Daimon Hellstrom
Daimon Hellstrom is a male comic character who features in Marvel Comics.
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Biography
Origin
Daimon Hellstrom was the son of the demon Marduk Kurios and a human woman named Victoria Wingate Hellstrom with him having a sister by the name of Satana. It was said that his mother's parents were Satanists who allowed her to be purchased by the Chapel of Dresden with these being occultists once closely aligned with Adolf Hitler. These psychopaths had intended to breed a new high priest and high priestess bred from the pits of Hell to be rulers of man. Thus, his mother was designed to birth such half-human/half-demon creatures for this role. It was said that she had gone insane and later constructed a fantasy that she was seduced by Satan rather than admit the truth of birthing the dark messiahs. (Hellstorm v1 #16) He was noted for being born on February 2nd with this aligning with a major holiday in the Satanic calendar of Candlemas. (Marvel Spotlight v1 #15)
On this birthday, he was visited by dreams of his father who intended for his son to take his rightful place by his side. Around this time, he was visited by Dr. Katherine Reynolds who enlisted Daimon's aid as some of her students at her university were said to be engaging in satanic practices. At first, this seemed like young people unaware of what they were doing but upon investigating they found that it was a genuine ritual that was summoning Satan. This saw the Devil's incarnation as Baphomet emerge with the goat-shaped demon looking to claim Hellstrom back into Hell. After a battle, Hellstrom emerged victorious by destroying Baphomet's body thus forcing Satan to return to the fiery depths of his home. During this time, Dr. Reynolds became infatuated with Daimon and looked to be closer to him. (Marvel Spotlight v1 #15) He next responded to the emergence of four thousand holes that manifested in the ground in the city. During the investigation, he was attacked by some protestors that believed he was responsible after witnessing the earlier fight with Baphomet. In the skirmish, a flame from his trident fell into the holes that connected to one another and came to summon the demonic fiery serpent Kometes of legend who heralded a time of great cataclysm for the world. To stop it, Hellstorm used his soulfire to send himself and his allies into the past to ancient Atlantis to learn from Zhered-Na a means of stopping Kometes. (Marvel Spotlight v1 #16) Through his magic, he and his comrades journeyed back into the ancient past where they set forth to find Zhered-Na. During this time, he confronted the giant Spyros and in the battle Kometes was slain thus killing his future incarnation that was bringing destruction to the world. With their task complete, Hellstrom then used his magic to return to the modern day Earth. (Marvel Spotlight v1 #17)
Afterwards, he was drawn to an insidious menace that had possessed a young girl called Melissa where he learnt that the demoness Allatou had taken over her body. A battled ensued with Allatou relinquishing the girls body to possess her father in an attempt to kill Hellstrom and thus earn favour in Satan's court. (Marvel Spotlight v1 #18) He at first struggled to defeat the demoness as she kept switching her human hosts until he threatened to use Satan's own rite that would have turned her into a human. As a result, Allatou abandoned her human host and departed the mortal world rather than face this ritual. (Marvel Spotlight v1 #19)
Defenders
Daimon spent years wallowing in a quagmire of indecision. (Ghost Rider v2 #1) At some point he sought out the venerated Ancient One, offering to become his mystic disciple. After much meditation, the Ancient One decided that Daimon's destiny laid elsewhere. (Last Defenders v1 #1) Hellstorm was contacted by the time-travelling Yandroth, who revealed to him that Hellstorm would become a hero in the future. (Last Defenders v1 #2) Daimon placed an advertisement in newspapers across the country, offering his services as an exorcist. (Ghost Rider v2 #1) After several weeks, Daimon received his first case which was that of Sam Silvercloud who had contacted Daimon, seeking his aid in exorcising the demon possessing his girlfriend, Linda Littletress. Daimon made plans to catch the next flight to Arizona to treat her. He was happy that his future was now set and he now stood determined to stamp out the heritage of his birth and forever rid himself of the stigma of evil attached to his Satanic birthmark. Daimon arrived shortly thereafter, but Satan had already taken possession of Linda and escaped from her father's shack. Nonetheless, Daimon felt that he could still help Linda. (Ghost Rider v2 #1) After learning of Linda's origins from Sam Silvercloud and her father, Daimon told them he could help, but not until after the night had past. He instructed them to bind his wrists in the chain of ankhs, to lock him in a room, and