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{{short description|Marvel comics character}}
{{other|Azazel (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox comics character
{{Articleissues|refimprove=October 2009|in-universe=January 2010}}
|character_name = Azazel
{{Superherobox
| image=Azazel_HCV.jpg |image = Azazel HCV.jpg
|converted = y
| imagesize = 200
|caption = Azazel<!--Can someone find the issue that this image appears in?-->
| converted=y
|species = ]
| caption=Azazel
|publisher = ]
|comic_color=background:#ff8080
|debut = '']'' #428<br>(August 2003)
|character_name=Azazel
|creators = ]<br>]
|real_name=Azazel
|species=] |alliances = ]
|aliases = ]<br>]<br>]
|publisher=]
|powers =
|debut=''Uncanny X-Men'' #428 (October 2003)
* Paralyzing bolts projection
|creators=]<br>]
* Prehensile tail
|alliance_color=background:#ffc0c0
* Shapeshifting
|alliances=]
* ]
|aliases=], ], ], ]
* Telepathy
|powers=Teleportation <br>Energy blasts<br>Shapeshifting<br>Immortality<br>Telepathy<br>Master swordsman<br>Master of dark arts
* Night Vision
|}}
* Spell casting
'''Azazel''' is a ] character in the ] and is the biological father of ]. His first appearance was in '']'' #428, during "The Draco" storyline, written by ]. Azazel was featured in '']'' as a member of the ], the main antagonist group.
* Mind control
* Immortality
|alt = Azazel
}}
'''Azazel''' is a character appearing in ]s published by ]. Created by ] and Sean Philips, the character first appeared in '']'' #428 (August 2003). He belongs to the subspecies of humans named ], who are born with superhuman abilities. He is the father of the ]'s ]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hunt |first=James |date=October 6, 2017 |title=Marvel's Mutant Families |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/marvels-mutant-families/ |access-date=October 11, 2022 |website=Den of Geek |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Thompson |first=Jonathan |date=August 1, 2018 |title=Pret A Teleporter: 20 Things About Nightcrawler Only Real X-Men Fans Know |url=https://www.cbr.com/x-men-nightcrawler-things-to-know/ |access-date=October 11, 2022 |website=CBR |language=en-US}}</ref> and was originally the father of ] as well until that was retconned in 2023.


The character was played by ] in the film '']'' (2011) and by Eduardo Gago Munoz in the ] film '']'' (2024).
==Fictional character biography==
Azazel claims that many years ago an ancient horde of demonic ]s from ] times called the ] were in an epic battle with a group of ]ic over-zealous mutants, named the ]. The Cheyarafim were victorious in the battle and vanquished the "evil" mutants to an alternate dimension for all eternity. The Neyaphem's leader, Azazel, was the only one who was able to breach the dimensional void for brief periods of time due to his ] powers. His only hope to return to earth was by impregnating women because his children are linked to his dimension.


== Publication history ==
About twenty years ago, Azazel began mating with women who had strange appearances, at least with looks and abilities other women didn't have. He met ] in ], at the time she was married to a rich baron named Christian Wagner, who was unable to give her children. When Mystique was introduced to Azazel, whom Christian knew as a business partner, she had an instant attraction to him. Although she was hesitant to betray Christian, she gave in to Azazel and they made love. Not much later, ] was pregnant with ]. While Mystique had actually fallen in love with Azazel, he seemed only to be interested in impregnating her, but, in truth, Azazel found himself actually loving Mystique, making her the only woman he ever truly loved. Shortly after his "mission" was complete Azazel left Mystique because the Cheyarafim had learned of his current location in Germany, thus would attempt to kill Azazel, Mystique, and their unborn child. Knowing that Mystique would be safe - having her resources and being the woman she was - Azazel left her to protect her and their child. Mystique, however, would never know of Azazel's true intentions and hated him for leaving her.
Azazel's first appearance was in '']'' #428 (August 2003) during "The Draco" storyline, written by ]. The character's name comes from ], an angel from the ] mentioned first at chapter 8 verse 1. His origin story was presented in ''The Uncanny X-Men'' #433 (2004).


