Demogoblin

Demogoblin is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.

Demogoblin
Demogoblin. Art by Tom Lyle.
Publication information
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First appearance	As Hobgoblin: Spectacular Spider-Man #147 (February 1989) As Demogoblin: Web of Spider-Man #86 (March 1992)[1]
Created by	Gerry Conway Sal Buscema
In-story information
Species	Demon
Place of origin	Limbo
Team affiliations	Carnage Family/Maximum Carnage
Partnerships	Shriek Carnage Doppelganger Carrion
Notable aliases	Hobgoblin/Jason Philip Macendale Jr. (original host form)
Abilities	Superhuman strength, agility, stamina, reflexes and resistance to injury High-level intellect Hellfire projection Skills and memories retained from original host Use of magical glider and weaponry

Publication history

Demogoblin first appeared as Demogoblin in Web of Spider-Man #86 (March 1992), and had previously appeared as an unnamed demon in Spectacular Spider-Man #147.

Fictional character biography

Demogoblin is originally an unnamed demon who inhabited Limbo and was banished there eons ago for unknown reasons. His essence is fused with the Hobgoblin (Jason Macendale) when Macendale asks N'astirh for more power in exchange for his soul.^[2] Macendale later expels the demon from his body, creating the Demogoblin, a darker, mystical version of the Hobgoblin persona.^[3][4]

Demogoblin believed himself to be on a holy mission and killed everyone whom he deemed a sinner, however, his definition of a sinner is extreme and excludes only children. He often tried to kill heroes and even holy men. He claimed that he was a member of a demonic group known as the "Righteous"—demons who sought redemption for their sins as self-proclaimed servants of the Lord by exterminating other demons and destroying evil wherever they found it.^[5]

Demogoblin's physical form is killed in a showdown with Hobgoblin, who has gained greater strength than before. He dies trying to save a child from collapsing debris inside a church, where he is crushed to death.^[6]

Demogoblin returns in the "Absolute Carnage" event as "Demagoblin", bound to the recently killed Shriek.^[7][8][9][4]

Powers and abilities

Demogoblin is a demonic being with numerous supernatural powers granted by magic. He is endowed with superhuman strength, stamina, agility, reflexes, and resistance to injury. He has a magical ability to mentally control and levitate a miniature "goblin glider" composed of hellfire and propel it at high speeds. He can project hellfire from his hands. He can also summon demons from hell that will attack anyone he instructs to be destroyed.

Demogoblin is able to mystically create "pumpkin bombs", similar to those of the Green Goblin or Hobgoblin. Orange pumpkin bombs are bombs that explode conventionally () as concussion and incendiary Jack O' Lanterns. Black pumpkin bombs cause their target to be overwhelmed by massive feelings of despair and helplessness. He also can create wraith-shaped smoke and gas-emitting bombs, and bat-shaped razor-edged throwing blades.

Reception

In 2020, CBR ranked Demogoblin 4th in their "10 Most Powerful Comic Book Villains With Demonic Origins" list.^[10]

Other versions

Ultimate Marvel

In the Ultimate Marvel universe (Earth-1610), Mary Jane Watson becomes the Demogoblin after being kidnapped and mutated by Kaine Parker. However, when Spider-Man and Spider-Woman appear to rescue her, Mary Jane calms down and returns to her human form.^[11][12][13]

Spider-Geddon

An alternate universe variant of Demogoblin from Earth-11580 appears in the Spider-Geddon event.^[14]

In other media

Video games

• Demogoblin appears as a boss in Spider-Man and Venom: Maximum Carnage.^{[citation needed]}
• Demogoblin appears in the handheld version of Lego Marvel Super Heroes.^{[citation needed]}
• Demogoblin appears as a boss in Spider-Man Unlimited.^{[citation needed]}

Merchandise

• Hasbro released a Demogoblin figure for their Spider-Man: Origins toy line in 2007. This figure was a repaint of a previously released Hobgoblin figure.^{[citation needed]}
• In 2011, Hasbro released a Mini Muggs figure of Demogoblin, which was exclusively available at the 2011 New York Comic Con.^[15]
• Hasbro released Demogoblin as the Build-A-Figure for a 2020 Marvel Legends wave.^[16][17]
• Wizkids released a Demogoblin figure as part of their Amazing Spider-Man HeroClix set.^{[citation needed]}