Deathurge
Encyclopedia
Deathurge is a fictional character
in the Marvel Comics
universe
. He is a wraith-like superhuman
entity
who served as the herald and agent of Oblivion
. He first appeared in Marvel Two-In-One
#71.
Deathurge was first observed in the employ of the villain Maelstrom
as an assassin. Deathurge was dispatched to slay the clonal bodies of Maelstrom's three prime minions
and was commanded to slay a clonal body of Maelstrom himself. He slew another of Maelstrom's bodies, and encountered Captain Marvel
. He attended Maelstrom's resurrection within another cloned body, and was then dismissed from Maelstrom's service. Although Maelstrom sometimes treated Deathurge as if he were a lackey, Deathurge served only at Oblivion
's behest, for Oblivion perceived within Maelstrom the potential to drastically tip the scales between existence and non-existence in his favor.
Deathurge later encountered Quasar on the planet Uranus, and revealed himself to be the herald of Oblivion. Deathurge recounted how he had destroyed the Uranian
Eternals
' protective dome, thereby killing them. Deathurge was thwarted in battle by Quasar.
At least for a time, Deathurge harbored great animus towards Quasar and opposed him repeatedly. With Quasar assuming the mantle of Protector of the Universe, Oblivion saw him as a threat to his agenda and set Deathurge against him, both before and after Quasar thwarted Maelstrom's plot to collapse the universe into a gargantuan black hole. Deathurge was determined to exploit the streak of fatalism he sensed within the hero's personality. As Deathurge saw it, Quasar was a despicable hypocrite for pledging to champion all life while denying his feelings of futility and angst regarding his own existence. In the course of one of their battles, Deathurge summed himself up succinctly with the following remark:
You claim you are Protector of the Universe, Quasar, but you fail to see that life itself is an aberration. A random mixture of chemicals and electricity with delusions of grandeur! Oblivion is the universe's preferred state. You are so vain as to think that because you are alive, that's what the universe desires. Fah! I am Protector of the Universe too, Quasar--I protect the universe from the chaotic blight of that aberration called life.
Deathurge recounted how he observed the first encounter between Maelstrom and Oblivion, and how he was summoned by Maelstrom to spread the "Oblivion Plague" among the Watchers
. Deathurge refused Quasar's request to kill him, and then fought Ghost Rider
. He unsuccessfully attacked Uatu
the Watcher, and was prevented by the Squadron Supreme
from killing Doctor Strange
.
Deathurge was also responsible for compelling Patsy Walker
to commit suicide.
Deathurge has since become involved in the affairs of Mr. Immortal
and his team, the Great Lakes Avengers
, a team of heroes with a knack for self-destruction. Deathurge regularly visited Craig Hollis since his birth, where his mother had died during labor. Deathurge could only be seen by Craig and the dead souls he was sent to collect; because of this he was thought to be merely an imaginary friend and later a mental breakdown to Craig. Deathurge constantly attempted to get Craig killed as a child in order to show him his power. Deathurge also was responsible for collecting the souls of several people close to Craig, which led Craig to blame Deathurge for their deaths. Deathurge finally revealed to him that he was destined to be the last living being in existence in order to receive the final secret of the universe. This meant a long, lonely and traumatic life for him and Deathurge, who showed he had genuine feelings for him, wanted to prepare him for his fate. He supplied the GLA with information crucial to foiling another of Maelstrom's plans for universal destruction. Having lost his job to Doorman
for failing to lead the soul of Monkey Joe to the afterlife, Oblivion has apparently cursed him to remain in the squirrel form he was in when trying to lead Monkey Joe into the afterlife. Oblivion gave Deathurge one last chance to regain his job, if he could kill Squirrel Girl
's new sidekick, Tippy Toe. Thanks to the intervention of Mr. Immortal and a cuckoo clock, however, his attempts failed, and when he was last seen he seemed to be falling for Tippy Toe.
.)
In general, a person's will to live plays a large part in how effective his weapons are. When Deathurge attacks, he is typically seeking to slay a specific target—usually someone who at least to some degree craves death and oblivion. He has the psychic ability to detect suicidal urges within the minds of sentient beings. If one of his weapons scores a direct hit on his target, the result is fatal, with a blackness spreading from the spot where the weapon bloodlessly struck and passed through the target's body.
If the weapon only strikes a glancing blow, or it happens to pass through someone other than Deathurge's target, then that person will feel the sensation of numbing coldness but will not blacken or die. If a target does not wish to die, or can at the brink of death find a strong will to live, Deathurge's powers have a diminished or even negligible effect.
Deathurge has the ability to survive unprotected in hostile environments. He has limited telepathic abilities enabling him to learn the languages of sentient beings with whom he communicates. Deathurge is unharmed by energy attacks of beings in the grip of suicidal urges, but can be harmed by energy attacks of beings filled with a desire to live.
His appearance, particularly his use of skis, is an homage to the Black Racer.
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
in the Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
universe
Marvel Universe
The Marvel Universe is the shared fictional universe where most comic book titles and other media published by Marvel Entertainment take place, including those featuring Marvel's most familiar characters, such as Spider-Man, the Hulk, the X-Men, and the Avengers.The Marvel Universe is further...