== Fictional character biography ==
Soon afterward, Mystique killed Christian and buried his body because he suspected her betrayal. A few months later, Mystique gave birth to a child. Due to the shock and the strain of the boy’s difficult delivery, Mystique lost concentration and accidentally revealed her true form. Considered a demon, Mystique was chased away by an angry mob. Barely escaping, she tossed the baby down a ravine. The child was teleported away, apparently by Azazel, and given into Margali Szardos’ care. Azazel had past relations with women before, resulting in the births of ] and ].
Azazel is said to be one of the oldest mutants, belonging to an ancient group of demonic-looking mutants called the Neyaphem.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stewart |first=Brenton |date=September 22, 2019 |title=House of X: Every Mutant Villain Who Just Joined the X-Men, Ranked by Evil |url=https://www.cbr.com/house-of-x-every-mutant-villain-who-just-joined-the-x-men-ranked-by-evil/ |access-date=October 11, 2022 |website=CBR |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Reynolds |first=Johnny |date=September 15, 2018 |title=25 Marvel Characters Fans Never Knew Had Gods For Parents |url=https://www.thegamer.com/marvel-characters-gods-for-parents/ |access-date=October 11, 2022 |website=TheGamer |language=en-US}}</ref> He states that he once rivaled Mephisto for the title of "Satan."<ref name="Zachary">{{Cite web |last=Zachary |first=Brandon |date=November 7, 2020 |title=The WORST X-Men Story Ever Almost Ruined Marvel's Most Noble Mutant |url=https://www.cbr.com/x-men-nightcrawler-draco-worst-story/ |access-date=October 11, 2022 |website=CBR |language=en-US}}</ref> Eventually, the Neyaphem were banished to the Brimstone Dimension by another group of angelic-looking mutants known as the Cheyarafim.<ref name="Young">{{Cite web |last=Young |first=Andrew |date=February 24, 2017 |title=10 Most Evil X-Men Villains |url=https://whatculture.com/comics/10-most-evil-x-men-villains |access-date=October 11, 2022 |website=WhatCulture.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Avina |first=Anthony |date=December 16, 2019 |title=Marvel: 10 Most Powerful Alternate Dimensions in Marvel Comics, Ranked |url=https://www.cbr.com/marvel-strongest-dimensions-universes/ |access-date=October 11, 2022 |website=CBR |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Outlaw |first=Kofi |date=May 29, 2020 |title=X-Men Producer Simon Kinberg Confirms Shocking Connection Between Mystique and Azazel |url=https://comicbook.com/movies/news/x-men-movies-producer-confirms-mystique-azazel-father-daughter-connection/ |access-date=October 11, 2022 |website=Movies |language=en}}</ref> Azazel is seen to be convinced that ] was one of the members of the group. Azazel has been known to make demonic deals with humans, including the family of Monet St. Croix.<ref name="Weapon X Vol 3 #26">''Weapon X'' Vol 3 #26</ref>


