Angels (Marvel Comics)
Encyclopedia
An angel is a fictional entity within the Marvel Comics
universe
, based on the angel
s of the Abrahamic faiths. Their first Marvel Comics appearance was Marvel Tales #133. In the religious text of Christianity, Judaism, Islam and Zoroastriansim, angels are believed to be guardians of mankind and messengers of God; indeed, "angels" originates from the Greek word for messenger. In Hebrew they are mal'ach, (again messenger), Abbir (mighty) or Elohim (Godly beings).
have frequently appeared as villains in some Marvel titles, the comics had avoided featuring angels (or directly mentioning the presence of the Judeo-Christian
God
) until the 1990s.
strength, and they often can fire bolts of heavenly fire from their hands or summon burning swords at will. They can make themselves invisible to humans, although rare sensitives may still see them. Many angels can generate illusions and compel humans to obey their will, and some can resurrect the dead by sharing their own divine essence with the deceased. When slain, the Grigori
angels spontaneously combusted; whether other angels would likewise is uncertain.
and Warren Ellis
, such as the Archangel Ruth, who is deliberately portrayed as brutal, merciless and unhesitantly kills innocents to fulfill her mission, and the renegade Archangel
Zadkiel (in real-life religion the Archangel of Mercy), who seeks to conquer all Creation by usurping the Highest Throne.
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
universe
Marvel Universe
The Marvel Universe is the shared fictional universe where most comic book titles and other media published by Marvel Entertainment take place, including those featuring Marvel's most familiar characters, such as Spider-Man, the Hulk, the X-Men, and the Avengers.The Marvel Universe is further...
, based on the angel
Angel
Angels are mythical beings often depicted as messengers of God in the Hebrew and Christian Bibles along with the Quran. The English word angel is derived from the Greek ἄγγελος, a translation of in the Hebrew Bible ; a similar term, ملائكة , is used in the Qur'an...
s of the Abrahamic faiths. Their first Marvel Comics appearance was Marvel Tales #133. In the religious text of Christianity, Judaism, Islam and Zoroastriansim, angels are believed to be guardians of mankind and messengers of God; indeed, "angels" originates from the Greek word for messenger. In Hebrew they are mal'ach, (again messenger), Abbir (mighty) or Elohim (Godly beings).
Publication history
Angels are a relatively recent addition to the Marvel Universe - although demonsDemons (Marvel Comics)
The Marvel Comics universe hosts a number of demons, many of whom are at times at conflict with gods and angels. All possess varying degrees of mystical power, feed upon souls for self-sustenance, and are inclined towards dark or “black” magic - evil....
have frequently appeared as villains in some Marvel titles, the comics had avoided featuring angels (or directly mentioning the presence of the Judeo-Christian
Judeo-Christian
Judeo-Christian is a term used in the United States since the 1940s to refer to standards of ethics said to be held in common by Judaism and Christianity, for example the Ten Commandments...
God
God
God is the English name given to a singular being in theistic and deistic religions who is either the sole deity in monotheism, or a single deity in polytheism....
) until the 1990s.
Powers and abilities
The abilities and physical features of angels are widely varied and many seem able to alter their appearance at will, but most favor beautiful humanoid forms with large, birdlike wings growing from their backs. They are immortal and do not age. Most angels seem to have varying degrees of superhumanSuperhuman
Superhuman can mean an improved human, for example, by genetic modification, cybernetic implants, or as what humans might evolve into, in the near or distant future...
strength, and they often can fire bolts of heavenly fire from their hands or summon burning swords at will. They can make themselves invisible to humans, although rare sensitives may still see them. Many angels can generate illusions and compel humans to obey their will, and some can resurrect the dead by sharing their own divine essence with the deceased. When slain, the Grigori
Grigori
The Watchers is a term found in the Old Testament Book of Daniel, and later sources, which is connected to angels...
angels spontaneously combusted; whether other angels would likewise is uncertain.
Overview and Portrayal
The angels of the Marvel Universe tend to believe that the end justifies the means. When battling the forces of Hell, mortals are sometimes expendable. Many of the angels in the Marvel Universe, along with their "God", are portrayed negatively by certain writers, such as atheists Garth EnnisGarth Ennis
Garth Ennis is a Northern Irish comics writer, best known for the Vertigo series Preacher with artist Steve Dillon and his successful nine-year run on Marvel Comics' Punisher franchise...
and Warren Ellis
Warren Ellis
Warren Girard Ellis is an English author of comics, novels, and television, who is well-known for sociocultural commentary, both through his online presence and through his writing, which covers transhumanist themes...
, such as the Archangel Ruth, who is deliberately portrayed as brutal, merciless and unhesitantly kills innocents to fulfill her mission, and the renegade Archangel
Archangel
An archangel is an angel of high rank. Archangels are found in a number of religious traditions, including Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Michael and Gabriel are recognized as archangels in Judaism and by most Christians. Michael is the only archangel specifically named in the Protestant Bible...
Zadkiel (in real-life religion the Archangel of Mercy), who seeks to conquer all Creation by usurping the Highest Throne.