not to let him out no matter what he said. As night fell, however, his Darksoul gained ascendance and he tricked Sam into opening the door by telling him that Linda would die if he was not released to help her immediately. (Ghost Rider v2 #2) The Son of Satan revealed his true nature to Sam and Mr. Littletrees, forcefully convincing them to reveal where Linda had gone, though they only knew that she had fled into the desert. He then summoned his Demon-Steeds to transport him as he followed the trail. He first encountered Big Daddy Dawson and his Ruthless Raiders cycle gang, laughing off their assaults as they tried to punish him for disrespecting them. From their former prisoner, Roxanne Simpson, he learned that Linda called herself the Witch Woman, which he recognized as an aspect of Satan. Leaving his chariot on Earth, he walked down the cavern of a portal to Hell, accessed via a cavern in the Arizona desert. (Marvel Spotlight v1 #12) The Son of Satan traveled to Hell, where he confronted Satan, who had transported the Ghost Rider Johnny Blaze there. The Son of Satan stopped the Ghost Rider's execution and challenged Satan to first answer to him. (Ghost Rider v2 #2) Satan tormented him with his two prisoners, Ghost Rider and Linda Littletrees, but the Son of Satan threatened him with his Netheranium trident, causing Satan to send an army of demons to attack him. The Son of Satan fought off all attackers until he heard Satan telling his minions not to let him reach the rock bridge, which Daimon remembered supported the roof of Hell itself. Fighting his way to the bridge, the Son of Satan threatened to shatter it and cause Hell to collapse on itself. Via this threat, he convinced Satan to release his two prisoners and allow them safe return to Earth. As soon as they had returned, however, Satan set off a volcanic eruption, but the Son of Satan summoned his Demon-Steeds, carrying them all to safety once again. (Marvel Spotlight v1 #12)
During this period, the Son of Satan maintained his civilian identity of occult expert Daimon Hellstrom and was a visiting specialist professor at a St. Louis college. Hellstrom battled many adversaries of his father, and he even battled his sister, Satana, who had become a succubus. On several occasions, Hellstrom aided other heroes in occult battle, including the Ghost Rider. (Ghost Rider v2 #18)
He became affiliated with the hero team Defenders in their battles with demonic possessions and threats. (Defenders v1 #32)
During his Defenders membership, Daimon Hellstrom met and fell in love with his teammate Hellcat. (Defenders v1 #92)
It was during this period, too, that he finally confronted his father and defeated him. Shortly afterward, the Son of Satan declared himself triumphant over his father and his father's influence. (Defenders v1 #105)
Daimon Hellstrom thereupon married Hellcat and the couple left the Defenders, moving to San Francisco. (Defenders v1 #125)
He and his wife soon earned a reputation as supernatural investigators based there. Hellstrom continued to publish regularly in scholarly occult journals and became considered a leading demonologist. Daimon Hellstrom created a costumed identity of Hellstorm when battling supernatural menaces in public in order to preserve Daimon Hellstrom's professional reputation. In this capacity, they helped several superheroes in mystical problems, notably the Avengers West Coast branch. (West Coast Avengers v2 #15)
Prince of Lies
He came to learn the true name of his father which was Marduk Kurios and evoked the ancient blood rite where he managed to kill the powerful demon. This led to Daimon gaining the Black Halo that marked him as the new ruler of Hell. However, he did not take the throne immediately and instead spoke the Devil's courtiers where they kept the death of Satan a secret. Daimon returned to Earth whilst his father's court managed his territory in the aftermath with none knowing that this Satan had been slain and instead outsiders simply believed that he became lax in his rules over his region. The court bent the rules and began to look towards claiming pieces of the Earth for themselves in the power vacuum that began to form. Heaven in this time began to push for war against Hell and sent their assassins the Asura angels with the goal of eliminating Satanists in order to reduce the Devil's powerbase. (Hellstorm v1 #16)
Over time, however, Hellstrom grew increasingly weak, due to the separation from his Darksoul, until he lay near death. In desperation, Hellcat used an ancient, dark spell book in order to summon Hellstrom's father. She asked him to restore Hellstrom's Darksoul, provoking the demon by saying "Satan" needed Hellstrom as someone to test himself against. 'Satan' agreed, restoring Hellstrom's Darksoul although Hellcat was driven insane at the sight of it. Hellstrom said he was grateful for his wife's actions, but if the situations were reversed, he would have left her to die. Hellcat, due to her insanity, eventually died by calling upon the entity Deathurge. (Hellstorm: Prince of Lies v1 #14)
