ASMODEUS

Real Name: possibly Asmodeus

Identity/Class: Extra-Dimensional Demon (Class III)

Occupation: ...Demon?

Affiliations: Damien, Enclave; Angela (intended bride), Joshua/Dimensional Man (intended herald)

Enemies: Joshua/Dimensional Man, Dracula

Known Relatives: None

Aliases: that gelatinous, evil blob

Base of Operations: Manhattan, New York

First Appearance: Tomb of Dracula II#2 (December, 1979)

Powers/Abilities: Asmodeus is an amorphous demon creature. The full extent of its abilities are unknown, but under circumstances it can traverse dimensions (usually following a ritual of summoning) and it can grant power to others. It is likely immune to most forms of conventional injury, but is susceptible to magical attacks. It seeks to take a human woman as its mate, presumably to father a child that could then take over the Earth (that's just what demons do. If you don't know that, you need to go read more comics!).

 

History: Asmodeus would appear to be a Class III demon, meaning it originates from an extra-dimensional realm. Its non-human form also fits the bill for this classification.

BTS - Damien formed the Enclave, a cult worshipping Asmodeus, and the demon presumably granted power to him in return for making plans to allow it to take over the Earth.

(ToD II#2(fb)-BTS) - Asmodeus called on the power of Asmodeus to shield two Hungarian Jews from the Nazis, after which they joined his Enclave.

(ToD II#2 (fb)-BTS) - The Enclave attempted to summon Asmodeus, but one of the former Hungarian Jews collapsed, in labor at 7 months of pregnancy. The ceremony was interrupted, but the twin children, Angela and Joshua, were each born with an inverted cross, the symbol of Asmodeus on their breast.

(ToD II#2(fb)-BTS) - Damien organized a human and animal blood sacrifice to Asmodeus which transformed Joshua into an incubus.

(ToD II#2) - Damien and the Enclave successfully summoned Asmodeus to Earth to take Angela as his mate. Asmodeus moved quickly to consummate the relationship, while Joshua fell under the control over Damien and was unable to help his sister. Angela summoned Dracula to aid her, but he was overpowered by Joshua. Finally, Angela's screams brought Joshua back to his senses, and he attacked Asmodeus, forcing it back into the hellpit from which it had come. However, Joshua was forced to traverse the portal as well, to ensure Asmodeus' banishment.

 

 

Comments: Created by Marv Wolfman and Steve Ditko (as if it could be anyone else!).

Asmodeus is a pretty popular demon name, apparently just under Satan, Lucifer, and what-not. So it may be that a bunch of demons have taken that name, to capitalize on it, or it may be that a single demon has taken multiple forms and motivations and power levels, or all of the above. Take your pick. Moot point. Dorcas Farkas.

Also, the narration made it fairly clear that Asmodeus...completed its transaction...with Angela. Meaning there is a potential follow up on this story. However, since I may be the only person who read/remembers it, it doesn't seem so likely.

A lot of the magazine stories have very little to tie them in to the modern era. While this story was published after the conclusion of the first Tomb of Dracula series, the fact that the Dimensional Man and his sister's parents were around during the final days of World War II seems to more likely tie them directly into the time of publication of the issue, rather than within the modern era. So, I would lock this story into the year 1979, personally. Again, this is just an opinion.
If this is all true, then the birth of Joshua would have taken place @ 1959, the same time as the first attempt to summon Asmodeus. This would also mean, that somewhere around 18 years would have passed b/t their first meeting with Damien and the first summoning attempt. Alternatively, the main story may have actually taken place at a point earlier than 1979.

CLARIFICATIONS:
May or may not be connected to:

 

Last updated: 10/26/02

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

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