ABADON

Real Name: Abadon

Identity/Class: Extradimensional "elemental force of nature"

Occupation: Former elemental force, former slave of Mephisto, former Prisoner of Mys-Tech

Group Membership: None

Affiliations: Friend of Roadie

Enemies: Cable, Mephisto, Mys-Tech (especially Eadmund Porlock) and the Shadow-Riders, Slaughterhouse Six;
    potentially Doctor Doom (Victor von Doom) see comments.

Known Relatives: None

Aliases: Matthew Ryan

Base of Operations: Arena World;
    formerly unnamed extradimensional world, Hell, and Museum of Pagan Antiquities

First Appearance: (As Ryan) Shadow Riders#1 (June, 1993); (as Abadon) Shadow Riders#3 (August, 1993)

Powers/Abilities: Abadon has vast psionic abilities. In his own universe, Abadon was a force of nature. His exact abilities in that universe are undefined. After being plucked out of that universe by Mephisto he was weakened, but able to use his remaining energies to cloak himself in human skin and escape. When he awoke on Earth in human form he had no memory of his true self and only the rudimentary knowledge to survive in his new environment. As 'Matt Ryan' he had little control over his abilities to start with. Prolonged periods with high levels of energy expenditure during Mys-Tech's experiments left him weak or unconscious. Vorin believed no mortal host could contain such energies.

Without even meaning to, his energies sometimes affect technology. His psi-energy readings were high enough to fry Cable's portable Cerebro unit and negate the security codes for his time portal. Mys-Techs scanners were also distorted by his energies. He appears to be empathic, able to sense violence and pain. He can sense energy. His range extends over a thousand feet, possibly over a mile or more, sensing Cable and Boot several stories above ground while he was deep underground and affecting the defensive perimeter of Mys-Tech's vast London headquarters. As Matthew Ryan, however, his senses seemingly weren't powerful enough to pierce Roadie's psi-blindfold. When feeling threatened he can summon help using mystical energy probes. These probes can travel the world at hypersonic speeds, or visit other dimensions, and teleport back with a target selected from his memories. In this manner he summoned various demons and Ghost Rider (Daniel Ketch). He can generate eight of these probes at one time. However, due to the unpredictable nature of his powers his targets may be less than helpful. His probes may teleport a human sized target such as Ghost Rider from the Bronx, New York, to Canary Wharf, London. He can generate energy blasts, including psionic blasts, blasting multiple targets in his area. His blasts were powerful enough to kill the demons he summoned and to destroy the highly durable motorbikes used by the Shadow Riders. These energies could also manifest as tendrils with the strength to lift a full grown man.

Once Porlock reawakened Abadon's true personality his control seemed to increase, though initially he was under Porlock's mental direction. Once his full memories had returned he had phenomenal willpower, resisting Porlock's control and combined mental assaults from Vorin and Roadie with ease. He displayed superhuman durability, regeneration and stamina. Although blasts from the energy weapons of Cable and the Shadow Riders were capable of hurting him, he withstood them well and recovered quickly. He began to manifest further abilities such as levitation and the creation of mystic bonds. His bonds were extra dimensional in nature, and virtually impenetrable. However, the bonds weakened when Ryan was attacked. Even then they were capable of restraining Grunt's Class 25 strength, though Stranger was able to phase through with a boost from Roadie's psi-power.

History: (Shadow Riders#4 (fb)) - Abadon originally existed in its own universe, where it was less an entity that an elemental force of nature. Abadon was content in this state. However, the demon lord Mephisto wrenched Abadon from its realm, seeking to control its power for his own uses. That act reshaped Abadon into an individual entity. Weakened by the trauma and stunned by its newfound consciousness, Abadon was nearly enslaved by Mephisto. However, it managed to use its remaining energies to escape to Earth and cloak itself in a skin of humanity. This process caused Abadon to forget its true nature and past. He arrived at a Canary Wharf building site run by McCuthen & Sons. Weakened, Abadon slept for untold ages. See comments. He awoke as an amnesiac man with no memory of his true self and only the rudimentary knowledge to survive on a strange and hostile world. Soon after, he was discovered by Mys-Tech, who sought to control him, unaware of his past.

