Belasco (Marvel Comics)

Belasco
Belasco from New X-Men #37. Art by Niko Henrichon.
Publication information
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First appearance	Ka-Zar the Savage #11 (February 1982)
Created by	Bruce Jones (writer) Brent Anderson (artist)
In-story information
Full name	Belasco of the Corrupted
Species	Demon
Team affiliations	Demons of Limbo Elder Gods Cat People
Partnerships	Darkchylde N'astirh S'ym
Notable aliases	Red King Lucifer
Abilities	Commands legion of demons Skilled in magic Invulnerability

Belasco is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Bruce Jones and artist Brent Anderson, the character first appeared in Ka-Zar the Savage #11 (February 1982).^[1] Belasco is a demonic lord of Limbo.^[2] He is the former ruler of the Hell dimension.^[3] He is responsible for luring into the same hellish realm the superhero Illyana Rasputin / Magik.^[4]

Publication history

Belasco debuted in Ka-Zar the Savage #11 (February 1982), created by Bruce Jones and Brent Anderson.^[5] He appeared in the 1983 Magik (Illyana and Storm) series,^[6] the 2021 X-Men: Curse of the Man-Thing one-shot,^[7] and the 2023 Mary Jane & Black Cat series.^[8]

Fictional character biography

Belasco is alleged to have once been a sorcerer in 13th-century Florence, Italy who contacted the Elder Gods, a group of extra-dimensional demonic entities. He forged a pact with the Elder Gods that would allow them to cross the barrier to Earth. In exchange, Belasco was given immortality, mystical powers, and a demonic appearance. Intending to create a new race of demons, Belasco kidnapped Beatrice Portinari and fled with her to Mt. Flavius, where he would summon the Elder Gods. While en route, Belasco raped Beatrice. By the time they arrived at Mt. Flavius, Beatrice was due to give birth. However, she died in childbirth. Dante Alighieri, Beatrice's beloved, attacks Belasco. During the battle, Belasco was exposed to an unknown liquid that placed him in suspended animation.

In the present day, Belasco escapes his imprisonment after Mt. Flavius becomes active again. He finds a new sacrifice, Shanna O'Hara, and intends to finish what he had started by making her the mother of a demonic race. However, Shanna's mate Ka-Zar appears and hurls Belasco's locket into the volcano, sealing away the Elder Gods and apparently destroying Belasco.^[9]

Rather than dying, Belasco is trapped in Limbo and spends years conquering it. Once complete, he draws the young Illyana Rasputina to Limbo, intending to make her his disciple and use her to open a gateway for the Elder Gods.^[10] The X-Men follow to save Illyana. Due to the warping of space and time in Limbo, there are two alternate but equally valid outcomes to the rescue attempt. In one, the X-Men transport Illyana back to Earth, but are trapped in Limbo and killed by Belasco and his minions over the course of several decades. In the other, the X-Men escape to Earth, but fail to rescue Illyana.^[10] Belasco makes Illyana his apprentice in the dark arts and forcibly shapes part of her soul, giving her great potential for power and allowing him to hold sway over her. After receiving guidance from the remaining X-Men in Limbo, Illyana rebels against Belasco, driving him from Limbo.^[11]

During his time away from Limbo, Belasco becomes the new master of the Cat People.^[12] Belasco eventually takes control of Limbo once more and seeks to wipe out humanity by manipulating the cultist Rev, who believes him to be Lucifer. Rev is defeated and killed by the Punisher.^[13]

After Illyana is de-aged into a child, her Soulsword is given to her friend Kitty Pryde. The Soulsword is later given to Amanda Sefton, who in turn gives it to her mother Margali Szardos. Belasco captures Szardos and holds her in Limbo before Sefton and Nightcrawler rescue her. Sefton secretly takes the Soulsword and adopts the codename Magik for herself.^{[volume & issue needed]}

After regaining access to Limbo, Belasco battles his way through Amanda Sefton's minions and creates a version of Illyana who possesses some of her memories, but lacks a soul. Disappointed, Belasco banishes Illyana before overthrowing Sefton. Illyana later returns, defeats Belasco with the help of Pixie, and retakes control of Limbo.^{[volume & issue needed]}

During the "Dark Web" storyline, Belasco saves Mary Jane Watson and Black Cat from a group of demons. He intends to make use of Black Cat to obtain his Soulsword from the Screaming Tower. To assist them, Belasco skins himself and uses part of his soul to make a Soul Compass.^[14]

During the "Stark-Roxxon War" arc, it is revealed that Belasco is the backer for A.I.M. and Roxxon Energy Corporation's plan to take control of Stark Unlimited. In addition, he has enthralled Doctor Druid to serve him. A.I.M. and Roxxon's plans fail when Stark Unlimited learns of Belasco's involvement.^[15]

During the "One World Under Doom" storyline, Belasco makes a deal with Vishte Taru to gain enough power to defeat Doctor Doom. When Iron Man defeats Taru, Belasco states to Iron Man that this is the second time he cost him a business partner and makes a vow that Iron Man will not cost him a third. With Taru bound by Doctor Druid's magic, Belasco sends Iron Man, Melinda May, and Black Widow back to Earth.^[16]

Powers and abilities

Belasco is a sorcerer who can manipulate magic for a variety of effects, including the ability to fire bolts of mystical energy, create energy shields, transmute matter, travel across dimensions, control minds, and raise the dead. He was endowed by the Elder Gods with immortality and a degree of invulnerability. Additionally, he is a skilled swordsman and tactician and was seen wielding a battle axe with great skill.

Other versions

In the series Universe X, Belasco is Nightcrawler of the X-Men, who had become amnesiac and was displaced in time.^{[volume & issue needed]}

References

External links

• Belasco at Marvel.com
• Ballad of Belasco at UncannyXmen.Net