Celestine (comics)

Last updated
Celestine
Celestine 01 cover.jpg
Cover of Celestine #01
Publication information
Publisher Image Comics
First appearance Violator/Badrock #1 (1996)
Created by Alan Moore, Rob Liefeld, Brian Denham
In-story information
Team affiliationsHeaven
AbilitiesSuper Strength
Flight Capability
Holy Fire

Celestine is a fictional character from in the Image Comics comic book universe created by Alan Moore, Rob Liefeld and Brian Denham. She was described as an avenging angel, responsible for the destruction of the Tower of Babel, Sodom and Gomorrah and other Old Testament atrocities. She is described as immensely enjoying her work.

She first appeared in comics hunting the demon character known as the Violator.

First Rebellion Against God

During the initial rebellion against Heaven, Celestine slaughtered the rebels and wore their teeth as a necklace. This earned her the respect, and fear, of her fellow angels.

Celestine had destroyed countless civilizations, including Sodom, Gomorrah, and the Tower of Babel. When the locusts ravaged Egypt, Celestine was in the center of it and she began to enjoy killing more than actually serving God. [1]

Violator vs. Badrock

Upon hearing that humans were researching inter-dimensional travel, particularly to Hell, Celestine was sent to New York City to put an end to their efforts. Upon learning that Dr. Sally McAllister had completed her research to open the Hellgate, she attacked the Whiteside Parsons Institute. [2]

She believed she had found the Violator who was being used to power the device, but was tricked by the demon. The Violator turned into his Clown form and pointed at Badrock claiming he was the demon. While her back was turned, she had her heart ripped out by the Violator. In her final dying moments, she activated McAllister's machine to transport the entire facility and all those inside back to Hell. [3]

He body continued to provide energy for several hours. However, once it turned to ashes, the machine stopped and returned to Washington, D.C. [4]

Celestine Mini-Series

A worker at the Whiteside-Parson Institute, Joseph Yallod, retrieved the dust and remains of Celestine from her sacrifice to bring the institute to Hell. He wanted to bring Celestine back to life so that he may marry her and bear children with her. He places several spells around his facility so that no creature from Hell may stop his plan.

Meanwhile, Celestine met one of Hell's demons in her afterlife. She learned that Angels who killed, are considered murders and do not receive the grace of God in Heaven, but instead are sent to Hell. She begins her spite against Heaven for this action as she feels she deserves a spot in Heaven. [1]

Yallod was tracked by Naamah, a disciple of one of Hell's devils, and several Angels. They worked together to break through is protection spells and kill Yallod before completing the opening to Hell to revive Celestine, leaving her trapped in Hell. [5]

Rage of Angels

On Elysium, two of Celestine's followers, Astra and Crystal, devise a plot to resurrect Celestine. They recognize the risk that she may return partly damaged or brain dead as a result of the experiment. They successfully resurrect Celestine who then convinces a host of Angels to 'flip sides' and fight against Heaven. She now recognizes with scorn that Heaven does not take care of its own and the rebels from the first war against Heaven were correct. She convinces them to head to the Isle of Paradise where there are powers not beholden to God.

Upon arriving, she frees the Amazonians from a prison and enlists their aid in fighting a war against their oppressors. Lady Demeter watches from the bushes and realizes Celestine was using mind powers to cloud their thoughts.

After Angela was summoned by Metatron and Glory was summoned by Lady Demeter to aid freeing the people, Celestine escaped to an Orbital Angel Station. She reveals to the workers her real plan was gaining access to the Elemental Fire aboard the station. The Amazonians celebrated in a false victory. [6]

The U.S. Government dispatches Youngblood and Team Youngblood to investigate the station, but find Celestine has already fled to the Middle East where Angela heads to cut her off. [7] [8]

In the Middle East, Glory and Angela battled Celestine along with her cronies Astra and Crystal. They are soon outnumbered as Celestine used the Elemental Fire to raise the dead to fight for her. As the dead were slowly beaten back by Angela and Glory, Celestine threw a fit. Glory pointed out that something is amiss as an angel would not summon the dead nor throw a fit. Angela and Glory were shortly thereafter saved as all the corpses ceased to move as Maximage cut off the Elemental Fire power source to Celestine. [8]

As Celestine began to gain the upperhand with knocking out Angela and gaining an upper hand on Glory, Maximage pushed herself to use her powers. An energy bolt revealed that Celestine was being controlled by Malebolgia as he transports back to Hell with Celestine's soul. [9]

Angela and Celestine agreed to travel to Hell to retrieve Celestine's soul from Malebolgia. They were initially toyed with as Malebolgia revealed he was all powerful and would soon overthrow his boss. However, Lucifer overheard suddenly appeared and vanquished Malebolgia as punishment. Lucifer then informed Angela that Elysium was actually one of the 10 levels of Hell. Angela became speechless for the first time in ages. Having freed Celestine, Angela returned to her free-lance hunting duties and Celestine was released for her own journey.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spawn (character)</span> Comic book superhero

Albert Francis "Al" Simmons, better known as Spawn, is an antihero appearing in a monthly comic book of the same name published by American company Image Comics, as well as in a number of films, television series, and video game adaptations set in the Image Universe. Created by Todd McFarlane, Spawn first appeared in Spawn #1.

<i>Demon: The Fallen</i> 2002 tabletop role-playing game

Demon: The Fallen is a 2002 tabletop role-playing game released by White Wolf Publishing. Set in the World of Darkness, players take on the role of a demon - a fallen angel who descended to the Garden of Eden with Lucifer, only to be condemned to Hell after a long war with Heaven. The game focuses on "infernal glory" as its central theme for storytelling and character development - the acquisition of power to restore the Fallen's grace as well as to potentially reconnect with humanity, all the while staving off their own agony and evading monstrous demons.