Selene wished to create a demonic version of the world-conquering Hellfire Club. She began associating with Blackheart. Blackheart and the Queen clashed with the Fantastic Four, Margali Szardos, Hellstorm, and a mysterious new figure called the Mechamage. The Hellfire Club was defeated in that encounter, and Blackheart was mystically bound into the Club's basement. Hellstrom then joined the Hellfire Club as its new White King as the means to balance the forces of good and evil in the Club's Inner Circle. Hellstrom, Szardos, Alyssa Moy and the Mechamage agreed to remain together to defend the Earth against other demonic threats, calling themselves the Shadow Hunters. (Fantastic Four Annual v1 #1999)
Hellcat's soul had ended up in the realm of the demon Mephisto, fighting an eternal battle in the so-called Arena of Tainted Souls, alongside fallen hero Mockingbird. The two discovered sketchy details about a plot that Hellstrom was developing. Mockingbird was able to send a warning to her husband, the hero Hawkeye, during a brief resurrection, and Hawkeye and his team the Thunderbolts confronted Hellstrom and then used their sorcerous connections to go to Hell in order to rescue Mockingbird. They were tricked, however, by Hellstrom, and the Thunderbolts rescued Hellcat instead, restoring her body to Earth as Hellstrom had planned. (Thunderbolts Annual v1 #2000)
Daimon investigated a massacre at Project Blackheart, learning they were devoted Satanists who had been attempting to develop the ideal Anti-Christ to serve Lucifer. The Angel Zadkiel, who had taken over Heaven, had his followers on Earth attempt to kill all these children but one of the Blackheart children, Anton Satan, was able to escape. Daimon pledged to hunt this boy down and kill him. (Ghost Riders: Heaven's on Fire v1 #1) He was able to track the boy down to Wall Street where he had been working as an investment banker, and found him already under siege by Zadkiel's minions. He was stopped from killing Anton by his former lover, the occult terrorist Jaine Cutter, who had been protecting Anton so as to keep the occult balance. While the two argued Anton was able to escape them and his pursuers. Daimon was then saved by the Ghost Rider Johnny Blaze who he reluctantly teamed up with alongside Jaine, Sara the Caretaker and Blaze's brother Danny Ketch who had caught Anton. (Ghost Riders: Heaven's on Fire v1 #2)
Whilst at his home, he came under attack from the Hood who believed Hellstrom was a candidate to be the new Sorcerer Supreme. The New Avengers arrived on the scene as Doctor Strange sought to prevent the Eye of Agamotto from falling into the Hood's hands when the relic chose Brother Voodoo as its new wearer. (New Avengers v1 #53)
At some point, he learnt that the Descent was fast approaching where a select number of people were given the Hell Mark of the Beast that destined one among them to transforming into a demon and rule a corner of hell. Daimon at first did not know how to respond to this event but conducted a ritual whereby he created multiple copies of himself that sought varying objectives in relation to the Descent. These shades were then dispatched into the world with exploring this matter from all varying angles. Despite his intentions, a number of them through free will developed vastly different goals from the original Hellstrom. (Venom v2 #41)
He was then asked to help in the training the next generation of magic users with him joining the faculty of the newly opened mystical school called Strange Academy. (Strange Academy v1 #1)
Overview
Personality and attributes
When embracing his demonic side, a transformation in his persona occurred with his mannerisms, expressions, emotions and his judgements were all vastly different. (Marvel Spotlight v1 #14) This aspect of him was said to be incapable of either love or mercy. (Marvel Spotlight v1 #16) The star that was the birthmark on his chest was capable of changing shape mystically and when it inverted it became the symbol of Baphomet. (Marvel Spotlight v1 #15)
He struggled with his dual nature as he considered himself the Devil's son but not his slave. Instead, he served the Lord of Light by exorcising his fathers minions from the world of men. Thus, he was a man of God and heir to Hell with him being cursed by these two duelling natures. As a result, Hellstrom typically was known to experience nightmares of being attacked by both servants of God and minions of Hell. In these, he saw that he was both man and demon yet neither at the same time with him feeling that he was rejected by the world. (Marvel Spotlight v1 #15)
Dr. Katherine Reynolds came to be infatuated by Daimon after he saved her from demons. (Marvel Spotlight v1 #15)
He seemingly had a daughter named Demona who was said to be the child of the Son of Satan. (Infinity: The Hunt v1 #2)
Powers and abilities
