Mephisto (Marvel Comics)

The origins of the archdemon Mephisto are shrouded in mystery. Many stories have been told, but most of them have since been proven wrong. One of the most popular claims that Mephisto and other "hell-lords" were spawned from left-over dark energy left behind after the creature Demogorge the God-Eater killed the demonic Elder Gods during Earth's earliest years. Whatever the case, Mephisto is not the Judeo-Christian Satan, although he has claimed to be this entity on several occasions.

Mephisto draws his power from the number of human souls enslaved within his realm. These souls can only be obtained via consent, so Mephisto has made numerous deals and bargains with mortals with their souls as collateral. Without fail, there is always a catch or loophole Mephisto exploits in order to trap the soul in question. For instance, Mephisto once made a deal with young stunt rider Johnny Blaze to cure Blaze's father of cancer. Mephisto cured the disease, but did not lift a finger to help when the elder Blaze died in a stunt gone wrong. Thus, Mephisto bound the demon Zarathos to Blaze, creating the Ghost Rider. Mephisto also takes great joy in attempting to lure especially pure souls like Thor or the Silver Surfer into sinning.