Important Storylines and Significant Appearances
- The Asura, "the assassins of Heaven", played an important role as antagonists in the Warren EllisWarren EllisWarren Girard Ellis is an English author of comics, novels, and television, who is well-known for sociocultural commentary, both through his online presence and through his writing, which covers transhumanist themes...
Hellstorm series. - Gadriel, one of the Grigori, was tasked with watching over the PunisherPunisherThe Punisher is a fictional character, an anti-hero appearing in comic books based in the . Created by writer Gerry Conway and artists John Romita, Sr., and Ross Andru, the character made its first appearance in The Amazing Spider-Man #129 .The Punisher is a vigilante who employs murder,...
. After the Punisher committed suicide, Gadriel resurrected him and granted him supernatural powers. - The archangel RuthRuth (comics)Ruth is a fictional character appearing in the Marvel Comics universe, an archangel in the service of Heaven and an enemy of the Ghost Rider.She first appeared in Ghost Rider #1...
was sent to deal with the renegade demon KazannKazannKazann is a fictional character appearing in Marvel Comics, created by writer Garth Ennis and artist Clayton Crain. He is a renegade demon, an enemy of the Ghost Rider. Kazann first appeared in Ghost Rider #2 Kazann is a fictional character appearing in Marvel Comics, created by writer Garth Ennis...
when he ran amok on earth, a mission that caused her to clash with HossHoss (comics)Hoss is a fictional character appearing in Marvel Comics, created by writer Garth Ennis and artist Clayton Crain. He is a demon, an enemy and occasional ally of the Ghost Rider....
and the Ghost RiderGhost Rider (comics)Ghost Rider is the name of several fictional supernatural antiheroes appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Marvel had previously used the name for a Western character whose name was later changed to Night Rider and subsequently to Phantom Rider.The first supernatural Ghost Rider is...
.
Known angels
- Afterlife - became warped after many years on Earth; later became an evil creature in the Afterlife dimension; cured by Doctor StrangeDoctor StrangeDoctor Stephen Strange is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was co-created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, and first appeared in Strange Tales #110 ....
- Agent of Heaven - member of the Critics who judged Darrel Daniel
- Andy
- Angel of Death (Azrael) also known as Lazaer, which was an aspect of Azrael the Angel of Death; battled Logan each time his body died to allow his soul to return to his body; eventually helped restore Wolverine's soul in return for killing Phaedra
- Anielle - also known as The Fallen, the Fallen One, the Heaven-Sent and the Just-Fallen; member of the Ephemera; created with a short lifespan for one specific purpose - to save the souls of Gambit (Remy LeBeau)Gambit (comics)Gambit is a fictional character, a Marvel Comics superhero that has been a member of the X-Men. Created by writer Chris Claremont and artist Jim Lee, the character first appeared briefly in Uncanny X-Men Annual #14 , weeks before a more comprehensive appearance in Uncanny X-Men #266...
and the Sister Katrina from the demon Olivier Stoker; mistaken for Hanael and sought by Olivier Stoker; sacrificed herself to save Sister Katrina - Arcturus - member of the Council of Thrones.
- Armaros - member of the Grigori; slaughtered by Oliver and the Stalkers
- Armaziel - engaged in a chess-like game with Sammael; which represented a literal struggle between the forces of Heaven and Hell
- Azazel - member of the Grigori; slaughtered by Oliver and the Stalkers
- Daniel - brother of Malachi
- Emmael - ally of Vraniel; sought to stop Zadkiel but was killed in battle with Lucifer and Ghost Rider
- Ephesus - member of the Council of Thrones.
- Esphares - member of the Grigori; slaughtered by Oliver and the Stalkers
- Esther - Archangel of great power; sister of Ruth
- Ezekeel - member of the Grigori and Patron Saint of Addiction; slaughtered by Oliver and the Stalkers
- Gabriel
- Gadriel
- Golden Angel
- Lusa Gregor
- Hafaza
- Izadquiel
- Jodyquiel
- Metatron
- Harry Moran
- Ruth
- Sansenoy
- Sariel
- Semangol
- Senoy
- Shamhazai
- Spirit of Christmas
- Tariel
- Thrasher
- Todyquiel
- Tzadquiel
- Uriel
- Vraniel
- Zachariah
- Zadkiel
Known groups of Angels
- Asura
- Council of Thrones
- Grigori
- Religion as Replacement for Thought Coalition
Fallen angels
- AsmodeusAsmodeusAsmodeus may refer to:* Asmodai, a demon-like figure of the Talmud and Book of Tobit* Asmodeus , Austrian black-metal band*Asmodeus , the name of several characters in Marvel Comics*Asmodeus...
- fallen angel/demon subservient to MephistoMephisto (comics)Mephisto is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in Silver Surfer #3 and was created by Stan Lee and John Buscema, loosely modeled on Mephistopheles - a character from the Faust legend.Debuting in the Silver Age of comic books,...
