Neron (DC)
Neron is a male comic demonic supervillain who features in DC Comics.
Contents |
Biography
Origin
Neron was a demon, who may possibly be the Devil himself and an inhabitant of Hell. His name was the numerological source for '666.' In recent times, he offered various supervillains (and normal persons, as well) greatly enhanced or altered abilities, and/or weapons in exchange for their immortal souls. Many accepted, and he used these villains to drive the world into chaos. He also made similar offers to several heroes and normal people, tempting them with the chance of a repaired life. Surprisingly, some of these also accepted.
He emerged in the mortal world when he extended a tempting bargain to a collection of supervillains, promising them enhanced power and influence in exchange for their souls. He orchestrated this encounter by summoning the villains to his infernal realm, where he demonstrated his control by bending the environment itself to his will, surrounding them with visions of torment and reward to manipulate their decisions. Each villain was given a taste of the powers they would gain, binding them to his infernal pact through their own consent. He was focused entirely on presenting these bargains and binding his new pawns under his dominion. (Underworld Unleashed v1 #1) Following this, Neron extended his schemes to the realm of superheroes, targeting them with offers designed to corrupt or sway their resolve. He sought to ensnare some of Earth’s most powerful champions, carefully selecting those whose virtues or weaknesses could be manipulated. He appeared directly to individuals, manifesting in dramatic displays of fire and darkness, speaking promises of glory, restored lives, or elevated status. When these offers were rejected, Neron did not lash out physically but instead marked the moment, observing and plotting for future attempts. His actions here showed a calculated, patient effort to spread his influence by direct interaction with his chosen targets. (Underworld Unleashed v1 #2)
Neron escalated his campaign by consolidating control over the villains who had accepted his bargains, commanding them to spread chaos and destruction in the mortal world. He manipulated them into carrying out his will, while he himself maintained a presence within his infernal seat of power, drawing strength from the corruption and violence that his pawns unleashed. He directed their activities from afar, appearing to them when necessary to reinforce his command or to bestow further demonstrations of his might. His activity in this issue displayed a steady exertion of dominion over those bound to his will, maintaining authority through constant reminders of the infernal pact. (Underworld Unleashed v1 #3)
Neron was finally defeated when the Trickster cajoled him into taking Captain Marvel's soul, which was given purely and caused Neron's apparent destruction. He soon returned, however, and has since plagued the Flash and the Justice League of America, as well as seeking revenge on Trickster. Neron also murdered Wonder Woman, which led to her temporary status as a goddess of New Olympus.
Neron was demoted to the level of a rhyming demon during the Day of Judgement event, when he attempted to manipulate events so that he could take souls without making a deal. In an attempt to reclaim his power, Neron made a deal with the villain Darius Caldera, enemy of Deadman. In exchange for being given the body of Superman, Caldera would use his soul cages to travel in time and capture the souls of five superheroes at the times of their deaths. Using them, Neron would regain his former status. However, the plan was foiled by Deadman, who accidentally caused Caldera to die before Neron could make the deal. Neron swore revenge on Deadman, before leaving.
Through an agent, he had a demon stick given to Eddie Bloomberg after the young man was feeling lost after the death of his mentor Blue Devil. Taking it to his friend Zachary Zatara, Bloomberg lighted the candle thus taking the pair to Neron. The demon came to offer Bloomberg demonic power so long as his faith remained in Blue Devil by the time of his 20th birthday. Neron then used demonic fire that was used to transform Eddie into a true demon. He then revealed that Neron had told Blue Devil to attack the building where he inadvertently killed Bloomberg's Aunt Marla. With a laugh, he sent the two mortals back to Earth where he told Eddie that he would be seeing him in a few years. (Teen Titans v3 #42)
Post-Flashpoint
Following the Flashpoint, a new version of reality was created with a different history of events.