=== Modern Age ===
Azazel sired several dozen other children, who were all mysteriously called to gather and sacrifice themselves on the island known as the '''Isla Des Demonas'''. Doing this would open a ] and bring his army to earth to destroy the Cheyarafim, allowing the demonic mutants to live in the world and find their place in it. The mutant children worked together in a zombie-like state and opened the portal to Azazel's dimension, but the ] had followed Kurt (]) to see where he was going and jumped into the portal. Once inside, Azazel took great pleasure in toying with the team, having them believe that he was actually ].
The leader of the Neyaphem, Azazel, is the only one who is able to breach the dimensional void and return to Earth for brief periods of time due to his teleportation powers. His main scheme to return to Earth permanently is to impregnate women, as his children are linked to his dimension and he can use them to create a stable gateway between dimensions.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hernandez |first=Danny |date=January 1, 2020 |title=X-Men: 10 Things You Didn't Know About Nightcrawler |url=https://www.cbr.com/marvel-xmen-nightcrawler-things-didnt-know/ |access-date=October 11, 2022 |website=CBR |language=en-US}}</ref> Azazel begins mating with women who have strange appearances, at least with looks and abilities other women didn't have.<ref name=":0" /> He meets ] in ], when she is married to a rich castle lord named Baron Christian Wagner.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Galanis |first=Lia |date=February 13, 2020 |title=X-Men: Wait, Nightcrawler's Parents Were Almost WHO? |url=https://www.cbr.com/x-men-nightcrawler-parent-origins/ |access-date=October 11, 2022 |website=CBR |language=en-US}}</ref> Mystique is introduced to Azazel, whom Christian knew as a business partner. Mystique has an affair with Azazel and subsequently uses his genetic information, combined with her own, to impregnate Destiny with ].<ref>''X-Men Blue: Origins'' #1 (November 2023)</ref> It is later shown that Azazel was taking care of business involving the Cheyarafim, and had to leave, knowing that Mystique would find some way to live. Christian discovers Mystique and Destiny together and is killed by Mystique. However, she doesn't have much time to formulate a plan, as the angry villagers soon find out about Christian's murder and come after her and the demonic-looking baby.<ref name="Billings">{{Cite web |last=Billings |first=Charlie |date=June 4, 2022 |title=10 Marvel Comics Relationships Ruined By Villains |url=https://www.cbr.com/marvel-comics-relationships-ruined-by-villains/ |access-date=October 11, 2022 |website=CBR |language=en-US}}</ref> She shape-shifts into one of the villagers and drops Nightcrawler by a tree while she went back to save Destiny from the townsfolk. Kurt is then taken by Margoli Szardos.<ref>''Uncanny X-Men'' #428.</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Archbold |first=Phil |date=May 12, 2020 |title=Marvel Superheroes You May Not Realize Have Super Parents - Looper |url=https://www.looper.com/208855/marvel-superheroes-you-may-not-realize-have-super-parents/ |access-date=October 11, 2022 |website=Looper.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Balino |first=Tomas |date=May 24, 2020 |title=Rogue, Mystique, Sabretooth & Nightcrawler: Their Twisted Family Connection, Finally Explained |url=https://www.cbr.com/rogue-mystique-sabretooth-nightcrawler-family-connection-explained/ |access-date=October 11, 2022 |website=CBR |language=en-US}}</ref> Later, believing Nightcrawler is his son, Azazel sires several dozen other children as part of an effort to forge a permanent connection between his hell-dimension and Earth.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Allan |first=Scoot |date=December 18, 2020 |title=Marvel: 10 Mutants With A Connection To Other Dimensions |url=https://www.cbr.com/xmen-mutants-connection-other-dimensions/ |access-date=October 11, 2022 |website=CBR |language=en-US}}</ref>


=== Brimstone Dimension Opening ===
In the end, Azazel was not able to free the Neyaphem because the portal had to be opened in an area where Cheyarafim blood could not be found. ] was present at the time and as such the portal was destroyed. Azazel vanished in grief and has not been seen since.
Azazel's other children are all mysteriously called to gather and sacrifice themselves on the island known as the Isla Des Demonas to open a portal and bring his army to Earth, with the goal of destroying both the Cheyarafim and what Azazel calls "normal mutants", mutants whose bodies do not show signs of their mutation, and who are not seen as monsters and demons. In addition to Nightcrawler, another son of Azazel's is the Genoshan called Abyss. The children of Azazel all join each other in a zombie-like state and open a portal to his dimension. A group of X-Men had followed Kurt to see where he was going, and jump into the portal once it opens. Once inside, Azazel takes great pleasure in toying with the team, having them believe that he is actually Satan. In the end, the X-Men defeat Azazel and his army and banish him to an unknown oblivion. The X-Men, including Nightcrawler, are able to escape, along with two other children of Azazel: Abyss and Kiwi Black.<ref>''Uncanny X-Men'' #429-434.</ref>


=== Return ===
In recent times it has been rumored that Azazel is actually a demon, or at least holds the blood of one. Many mystical beings such as ] and ] have made slight references to the leader of the Neyaphem to be much more than he seemed and had a strange set of 'ties' to mortals.
Azazel's whereabouts are unknown for several years, but he resurfaces in this dimension, revealing himself to be the master of Calcabrina, former ally of ], and banned from all realms of Hell.<ref>''Amazing X-Men'' (Vol. 2) #1-5.</ref>