As a result of his origins, he came to inherit the demonic powers of his father. (Marvel Spotlight v1 #13) His senses allowed him the ability to detect immensely powerful occult energies. He could usher in his transformation by making the sign of the trident with his fingers. Hellstorm then glowed until flames engulfed his body with this being the soulfire that marked him as a scion of Hell. The soulfire that empowered him was said to be eternal in that it was one of the few powers which transcended mortal conception of time and space. (Marvel Spotlight v1 #16) Daimon could also direct psychic energies to cause fires to erupt on his body or from his trident. (Marvel Spotlight v1 #17)
Hellstrom was capable of augmenting his strength using magic. (Ghost Riders: Heaven's on Fire v1 #6)
He could conduct a ritual whereby he shed blood that transformed into numerous copies of himself. (Venom v2 #41)
With soulfire, he could burn incantation signs onto the ground such as an ankh that could ward off demons or trap them in a certain area. (Marvel Spotlight v1 #19)
He was knowledgeable of a demonic ritual used by Satan as a punishment for recalcitrant demons that forced them to live out their lives as humans. (Marvel Spotlight v1 #19)
The sacred trident was made from Netheranium whose substance could sap the power of Devils such as his father Satan. (Marvel Spotlight v1 #12) It had been forged in the furnaces of Hell with it constructed from a strange psycho-active element unknown to man. (Marvel Spotlight v1 #14) Hellstrom could channel his soulfire through the trident and allowing it to propel him through the air with jet-like propulsion. (Marvel Spotlight v1 #15) Daimon could also use it as a psychic divining rod in order to track a supernatural presence. (Marvel Spotlight v1 #18) Hellstrom could channel his soulfire from the trident with the burning spiritual energy able to burn demons. (Marvel Spotlight v1 #19)
At his command, he could summon the demon-drawn chariots of Satan at a command allowing them to transport him to any location. (Marvel Spotlight v1 #12) The demon-steeds were named Hecate, Set and Amon who served their master faithfully. (Marvel Spotlight v1 #14) After taking the throne of Satan, the faceless and spider-covered Bailiffs came to serve Hellstrom as his servants. (Hellstorm v1 #18) The Bailiff of Madness resembled a humanoid in a suit with a top-head yet lacking a head with them having demonic magical abilities at their disposal. (Thunderbolts v1 #2000)
After killing his father, Daimon gained the Black Halo that was the mark of regency and indicated him as a ruler of Hell. (Hellstorm v1 #16)
At one point, he was part of a team of mystical individuals named the Shadow Hunters that looked to defend the Earth against demonic threats. (Fantastic Four Annual v1 #1999)
Notes
- Daimon Hellstrom was created by Roy Thomas and Gary Friedrich where he made his first appearance in Ghost Rider v1 #1 (September, 1973).
- In an interview in 2001, Thomas recalled that, "... I realized that name and basic concept had been a fanzine comic by a friend of mine, Biljo White, back in the early '60s! He wound up looking even looking a lot like Biljo's character, by sheer coincidence, because I don't think Herb Trimpe and Gary Friedrich, who did the actual story, ever saw him and I don't think I described it much. The branded chest, a trident, and so forth... I think it just came out looking almost identical. I explained it to Biljo, and he understood, but it was really weird, because if you look at his old fanzine, it's almost the same character!"
Alternate Versions
- In Universe X v1 #1 (2000), an alternate version of Daimon Hellstrom appeared in the Earth X reality designated as Earth-9997 in the Multiverse.
- In Ultimates 2 v1 #6 (2005), an alternate version of Daimon Hellstrom appeared in the Ultimate Marvel reality designated as Earth-1610 in the Multiverse. Son of Satan is a member the Defenders, all of whom are also lacking in powers and were glory hounds. He wears a "costume" that is a mix of punk rock and goth elements, including dark facial make-up, bright pink hair, and multiple piercings. It was later revealed that this Son of Satan is actually a spy for S.H.I.E.L.D., presumably to keep an eye on both brief member Giant Man and the wannabe heroes. Son of Satan re-appeared in the aftermath of Ultimatum having gained powers, much like the rest of the Defenders team after making an unholy deal with Loki and had unofficially broken his ties with S.H.I.E.L.D.
- In Age of Ultron v1 #2 (2013), an alternate version of Daimon Hellstrom appeared in the Age of Ultron reality designated as Earth-61112 in the Multiverse.
- In King Thor v1 #4 (2019), an alternate version of Daimon Hellstrom appeared in the King Thor reality designated as Earth-14412 in the Multiverse. This version is one of the few survivors of humanity's destruction at the hands of Loki and succeeded Doctor Strange as Sorcerer Supreme.
