Adversary (comics)

Superherobox|

caption=Art by Marc Silvestri
comic_color=background:#ff8080
character_name=The Adversary
real_name=Inapplicable
publisher=Marvel Comics
debut="Uncanny X-Men" #188
creators=Chris Claremont
John Romita, Jr.
alliance_color=background:#c0c0ff
alliances=
aliases= The Great Trickster
Nazé
powers=magical powers
superhuman durability
superhuman speed
superhuman strength|The Adversary is a fictional character, a demonic supervillain in the Marvel Comics universe.

Publication history

The Adversary first appeared in "Uncanny X-Men" #187-188 (November-December 1984), and was created by Chris Claremont and John Romita, Jr.

The character subsequently appears in "Uncanny X-Men" #220-227 (August 1987-March 1988), "Wolverine" #86 (October 1994), and "X-Factor" #118-121 (January-April 1996).

The Adversary received an entry in the "Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Update '89" #1.

Fictional character biography

The Adversary is a demon who was initially summoned by the X-Men member Forge several decades ago and has since come back to antagonize the X-Men and threaten the entire world.

During the Vietnam War, the Native American mutant known as Forge saw his company slain by the North Vietnamese. Forge tapped into his long-suppressed shamanic heritage to summon the Adversary to destroy the attackers, but then regained his senses and banished the demon. Nevertheless, the Adversary had a foothold on the Earth thanks to Forge's actions.

Years later, Forge's mentor Nazé was killed and his form and memories stolen by a Dire Wraith, an alien parasite. The Nazé impostor summoned the Adversary, only to be destroyed by the demon. The Adversary was then able to escape the dimension to which he was bound, capturing Forge and his ally, Storm of the X-Men, and imprisoning them in the otherworldly stronghold of the goddess Roma, whom he subdued.

The Adversary then travelled to Dallas, Texas and battled the combined forces of the X-Men and Freedom Force during the "Fall of the Mutants" crossover. Ultimately, the only way to permanently banish the Adversary was for nine souls to willingly sacrifice themselves in a magical spell. The X-Men agreed, and Forge cast the spell. The X-Men died, but Roma secretly returned them to life. ["Uncanny X-Men" #220-227 (August 1987-March 1988)]

The Adversary later returned to Earth, having been born physically on Earth as the son of the mutant Haven, but was again banished by Forge, who was at the time affiliated with X-Factor. ["X-Factor" #118-121 (January-April 1996)]

Powers and abilities

The Adversary is a powerful demon of the highest order and possesses vast supernatural powers. He is essentially invincible to anything but the most powerful magic and iron. He has superhuman strength and endurance which, being magical in nature, are potentially incalculably high.

He can enter and leave different planes of existence and dimensions at will and has reality-warping powers. He can also summon demons and other supernatural creatures to do his bidding.

References