==Powers and abilities== === Weapon X-Force ===
Confronted by a shape-shifted Mystique, a disguise he easily sees through, Azazel is asked to join Mystique to the realm of Hell to fight the newly resurrected ], who has become demonic. Weapon X-Force is close in proximity, and Sabertooth grows agitated with the lack of progression towards the mission's goal, eventually having the team reveal themselves to attack Azazel, with the plan to force him to teleport them to the realm of Hell where Stryker now resides. Azazel quickly overpowers the team and obliges the request because of the ties Mystique has with both him and Sabretooth, as she is the mother of the sons of both men (Azazel is the father of her son Nightcrawler, and ] is the father of her son ]).
Azazel has the ability to generate bolts and streams of paralyzing energy, as well as destructive energy which causes a form of disintegration, and can disguise his appearance. In addition to this, he and all other Neyaphem are negatively affected by the healing blood of the Cheyarafim which causes their body to begin to break down. Azazel also has the ability to mentally communicate with and control individuals of inferior mental capacity that originate from the brimstone dimension, and has a great knowledge of ancient magic.
Azazel has unparalleled teleportation powers. Unlike his son Nightcrawler, he does not suffer from the limits of needing to see or know where he is going.
Azazel also seems to be immortal as he has lived since biblical times. His long lifespan has also allowed him to study swordsmanship to such a degree that he has become a near unparalleled master with bladed weapons.


In order to send them to Hell, the Weapon X-Force are killed by Azazel, as they are all sinners who are already designated for eternal damnation anyway. Due to all members of Weapon X-Force possessing powers of regenerative self-healing, Azazel is able to keep the entire team in suspended animation with the use of his teleportation abilities. Frozen in time, the team's souls are able to be transported to Hell to complete the mission and Azazel is then later able to unfreeze them to return them to their individual bodies once they are revived due to their individual healing factors.<ref name="Weapon X Vol 3 #25">''Weapon X'' Vol 3 #25</ref><ref name="Weapon X Vol 3 #26"/>
==In other media==

===Film===
=== House of X ===
Actor ] plays Azazel in '']''.<ref>{{cite news | last = Mortimer | first = Ben | title = Jason Flemyng Joining X-Men: First Class | publisher = ] | date = 2010-08-15 | url = http://www.superherohype.com/news/articles/105761-jason-flemyng-joining-x-men-first-class | accessdate = 2010-08-15}}</ref> In the film, Azazel is a member of the ], alongside ], ], and ]. He appears as the assistant of Sebastian Shaw and works alongside his other allies Riptide and Emma Frost. In the film, he displays incredible teleporting abilities and hand-to-hand combat skills.
Azazel is eventually welcomed to the new mutant island of ], created by Xavier, Magneto, and Moira X. He enters through the teleportation gateway alongside other villainous and fractious mutants, who are invited to join the nation to heal mutantdom and start over as a species.<ref>''House of X'' #5</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Outlaw |first=Kofi |date=September 27, 2019 |title=Here Are All the X-Men Villains That Showed up in Marvel's House of X #5 |url=https://comicbook.com/marvel/news/marvel-house-x-5-x-men-villains-cameos-list/ |access-date=October 11, 2022 |website=Marvel |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Adams |first=Tim |date=September 18, 2019 |title=House of X Opens Krakoa's Doors to the X-Men's Greatest Villains |url=https://www.cbr.com/house-of-x-krakoa-x-men-villains/ |access-date=October 11, 2022 |website=CBR |language=en-US}}</ref>

However, Azazel decided to reject Krakoa and join the Goblin Queen in the Limbo Embassy along with Emplate, who became his servant. After the event of the third Hellfire Gala, he became part of the Limbo's new X-Men team to rescue mutants in difficulty.<ref>''Dark X-Men (Vol. 2)'' #1</ref> Trying to rescue Carmen Cruz, Azazel had to leave his teammate Archangel behind, an action that created friction between him and another teammate, Maggott.<ref>''Dark X-Men (Vol. 2)'' #2</ref> When the Embassy was attacked by Orchis they used Abyss as a weapon to capture part of the team. Azazel had to kill his child to free Pryor and the rest of the squad.<ref>''Dark X-Men (Vol. 2)'' #4</ref> Soon after, Azazel encountered the familiar-looking Bamf Dragon and was savagely ripped in half by the beast.<ref>''Dark X-Men (Vol. 2)'' #5</ref>

Later, Destiny and Mystique are revealed to be Kurt's biological parents. Having foreseen that Azazel would destroy the mutant race unless stopped by a child he believed was his own, Destiny urged Mystique to use her ability to change herself at the genetic level to take Azazel's form and impregnated her in an act of love.<ref>''X-Men Blue: Origins'' #1</ref>

