this series, the character explicitly choosing to change it from "Hellstrom" in issues #1 and 2. Rafael Nieves wrote the first four issues, Len Kaminski took over as scripter until issue #11, and Warren Ellis then took over as writer until the series' cancellation with issue #21.[9][10] In 2019, the character joined a team consisting of Blade the Vampire Slayer, Angela, the Winter Soldier, Spider-Woman, Wiccan and Monica Rambeau in Strikeforce.[11]
Fictional character biography
Daimon Hellstrom was born in the fictional town of Greentown,
In his first appearance, Daimon battled Satan and the Witch-Woman alongside the Ghost Rider.[14] Soon after that, he began a long association with the Defenders by helping them battle Asmodeus (the leader of the Sons of Satannish) and Satannish himself.[15] He also helped the Defenders battle the third incarnation of the Sons of the Serpent.[16] Later, alongside the Human Torch, he battled Dryminextes.[17] He then encountered Satana for the first time as an adult.[18] Alongside the Thing, he battled Kthara.[19] Alongside the Ghost Rider again, he battled the Challenger.[20] Hellstrom next battled the Possessor.[21] After Steve Gerber ceased writing the book, Hellstrom began working at the University of the District of Columbia Parapsychology Department, where he had a friendship with Seripha Thames, a female professor who was a Wiccan.[22] Following these events, he was rarely seen for a while. One of his few recorded adventures during this time was again with the Defenders, battling the Hulk.[23] He returned to a more active role when he became involved with the Defenders yet again, this time becoming an active member of the group. He worked with the team to battle the Six-Fingered Hand, and was taken to Hell by Satan.[24] He was subsequently expelled from Hell by Satan and rejoined the Defenders.[25] Alongside Luke Cage, he battled the Sons of Satannish again.[26] Hellstrom then battled an unnamed demon who had taken his place as "Daimon Hellstrom".[27] Alongside the Defenders, he battled the Miracle Man, who stole Daimon's "Darksoul", the essence of his evil heritage.[28] Alongside the Defenders again, Hellstrom battled Mad Dog and the Mutant Force. He then married his teammate Patsy Walker, alias the Hellcat.[29] Alongside the Defenders, Cutlass, Typhoon, and Hannibal King, Hellstrom then battled Minerva Bannister.[30]
Alongside the Hellcat and the
In the three-issue miniseries Hellcat, Daimon told his wife that he was never truly the son of Marduk Kurios; his true father was
During the
Powers and abilities
As a ruler of a realm of Hell, Hellstorm commands virtually unlimited power in his own dimension. Potentially, he can perform virtually any magical feat. As Hellstorm, thanks to his demonic heritage, Daimon Hellstrom could sense the presence of the supernatural and could cast spells to transport himself and others into mystical dimensions and back to Earth. Other powers he exhibited at this time may not have stemmed from himself (as he had lost his "Darksoul", see below) but from his magical trident. Hellstorm could project mystic energy in the form of "soulfire" (also called "hellfire") from his trident, causing excruciating pain within living beings through direct contact of a person's life force. The soulfire did not physically burn in the sense that true fire does, and Hellstrom could project soulfire as a concussive blast of force. He could use soulfire for various other effects, including flight and physical transformations.
As the Son of Satan, Hellstrom possessed supernatural powers derived from his "Darksoul", a demonic counterpart to his human soul, which physically manifested itself in the pentagram-shaped birthmark on his chest. The Darksoul granted him superhuman strength, and the ability to project soulfire. He was able to magically change into his demonic costume at will by extending the middle three fingers of each hand in the shape of a trident, concentrating, and letting his soulfire engulf his body. Once, Hellstrom used his powers to travel through time to ancient Atlantis. As the Son of Satan and Hellstorm, Hellstrom wielded a trident made of netharanium, a "psychosensitive" metal found only in "Satan's" extradimensional realm. The trident was a medium through which magical energies, such as Hellstrom's soulfire, could be amplified and projected. By projecting the soulfire through the trident, Hellstrom could gain enough thrust to levitate and to fly for short periods of time. He also used a fiery chariot drawn by three bat-winged demonic horses named Amon, Hecate and Set. Hellstrom is an expert in demonology, and a highly experienced exorcist with some knowledge of mystic rites. He has an advanced degree in theology, and is self-taught in demonology.
