DEMON

Real Name: Borjigin Byambyn Khenbish (see comments)

Identity/Class: Human (Mongolian) magic user

Occupation: Would-be world conqueror; former witch doctor

Group Membership: Unidentified Mongolian tribe

Affiliations: His army

Enemies: Chinese Communist soldiers; Thor Odinson

Known Relatives: None

Aliases: "Witch Doctor"

Base of Operations: Unidentified Asian jungle, on the outskirts of Mongolia

First Appearance: Journey into Mystery I#123/1 (December, 1965)

Powers/Abilities: As the "witch doctor" (shaman) of his tribe, he presumably had primitive medical skills to heal the sick and injured, along with knowledge of his tribe's religious practices. He wore a ceremonial mask, which concealed his face.

While possessing a Norn Stone, he was granted great strength (perhaps Class 25-50) and durability--he was able to catch rounds of bullets fired at him, and then hurl them back with equal force; he could even withstand the blast of a grenade, unscathed.

Without direct possession of the Stone, however, his enhanced powers instantly dwindled to a normal level.

Height: 6'6" (by approximation; see comments)
Weight: 600 lbs. (by approximation; see comments)
Eyes: Unrevealed
Hair: Brown

 

 

History:
(Journey into Mystery I#123 (fb) - BTS) - The past of the man who would become the Demon is unrevealed, but he was apparently the "witch doctor" of his Mongolian tribe. When Chinese soldiers came to his village, they sought to take over that part of the world--since the soldiers felt they needed to slay the witch doctor to cement their rule, he fled into the Asian jungle.

(Journey into Mystery I#123/1) - While hiding in the jungle, the witch doctor called upon the aid of his gods to show their power to the soldiers, and to rid his tribe's land of the Communist invaders. Suddenly, a Norn Stone (dropped by Thor in Journey into Mystery I#120/1) levitated from the sky and fell into his grasp, granting him immense power. Now having no trace of fear, the witch doctor placed the enchanted bauble in his waistband, then slammed his fists to the ground, causing a tremor that staggered his enemies; when the soldiers fired their guns at him, the witch doctor caught all their bullets in his hands, then hurled the spent shells back at them. Having driven the frightened Communists away, the witch doctor was drunk on his new power; he took the name by which the soldiers had referred to him--the Demon--and decided that the gods had given him the Stone to conquer and rule the world.

   Some time later, the Demon shattered the gates of a native fort to recruit an army of followers; as a demonstration of his power--and as a warning to any who would betray him--the Demon tore a large hut from the ground and lifted the structure over his head. Seeing they had no choice but to obey, the natives bowed in submission to the Demon.

(Journey into Mystery I#124/1 (fb) - BTS) - The Demon and his plundering hoards attacked other villages--reports of their raids reached American newspapers.

(Journey into Mystery I#124/1) - In New York, Thor read one of the newspapers and first learned of the Demon.

   Meanwhile, the Demon, now wearing the Norn Stone tied securely around his neck, led his hoard of marauders to a fortified outpost. He ordered the soldiers within to lay down their weapons and pledge themselves to serve him--in response, the outpost's defenders threw a grenade at him; but the Demon proved to be invulnerable to the explosive device, and he and his army easily conquered their foes.

   After hearing a radio news report about the Demon's forces growing in number after each conquest, Thor headed to Asia to stop him; he arrived just as the Demon and his army were in the midst of attacking another fortress. Recognizing the Norn Stone and realizing that it was giving the Demon his power, Thor confronted him in hand-to-hand combat.

(Journey into Mystery I#125/1) - The Demon attacked Thor, but despite his strength, he was outmatched. He directed his new followers to fire a rocket launcher at the thunder god, but Thor used his enchanted hammer to jam the cannon, causing it to backfire. The resulting explosion knocked the Demon unconscious, and Thor took the Norn Stone from him.

Comments: Created by Stan "The Man" Lee and Jack "King" Kirby.

Although never mentioned in any of the stories, the Demon's real name was revealed in Thor: Asgard's Avenger#1, in a profile of the Norn Stones.

The Demon's mask was originally colored green, but was later yellow with slightly different markings--maybe he changed masks when he decided to go into battle (Do I get a No-Prize?).

