Master Pandemonium

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Master Pandemonium
Martin Preston / Master Pandemonium.
Cover of The West Coast Avengers vol. 2 #9
(June 1986).
Art by Al Milgrom and by Joe Sinnott.
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
First appearanceThe West Coast Avengers vol. 2 #4
(January 1986)
Created bySteve Englehart
Al Milgrom
In-story information
Alter egoMartin Preston
SpeciesHuman mutate
Team affiliationsHellfire Club
Notable aliasesMaster Pandemonium
Master Mayhem
Abilities
  • Ability to summon demons and turn limbs into demons with fangs, claws, and wings
  • Knowledge of demon lore and certain rites of magic

Master Pandemonium (Martin Preston) is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Steve Englehart and artist Al Milgrom, the character first appeared in The West Coast Avengers vol. 2 #4 (January 1986).

Publication history

Martin Preston debuted in The West Coast Avengers vol. 2 #4 (January 1986), created by writer Steve Englehart and artist Al Milgrom.[1] He appeared in the Young Avengers Presents series.[2]

Fictional character biography

Martin Preston was born in

Mephisto
to regain his limb. Mephisto instead took the man's other three limbs, then replaced them all with demonic grafts. He was also given a hole in his chest in the shape of an inverted five-pointed star, and the ability to survive despite this hole in his chest. He was also given the ability to command the demons inside him.

At some point, Master Pandemonium became the CEO of Anvil Pictures.

Master Pandemonium went seeking the five beings possessing parts of his fragmented soul. He attacked

Cat People in the Land Within, and regained one fragment of "his" soul.[5]

Master Pandemonium later became stranded on the planet Arcturus IV. Alongside the

Max, and then returned to Earth.[6]

Master Pandemonium then abducted and absorbed Thomas and William, the "children" of the

Franklin Richards, Mephisto had used Pandemonium to seek out the missing fragments of his own soul rather than expend energy by searching himself.[7]

Master Pandemonium was imprisoned for a time within Mephisto's realm, until he was freed by the nexus being known as Lore. Master Pandemonium's appearance was changed to an inhuman form by the torments in suffered at the hands of the Rakasha. With the assistance of his newfound ally, Pandemonium sought to capture the Scarlet Witch. The Scarlet Witch, with the help of Agatha Harkness and the Avengers, fought him off. When Pandemonium finally succeeded in kidnapping the Scarlet Witch, he was betrayed by his erstwhile ally Lore, who attempted to sacrifice both Pandemonium and the Scarlet Witch. Pandemonium was seemingly obliterated in the ensuing battle with Lore.[8]

Speed (while searching for their mother the Scarlet Witch) encountered Master Pandemonium in their mother's former home in Leonia, New Jersey (incorrectly stated to be in Cresskill, New Jersey). He had reverted to a more human look, and claimed to be in hiding due to the belief his schemes had helped precipitate the Scarlet Witch's breakdown. After a brief battle, the two Young Avengers deemed that Pandemonium was not an active threat, and left peacefully.[9]

Master Pandemonium reappears in the Ghost Riders: Heaven's on Fire miniseries. In this appearance he appears to be fighting with his own demonic limbs (they try to drown him in his own breakfast cereal). Former Ghost Rider

Jaine Cutter. Both villains are later seen alongside Blackout in a strip club as they plan their next move.[12]

Master Pandemonium appears in a cameo as one of the villains summoned by Sin to battle Earth's heroes.[13]

As part of the

Marvel NOW! event, Master Pandemonium was recruited by Kade Kilgore to be a teacher at the Hellfire Club's Hellfire Academy, where Master Pandemonium teaches Hell Literature.[14]

Pandemonium eventually made his way to San Francisco, where he formed a cult of demons to boost his power, but he was eventually defeated by the

Superior Spider-Man and Doctor Strange, Strange redirecting a demonic portal Pandemonium had attempted to open to trap the villain back in Mephisto's realm.[15]

Powers and abilities

Master Pandemonium possesses the power to summon demons and turn limbs into demons, having fangs, claws, and wings.[16] He also has a great knowledge of demon lore and certain rites of magic.

Reception

Darby Harn of Screen Rant called Martin Preston "one of the best Scarlet Witch comics characters."[17]

In other media

Martin Preston / Master Pandemonium appears in M.O.D.O.K., voiced by Jordan Blum.[18] This version is the host of a morning talk show called Morning with Master Pandemonium.[19]

References

  1. ^ Lealos, Shawn S. (January 23, 2021). "Before WandaVision: How Marvel's Strangest Demon Was Behind the Avengers' Kids". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved 2023-10-10.
  2. ^ The West Coast Avengers vol. 2 #4
  3. ^ The West Coast Avengers vol. 2 #9
  4. ^ The West Coast Avengers vol. 2 #14-15
  5. ^ Fantastic Four #315-316
  6. ^ Avengers West Coast #51-52
  7. ^ Scarlet Witch #1-4
  8. ^ Young Avengers Presents: Wiccan & Speed #3
  9. ^ Ghost Riders: Heaven's on Fire #4 (Jan. 2010)
  10. ^ Ghost Riders: Heaven's on Fire #5 (Feb. 2010)
  11. ^ Ghost Riders: Heaven's on Fire #6 (March 2010)
  12. ^ Fear Itself: The Fearless #8
  13. ^ Wolverine and the X-Men #20
  14. ^ The Superior Spider-Man vol. 2 #6
  15. ^ West Coast Avengers (Vol. 2) #4. Marvel Comics.
  16. ^ Harn, Darby (April 26, 2022). "10 Best Scarlet Witch Comics Characters Not In The MCU". Screen Rant. Retrieved 2023-10-10.
  17. ^ Towner, Eric and Alex Kramer; Brett Cawley and Robert Maitia (writer) (May 21, 2021). "Beware from What Portal Comes!". MODOK. Season 1. Episode 3. Hulu.
  18. Looper
    . Retrieved 2023-10-10.

External links