Other versions
What If
In the
Ruins
In Warren Ellis' Ruins, a two-part series which takes place in a dystopian reality of the Marvel Multiverse where everything went wrong, a version of Hellstrom is mentioned in the narrative captions of the series' main character, Phil Sheldon. While on the way to interview Rick Jones, Sheldon passed by a woman with a "gray baby" in her arms with a fistula in its chest. The woman claims that for one dollar, one would be allowed to hear the fistula saying "Our lord is dead". When Sheldon tried to quickly get away from the woman, she shouted "Don't forget the baby's name, he'll be the Messiah one day...Daimon Hellstrom. Don't forget Daimon Hellstrom."[51]
Marvel Mangaverse
In the Marvel Mangaverse continuity, Hellstrom is portrayed as Johnny Blaze's brother, using his power to turn Johnny into the Ghost Rider in order for him to help Daimon fight their sister Satana.[52]
Ultimate Marvel
In the
MAX
Science fiction writer
King Thor
In
Reception
Daimon Hellstrom was ranked #12 on a listing of Marvel Comics' monster characters in 2015 by Den of Geek.[59]
Collected editions
Title | Material collected | Published date | ISBN |
---|---|---|---|
The Son of Satan Classic | Ghost Rider (vol. 2) #1–2, Marvel Spotlight #12–24, Marvel Team-Up #32, The Son of Satan #1–8, Marvel Two-in-One #14 | November 2016 | 978-1302901042 |
Hellstrom: Evil Origins | Ghost Rider (vol. 2) #1–2, Marvel Spotlight #12–13, 24; The Son of Satan #8; The Defenders #92, 120–121 | August 2020 | 978-1302925161 |
Hellstorm: Son of Satan - Equinox | Hellstorm: Son of Satan #1–5 | June 2007 | 978-0785123873 |
Hellstorm: Prince of Lies | Hellstorm: Prince of Lies #1–11 | October 2020 | 978-1302925192 |
Hellstorm by Warren Ellis | Hellstorm: Prince of Lies #12–21 | November 2020 | 978-1302926748 |
Hellstorm by Warren Ellis Omnibus | Hellstorm: Prince of Lies #12–21; Druid #1–4 | October 2018 | 978-1302913243 |
In other media
Television
- Dr. Daimon Helstrom appears in the Hulu TV series Helstrom, portrayed by Tom Austen.[60][61] Professor Daimon Helstrom is a demon-human hybrid and the brother of Ana Helstrom. Helstrom is also a professor of ethics at Oregon's Gateway University who moonlights as an exorcist with hidden power due to his demonic patronage.
Video games
- Daimon Hellstrom appeared as a unlockable playable character in Marvel Avengers Alliance.[citation needed] He is later transformed into one of the Worthy as Angrir, Breaker of Souls.
- Daimon Hellstorm appears as an unlockable playable character in Marvel Future Fight.[citation needed]
References
- ISBN 978-1605490564.
- ^ a b c d e f Aushenker, Michael (April 2007). "The Son of Satan: A Trident True Devil Hero". Back Issue! (21). TwoMorrows Publishing: 6–13.
- ^ Steranko, Jim, ed. (April 1973). "Marvel News". Comixscene. p. 15.
Marvel's runaway hit 'The Ghost Rider' gets his own book soon, leaving the Marvel Spotlight slot open...The monster-hero trend continues with a replacement series entitled 'The Mark of Satan', featuring the Devil himself as the lead character.
- ^ "Son of Stan: Roy's Years of Horror". No. #13. (Roy Thomas interview) Comic Book Artist. May 2001. Archived from the original on May 26, 2011.