== Powers and abilities ==
Azazel is an immortal mutant.<ref>''Marvel Zombies: The Book of Angels, Demons & Various Monstrosities'' #1</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Greene |first=Nancy O. |date=August 1, 2018 |title=20 Marvel Superheroes And Villains Who Are Actually Related |url=https://screenrant.com/marvel-superheroes-villains-related-family/ |access-date=October 11, 2022 |website=ScreenRant |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=October 27, 2018 |title=Family Ties: 25 Comic Characters That People Forget Are Related |url=https://www.cbr.com/heroes-that-people-forget-are-related/ |access-date=October 11, 2022 |website=CBR |language=en-US}}</ref> He is able to transport himself and others through great distances.<ref>''Amazing X-Men'' Vol 2 #5</ref><ref name="Weapon X Vol 3 #25"/><ref name="Zachary"/> He is able to project bolts of paralyzing energy, manipulate the minds of others, and change his appearance.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Asidianya |first=Adaora |date=September 19, 2020 |title=10 Marvel Characters You Wouldn't Think Are Stronger Than Azazel (But Actually Are) |url=https://www.cbr.com/marvel-characters-stronger-azazel/ |access-date=October 11, 2022 |website=CBR |language=en-US}}</ref> Azazel can also cast magic spells.<ref name="Weapon X Vol 3 #25"/><ref name="Weapon X Vol 3 #26"/>

== Reception ==

=== Critical reception ===
Andre Young of '']'' ranked Azazel 10th in their "10 Most Evil X-Men Villains" list.<ref name="Young" /> '']'' ranked Azazel 7th in their "10 Most Powerful Comic Book Villains With Demonic Origins" list,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Avina |first=Anthony |date=May 12, 2020 |title=10 Most Powerful Comic Book Villains With Demonic Origins |url=https://www.cbr.com/most-powerful-comic-book-villains-demonic-origins/ |access-date=October 11, 2022 |website=CBR |language=en-US}}</ref> 9th in their "X-Men: The 5 Deadliest Members Of The Hellfire Club (& The 5 Weakest)" list,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chrysostomou |first=George |date=October 4, 2019 |title=X-Men: The 5 Deadliest Members Of The Hellfire Club (& The 5 Weakest) |url=https://www.cbr.com/x-men-hellfire-club-deadliest-members/ |access-date=October 11, 2022 |website=CBR |language=en-US}}</ref> and 29th in their "Age Of Apocalypse: The 30 Strongest Characters In Marvel's Coolest Alternate World" list.<ref name="Lealos">{{Cite web |last=Lealos |first=Shawn S. |date=September 16, 2018 |title=Age Of Apocalypse: The 30 Strongest Characters In Marvel's Coolest Alternate World |url=https://www.cbr.com/age-of-apocalypse-characters-ranked/ |access-date=October 11, 2022 |website=CBR |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Other versions ==

=== ''Age of Apocalypse'' ===
An alternate universe variant of Azazel from Earth-295 appears in '']''. This version is a member of ] and Weapon Omega's Minister of Death.<ref>''Age of Apocalypse'' #1. Marvel Comics.</ref><ref name="Lealos"/>

=== ''Marvel Zombies'' ===
A zombified alternate universe variant of Azazel from ], also known as the '''Red Terror''', appears in '']''.<ref>''Marvel Zombies'' vol. 2 #1. Marvel Comics.</ref>

== In other media ==
* Azazel appears in '']'', portrayed by ].<ref>{{cite news |last=Mortimer |first=Ben |date=August 15, 2010 |title=Jason Flemyng Joining X-Men: First Class |url=http://www.superherohype.com/news/articles/105761-jason-flemyng-joining-x-men-first-class |access-date=August 15, 2010 |publisher=]}}</ref> This version is a member of the Hellfire Club before defecting to ]'s group after he kills the Club's leader, ].
** As of '']'' and its accompanying viral marketing campaign, it is revealed that Azazel was among several mutants who were captured, experimented on, and killed by ] and ].<ref>. '']''. March 8, 2013.</ref><ref>Simmons, Harper (2014). {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140527111836/http://www.thebentbullet.com/#!/full-article |date=2014-05-27 }}. thebentbullet.com. Marvel Studios/].</ref><ref>Hunt, James (May 23, 2014). . ]</ref> Additionally, according to screenplay writer ], Azazel was the father of ].<ref name="azazel2020">{{cite web | title=X-Men: Days of Future Past Writer Reveals Shocking Mystique Detail | url=https://www.cbr.com/x-men-days-of-future-past-writer-mystique/ | date=May 30, 2020 | author=Tom Chapman | publisher=] | website=cbr.com}}</ref>
* An alternate timeline variant of Azazel, based on his appearance in ''X-Men: First Class'', appears in '']'', portrayed by an uncredited Eduardo Gago Munoz.<ref>{{cite web |last=Outlaw |first=Kofi |date=April 22, 2024 |title=Deadpool & Wolverine Trailer Reveals the Return of More X-Men Movie Villains |url=https://comicbook.com/movies/news/deadpool-wolverine-trailer-easter-eggs-cameos-xmen-movie-villains-deathstrike-azazel/ |website=Comicbook.com}}</ref>


