Neron
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Neron | |
 Neron, from Underworld Unleashed #1 |
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| Publication information | |
|---|---|
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | Underworld Unleashed # 1 (Nov 1995) |
| Created by | Mark Waid Howard Porter |
| In story information | |
| Alter ego | Neron |
| Team affiliations | Hell |
| Notable aliases | Powers: superhuman physical attributes, shapeshifting, immortality, telepathy, teleportation, nigh-omnipotent sorcerous abilities |
Neron is a fictional character in the DC Comics' universe. Neron was a demon prince of great power, though he has been reduced to a lower station due to his actions. His name is based on a reading of 666 as meaning "Neron Caesar" in Gematria numerology. Like Marvel Comics' Mephisto character, Neron is generally accepted as the DC Universe's version of The Devil; however, some writers and stories have contradicted this notion.
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[edit] History
During the Underworld Unleashed story arc, Neron enhanced dozens of supervillains (and a few superheroes) in exchange for their immortal souls and in doing so granted them with heightened prowess. He did so by tempting them with something the victim would feel would be his or her heart's desire, in exchange for their soul (for example, when attempting to tempt Green Lantern Kyle Rayner, he offered to bring back his girlfriend, Alexandra DeWitt, from the dead). Neron was also responsible for the deaths of both Wonder Woman and the alien despot Mongul. (Wonder Woman was soon resurrected by Athena as the Goddess of Truth, and later she returned to Earth as a mortal to resume her duties as a super-heroine.)
[edit] The Rogues
Neron tricks five supervillains into causing a series explosions that ultimately leads to each supervillain's death. When seen from the sky, the five explosions resemble the points of a pentagram and the symbol, combined with the deaths of the villains, creates a gateway which enables Neron to travel to Earth. While on Earth, Neron attempts to obtain a 'pure soul' that he could corrupt. Initially, this seems to refer to Superman's soul, but Neron ultimately seeks the soul of Captain Marvel. In the end, he is thwarted by the Trickster.
[edit] Day of Judgement
During the Day of Judgement storyline, Etrigan the Demon causes trouble in Neron's realm. Asmodel, a fallen angel, is being tormented when Etrigan shows up and summons the Spectre. The entity is furious at this and slices off Asmodel's wings, which is exactly what Etrigan had hoped for. He uses hellfire and an angel's feather to bond Asmodel to the Spectre. In the resulting chaos, which involves Hell's realms invading Earth, Neron attempts to claim the Spectre's force for himself. This would have allowed him much more power and the ability to escape Hell for good. However, the Spectre chooses ex-Green Lantern Hal Jordan as its new human host. Neron is punished by his fellow Hell-lords for using Hell's power for his pleasure. He is "promoted" to the position of Rhyming Demon, the rank Etrigan holds.
[edit] 52
In 52 #42, it is revealed that Felix Faust, with Neron's sanction, has been attempting to convince Ralph Dibny that he can resurrect his dead wife, Sue, with the assistance of Dr. Fate's helmet. Faust has been pretending to be Dr. Fate. Ralph reveals that he has known the truth for some time, establishes a circle of binding around Dr. Fate's tower, and defeats Faust, who reveals his plot. Finally, Neron appears and kills Dibny. However, because the circle can only be undone by the person who cast the spell that created it, Neron is trapped in the Tower of Fate with Faust.
[edit] One Year Later
As revealed in the Black Adam miniseries, Neron somehow found a way to escape Dr. Fate's tower, though the means currently remains unknown. Neron seems to have powers greater than those of a rhyming demon following Infinite Crisis (close to those from the Underworld Unleashed era). In Teen Titans #42, Neron made a deal with Kid Devil. Freeing himself from Fate's Tower, he offers the Society Black Alice's dead mother's life at the price of several human souls, intending to use this exchange as a bargaining tool to induce the young magician to join the Society. However Alice taps into the magicks of the spokepersons of the Society, Felix Faust and Cheetah, completing the rite for herself.
[edit] Reign in Hell
In this upcoming maxi series, it is revealed that Blaze and Satanus attempt to take control of hell during Neron's absence.
[edit] Powers
Neron is one of the most powerful magical creatures in the DC Universe. However, Neron seems to rely on a bargain or something in return to be able to use this magic. Neron is powerful enough to give superheroes magic-based powers, such as Kid Devil's, and greatly enhance a metahuman's existing powers. Neron has the ability to assume a human-like appearance, but can uncontrollably revert back to demon form when angry. He possesses immense physical strength, as evidenced when he killed Mongul with his bare hands.