I based the Demon's height and weight on Thor's, since he seemed to be about the same size as the thunder god--I'm guessing the Norn Stone physically enhanced his body, and he was never clearly seen before he possessed it, so it's difficult to estimate his normal size. Also, he was never depicted without his mask..--Ron Fredricks

Norn Stones were always good for a story, back in the day. The Norns are the Asgardian versions of the Fates, who spin the future. The Norn Stones are magical stones, imbued with some fragment of their power.
I'd bet that some small amount of magic remained within the Demon after the Norn Stone was removed. You'd think Loki would fan that flame and send him after Thor...not now, with Thor having the Odinpower and all, but in a year or so...you know, once Odin's not dead anymore.

The Demon only appeared in about 37 panels over the three issues, only 11 of which (including a cover) where he actually faced Thor...so I'd agree that it's high time for a rematch!.--Ron Fredricks

Profile by Snood. Expansion by Ron Fredricks.

CLARIFICATIONS:
The Demon (Borjigin Byambyn Khenbish) has no known connection to:

The Demon's army has no known connection to:

Demon's Norn Stone

One of several magical Norn Stones once used by Loki to cheat during "The Trial of the Gods" (@ Journey into Mystery I#116/1); all the Stones were eventually confiscated by Thor. But Thor dropped this one while in the wilderness near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (@ Journey into Mystery I#120/1).

This Norn Stone eventually levitated itself to Mongolia, where it landed by a local tribal witch doctor, who was hiding in the jungle from Chinese soldiers. While in his possession, the witch doctor--whom the soldiers dubbed "The Demon"--was granted great strength and invulnerability. After defeating the Communist soldiers, the Demon formed a large army and planned to use his newfound power for world conquest; but he was eventually beaten by Thor.

After taking the Norn Stone from the Demon, Thor returned it to Asgard.

(Comment: This sub-profile only covers the appearances of this one particular Norn Stone when Thor dropped it, and while it was in the possession of the Demon.)

--Journey into Mystery I#120/1 (120/1, 123/1 - 125/1

Demon's army

After being empowered by a magical Norn Stone, the Demon was inspired to conquer the world, so he began to form an army of followers from the Mongolian natives living in the various villages he conquered. The Demon demanded complete loyalty from his warriors, and they had no choice but to obey him because they feared his incredible strength.

Although initially armed only with spears, the Demon's army confiscated firearms and artillery from the military outposts they conquered, and their numbers grew into the thousands.

But when Thor eventually flew to Mongolia to confront the Demon, he beat the magically-empowered witch doctor and confiscated his Norn Stone.

Following the defeat of the Demon, all of the members of his army scattered into the jungle, presumably returning back to their homes.

--Journey into Mystery I#123/1 (123/1 - 125/1

images: (without ads)
Journey into Mystery I#123/1, p15, pan3 (main image - Demon smashes through fort's gate; Norn Stone in waistband)
Journey into Mystery I#124/1, p16, pan4 (headshot - Demon)
Journey into Mystery I#123/1, p8, pan1 (Demon catches bullets fired by Chinese soldiers)
Journey into Mystery I#125/1, p2, pan3 (Demon tears rock apart)
Journey into Mystery I#124, cover (Thor vs. Demon)
Journey into Mystery I#123/1, p7, pan1 (Norn Stone drops by hiding Demon)
Journey into Mystery I#123/1, p8, pan6 (Norn Stone in Demon's hand)
Journey into Mystery I#124/1, p6, pan4 (Norn Stone hanging around Demon's neck)
Journey into Mystery I#125/1, p6, pan5 (Thor takes Norn Stone from Demon)
Journey into Mystery I#123/1, p16, pan2 (Demon begins to form his army)
Journey into Mystery I#124/1, p7, pan3 (with each conquest, Demon's army grows)

Appearances:
Journey into Mystery I#123-125 (December, 1965 - February, 1966) - Stan Lee (writer/editor), Jack Kirby (pencils), Vince Colletta (inks), Artie Simek (letters)

First posted: 10/22/2002
Last updated: 02/11/2024

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

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