| Mephistopheles | |
|---|---|
 | |
|
Real Name |
Mephistopheles, Mephisto, Mephistophilis |
|
First Appearance |
German Folklore |
|
Created By |
German Folklore |
Origin[]
Mephistopheles, also known as Mephisto or Mephistopheles, is a demon featured in German folklore. He originally appeared in literature as the demon in the Faust legend and has since become a stock character appearing in other works of arts and popular culture.
In the legend, Faust makes a deal with the devil at the price of his soul, Mephistopheles acting as the devil's agent. Faust believes that he has summoned him, but Mephistopheles says that he came of his own accord, and that he serves Lucifer, and cannot do anything without his leave. Faust questions Mephistopheles about Lucifer and Hell, and tells him to speak to Lucifer and return.
Mephistopheles returns, and Faust signs a contract in his own blood: Mephistopheles will serve him for 24 years, at which point Lucifer will claim him, body and soul. Once the contract is signed, Faust asks for a wife, but Mephistopheles declines, saying marriage is "but a ceremonial toy"; he asks for books of knowledge, and Mephistopheles provides a single book.
Faust begins to waver and think about God, and is visited again by the Good and Bad Angels. Lucifer arrives to remind him of his contract, and entertains him with a show of the Seven Deadly Sins. Faust and Mephistopheles then travel Europe, eventually arriving in Rome, where they play tricks on the Pope.
Faust has been called to the court of the Holy Roman Emperor, where he and Mephistopheles conjure Alexander the Great and his paramour and give a knight cuckold's horns for being a heckler. In the one version, the emperor asks Faust to relent, and he does; but in another version a longer scene follows in which the knight and his friends attack Faust; all are given horns. In both versions, Faust then plays tricks on a horse dealer. Faust and Mephistopheles then put on a magic show for the Duke and Duchess of Vanholt.
When Faust's 24 years are nearly up, He conjures Helen of Troy for some students, and, when he starts to think of repenting again, renews his pledge to Lucifer and asks Mephistopheles for Helen as his lover. In the final scene, Faust admits to some scholars that he has bargained away his soul; despite their prayers, the devils come for him.
Public Domain Literary Appearances[]
All published appearances of Mephistopheles from before January 1, 1929 are public domain.
Some notable appearances can be found here and listed below:
- Faustbuch (1587)
- Praxis Magia Faustiana (1527)
- The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus (1616)
- Mephistopheles, or Faust and Marguerite (1855)
- Mefistofele (1868)
- The Merry Wives of Windsor
- Goethe's Faust
Public Domain Comic Appearances[]
- Ribtickler #7 - Cosmo Cat deals with the Little Man in Black who works for Mephistopheles.
- Web of Mystery #15 - Ralph Dana discovers a parallel universe behind a magic mirror, ruled by the Devil. Dana fabricates more of Mephisto's mirrors and lures his relatives into the mirror world, so he can dig up a family treasure alone. His plan fails miserably and he is caught in the mirror.
- Illustrated Stories of the Operas: Faust
- The Unseen #8 - Aspiring actor Larry Simms ends up as stooge for comedian Mac Horton. They both go to hell and have to perform the same routine for all eternity - in front of an audience incapable of laughter.
- Jungle Comics #7 - Camilla and Caredodo brave the Cave of Sighs, the entrance to the supernatural underworld. They encounter Mephistopheles who brings them to his master Satan who captures Camilla. She carves a crosses that repulses the monster. The Angel of Faith rescues them and rewards Caredodo by transforming him from an ugly hunchback into a tall, handsome knight. Camilla dubs him "Sir Champion" and makes him her prime minister.
- Prize Comics #27 - Green Lama battles Mephistopheles who sent the spirit of Benedict Arnold and a bat transformed into a woman named Dianatha to disrupt the Allies. After they are defeated after a painting of George Washington is brought to life by Green Lama, the hero then confronts Mephistopheles to save Jean Parker. The demon summons his champions Simon Girty, Dr. Bancroft, Aaron Burr, and Bluebeard to battle Green Lama who also summons his own champions Mad Anthony Wayne, Lighthorse Harry Lee, and Stephen Decatur. Mephistopheles tries to flee with Jean during the fight only to be punched out by Green Lama.
- The Spirit (1941-03-30) - Satan has Mephistopholes call a council of his henchmen to discuss ways of doing away with Mr. Mystic. However, they are warned by The Shadowman of Death that Mr. Mystic is a friend of his.....and if the council attempts to do anything to him, then they will have to answer to the Shadowman.
Public Domain Comic Appearances Inspired by Mephistopheles[]
- Fantastic Comics #12 - The enemy of Sub Saunders named the Serpent Lady had a snake named after Mephisto.
- Power Comics #3-4 - Dr. Mephisto, Lord of the Plunder World, was a diabolical criminal genius named after the demon.
- Thrilling Comics #30, 33 - Doc Strange battled a fiendish villain named Mephisto on more than one occasion.
- Feature Comics #76 - Darrel Dane gives Martha Roberts an engagement ring and proposes to her. The evil Mephisto, having seen Dane at the scene after a brush with the Doll Man, kidnaps the happy couple, forcing Dane to use his fists against the villain until he can find a moment to change into Doll Man.
- Psycho #11 - This issue featured a story titled Make Mephisto's Child Burn.
- Speed Comics 32 - Captain Freedom and the Young Defenders encountered the villainous Dr. Krab and his parrot named Mephisto.
- Strange Suspense Stories #18 - Two newspaper reporters go story hunting and end up with more than they could ever have hoped for. Because Mr. Mord's strange wax museum proves to be a hell's kitchen itself. Mr. Mord has a cat named Mephistopheles.
- Ozzie and Babs #7 - Ozzie Turner tries to get on the good side of Babs Forester by walking her dog, Mephistopheles.