==References== ==References==
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==External links== ==External links==
{{Portal|Speculative fiction|2000s}}
* at Marvel.com * at Marvel.com
* *
* {{Marveldatabase|Azazel}}


{{X-Men characters}}

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Latest revision as of 08:20, 15 December 2024

Marvel comics character Comics character
Azazel
AzazelAzazel
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
First appearanceUncanny X-Men #428
(August 2003)
Created byChuck Austen
Sean Phillips
In-story information
SpeciesDevil
Team affiliationsHellfire Club
Notable aliasesSatan
Beelzebub
Beliar
Abilities
  • Paralyzing bolts projection
  • Prehensile tail
  • Shapeshifting
  • Teleportation
  • Telepathy
  • Night Vision
  • Spell casting
  • Mind control
  • Immortality

Azazel is a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Chuck Austen and Sean Philips, the character first appeared in Uncanny X-Men #428 (August 2003). He belongs to the subspecies of humans named mutants, who are born with superhuman abilities. He is the father of the X-Men's Kiwi Black and was originally the father of Nightcrawler as well until that was retconned in 2023.

The character was played by Jason Flemyng in the film X-Men: First Class (2011) and by Eduardo Gago Munoz in the Marvel Cinematic Universe film Deadpool & Wolverine (2024).

Publication history

Azazel's first appearance was in Uncanny X-Men #428 (August 2003) during "The Draco" storyline, written by Chuck Austen. The character's name comes from Azazel, an angel from the Book of Enoch mentioned first at chapter 8 verse 1. His origin story was presented in The Uncanny X-Men #433 (2004).

Fictional character biography

Azazel is said to be one of the oldest mutants, belonging to an ancient group of demonic-looking mutants called the Neyaphem. He states that he once rivaled Mephisto for the title of "Satan." Eventually, the Neyaphem were banished to the Brimstone Dimension by another group of angelic-looking mutants known as the Cheyarafim. Azazel is seen to be convinced that Warren Worthington III was one of the members of the group. Azazel has been known to make demonic deals with humans, including the family of Monet St. Croix.

Modern Age

The leader of the Neyaphem, Azazel, is the only one who is able to breach the dimensional void and return to Earth for brief periods of time due to his teleportation powers. His main scheme to return to Earth permanently is to impregnate women, as his children are linked to his dimension and he can use them to create a stable gateway between dimensions. Azazel begins mating with women who have strange appearances, at least with looks and abilities other women didn't have. He meets Mystique in Germany, when she is married to a rich castle lord named Baron Christian Wagner. Mystique is introduced to Azazel, whom Christian knew as a business partner. Mystique has an affair with Azazel and subsequently uses his genetic information, combined with her own, to impregnate Destiny with Nightcrawler. It is later shown that Azazel was taking care of business involving the Cheyarafim, and had to leave, knowing that Mystique would find some way to live. Christian discovers Mystique and Destiny together and is killed by Mystique. However, she doesn't have much time to formulate a plan, as the angry villagers soon find out about Christian's murder and come after her and the demonic-looking baby. She shape-shifts into one of the villagers and drops Nightcrawler by a tree while she went back to save Destiny from the townsfolk. Kurt is then taken by Margoli Szardos. Later, believing Nightcrawler is his son, Azazel sires several dozen other children as part of an effort to forge a permanent connection between his hell-dimension and Earth.

