SOUL-DRINKER

Real Name: Unrevealed

Identity/Class: Extra-dimensional Demon (see comments)

Occupation: ...Soul-Drinker?

Group Membership: None

Affiliations: D'Ken (Summoner)

Enemies: Lilandra, Nightcrawler

Known Relatives: None

Aliases: None

Base of Operations: Possibly its own extra-dimensional realm

First Appearance: X-Men I#107 (October, 1977 )

Powers/Abilities: The Soul-Drinker can, as the name implies, drink the soul of an individual. It is only able to drink the soul of one individual per summon. The Soul-Drinker that appeared in our realm was probably only a small aspect of the true Soul-Drinker, who in its entirety, quite likely possessed very great power. (See comments)

History: The history of the Soul-Drinker is unknown

(X-Men I#107) - D'Ken, the emperor of the Shi'ar, held his sister Princess Lilandra captive while the X-Men battled the Imperial Guard for her freedom. D'Ken planned to execute his sister, and to carry out the deed he summoned the Soul-Drinker. The Soul-Drinker materialized in front of Lilandra and prepared to devour her soul. Cyclops and Phoenix found themselves unable to assist Lilandra, and instead, Nightcrawler teleported to her and broke the chain that held her. D'Ken sent one of his minions to make sure that it was Lilandra who got her soul drank. As the minion closed in from one side and the Soul-Drinker closed in from the other, Nightcrawler teleported himself and Lilandra away just as the Soul-Drinker lashed out. The Soul-Drinker instead struck and stole the soul of the minion of D'Ken who had been behind Nightcrawler. The Soul-Drinker then disappeared.

Comments: Created by Chris Claremont and Dave Cockrum

    The image of the Soul-Drinker that was seen was probably an extra-dimensional demon of very great power. When summoned to our realm it probably only appeared as a small shade of its true power and entirety. However, the Soul-Drinker might be an extra-terrestrial and not a demon at all. It might be that the Soul-Drinker seen is an alien and not even unique. It is most likely the former, as D'Ken did call it a demon, and it fits that description much more.

    It is never stated  that it could only be able to drink one soul per summon, but it was made fairly obvious. When Nightcrawler rescued Lilandra, D'Ken exclaimed, "Curse that two-toed alien! I summoned the Soul-Drinker to take only one specific soul--Lilandra's!" D'Ken also seemed worried that the Soul-Drinker would take Nightcrawler's soul instead. After it destroyed one of D'Ken's followers, it disappeared, so most likely, it only drinks one soul and then needs to be summoned again.

    Given that Marvel's Shiar Imperial Guard is a rip-off/homage of DC's Legion of Superheroes, I was thinking that the demonic Soul-Drinker should be based upon a corresponding LSH character, as well.  The best candidate: Command Kid, or more precisely, his demon.  This Legion of Super Heroes character was physically possessed and mentally dominated by a demon when he applied for Legion membership.  Ultimately, the Legion exorcised and drove away the demon.  Similar events could have taken place for the Imperial Guard involving the Soul-Drinker, with the exception that D'Ken came to control the creature. --Kyle

    This was the first time that Nightcrawler had ever teleported anyone else along with him. This issue was also the first appearance of the Imperial Guard.

Profile by Stunner

CLARIFICATIONS: Not to be confused with:

• SOULCATCHER - Power item, fell from sky to Earth in past --Marvel Chillers#5
• SOULDARK2099 - Mutroid, fought Deathstryk   --Ravage 2099#25/3
• Soul-Divider - Visimajoris, agent of the creators--Doctor Strange II#24
• Soul Eater- Belaric Marcosa--Werewolf by Night I#35
• Soul-Eater- Activated by the former soul survivor K'rll, absorbed souls of Krees--Quasar 35
• Soulfather - Robot agent of Mr. Kline --Iron-Man I#4
• Soulfire-- Human possessed by demon -- Hellstorm#4
• SOUL GEM- - Infinity Gem of Adam Warlock that absorbs souls-- Marvel Premiere#1
• Soulgem- magic item, used by Dhasha Khan --Deadly Hands of Kung-Fu#19
• SOUL MAN (father Jason McCall)-Riot Squad, former Priest, irradiated by gamma bomb--Incredible Hulk II#345
• Soulship - Starlord's living ship--Inhumans IV#3
• SOUL SHROUD- used by Mephisto to entrap Loki  --Thor I#430
• Soul Skinner-- Russian Mutant --X-Men II#17
• Soulslayer - Demon, battled Iron Fist and Jade--Deadly Hands of Kung Fu#20
• Soul Slug -created by Abyss to use against Death Metal  --Death Metal#3
• Soul-Stealer - Mist-like entity which existed in the Soul Orb of Moondark--Marvel Team-Up I#91 
• Soul Strangler -Klansman leader in 1867 with appearance of a demon --Jungle Action#22
• Soul Strangler- Dragon Circle, embodiment of  hatred of the KKK --Jungle Action#22
• Soul Survivors-  kidnapped gods to use as power source --Thor I#261
• SOUL SURVIVORS -  Microverse, visited by Arcturus Rann and Biotron @ 1000 years ago --Micronaughts I#46
• SOUL SWORD- Creation of Magik, created from darkest portion of her soul --Magik I#4
• Soul-Thief- Mutant criminal, trashed by Fan-Boy --X-Statix#5
• Any other of the plethora of "soul" characters

images: (without ads)
X-Men I#107, p8, pan3 (main image)

Last updated: 01/03/04

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

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