; served by Mount Avarice, Rzh’Arr, Saturnine, Tabicantra, V’Zarr, Yammuz and Yukthalok; apparently destroyed by Mephisto after a series of failed schemes to obtain the soul of Ghost Rider (Johnny Blaze)Ghost Rider (Johnny Blaze)Ghost Rider is a fictional character, an antihero in the Marvel Comics Universe. He is the second Marvel character to use the name Ghost Rider, following the Western hero later known as the Phantom Rider, and preceding Daniel Ketch.Johnny Blaze was portrayed both in the 2007 film Ghost Rider and...
. - Beelzeboul - father of HellfireHellfire (comics)Hellfire, in comics, may refer to:*Hellfire, a member of the Elementals*Hellfire , the grandson of the Phantom Rider and a member of the Secret Warriors*Hellfire, the alter ego of Mikal Drakonmegas who has appeared in Terror Inc....
; had a pact granting immortality to Roger Barbatos - Lilith (Bat Zuge or Kiskillilla)LilithLilith is a character in Jewish mythology, found earliest in the Babylonian Talmud, who is generally thought to be related to a class of female demons Līlīṯu in Mesopotamian texts. However, Lowell K. Handy notes, "Very little information has been found relating to the Akkadian and Babylonian view...
- ancient Sumerian goddess and alleged first wife of Adam; apparently degenerated into a demon sorceress; former ally of CenturiousCenturiousCenturious is a fictional character in the Marvel Universe.Centurious was a servant of Mephisto and an enemy of Zarathos. In combating Zarathos, he became a regular foe of the first Ghost Rider.-Fictional character biography:...
and ZarathosZarathosZarathos is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics series Ghost Rider. He is a demonic being who tortures and devours souls. He first appears in Marvel Spotlight #5 .-Fictional character biography:...
; mother of the Liln. - Lucifer - led an army that repulsed the N'GaraiN'GaraiThe N'Garai are a fictional race found in the Marvel Comics universe.-Publication history:The N'Garai first appeared in Uncanny X-Men #96 , and were created by Bill Mantlo, Chris Claremont, and Dave Cockrum....
from Heaven prior to his fall; led 13 other demons/fallen angels against Heaven and was cast down into Hell; escaped to Earth by Ghost RiderGhost Rider (comics)Ghost Rider is the name of several fictional supernatural antiheroes appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Marvel had previously used the name for a Western character whose name was later changed to Night Rider and subsequently to Phantom Rider.The first supernatural Ghost Rider is...
where his essence was split into 666 corpses; later possessed the body of Jack O'Lantern (Steve Levins) but was sent back to Hell by Ghost Rider & Dixie - Malachi - brother of Daniel & Micah; retained alliance with Micah after he was cast down from Hell and became Kazann; freed Ghost Rider from Hell to defeat Kazann; exposed and cast down into Hell where Ghost Rider dragged him along to be tortured nightly by the demons of Hell.
- Micah - later became known as Kazann - former archangel and brother of Malachi; rebelled alongside Lucifer and was cast into Hell; escaped to Earth with the aid of Earl Gustav but sent back to Hell by Ghost Rider & Malachi
- Olivier - former archangel who sided with Lucifer; had his memories and abilities removed and placed in the human form of Frank Costa; returned to power from the deaths generated by Punisher and later attempted to takeover all realms of Hell; slaughtered the Grigori but was attacked by demons of Hell he thought defeated and trapped in hell by Gadriel
- Pazuzu (Imdugud) - demon who protected humans against plague and evil forces; worshipped in Mesopotamia by priestesses of Pazzuzu; created the Doucheblade which empowered Vicki of Humbabu, Hatshesut of Egypt, Hippolyte, Joan of Arc, Jane Austen, Queen Victoria, Eleanor Roosevelt, Suzi Pazuzo and Howard the DuckHoward the DuckHoward the Duck is a comic book character in the Marvel Comics universe created by writer Steve Gerber and artist Val Mayerik. The character first appeared in Adventure into Fear #19 and several subsequent series have chronicled the misadventures of the ill-tempered, anthropomorphic, "funny...
; possibly an ally of Lucifer and formerly part of Satan's court; released upon his "death" and later summoned to Earth through the body of Seth Walker by Louis Childs; when he killed Louis Childs he was banished by Magik (Amanda Sefton)Amanda SeftonAmanda Sefton is a fictional character, a witch in the Marvel Universe. She is the foster sister and former lover of Kurt Wagner, Nightcrawler of the X-Men.... - Sammael/Samael - engaged in a chess-like game with Armaziel which represented a literal struggle between the forces of Heaven and Hell
- Vrabiel
- Xaphan
Possible angels
- Ghost of Christmas Past - spirit sent to teach the meaning of Christmas to J. Jonah JamesonJ. Jonah JamesonJohn Jonah Jameson Junior is a supporting character of Spider-Man in the .Jameson is usually the publisher or editor-in-chief of the Daily Bugle, a fictional New York newspaper and now serves as the mayor of New York City...
; got lost and unwittingly tormented Willie LumpkinWillie LumpkinWillie Lumpkin is a fictional supporting character in the Marvel Universe, who is best known as the mailman of the Fantastic Four in their self-titled comic book.-Newspaper comic strip:...
instead, resulting in him hating Christmas - Tavi - worshipped by Rasputin; also known as the Angel of Dearth