| The Adversary | |
|---|---|
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | Uncanny X-Men #188 (December 1984) |
| Created by | Chris Claremont John Romita Jr. |
| In-story information | |
| Notable aliases | The Great Trickster, Nazé |
| Abilities |
|
The Adversary is a demonic supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.
The Adversary first appeared in Uncanny X-Men #188 (December 1984), and was created by Chris Claremont and John Romita Jr. [1]
The Adversary is a demon who was initially summoned by the X-Men member Forge several decades ago and has since come back to antagonize the X-Men and threaten the world.
During the Vietnam War, Forge saw his company slain by the North Vietnamese. Forge summoned the Adversary to destroy the attackers, but then regained his senses and banished the demon. Nevertheless, the Adversary had a foothold on the Earth thanks to Forge's actions.
Years later, Forge's mentor Nazé is killed and his form and memories stolen by a Dire Wraith, an alien parasite. The Nazé impostor summons the Adversary, only to be destroyed by the demon. The Adversary escapes the dimension to which he was bound, capturing Forge and his ally Storm of the X-Men and imprisoning them in Roma's stronghold.
The Adversary travels to Dallas, Texas and battled the combined forces of the X-Men and Freedom Force in "The Fall of the Mutants". Ultimately, the only way to permanently banish the Adversary is for nine souls to sacrifice themselves in a magical spell. The X-Men agree, and Forge casts the spell. The X-Men die, but Roma secretly resurrects them. [2]
The Adversary later returns to Earth, having been physically born, but is again banished by Forge. [3]
In Fear Itself , Adversary attends the Devil's Advocacy to discuss the Serpent's actions on Earth. [4]
The Adversary possesses Forge in Cable and X-Force , but is trapped in a mind prison in Doctor Nemesis' subconsciousness.
The Adversary is a powerful demon of the highest order and possesses vast supernatural powers. He is virtually invulnerable to anything but the most powerful magic and iron. He has superhuman strength and endurance.
He can enter and leave different planes of existence and dimensions at will and has reality-warping powers. He can also summon demons and other supernatural creatures to do his bidding.
The Adversary appears in the X-Men '97 two-part episode "Lifedeath", voiced by Alison Sealy-Smith. [5] This version is an owl-like demon who feeds on negative emotions. [6]