Neron was the demon that tormented Apollo after his soul was sent to Hell. (Midnighter and Apollo v1 #2)
Overview
Personality and attributes
In appearance, Neron was a towering male humanoid demon with sharply angular features and a tall, lean frame. His skin was pale green, contrasting with his long, flowing white hair that cascaded around his shoulders. His attire consisted of a regal, high-collared outfit accented with dark green and black shades, marking him as both aristocratic and otherworldly. His eyes glowed with an unsettling golden hue, further emphasizing his infernal nature. His physical presence was both elegant and menacing, projecting an image of demonic nobility. (Underworld Unleashed v1 #1)
Neron’s personality was that of a calculating manipulator who delighted in exploiting the flaws and desires of others. He spoke with refined confidence, never raising his voice but instead weaving promises and temptations into his speech with an almost seductive quality. He displayed patience and cunning, showing no urgency but instead reveling in the process of drawing others into his schemes. His mannerisms were theatrical, but always controlled, underscoring his nature as a tempter rather than a brute force adversary. (Underworld Unleashed v1 #1)
Powers and abilities
Neron was a demon of Hell, and this form endowed him with powers beyond those of mortals. His body was impervious to conventional harm, and he was capable of manifesting in the mortal realm with a grand, imposing presence. His powers included the ability to manipulate fire and brimstone at will, alter his surroundings to reflect his infernal nature, and traverse realms between Hell and Earth with ease. These abilities marked him as both a physical and metaphysical entity, existing with strength and durability far beyond human capacity. (Underworld Unleashed v1 #1)
However, despite manifesting great strength and immense magical power on occasion, he normally relies on a deal to obtain human souls and only claims them when the deal is up or when his victims fail to keep their side of the deal. He is able to give superheroes and supervillains magic-based powers, he can greatly enhance a superhero or supervillain's existing powers, and he has the ability to assume a human-like appearance. He possesses immense physical strength, killing Mongul with his bare hands. He is also adept at creating items of power, for example, the Ocean Master's trident.
Within his possession were demon sticks that were made from demons blood that when lighted took a person to its creator. (Teen Titans v3 #42)
Notes
- Neron was created by Mark Waid and Howard Porter where he made his first appearance in Underworld Unleashed v1 #1 (November, 1995).
Alternate Versions
- In JLA: Created Equal v1 #1 (2000), an alternate version of Neron appeared in the Elseworlds reality existing on a world within the Multiverse. After a mysterious plague known as The Fall killed every man on the planet, Zatanna appealed to a number of supernatural entities for answers to the problem. This included Neron, Circe, Deadman and the Spectre. They refused to intervene with their divine powers to help humanity find a solution.
- In Future State: Shazam! v1 #1 (2021), an alternate version of Neron appeared in the possible timeline of Future State in the Multiverse. He along with the demon hordes of Hell threatened to spiral out to Earth through the Rock of Eternity. To stop them, Shazam stood by the doorway to Earth but after fighting for so long he could not maintain it much longer. Thus, a bargain was struck with Neron whereby one pure of heart would remain in Hell to hold the door whilst the other returned to Earth. Billy Batson remained in Hell whilst his heroic persona went to defend the planet but this was all part of Neron's trick as he infected Shazam with his influence causing him to see demons everywhere. As a result, Shazam's clarity was clouded and he began to see demons amongst his enemies where he secretly killed several of them. He was also made to gather a shard of the Spear of Destiny which he used to kill the Spectre. Ultimately, he was forced to use the magic word thus bringing an elderly Billy Batson to Earth but this allowed the doorway in the Rock of Eternity to open thus freeing Neron's master the Unkindness.
In other media
Television
- In Legends of Tomorrow, Neron appeared in the live-action television series fourth season set in the Arrowverse where he was first referenced in the episode "Hell No, Dolly!". He was shown to had approached Constantine in the past about making a deal but when he refused then Neron decided to possess the body of his lover Desmond. During the next confrontation with Constantine, he was forced to send both Neron and Desmond to hell thus damming the man he had come to love. Within Desmond's body, Neron returned to Earth where he approached Hank Heywood where he offered to give him power in exchange for a supply of magical creatures. Heywood thus co-opted the resources of the Time Bureau and secretly began to kidnap the magical creatures the Legends had acquired. When Hank had a change of heart about their plan and tried to back out of it, Neron killed him and eventually took Legends member Ray Palmer as his new host. Palmer surrendered his body when Neron promised not to kill his teammate Nate Heywood. Forcing Constantine to help him, Neron opened a portal to Hell and brought his lover Tabitha the Fairy Godmother to Earth, with the two looking to open a larger portal that would unleash all of Hell on Earth. Constantine and Nate tricked Neron into breaking his word by killing Nate, which ejected him out of Ray's body. Neron in his shadow-form was finally killed by Constantine, though the team resurrected Nate shortly thereafter.
Video games
- In Infinite Crisis, Neron was referenced in the MOBA video game with an artefact named Neron's Contract that was purchasable for the players Champion. The description stated that it was stained with drippings from demon blood taper and contained the terms for trading the signer's desires for their immortal soul. It was mentioned as being a contract with the 'Lord of Lies' and that it rarely benefited the bargainer in the long term.
- In DC Universe Online, Neron appeared in the setting of the MMORPG video game. He appeared as a major antagonist in "The Sins of Black Adam" event.
Appearances
- Underworld Unleashed v1: (1995)
- JLA v1:
- Teen Titans v3:
- Midnighter and Apollo v1:
Links
Internal Links
External Links
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