Demogoblin


Demogoblin is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character is a darker, mystical version of the Hobgoblin persona. Demogoblin is a literal demon and a self-proclaimed servant of the Lord. He seeks redemption for his own sins by exterminating other demons and by destroying evil wherever he finds it.

Publication history

Demogoblin first appeared as Demogoblin in Web of Spider-Man #86, and had previously appeared as an unnamed demon in Spectacular Spider-Man #147.

Fictional character biography

Demogoblin is originally an unnamed demon who inhabited Limbo and was banished there eons ago for unknown reasons. His essence is fused with the Hobgoblin when Macendale asks N'astirh for more power in exchange for his soul. Macendale later expels the demon from his body, creating the Demogoblin, a darker, mystical version of the Hobgoblin persona.
Demogoblin believes himself to be on a holy mission and kills everyone whom he deems a sinner; however, his definition of a sinner is extreme and excludes only children. He often tries to kill heroes and even holy men. He claims that he is a member of a demonic group known as the "Righteous"—demons who seek redemption for their sins as self-proclaimed servants of the Lord by exterminating other demons and destroying evil wherever they find it.
Demogoblin's physical form is killed in a showdown with Hobgoblin, who has gained greater strength than before. He dies trying to save a child from collapsing debris inside a church, where he is crushed to death.
Demogoblin returns in the "Absolute Carnage" event as "Demagoblin", bound to the recently killed Shriek.

Powers and abilities

Demogoblin is a demonic being with numerous supernatural powers granted by magic. He is endowed with superhuman strength, stamina, agility, reflexes, and resistance to injury. He has a magical ability to mentally control and levitate a miniature "goblin glider" composed of hellfire and propel it at high speeds. He can project hellfire from his hands. He can also summon demons from hell that will attack anyone he instructs to be destroyed.
Demogoblin is able to mystically create "pumpkin bombs", similar to those of the Green Goblin or Hobgoblin. Orange pumpkin bombs explode conventionally as concussion and incendiary Jack O' Lanterns while black pumpkin bombs cause their target to be overwhelmed by massive feelings of despair and helplessness. He also can create wraith-shaped smoke and gas-emitting bombs, and bat-shaped razor-edged throwing blades.

Reception

In 2020, CBR ranked Demogoblin 4th in their "10 Most Powerful Comic Book Villains With Demonic Origins" list.

Other versions

Ultimate Marvel

In the Ultimate Marvel universe, Mary Jane Watson becomes the Demogoblin after being kidnapped by Kaine Parker. Kaine injects Mary Jane with OZ, the drug that gave Spider-Man and Green Goblin their powers, transforming her into a horned goblin-like creature. However, when Spider-Man and Spider-Woman appear to rescue her, Mary Jane calms down and returns to her human form. Mary Jane is given a cure to the OZ formula, but is left traumatized and worries that she may transform again.

Spider-Geddon

An alternate universe version of Demogoblin from Earth-11580 appears in Spider-Geddon.

In other media

Video games

Merchandise