(Shadow Riders#3 (fb) - BTS) - Mys-Tech's Eadmund Porlock planned to use the amnesiac man as the ultimate weapon to destroy the Shadow Riders. He learned the being's true name of Abadon, but gave him a tenuous personality imprint, naming him Mathew Ryan instead.

(Shadow Riders#4 (fb) - BTS) - Porlock attempted to shackle Abadon to his will, and believed himself successful.

(Shadow Riders#2 (fb) - BTS) - According to Ryan's memories, he'd left home years ago, his parents had never cared much for where he was, and had been physically abusive towards him. He also remembered being taken from the streets by Mys-Tech and held captive for months. See comments.

(Shadow Riders#1 - BTS) - Porlock arranged for a series of torturous experiments on Ryan.

(Shadow Riders#4 (fb) - BTS) - Despite Porlock's attempt to shackle Abadon to his will, the tortures and magics began to disturb Abadon's true memories.

(Shadow Riders#1 (fb) - BTS) - Ryan's energies distorted Mys-Tech's scanners. They also attracted attention from Cable and the Shadow Riders. The energies also affected Mys-Techs defensive perimeter.

(Shadow Riders#2 (fb) - BTS) - During a period of experiments on Ryan, Vorin investigated the energy readings. Another period of experimentation took place the following day.

(Shadow Riders#1 (fb) - BTS) - Mys-Techs security systems temporarily went down as Ryan's energies reached their highest peak during his incarceration at Mys-Tech. Both Boot and Cable decided to use this opportunity to investigate these energies.

(Shadow Riders#1) - Ryan fell unconscious.

(Shadow Riders#1 - BTS) - Mys-Tech was able to reestablish their defenses. Boot left with Vorin and the dead body of Mys-Tech security guard Arnold Contrane, while Cable made his own escape.

(Shadow Riders#2) - Porlock had the experiments resumed.

(Shadow Riders#1 - BTS) - Roadie, who had been told to monitor in case the energy readings started up again, informed the Shadow Riders. The team prepared to investigate together, with Arnold now resurrected as a new Shadow Rider known as Grunt.

(Shadow Riders#2) - The Shadow Riders arrived at Mys-Tech. Roadie helped remove Ryan from Mys-Tech's power dampeners. A confused Ryan blasted Roadie and sent out mystical energy probes for assistance. One brought back Ghost Rider, while another seven summoned demons. Eventually, Ryan realized Roadie was there to help him and blasted the demons that were attacking her. The Shadow Riders succeeded in freeing Ryan, taking Ghost Rider with them back to their base. Roadie used a psi-blindfold on Ryan to keep the location of their HQ secure. Later, Ryan spoke to Roadie of his past, as he remembered it. Roadie reassured him he had a home and 'family', of sorts, with the Shadow Riders as long as he wanted it.

(Shadow Riders#3 (fb) - BTS) - The Shadow Riders provided Ryan with a room where he could rest.

(Shadow Riders#3) - Ryan had a nightmare about the Shadow Riders. He dreamt they would try to resurrect his dead body so he might join them and they could use his power like Mys-Tech had tried to do. The dream was interrupted by Roadie, and Ryan's powers blasted some of his surroundings. Roadie told Vorin and the other Shadow Riders that Ryan wasn't keen to help penetrate Mys-Tech security. Vorin was insistent, saying that Ryan had been putty in their clutches. Furthermore, Ryan's rescue had given a clue how to reach Vorin's home world, Sharin. He said he was reliant on Ryan's aid to rescue the people of Sharin, and asked him to consider that and prepare himself.