. He is a wraith-like superhuman
Superhuman
Superhuman can mean an improved human, for example, by genetic modification, cybernetic implants, or as what humans might evolve into, in the near or distant future...
entity
Entity
An entity is something that has a distinct, separate existence, although it need not be a material existence. In particular, abstractions and legal fictions are usually regarded as entities. In general, there is also no presumption that an entity is animate.An entity could be viewed as a set...
who served as the herald and agent of Oblivion
Oblivion (comics)
Oblivion is a fictional character, in the Marvel Comics universe. His first appearance was in Iceman #3 and he was created by J. M. DeMatteis and Alan Kupperberg. Oblivion is a cosmic entity and another aspect of Death, a personification of death...
. He first appeared in Marvel Two-In-One
Marvel Two-in-One
Marvel Two-In-One was an American comic book series published by Marvel Comics that featured the Fantastic Four member, the Thing, in a different team-up each issue with a different character. The series continued from the team-up stories starring the Thing in the final two issues of Marvel...
#71.
Fictional character biography
Deathurge's origins are not known. On multiple occasions he has claimed to embody the impulse for self-destruction that resides within all sentient life, which implies that he is an abstract entity.Deathurge was first observed in the employ of the villain Maelstrom
Maelstrom (comics)
Maelstrom is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in Marvel Two-in-One #71 , and was created by writer Mark Gruenwald.-Fictional character biography:...
as an assassin. Deathurge was dispatched to slay the clonal bodies of Maelstrom's three prime minions
Maelstrom's Minions
Maelstrom's Minions are a trio of supervillains in the Marvel Comics universe that work for Maelstrom. They are Gronk, Helio, and Phobius.- Publication history :...
and was commanded to slay a clonal body of Maelstrom himself. He slew another of Maelstrom's bodies, and encountered Captain Marvel
Monica Rambeau
Monica Rambeau is a fictional character, a comic book superheroine in the Marvel Comics universe. Initially known as Captain Marvel, the character became a leader of the Avengers...
. He attended Maelstrom's resurrection within another cloned body, and was then dismissed from Maelstrom's service. Although Maelstrom sometimes treated Deathurge as if he were a lackey, Deathurge served only at Oblivion
Oblivion (comics)
Oblivion is a fictional character, in the Marvel Comics universe. His first appearance was in Iceman #3 and he was created by J. M. DeMatteis and Alan Kupperberg. Oblivion is a cosmic entity and another aspect of Death, a personification of death...
's behest, for Oblivion perceived within Maelstrom the potential to drastically tip the scales between existence and non-existence in his favor.
Deathurge later encountered Quasar on the planet Uranus, and revealed himself to be the herald of Oblivion. Deathurge recounted how he had destroyed the Uranian
Uranian (comics)
The Uranians are a fictional race in the Marvel Universe. They first appeared in Marvel Boy # 1 , written by Stan Lee, as the human-like inhabitants of the planet Uranus, who became the hosts and mentors of Marvel Boy , as well as providing him with the technology which he used on Earth to become a...
Eternals
Eternals (comics)
The Eternals are a fictional race of superhumans in the Marvel Comics universe. They are described as an offshoot of the evolutionary process that created sentient life on Earth. The original instigators of this process, the alien Celestials, intended the Eternals to be the defenders of Earth which...
' protective dome, thereby killing them. Deathurge was thwarted in battle by Quasar.
At least for a time, Deathurge harbored great animus towards Quasar and opposed him repeatedly. With Quasar assuming the mantle of Protector of the Universe, Oblivion saw him as a threat to his agenda and set Deathurge against him, both before and after Quasar thwarted Maelstrom's plot to collapse the universe into a gargantuan black hole. Deathurge was determined to exploit the streak of fatalism he sensed within the hero's personality. As Deathurge saw it, Quasar was a despicable hypocrite for pledging to champion all life while denying his feelings of futility and angst regarding his own existence. In the course of one of their battles, Deathurge summed himself up succinctly with the following remark:
You claim you are Protector of the Universe, Quasar, but you fail to see that life itself is an aberration. A random mixture of chemicals and electricity with delusions of grandeur! Oblivion is the universe's preferred state. You are so vain as to think that because you are alive, that's what the universe desires. Fah! I am Protector of the Universe too, Quasar--I protect the universe from the chaotic blight of that aberration called life.
Deathurge recounted how he observed the first encounter between Maelstrom and Oblivion, and how he was summoned by Maelstrom to spread the "Oblivion Plague" among the Watchers
Watcher (comics)
The Watchers are a fictional race of extraterrestrials that appear in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the first Watcher - named Uatu - appears in Fantastic Four #13 .-Fictional history:...
. Deathurge refused Quasar's request to kill him, and then fought Ghost Rider
Ghost Rider (Daniel Ketch)
Ghost Rider is a comic book character, a supernatural superhero in Marvel Comics' main shared universe. He is the third Marvel character to use the name Ghost Rider, following the Western hero later known as the Phantom Rider, and Johnny Blaze, the first supernatural Ghost Rider.-Publication...
