Darkforce

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The Darkforce is a fictional concept in the Marvel Comics superhero universe. As the epitome of an abstract concept as a form of energy (and possibly a sentient entity), it can be compared to the Speed Force in DC Comics.

It is a powerful, extra-dimensional energy that can be manipulated in slightly different ways by a handful of beings that are attuned to it. There are slight yet inconclusive hints that it may be a corruptive influence of some kind (at least to Cloak) and perhaps even sentient. At least one darkforce user (Quagmire) is from the parallel universe of the Squadron Supreme instead of the main Marvel Universe. DC Comics has a similar dimension, called the Shadowlands, from which characters such as Obsidian, the Shade and Ian Karkull draw their powers.

The Darkforce's origin is unknown. Some stories suggest that it is actually matter from a parallel universe that may be accessed by mystical means. Its first appearance was in August 1976's Champions #7, where it was shown as the source of Darkstar's powers of solid energy projection and flight.

Over the years, the Darkforce gradually became more and more of a presence among superpowered beings of the Marvel Universe. Moonstone (Karla Sofen) speculated in Avengers #238 that it could be related to the powers of the Shroud and the first Blackout. A later storyline revealed that, at the very least, it is possible to escape Blackout's energy traps by means of the Shroud's cape. New Warriors #31-33 and other storylines later expanded the number of Darkforce users even more.

Sometimes the effects of Darkforce are subtle to the point of being cosmetic. For instance, it has been revealed that both X-Men member Nightcrawler and X-Men foe Vanisher use the Darkforce during their teleportation (as revealed in Bizarre Adventures #27). However, in the Draco storyline of Uncanny X-men, it was revealed that Nightcrawler's power stems from another dimension. If this dimension bears any connection to the Darkforce, it has yet to be revealed.

[edit] Related characters

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It is not always easy to determine whether a superpower has any relation to the Darkforce. A tentative list includes:

Asylum - gained powers from mask tied to the Darkforce Dimension; New Warriors foe/member of Psionex
Black Mamba (of the Serpent Society) - gained powers through a special component implanted in her forebrain.
Cloak (of Cloak and Dagger) - a mutant, however, his cloak is also tied to Darkforce Dimension
Darkhawk - gained powers from amulet tied to the Darkforce Dimension
Darkling/Asylum II - a mutant/gained possession of Asylum's mask
Darkstar - a mutant
Doorman (from the Great Lakes Avengers) - a mutant
Ecstasy - temporarily gained possession of Cloak's cloak
Gloom (student at Xavier's Institute) - a mutant
Left Hand - New Warriors foe, usurped powers from his own daughter
Nightcrawler - a mutant (as a means for teleporting only)
Nocturne - a mutant who can fire hex bolts which are an energy source from the Darkforce Dimension
Nightside - member of alien Shi'ar Imperial Guard; all members of her species can tap into the Darkforce Dimension
Quagmire (formerly of the Squadron Supreme)
Shroud - gained powers through the symbol of Kali branded on his forehead, this brand is also what blinded him
Silhouette (of the New Warriors) - a mutant who can simulate teleportation by using existing shadows as passages into and out of the Darkforce Dimension (this power is referred to as "shadowmelting")
Smuggler (Thunderbolts foe) - gained powers from costume tied to the Darkforce Dimension^[1]
Spot (Spider-Man foe) - Creates a 'portable hole' effect
Undercloaks - Artificially created mutants who possess a teleportation power similar to Silhouette's (see above), and are intangible only while hiding in shadows. Appeared only in the Age Of Apocalypse alternate reality, in the series Generation Next.
Vanisher (as a means for teleporting only) - a mutant