Sebastian Faust
Encyclopedia
Sebastian Faust, or simply Faust, is a fictional character, a comic book
superhero
from DC Comics
, loosely based on the protagonist of the German legend
who sold his soul to the Devil. He was introduced in the 1993 Outsiders
comic book series.
Faust is the son of the evil magician Felix Faust
. His soul was sold by his father to a demon named Nebiros
in exchange for power, but the demon cheats and grants the power to Sebastian instead of his father.
Faust possesses magical powers of an unclear nature. In addition to his vast magical power, he is also able to steal the souls of others, granting him their abilities and powers, as well as recharging his magical powers.
Faust has applied his magic in a wide variety of ways, including healing, regeneration, matter transformation, teleportation, scrying, and polymorphing.
's bodyguard Charlie Wylde is attacked by a bear, Faust saves him by merging the bear and guard together. However, the bear's violent side results in the deaths of innocent Markovian soldiers. Wylde goes on to fight and lose against his bestial half, and ends up in a zoo, tormented by Sebastian's sister, Fauna.
The Outsiders are on the run for some time, having been framed by the head vampire, Roderick, for the murder of the traitorous Queen Ilona. It is not known that Ilona is trying to kill the Outsiders. Eventually the team clears their names.
Faust is not trusted by many of his teammates. Despite this, he develops a romantic relationship with the innocent Halo
. Soon, Felix, along with Fauna, attacks the team, drawing them into a different dimension. The team suffers various tortures, and survives only due to the flexible laws of reality in this realm. Faust leads an escape attempt. After the team breaks up, Faust tries to pursue a solo career.
, Faust joins with other magical characters of the DC Universe
to form the Sentinels of Magic
. The denizens of Hell
have invaded Earth, led by Asmodel
with the power of Spectre
. Faust teams up with a varied group of superheroes, including Atom, Superman, Firestorm and Enchantress
. They travel to Hell itself and eventually, to the City of Dis, Hell's center of power, in order to relight its fires. During the trip, the heroes are temporarily trapped under the frozen River Styx. Faust manages to rescue Enchantress first, as since he has no soul, he is not tormented by the river's waters.
Inside the city, the heroes discover the demon Nebiros, who has stayed behind the guard the frozen fires. In battle, Faust releases Blue Devil
whose bones he had apparently bought from a mysterious marketplace. Nebiros is slain, due to Firestorm
changing the water in his body to cement. Faust regains his soul.
The combined forces of the superheroes were not enough to relight the fires. Faust and the powerful Enchantress
realize what must be done. Faust swiftly murders the Enchantress, losing his soul, restarting the fires and saving the Earth all at once.
. Faust comes to realize his newfound friend, Blue Devil, is only staying with him because of the magical nature of his revival. Not willing to risk Blue Devil's safety, he eliminates the magical connection by plunging the last of Blue Devil's bones into his back. Following the battles, Faust fakes the death of both himself and his father. Blue Devil soon dies in battle against Hermes but is revived.
Faust and Felix repair their relationship, but it is still plagued by the problem that Faust is a hero and Felix is a villain.
#17, Carl Draper
mentions that he was brought in as a consultant to lay down magical safeguards to help defend Checkmate's HQ, the Castle. In issue #24 of the series, Faust is revealed as one of the organization's "Rooks."
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
superhero
Superhero
A superhero is a type of stock character, possessing "extraordinary or superhuman powers", dedicated to protecting the public. Since the debut of the prototypical superhero Superman in 1938, stories of superheroes — ranging from brief episodic adventures to continuing years-long sagas —...
from DC Comics
DC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
, loosely based on the protagonist of the German legend
Faust
Faust is the protagonist of a classic German legend; a highly successful scholar, but also dissatisfied with his life, and so makes a deal with the devil, exchanging his soul for unlimited knowledge and worldly pleasures. Faust's tale is the basis for many literary, artistic, cinematic, and musical...
who sold his soul to the Devil. He was introduced in the 1993 Outsiders
Outsiders (comics)
The Outsiders are a fictional DC Comics superhero team. As its name suggests, the team consists of superheroes who allegedly do not fit the norms of the mainstream superhero community, namely the Justice League....
comic book series.
Faust is the son of the evil magician Felix Faust
Felix Faust
Felix Faust is a fictional character and supervillain who appears in stories published by DC Comics. The character first appeared in 1962 as an adversary of the Justice League of America...
. His soul was sold by his father to a demon named Nebiros
Nebiros
Nebiros is a fictional demon, a comic book character published by DC Comics. He first appeared in Swamp Thing #15, , and was created by David Michelinie and Nestor Redondo.-Fictional character biography:...
in exchange for power, but the demon cheats and grants the power to Sebastian instead of his father.
Faust possesses magical powers of an unclear nature. In addition to his vast magical power, he is also able to steal the souls of others, granting him their abilities and powers, as well as recharging his magical powers.
Faust has applied his magic in a wide variety of ways, including healing, regeneration, matter transformation, teleportation, scrying, and polymorphing.
Fictional character biography
Faust works with the Outsiders, assisting the team when they reformed under the threat of a vampire invasion of Markovia. When TechnocratTechnocrat (comics)
Technocrat is a superhero in the DC Comics and a former member of the Outsiders. His first appearance was in Outsiders Alpha v2, #1 . written by Mike W. Barr and drawn by Paul Pelletier.-Markovia:...
's bodyguard Charlie Wylde is attacked by a bear, Faust saves him by merging the bear and guard together. However, the bear's violent side results in the deaths of innocent Markovian soldiers. Wylde goes on to fight and lose against his bestial half, and ends up in a zoo, tormented by Sebastian's sister, Fauna.