<i>Constantine</i> (film) 2005 American superhero horror film

Constantine is a 2005 American superhero horror film directed by Francis Lawrence in his directorial debut. Written by Kevin Brodbin and Frank Cappello from a story by Brodbin, it is loosely based on the DC Comics/Vertigo Comics Hellblazer graphic novels. The film stars Keanu Reeves as John Constantine, a cynical exorcist with the ability to perceive and communicate with half-angels and half-demons in their true forms and to travel between Earth and Hell. Rachel Weisz, Shia LaBeouf, Tilda Swinton, Pruitt Taylor Vince, Djimon Hounsou, Gavin Rossdale, and Peter Stormare also feature.

Glory is a Image Universe comic book superheroine created by Rob Liefeld. She first appeared in Youngblood Strikefile #1, and initially starred in books published by Liefeld's Extreme Studios, which was a partner studio of Image Comics, a publisher that Liefeld co-founded in 1992. Following Liefeld's departure from that publisher, the character went on to appear in books published by Liefeld's subsequent endeavor, Awesome Comics. A homage to Wonder Woman, Gloriana Demeter is a half-Amazonian, half-Demon warrior.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Violator (comics)</span> Comics character

Violator is a supervillain who appears in the Spawn comic books published by Image Comics. The character first appeared in Spawn #2 and was created by writer-artist Todd McFarlane.As one of the primary antagonists of the series, he is by far the most recurring villain of the series and Spawn's archenemy. He is also the maker of the Hellspawns, hence, he trains and keeps tabs on them.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cogliostro</span> Comics character

Cogliostro, also simply Cog, is a fictional character in Todd McFarlane's Spawn comic series, set in the Image Universe. Cogliostro was created in 1993 by author Neil Gaiman and artist Todd McFarlane and introduced in Spawn issue #9. Originally depicted as a supporting character, he becomes an antagonist as the series progresses, eventually becoming the supervillain Sinn and the third main antagonist of the series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lady Death</span> Comics character

Lady Death is a fictional goddess appearing in American comic books published by Coffin Comics. Created by Brian Pulido, Lady Death first appeared in Evil Ernie #1 in December 1991.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Malebolgia</span> Character from Spawn comics

Malebolgia is a supervillain appearing as the original main antagonist in comic books featuring the superhero Spawn and reprised the role in the later issues. Created by writer/artist Todd McFarlane, the character first appeared in Spawn #1. The name Malebolgia is derived from the term in Dante's Inferno used to describe Malebolge, the ditches (bolge) in the eighth circle of Hell, where humans who committed the sin Fraud are punished. He is Spawn's former master who serves as one of the major Lords of Hell.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lady Demon</span> Comics character

Lady Demon is a fictional character who appears in comic books published by Chaos! Comics. Her first appearance was in Lady Death: Between Heaven and Hell #3. Lady Demon is Lady Death's much darker and evolved form.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mammon (comics)</span> Comics character

Mammon is a supervillain from the comic book Spawn. He is Spawn's former ally and is the second primary antagonist, having replaced Malebolgia in that role until #184, in which Malebolgia again takes back this role from Mammon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Badrock</span> Comics character

Badrock is a fictional superhero who appears in books published by Image Comics. Created by Rob Liefeld, he was originally named Bedrock and first appeared in Youngblood #1.

<i>Shadows of Spawn</i> Manga adaptation of the Spawn character

Shadows of Spawn is a licensed Japanese manga adaptation of Todd McFarlane's American Spawn comic series, written and drawn by Juzo Tokoro. It was originally printed in Japan from 1998 to 1999 in the monthly manga magazine Dengeki Comic Gao!, published by MediaWorks. The series retains a number of elements of the original American series, but also exhibits a number of differences from it as well.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sodom and Gomorrah</span> Cities destroyed by God in the Book of Genesis

In the Abrahamic religions, Sodom and Gomorrah were two cities destroyed by God for their wickedness. Their story parallels the Genesis flood narrative in its theme of God's anger provoked by man's sin. They are mentioned frequently in the prophets and the New Testament as symbols of human wickedness and divine retribution, and the Quran also contains a version of the story about the two cities.

Uriel is a fictional character primarily portrayed by Robert Wisdom on The CW Television Network's drama and horror television series Supernatural. An angel who utilizes force and destruction to fulfill his various orders from Heaven, he has a recurring role in the fourth season. Uriel's lack of regard for humanity often leads to tension with series protagonists Sam and Dean Winchester, and even with his fellow angels Anna Milton and Castiel. Though shocked at how his character differed from typical portrayals of angels in the media, Wisdom was impressed by the depth in Uriel's characterization and felt honored to have been chosen to play him. Wisdom was universally praised by critics for his portrayal of the character.

The Hebrew term mammon, personifying money in the New Testament, has led to many adaptations in literature, film, and popular culture.

<i>Devils and Realist</i> Japanese manga and anime series

Devils and Realist is a Japanese manga series written by Madoka Takadono and illustrated by Utako Yukihiro. An anime adaptation was animated by Doga Kobo and aired from July 7, 2013 to September 22, 2013.

<i>Seven Mortal Sins</i> Multimedia project anime series produced by Artland and TNK

Seven Mortal Sins, also known as Sin: The 7 Deadly Sins, is a Japanese anime television series animated by Artland and TNK that aired from April 14, 2017, to July 29, 2017. It is an adaptation of Hobby Japan's media franchise The 7 Deadly Sins, which primarily consists of a series of fantasy figures.

References