. He unsuccessfully attacked Uatu
Uatu
Uatu, often simply known as The Watcher, is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Stan Lee and designed by artist Jack Kirby, he first appeared in The Fantastic Four #13 ....
the Watcher, and was prevented by the Squadron Supreme
Squadron Supreme
The Squadron Supreme is a fictional superhero team that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The Squadron Supreme first appeared in Avengers #85 - 86 The Squadron Supreme is a fictional superhero team that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The Squadron Supreme first...
from killing Doctor Strange
Doctor Strange
Doctor Stephen Strange is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was co-created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, and first appeared in Strange Tales #110 ....
.
Deathurge was also responsible for compelling Patsy Walker
Hellcat (comics)
Hellcat is a fictional character published by Marvel Comics. She premiered as the star of a teen romantic-comedy series and was later integrated into Marvel superhero franchises such as the Avengers and the Defenders....
to commit suicide.
Deathurge has since become involved in the affairs of Mr. Immortal
Mr. Immortal
Mr. Immortal is a comic book character, a mutant superhero in Marvel Comics' main shared universe. He is the leader of the Great Lakes Avengers and first appeared in the pages of the Avengers West Coast in 1989.-Profile:Mr...
and his team, the Great Lakes Avengers
Great Lakes Avengers
The Great Lakes Initiative, originally known as The Great Lakes Avengers , are a fictional superhero team that appear in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The characters were first introduced in West Coast Avengers vol. 2, #46 , and were created by John Byrne.-Publication history:The team...
, a team of heroes with a knack for self-destruction. Deathurge regularly visited Craig Hollis since his birth, where his mother had died during labor. Deathurge could only be seen by Craig and the dead souls he was sent to collect; because of this he was thought to be merely an imaginary friend and later a mental breakdown to Craig. Deathurge constantly attempted to get Craig killed as a child in order to show him his power. Deathurge also was responsible for collecting the souls of several people close to Craig, which led Craig to blame Deathurge for their deaths. Deathurge finally revealed to him that he was destined to be the last living being in existence in order to receive the final secret of the universe. This meant a long, lonely and traumatic life for him and Deathurge, who showed he had genuine feelings for him, wanted to prepare him for his fate. He supplied the GLA with information crucial to foiling another of Maelstrom's plans for universal destruction. Having lost his job to Doorman
Doorman (comics)
Doorman is a fictional character, a superhero in the Marvel Comics universe that first appeared in the pages of the Avengers West Coast in 1989.-Fictional character biography:...
for failing to lead the soul of Monkey Joe to the afterlife, Oblivion has apparently cursed him to remain in the squirrel form he was in when trying to lead Monkey Joe into the afterlife. Oblivion gave Deathurge one last chance to regain his job, if he could kill Squirrel Girl
Squirrel Girl
Squirrel Girl, real name Doreen Green, is a fictional character and superhero in the . Her first appearance was in Marvel Super-Heroes #8 , in a story plotted and drawn by Steve Ditko and scripted by Will Murray. Her ability to control squirrels is surprisingly powerful and has allowed her to...
's new sidekick, Tippy Toe. Thanks to the intervention of Mr. Immortal and a cuckoo clock, however, his attempts failed, and when he was last seen he seemed to be falling for Tippy Toe.
Powers and abilities
Deathurge has the ability to become intangible at will, and draw forth from his non-reflective ebony body a variety of simple objects and weaponry such as swords, spears, axes, bows, and arrows. These weapons, also non-reflective black, appear to be made of the same unknown substance as Deathurge's body. He can fly at great speeds by riding upon an ebony spear or using skis created from his body. These weapons do not inflict physical wounds, but are imbued with life-annihilating properties that can kill even powerful superhuman entities. However, they prove to be effectively useless against spirits and demons (See his confrontation with Ghost RiderGhost Rider (Daniel Ketch)
Ghost Rider is a comic book character, a supernatural superhero in Marvel Comics' main shared universe. He is the third Marvel character to use the name Ghost Rider, following the Western hero later known as the Phantom Rider, and Johnny Blaze, the first supernatural Ghost Rider.-Publication...
.)
In general, a person's will to live plays a large part in how effective his weapons are. When Deathurge attacks, he is typically seeking to slay a specific target—usually someone who at least to some degree craves death and oblivion. He has the psychic ability to detect suicidal urges within the minds of sentient beings. If one of his weapons scores a direct hit on his target, the result is fatal, with a blackness spreading from the spot where the weapon bloodlessly struck and passed through the target's body.
If the weapon only strikes a glancing blow, or it happens to pass through someone other than Deathurge's target, then that person will feel the sensation of numbing coldness but will not blacken or die. If a target does not wish to die, or can at the brink of death find a strong will to live, Deathurge's powers have a diminished or even negligible effect.
Deathurge has the ability to survive unprotected in hostile environments. He has limited telepathic abilities enabling him to learn the languages of sentient beings with whom he communicates. Deathurge is unharmed by energy attacks of beings in the grip of suicidal urges, but can be harmed by energy attacks of beings filled with a desire to live.
His appearance, particularly his use of skis, is an homage to the Black Racer.