BALTHAKK

Real Name: Balthakk

Identity/Class: Extradimensional magic user

Occupation: Mystic entity

Group Membership: Octessence (Cyttorak, Farallah, Krakkan, Ikonn, Raggadorr, Valtorr, Watoomb)

Affiliations: Inferno (Samantha McGee);
    invoked by Doctor Strange and probably other mystics;
    presumably Chthon;
    see also the Catalogue of Correspondences for Chthon from Ian McNee's reading of the First Tarot

Enemies: Unrevealed;
    spells used against numerous beings

Known Relatives: None

Aliases: Balthaak

Base of Operations: Extradimensional realm;
    possibly active on Earth in what would become the modern Canada.

First Appearance: (Invoked in-story) Doctor Strange II#32 (December, 1978)
    (Seen) Iron Man III#22 (November, 1999)

Powers/Abilities: The real extension of Baltakk's power remains unknown. Balthakk is an entity who grants magical power to those who invoke him, typically in spells. Balthakk usually grants power to those invoking the Bolts of Balthakk, which generally serve to destructive or killing purposes. He possibly also grants power to the callers of the Bolts of Bedevilment, but this remains uncertain.

History: Baltakk's origins are unrevealed. He was likely worshipped at some point on Earth, though whether he is closer to god or demon is open to speculation. Its form seems a fiery, glowing, crackling, white-hot energy.

(Iron Man III#22 (fb)) - <Millennia ago> Eight great mystics, including Balthakk, gathered, and a disagreement arose as to which was the most powerful. To settle the argument, they entered into the Wager of the Octessence: Each created a totem, with each totem holding a fraction of its creator's vast power and possessing the ability to transform the first human who touched it into an Exemplar, a living embodiment of that power.

(Iron Man III#21 (fb) - BTS/Avengers III#25 (fb)) - Balthakk's followers built the Temple of Balthakk in his name, in a region that would become the modern Canada. He placed his totem, the Blinding Brazier of Balthakk, within the Temple.

(Iron Man III#22) - <Modern Era> The Blinding Brazier of Balthakk attracted Samantha McGee to the Temple. She touched it and was transformed into Balthakk's Exemplar, Inferno.

Comments: Name and use in spells created by Roger Stern.
    Form revealed by Kurt Busiek & Roger Stern, Sean Chen, Rob Hunter, Rags Morales, Nelson & Eric Cannon..

    Writers say "millennia" all the time, as if they were really an ancient time. It's possible that it was hundreds of thousands of years ago, or even millions or billions.

   What is his real name, "Balthakk" or "Balthaak"? Well, he comes from another dimension where other languages are spoken and alien sounds are used to create words or concepts; probably, on Earth, we are not able to properly pronounce his name, so, none of the two sounds is perfect, maybe it is not even his real name. However, for a sorcerer is enough if Balthakk or Balthaak grants him the power he needs. I used "Balthakk" for the profile because it was the first chronological reference I found (Doctor Strange II#32).

    I'm sure it's just the boy-child in me, but I wonder if it was intentional to give him a gag name as if whoever was saying his name had a lisp.
--Snood

Per David Sexton:

1. Entities can steal energy from an unwilling source by consuming the source entirely or by draining a portion of energy from the source. This exchange is one-way. The entity takes energy.
2. Entities can be given spiritual energy unconditionally in the form of worship. Statements of worship come in the, "I believe..." format. Worshippers may also petition for favors, etc., but this form of prayer is an affirmation of their belief and of the entities existence. The worshippers expect nothing in return. This exchange is also one way. The entity is given energy. 
3. An entity may grant energy to a petitioner in answer to an invocation or prayer. The mere act of being asked gives the entity power and so to encourage this action, some spiritual beings will grant power to an individual who invokes their name in the proper way. The entity may chose to ignore the request. I would theorize that the spiritual energy or "mystic potential" present in the petitioner plays a part in how often requests are granted. The invocation or prayers of an individual who has large amounts of spiritual energy would provide the entity with a more enticing exchange and they would be more inclined to answer them.

    Balthakk was invoked by Doctor Strange for his spells just once. On the other hand, the Bolts of Balthakk were used many times, with different purposes (see below). In some ways, Balthakk could be considered behind-the-scenes in these stories, because he invisibly and implicitly granted his power to the Supreme Sorcerer.
Probably there are some appearances not included here. Please let us know what I missed, preferably specifying the issue, the situation it was used in (by whom, against whom, accomplishing what), and then quote the spell exactly..--Spidermay

Fiery Balthakk, dread Krakkan,
Join thy powers now in chorus.
Open wide these works of man--
that those within may quail before us!

CLARIFICATIONS:
Balthakk has no known connections to any other character with a similar name.

Images:
Iron Man III#22, p17, panel 5 (Balthakk)

Appearances:
Iron Man III#22 (November, 1999) - Kurt Busiek & Roger Stern (writers), Sean Chen (pencils), Rob Hunter, Rags Morales, Nelson & Eric Cannon (inks), Bobbie Chase (editor)

First posted: 10/22/07
Last updated: 05/06/21

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

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