In other media
Television
- In Hellstorm, Dr. Daimon Helstrom appeared in the setting of the live-action television series where he was portrayed by actor Tom Austen. He was the son of Victoria Helstrom and a demon possessing a human body. Like his sister, he inherited her father's nature and his abilities although she wouldn't learn until his true nature until later in life. His father became a serial killer, who frequently went on 'business trips' to torture and kill young women. Eventually, he kidnapped Ana and took her with him, leaving Daimon and his mother alone. Over time, Victoria's mental state deteriorated and Daimon was left with no choice but to commit her into Saint Teresa Center for Mental Health, where thanks to his father's mark the demon Kthara was able to enter her body and inhabit it for over twenty years. Although his sister was eventually found, Damon was separated from her again when Ana was put into the foster care system while Daimon was kept at Saint Teresa's, where he grew being looked over by Louise Hastings. Daimon Helstrom was contacted by email sent to exorcise Archer Cavallo, and found Gabriella Rosetti talking to Cavallo's father. Cavallo led Helstrom and Rosetti inside the house and attempted to introduce them to his wife, who expressed her apathy while holding a bottle of alcohol. Rosetti explained Archer's symptoms, and Helstrom went upstairs looking for him after getting water from the restroom. He told Rosetti and Cavallo not to follow him into Archer's room. He sensed the lack of demonic presence in Archer's bedroom and then entered, aware that he was faking. Cavallo chanted in Latin, and Helstrom responded sarcastically. Cavallo tried to demand food, although Helstrom doused Cavallo in water from the bathroom, claiming it was holy water. Cavallo began writhing in pain and pretended to have been saved until Helstrom revealed the ruse. Helstrom attempted to make Cavallo admit his deceit to his parents, apologize, and clean his bedroom, although Cavallo tried to get Helstrom to leave. Cavallo attempted to punch Cavallo, although Helstrom stopped him and ignited a fire using his demonic abilities, which convinced Cavallo to listen. As Helstrom left the Cavallo house, Rosetti and Cavallo's parents demanded to know what happened. Helstrom explained that Cavallo was lying and mocked the Cavallo's parenting techniques. Helstrom defends himself, explaining that his time was wasted and that he cannot offer emotional support. Rosetti explained that the Cavallos simply wanted hope, but Helstrom said that everybody is. He then gave a suggestion for driving back as he left. The next day, Helstrom taught about Lawrence Kohlberg's stages of moral development, when he found Louise Hastings outside of his lecture hall. Although he was temporarily distracted, he resumed and finished his lesson. After class, Hastings apologized for distracting Helstrom, and they joked about his tendency to get distracted as Hastings' student. Helstrom complained about Gabriella Rosetti's lack of experience, although Hastings defended Rosetti and asked him to give her a fair chance. Helstrom explained that he wanted to continue working with Hastings, although she suggested telling Rosetti that demons truly existed, which Helstrom refused to do. Hastings then told Helstrom that Kthara had orchestrated an escape which resulted in the death of a security guard. Helstrom told Hastings that he would be covering the guard's funeral expense and walked away from Hastings. Helstrom went to Saint Teresa Center for Mental Health, where Ellis showed him and Gabriella Rosetti footage of Spivey visiting Kthara before breaking out the two patients. Helstrom told Rosetti that the patient being visited was his mother, Victoria Helstrom, although he refused to allow Rosetti to enter his mother's room with him. He entered the room and told her a story about when he was younger in order to coax out his mother. However, it did not work, so Helstrom confronted Kthara about the symbol she showed Spivey to manipulate him, and Kthara refused to cooperate, so Helstrom left, frustrated.
Video games
- In Marvel: Avengers Alliance, Daimon Hellstrom appeared as an unlockable character in the setting of the Facebook video game. In Season 2, he was transformed into one of the Worthy where he became Angrir: Breaker of Souls.
- In Marvel: Future Fight, Daimon Hellstrom appeared in the setting of the mobile video game.
- In Marvel Future Revolution, Daimon Hellstrom appeared in the setting of the mobile video game.
Appearances
- Ghost Rider v1: (1973)
- Marvel Spotlight v1:
- Last Defenders v1:
- Hellstorm v1:
- Ghost Riders: Heaven's on Fire v1:
- New Avengers v1:
- New Avengers v2:
- Avengers Undercover v1:
- Venom:
- Spirits of Vengeance v1:
- Strikeforce v1: (2019)
- Avengers v8: (2019)
- Strange Academy v1: (2020)
External Links
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