    Later Roadie and Ryan spoke of their pasts, becoming closer. They promised to look out for each other, and Roadie convinced him to help against Mys-Tech. Together they waited as Vorin adapted the transit drive to harness the properties of Ryans energy. As Ryan was about to travel via the transit drive with the Shadow Riders, Cable arrived and was sent along with them. They arrived at Annapurna, India, location of one of Mys-Tech's portal stations, and went through the portal. Upon arriving on Vorin's home world, now known as Arena World, Matt felt woozy, attributing it to the transit draining him. Suddenly, they were all ambushed by a powerful group known as the Slaughterhouse Six, aka the Harpies. Ryan and Roadie combined their psi powers and fought back. However, Roadie was shot, though not badly wounded thanks to her armor. While Ryan was checking on her, Porlock appeared and said the word "Abadon", causing a transformation.

(Shadow Riders#4 (fb) - BTS) - This disturbed Abadon's memories, and they gradually started returning.

(Shadow Riders#3) - Seemingly under Porlock's control, Abadon's power blasted Cable and the Shadow Riders. When they recovered, Porlock gloated about his schemes and commanded Abadon to rise.

(Shadow Riders#4 (fb) - BTS) - Abadon put Cable and the Shadow Riders in mystic bonds.

(Shadow Riders#4) - Porlock commanded him to kill the Shadow Riders, starting with Vorin. However, Goodfellow revealed his hidden presence and blasted Abadon with a particle disrupter. Abadon was pained but not seriously hurt and threatened to kill Goodfellow. While he was busy fighting Goodfellow, however, Abadon's prisoners escaped their bonds. Goodfellow power leeched a Harpy, enabling Boot to use its time phase power, with which Boot hid Goodfellow, the Shadow Riders, and Cable. Cable grabbed Che, his double agent amongst Porlock's Warheads, causing him to vanish too so that Abadon couldn't sense that Che was a traitor. Abadon himself was simply amused as Porlock's schemes began to fall apart. Porlock sent his remaining Warheads back through the portal with Slaughterhouse Six, ordering Abadon to stay behind and kill the heroes when they reappeared.

(Shadow Riders#4 (fb) - BTS) - By this point Abadon's true memories had fully returned thanks to Porlock's unwittingly disturbing them.

(Shadow Riders#4) - Abadon questioned Porlock's reasons for withdrawing, suggesting cowardice, before blasting him. Porlock transformed into a demon state and they fought.

(Shadow Riders#4 - BTS) - Abadon's energies strayed through the portal during their conflict.

(Shadow Riders#4) - Abadon easily overpowered Porlock and spoke of his past, but was interrupted by the return of the heroes. Porlock escaped while Abadon was distracted. Vorin and Roadie psi-linked and attacked Abadon, to no avail. Roadie then tried to appeal to Abadon through his memories of being Matthew Ryan. Cable and Boot took advantage and blasted Abadon while he was focused on Roadie.

(Shadow Riders#4 - BTS) - Abadon's energies continued to pour through the portal.

(Shadow Riders#4) - Annoyed at what he perceived to be Roadies betrayal, Abadon threatened to destroy all the heroes. Despite their firepower, he followed them through the portal and grabbed Vorin. Vorin closed the portal and was pulled to safety by Boot, but it shut upon Abadon before he could pass through it.

Comments: Created by John Freeman, Brian Williamson, and Ross Dearsley under the Marvel UK imprint.

Snood's comments:

    Although it seems likely that Abadon would not have been killed when the portal closed, a return appearance doesn't look too promising.

    In the new testament of the Bible, Apollyon is called the angel of the bottomless pit. Abaddon, a poetic name for the land of the dead in the old testament, is Apollyon's Greek translation from the Hebrew language. Apollyon, in early Christian literature, is a name for the devil. He is identified as an angel of death, "hideous to behold, with scales like a fish, wings like a dragon, bear's feet, and a lion's mouth."

Changeling's comments:

    The Shadow Riders series profiles were amongst the first at the Appendix, and a very interesting series it was too. I've really enjoyed reading it so I can update the site. It had some interesting cameos from characters outside the UK including Cable, Doctor Doom, Ghost Rider and the Hulk. Abadon didn't meet the Hulk or Doom, but Victor was disturbed by one of his energy probes hence I have listed him as a potential enemy. Doom didn't know who was responsible, but it would be interesting to see what would happen if he did find out.