Brimstone Dimension Opening

Azazel's other children are all mysteriously called to gather and sacrifice themselves on the island known as the Isla Des Demonas to open a portal and bring his army to Earth, with the goal of destroying both the Cheyarafim and what Azazel calls "normal mutants", mutants whose bodies do not show signs of their mutation, and who are not seen as monsters and demons. In addition to Nightcrawler, another son of Azazel's is the Genoshan called Abyss. The children of Azazel all join each other in a zombie-like state and open a portal to his dimension. A group of X-Men had followed Kurt to see where he was going, and jump into the portal once it opens. Once inside, Azazel takes great pleasure in toying with the team, having them believe that he is actually Satan. In the end, the X-Men defeat Azazel and his army and banish him to an unknown oblivion. The X-Men, including Nightcrawler, are able to escape, along with two other children of Azazel: Abyss and Kiwi Black.

Return

Azazel's whereabouts are unknown for several years, but he resurfaces in this dimension, revealing himself to be the master of Calcabrina, former ally of Frankenstein's Monster, and banned from all realms of Hell.

Weapon X-Force

Confronted by a shape-shifted Mystique, a disguise he easily sees through, Azazel is asked to join Mystique to the realm of Hell to fight the newly resurrected William Stryker, who has become demonic. Weapon X-Force is close in proximity, and Sabertooth grows agitated with the lack of progression towards the mission's goal, eventually having the team reveal themselves to attack Azazel, with the plan to force him to teleport them to the realm of Hell where Stryker now resides. Azazel quickly overpowers the team and obliges the request because of the ties Mystique has with both him and Sabretooth, as she is the mother of the sons of both men (Azazel is the father of her son Nightcrawler, and Sabretooth is the father of her son Graydon Creed).

In order to send them to Hell, the Weapon X-Force are killed by Azazel, as they are all sinners who are already designated for eternal damnation anyway. Due to all members of Weapon X-Force possessing powers of regenerative self-healing, Azazel is able to keep the entire team in suspended animation with the use of his teleportation abilities. Frozen in time, the team's souls are able to be transported to Hell to complete the mission and Azazel is then later able to unfreeze them to return them to their individual bodies once they are revived due to their individual healing factors.

House of X

Azazel is eventually welcomed to the new mutant island of Krakoa, created by Xavier, Magneto, and Moira X. He enters through the teleportation gateway alongside other villainous and fractious mutants, who are invited to join the nation to heal mutantdom and start over as a species.

However, Azazel decided to reject Krakoa and join the Goblin Queen in the Limbo Embassy along with Emplate, who became his servant. After the event of the third Hellfire Gala, he became part of the Limbo's new X-Men team to rescue mutants in difficulty. Trying to rescue Carmen Cruz, Azazel had to leave his teammate Archangel behind, an action that created friction between him and another teammate, Maggott. When the Embassy was attacked by Orchis they used Abyss as a weapon to capture part of the team. Azazel had to kill his child to free Pryor and the rest of the squad. Soon after, Azazel encountered the familiar-looking Bamf Dragon and was savagely ripped in half by the beast.

Later, Destiny and Mystique are revealed to be Kurt's biological parents. Having foreseen that Azazel would destroy the mutant race unless stopped by a child he believed was his own, Destiny urged Mystique to use her ability to change herself at the genetic level to take Azazel's form and impregnated her in an act of love.

Powers and abilities

Azazel is an immortal mutant. He is able to transport himself and others through great distances. He is able to project bolts of paralyzing energy, manipulate the minds of others, and change his appearance. Azazel can also cast magic spells.

Reception

Critical reception

Andre Young of WhatCulture ranked Azazel 10th in their "10 Most Evil X-Men Villains" list. CBR.com ranked Azazel 7th in their "10 Most Powerful Comic Book Villains With Demonic Origins" list, 9th in their "X-Men: The 5 Deadliest Members Of The Hellfire Club (& The 5 Weakest)" list, and 29th in their "Age Of Apocalypse: The 30 Strongest Characters In Marvel's Coolest Alternate World" list.

Other versions

Age of Apocalypse

An alternate universe variant of Azazel from Earth-295 appears in Age of Apocalypse. This version is a member of Clan Akkaba and Weapon Omega's Minister of Death.

Marvel Zombies

A zombified alternate universe variant of Azazel from Earth-2149, also known as the Red Terror, appears in Secret Wars.

In other media

References

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