- ISBN 978-1-4654-7890-0.
- ^ Marvel Spotlight at the Grand Comics Database
- ^ Son of Satan at the Grand Comics Database
- ^ DeAngelo, Daniel (July 2013). "The Not-Ready-For-Super-Team Players: A History of the Defenders". Back Issue! (#65). TwoMorrows Publishing: 14.
- ^ Hellstorm: Prince of Lies at the Grand Comics Database
- ^ Hellstorm: Son of Satan at the Grand Comics Database
- ^ "Newsarama | GamesRadar+". Newsarama. 27 February 2024.
- ^ Hellstorm: Prince of Lies #12
- ^ Markstein, Don. "Daimon Hellstrom, Son of Satan". Don Markstein's Toonopedia. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
- ^ Ghost Rider (vol. 2) #1–2 and Marvel Spotlight #12
- ^ Giant-Size Defenders #2
- ^ The Defenders #24–25
- ^ Marvel Team-Up #32
- ^ Marvel Spotlight #24
- ^ Marvel Two-in-One #14
- ^ Ghost Rider (vol. 2) #17–19
- ^ The Son of Satan #1–3
- ^ The Son of Satan #4
- ^ The Defenders #62–63
- ^ The Defenders #94–100
- ^ The Defenders #105
- ^ Marvel Team-Up #126
- ^ The Defenders #118
- ^ The Defenders #120–122
- ^ The Defenders #125
- ^ The Defenders #147
- ^ West Coast Avengers (vol. 2) #14–15
- ^ West Coast Avengers (vol. 2) #41
- ^ Hellstorm: Prince of Lies #14
- ^ told via flashback in Hellstorm: Prince of Lies #16
- ^ Thunderbolts Annual 2000
- ^ Hellstorm: Prince of Lies #18
- ^ The Last Defenders #6
- ^ revealed in Marvel Zombies 4 #1
- ^ Marvel Zombies 4 #1–4
- ^ The New Avengers #52
- ^ Ghost Riders: Heaven's on Fire #1–6
- ^ Chaos War #2
- ^ Chaos War #3
- ^ Avengers Undercover #1
- ^ Avengers Undercover #2
- ^ Avengers Undercover #3
- ^ Avengers Undercover #4
- ^ Avengers Undercover #5
- ^ Avengers (vol. 8) #22
- ^ What If #17
- ^ Ruins #1
- ^ Marvel Mangaverse: Ghost Riders #1
- ^ The Ultimates 2 #6
- ^ Ultimates Annual #1
- ^ a b Ultimate Comics: New Ultimates #1
- ^ Richards, Dave (June 2, 2006). "Shout at the Devil: Irvine talks "Son of Satan"". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on January 11, 2009.
- ^ "WW Philadelphia - Axel Alonso on The Return of Hellstrom". Newsarama. June 2, 2006. Archived from the original on October 17, 2007.
- King Thor#4 (December 2019)
- ^ Buxton, Marc (October 30, 2015). "Marvel's 31 Best Monsters". Den of Geek. Archived from the original on March 12, 2017. Retrieved September 30, 2018.
Son of Satan is a Marvel character who may not appear to be a monster (other than the big, honking Satan pentagram branded on his chest), but Damon Hellstrom here is the son of the Devil, and if that ain't monstrous we don't know what is.
- ^ Otterson, Joe (May 1, 2019). "'Ghost Rider,' 'Helstrom' Live-Action Shows Ordered at Hulu". Variety. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
- ^ Flook, Ray (October 8, 2019). ""Marvel's Helstrom": "The Royals" Tom Austen, "FTWD" Sydney Lemon, 5 More Join Hulu Series". Bleeding Cool. Retrieved October 8, 2019.
External links
- Daimon Hellstrom at The Appendix to the Handbook of the Marvel Universe
- Daimon Hellstrom at the Comic Book DB (archived from the original)
- Daimon Hellstrom at the Marvel Universe
- Daimon Hellstrom at the Marvel Database Project