    How long was Abadon asleep for after escaping Mephisto, and how long was he in their clutches? He says his true memories had lain dormant for 'untold ages'. Considering that Mys-Tech have been around for centuries, I don't think it would've taken them long to detect a powerful being such as Abadon, especially as he landed so close to their headquarters. I think it likely he wasn't asleep too long, rather he just isn't clear exactly how long it was. As for the length of time he spent with Mys-Tech, Mathew Ryan said they took him from the streets 'months ago I think'. He also said he'd been tortured 'for weeks'. I guess that could be accurate, but it would make more sense to me that this is part of his Porlock given 'personality imprint'. Considering the effect Abadon was having on Mys-Tech's security, I don't think the rest of the board would've tolerated having him around too long. I've left out specific references to time frames in the history as much of it what we learn is from Ryan, a fake personality imprint who admits he 'cant tell which way is up anymore'.

    When Stranger phased through Abadon's mystic bonds he sensed something of their nature. He said two things:

• "This energy, whatever it is... I sense its tied in to a place I... don't even want to think about." (prior to phasing)
• "So that's what happened to Glen Miller..." (after he returned from phasing through the bonds)

    Firstly, that would suggest to me that Abadon's energies were indeed drawn from some sort of land of the dead like the biblical Abaddon. Secondly, I really dig the musical reference! Glen Miller is a big influence of mine.

    Furthermore, I must comment on Abadon's power levels. Now, feats within the series show that he really is quite powerful, and I've listed a few examples in the powers section. Furthermore, Abadon tell us that Mephisto wanted his power for his own, which considering Mephisto's already pretty impressive abilities says a lot. Then we find out that even in his weakened state, Abadon was able to escape Mephisto and travel to Earth. Even in his human form his power levels are enough to fry Cable's Cerebro unit... without even meaning to... while Ryan is deep underground and Cable is several stories high!

    That said, I also have my suspicions about Mephisto's true motivations with Abadon. It seems a little suspect that Abadon should arrive on Earth so close to the secret base of Mys-Tech, an organization Mephisto is strongly linked to. Perhaps Mephisto was able to direct the fleeing Abadon in their direction in order to test his wayward subjects?

Profile by Snood, updated and expanded by Changeling.

CLARIFICATIONS:
Abadon has no known connections to

• Abaddon, or Apollyon of the Bible, as described above, or their Marvel Universe counterparts should they appear
• or any other similarly named characters

And his alter ego of Mathew Ryan has no known connections to

• Ryan, Dr, of Earth-Amalgam @ Spider-Boy#1
• Ryan, Carl, homemaker resembling Brian Michael Bendis @ Daily Bugle Civil War Newspaper Special#1
• Ryan, Laurence "Larry", widower of Tanya, accused of her murder @ She-Hulk II#25
• Ryan, Tanya, wife of Laurence, killed by Cazon @ She-Hulk II#25
• Ryan, Ronald, father of Becky/Aralune @ Order II#5
• Ryan, Thomas, boss of Jake Olsen @ Thor II#31
• or any other "Mathew" or "Ryan" characters

images: (without ads)
Shadow Riders #4, p1, pan1 (main image)
Shadow Riders #1, p3, pan2 (Mathew Ryan)

Other Appearances:
Shadow Riders#2 (July, 1993) - John Freeman & Brian Williamson (writers), Ross Dearsley (artist), Euan Peters (inks), Stuart Bartlett (editor)
Shadow Riders#3 (August, 1993) - John Freeman & Brian Williamson (writers), Ross Dearsley (artist), Euan Peters (inks), Stuart Bartlett ( editor)
Shadow Riders#4 (September, 1993) - John Freeman & Brian Williamson (writers), Ross Dearsley (artist), Euan Peters (inks), Stuart Bartlett ( editor)

Last updated: 07/24/13

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.