The Outsiders are on the run for some time, having been framed by the head vampire, Roderick, for the murder of the traitorous Queen Ilona. It is not known that Ilona is trying to kill the Outsiders. Eventually the team clears their names.
Faust is not trusted by many of his teammates. Despite this, he develops a romantic relationship with the innocent Halo
Halo (comics)
Halo is a fictional superheroine that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. She first appeared in a special insert in The Brave and the Bold #200 , and was created by Mike W...
. Soon, Felix, along with Fauna, attacks the team, drawing them into a different dimension. The team suffers various tortures, and survives only due to the flexible laws of reality in this realm. Faust leads an escape attempt. After the team breaks up, Faust tries to pursue a solo career.
Day of Judgment
During the 1999 DC Comics crossover event, Day of JudgmentDay of Judgment (comics)
Day of Judgment was a DC Comics limited series and crossover storyline during the autumn of 1999. The limited series was written by Geoff Johns, with art by Matthew Dow Smith....
, Faust joins with other magical characters of the DC Universe
DC Universe
The DC Universe is the shared universe where most of the comic stories published by DC Comics take place. The fictional characters Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman are well-known superheroes from this universe. Note that in context, "DC Universe" is usually used to refer to the main DC continuity...
to form the Sentinels of Magic
Sentinels of Magic
The Sentinels of Magic is a fictional group of magically powered heroes that appear in comic books published by DC Comics. They first appeared in Day of Judgment #1 , and were created by Geoff Johns and Matthew Dow Smith.-History:...
. The denizens of Hell
Hell (DC Comics)
Hell is a fictional location, an infernal underworld utilized in titles published by DC Comics. It is the locational antithesis of the Silver City. The DC Comics location known as Hell is based heavily on its depiction in Judeo-Christian mythology...
have invaded Earth, led by Asmodel
Asmodel
Asmodel is a fictional fallen angel, a comic book character published by DC Comics, his namesake deriving from the Asmodel of real Christian theology, the Angel of April and Patience. He first appeared in JLA #7, and was created by Grant Morrison and Howard Porter...
with the power of Spectre
Spectre (comics)
The Spectre is a fictional character and superhero who has appeared in numerous comic books published by DC Comics. The character first appeared in a next issue ad in More Fun Comics #51 and received his first story the following month, #52...
. Faust teams up with a varied group of superheroes, including Atom, Superman, Firestorm and Enchantress
Enchantress (DC Comics)
The Enchantress is a DC Comics character who has been both a superheroine and supervillainess. She first appeared in National Comics flagship science fiction anthology title Strange Adventures #187 , and was created by writer Bob Haney and artist Howard Purcell.More recently she is usually called...
. They travel to Hell itself and eventually, to the City of Dis, Hell's center of power, in order to relight its fires. During the trip, the heroes are temporarily trapped under the frozen River Styx. Faust manages to rescue Enchantress first, as since he has no soul, he is not tormented by the river's waters.
Inside the city, the heroes discover the demon Nebiros, who has stayed behind the guard the frozen fires. In battle, Faust releases Blue Devil
Blue Devil
Blue Devil is a superhero featured in material published by DC Comics. He first appeared in a special insert published in Fury of Firestorm #24 . That story led directly into Blue Devil #1, also cover dated June 1984...
whose bones he had apparently bought from a mysterious marketplace. Nebiros is slain, due to Firestorm
Firestorm (comics)
Firestorm is the name of several comic book superheroes published by DC Comics. Ronnie Raymond and Martin Stein, the first Firestorm, debuted in Firestorm, the Nuclear Man #1 , and was created by Gerry Conway and Al Milgrom. Martin Stein, by himself as Firestorm, debuted in Firestorm the Nuclear...
changing the water in his body to cement. Faust regains his soul.
The combined forces of the superheroes were not enough to relight the fires. Faust and the powerful Enchantress
Enchantress (DC Comics)
The Enchantress is a DC Comics character who has been both a superheroine and supervillainess. She first appeared in National Comics flagship science fiction anthology title Strange Adventures #187 , and was created by writer Bob Haney and artist Howard Purcell.More recently she is usually called...
realize what must be done. Faust swiftly murders the Enchantress, losing his soul, restarting the fires and saving the Earth all at once.
Black Baptism
Faust next appears during the Black Baptism event. Over the course of the story, he works both with and against the Justice League, before ultimately tapping their souls to stop the mighty sorcerer Hermes TrismegistusHermes Trismegistus
Hermes Trismegistus is the eponymous author of the Hermetic Corpus, a sacred text belonging to the genre of divine revelation.-Origin and identity:...
. Faust comes to realize his newfound friend, Blue Devil, is only staying with him because of the magical nature of his revival. Not willing to risk Blue Devil's safety, he eliminates the magical connection by plunging the last of Blue Devil's bones into his back. Following the battles, Faust fakes the death of both himself and his father. Blue Devil soon dies in battle against Hermes but is revived.
Faust and Felix repair their relationship, but it is still plagued by the problem that Faust is a hero and Felix is a villain.
Checkmate
Though Faust does not appear in CheckmateCheckmate (comics)
Checkmate, a division of Task Force X, is a fictional covert operations agency within the DC Comics universe. It first appeared in Action Comics #598 and proceeded to have its own ongoing title in Checkmate!...
#17, Carl Draper
Carl Draper
Carl Draper is a fictional character in DC Comics, an enemy of Superman. He has gone by the names Kator, Master Jailer, and Deathtrap. Draper made his first appearance in Superman Vol 1 #331 , written by Martin Pasko and drawn by Curt Swan and Frank Chiaramonte.-Pre-Crisis:In Pre-Crisis comics,...
mentions that he was brought in as a consultant to lay down magical safeguards to help defend Checkmate's HQ, the Castle. In issue #24 of the series, Faust is revealed as one of the organization's "Rooks."