Abyss (comics)
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Abyss (Nils Styger) is a mutant in the Marvel Comics universe. An alternate universe's counterpart of the character first appeared in X-Men Alpha, and the heroic Marvel Universe version of the character first appeared in Cable vol. 2 #40.
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[edit] Fictional character biography
Nils Styger, first appeared as a protector for Genoshan researcher Renee Majcomb, whom he had been assisting with research into the Legacy Virus from which Abyss suffered.[1] However, he did not die due to the actions of Colossus, who sacrificed himself to release an airborne cure to the virus which had taken his little sister Illyana's life several years prior.
Abyss was later seen in Berlin, Germany battling the former Gene Nation member known as Fever Pitch. Both mutants were captured by Banshee's mutant militia known as the X-Corps.[2] While being held by the X-Corps, Abyss witnessed Sunpyre's murder.[3] When the terrorist Mystique revealed herself and her intentions to use the X-Corps, the wounded Banshee freed Abyss from his confinement. Abyss then sucked Mystique through his interdimensional void, and, unable to shut off his power, almost swallowed Banshee also. The timely arrival of some other members of X-Corps stopped that however. Abyss admitted that he had no idea where Mystique was transported to or if she would ever return.[4][5]
Abyss later resurfaced when his father Azazel psychically summoned his many children to attempt to release him from the Brimstone Dimension that he had been banished to hundreds of years before. In an attempt to loose himself and his comrades, Azazel had traversed the dimension barrier many times and sired children in the hopes that one of them would be able to breach the dimensional barrier. Abyss joined forces with the X-Men to avert Azazel's attempt to bring his army into Earth's dimension and succeeded in foiling his father's efforts. He was subsequently revealed to be Nightcrawler's half-brother, as both were sons of Azazel.[6]
Abyss is one of scores of mutants who lost their powers after the events of the House of M[7] as he was shown to be among a list of other mutants who lost their powers to the New Avengers.
[edit] Powers and abilities
Abyss is a mutant who can unwind his body into highly tensile strands that can be stretched or used to ensnare a victim. While holding them he can absorb anything within the shadowy confines of his form, akin to what the superhero known as Cloak does. His body is actually a portal to the same dimension that Nightcrawler temporarily enters when he teleports, later dubbed the Brimstone Dimension from the side-effect of Nightcrawler's powers. He is able to drain the strength of the captives he holds in his form and can deposit them in this dimension permanently, but it is unknown if anything can survive there. He has limited telepathy.
[edit] Alternate versions
[edit] Age of Apocalypse
A variant of Abyss appeared in the alternate timeline of the Age of Apocalypse, in which he was one of Apocalypse's Horsemen, a nihilist with a warped sense of humor. This Abyss has a slightly different appearance but essentially the same powers and is "evil". The Age of Apocalypse version of the character appeared prior to the 616 version.
Abyss was rumored to have been a prisoner of Sinister's Breeding Pens, from which he broke out. But instead of rebelling against Apocalypse, he joined his forces, attaining the rank of Horseman after killing Bastion. Abyss became attached to the religious institutions of Apocalypse's regime: The Madri and the Brotherhood of Chaos. He joined them in their attack against refugees escaping from North America and was defeated by Quicksilver and Storm. Seeking revenge, Abyss faced Quicksilver and Banshee at the Temple of the Madri, though Abyss died when Banshee sacrificed himself by flying inside of the Horseman's void and activating his powers.
[edit] Appearances in other media
- Abyss appears as one of Apocalypse's Horsemen in X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse.
- The final boss in the video game "Marvel vs Capcom 2" goes under the name Abyss, although the two bear no real similarities apart from the name.
[edit] Bibliography
- Cable vol. 2 #40
- Marvel Encyclopedia: X-Men
- Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A-Z 2006 #1
- Uncanny X-Men #402-405, 429-434
[edit] References
- ^ Cable vol. 2, #40
- ^ Joe Casey (w), Ron Garney (p), Mark Morales (i). "Utility Of Myth" Uncanny X-Men #402 March 2002 Marvel Comics.
- ^ Joe Casey (w), Sean Phillips (p), none (i). "Army Ants" Uncanny X-Men #404 May 2002 Marvel Comics.
- ^ Joe Casey (w), Aaron Lopresti (p), Mark Morales & Danny Miki (i). "Staring Contests Are For Suckers" Uncanny X-Men #406 July 2002 Marvel Comics.
- ^ Uncanny X-Men #406
- ^ Chuck Austen (w), Philip Tan (p), none (i). "The Draco Part 1" Uncanny X-Men #429 October 2003 Marvel Comics.
- ^ Brian Michael Bendis (w), Mike Deodata Jr (p), Joe Pimentel (i). "The Collective Part 2" New Avengers #18 June 2006 Marvel Comics.
