Neron
Encyclopedia
Neron is a fictional demon
, a comic book
character published by DC Comics
. He first appeared in the DC Comics cross-over event Underworld Unleashed
#1, (November 1995), and was created by Mark Waid
and Howard Porter
.
released by DC Comics in 1995. As well as the core story-line of the three-issue Underworld Unleashed mini-series (November 1995 - December 1995), most of the DC titles published in November and December 1995 and a number of one-off titles were also part of the series. Neron appeared in most of these. After this introduction, he was next used in several storylines simultaneously: the three-part 'Hell to Pay' in Flash
vol 2 #127 - 129 (July - September 1997), by Mark Waid and Brian Augustyn
, Wonder Woman
vol 2 #123 - 125 (July - September 1997) by John Byrne, and a two-part story in JLA
#6 -7 (July - August 1997) by Grant Morrison
, with art by Neron's co-creator Howard Porter. That last storyline continued in JLA: Paradise Lost #1 - #3 (January - March 1998) a key early story in the long process of re-ordering the position of Hell in the DC Universe
.
Neron then appeared in New Year's Evil: Rogues (February 1998), part of the New Year's Evil series that ran in nine one-off titles, followed by a two-page vignette featuring Etrigan The Demon in the one-off anthology title DCU Villains Secret Files #1 (1999); ending the year with a part in the weekly series Day of Judgement #1 - #5 (November 1999) and a stand-alone tale by J.M. DeMatteis, 'Heart of Hell' in the last issue of Superman: The Man of Tomorrow
, #15 (Fall 1999) which fit into the Day of Judgement series.
His next appearances came in the Deadman: Dead Again
weekly series #1 - #5 (October 2001) written by Steve Vance, a humorous Christmas story 'Merry Christmas Justice League, Now Die' , in JLA #60 (January 2002), and a brief encounter in 'On Duty In Hell' in Human Defense Corps #6 (December 2003). Over a year later he featured in the last four parts of the 'Out Of the Past story-arc in Richard Dragon #9 - #12 (March - June 2005), then during the DC cross-over event 52 Neron was involved in Week 25 (October 25, 2006), Week 42 (February 21, 2007), followed by 'Devil May Care' in Teen Titans #42 (February 2007). None of these stories were critical to his character development or storyline. This was left to Keith Giffen
, whose Reign In Hell (August 2008 - April 2009, missing September) eight-issue mini-series featured all-out war between Hell and Purgatory and re-defined Hell in DC comics continuity. Since then there has been one further vignette, a short non-continuity joke in typical Giffen Ambush Bug
style in Ambush Bug Year None #3 (November 2008).
is already long-acquainted with him - 'still making deals .. still collecting souls?' is his first seen greeting to Neron and they discuss matters as old acquaintances.
He specialises in making deals with people for their souls in exchange for their greatest desires. 'Deals are your passion, Neron. You grant us the desires of our hearts - in exchange for our immortal souls' . These deals are classic Faustian arrangements made only to further his own twisted aims, half-truths and treachery which lead to either the misfortune of the deal maker or their death, either as a result of their actions or by Neron claiming their soul when they fail in their task. In other cases he achieves his aim by offering similarly treacherous information, or by granting desires in exchange for the completion of a task for him - usually with similar results. To approach a victim, he will either appear before them directly, or send them a candle (a 'demon stick' made from demon's blood) which, when lit, either summons him or brings them to Hell.
Neron appears to be unable to forego a chance to deal - he is attracted to bargaining to corrupt and gain souls. He is also attracted to purity, and wishes to corrupt and destroy it where he finds it. Both of these are his downfall.
by either enhancing the powers of, or offering their greatest desires to, dozens of supervillain
s and superhero
es in exchange for their immortal souls. When attempting to tempt Green Lantern
Kyle Rayner
, he offered to bring back his girlfriend, Alexandra DeWitt
, from the dead, similarly he offers to revive Jason Todd
to Batman
and to bring Barry Allen
back from the dead to Wally West
.
He tricks five of The Flash's Rogues Gallery
(Captain Boomerang
, Captain Cold
, Heat Wave
, Mirror Master II, and Weather Wizard
) into causing a series of explosions that kill them. When seen from the sky, the five explosions resemble the points of a pentagram
and the symbol, combined with the deaths of the villains, creates a gateway which enables Neron to travel to Earth and to influence humanity. Many super-villains and superheroes are either approached directly with deals for their soul, or given candles which, when lit, either summon Neron to them or them to Hell. Around fifty super-villains had their powers increased to varying degrees as a result.
Ultimately Neron is scheming to take over Earth, and to obtain a 'pure soul' that he could corrupt. Initially everyone assumes this refers to Superman
's soul, but he actually seeks the soul of Captain Marvel
. In the end, he is thwarted by the Trickster
suggesting Cap should accept the deal. and the most powerful members of Justice League America, including Captain Marvel, though not before causing mass chaos and worldwide destruction on Earth and killing the alien despot Mongul
and a number of other villains who refuse his deals. A deal is made with Captain Marvel to not destroy Earth, but Captain Marvel's soul is too pure for Neron to touch, but Neron must honour his agreement. Critically to later events, he also makes a deal so that the essence of The Spectre will not go against him, and reveals that he wants The Spectre as his agent and slave and ultimately his replacement in Hell.
After the Underworld Unleashed event, an unknown number of Neron's candles still existed and cause major trouble for their possessors, and others, in later years.
, causing The Flash to challenge Neron for their souls after gaining an audience in Hell by using a candle that The Piper had kept - all of which Neron had supposedly planned. Neron offers The Flash a deal for the Rogues souls, but he refuses, and is allowed to leave Hell with the original Flash, Jay Garrick
, who Neron had captured earlier. Knowing that the now almost-immortal Rogues are too powerful Neron's ploy is that Flash will be forced to bargain to save Keystone City. Neron refuses Flash's soul and asks for his love for news reporter Linda Park instead, because of its purity. He gets it, and Linda's soul also, which she bargained earlier in exchange for Neron not going after Flash's soul. Neron planned this in order to use Flash's 'Speed Force
' to enter and rule Heaven, but the plan backfires and the essence of their love 'corrupts' him, forcing him to frantically offers Flash and Linda a deal to take their love back.
Immediately afterwards he captures Wonder Woman and Artemis
in Hell as part of a plan to cause the downfall of his enemy Etrigan the Demon. After being seriously hurt by Artemis in the ensuing battle, he kills Wonder Woman.
, a King-Angel who has waited a million years to rebel against Heaven, and Zauriel
, an angel who knows his secret, use Earth as their battlefield. Asmodel makes a deal with Neron to help in his plans to take over Heaven, but at the last moment of the assault on Heaven Neron abandons his support and returns to Hell.
Immediately after this he is once again tricked by Trickster and defeated by an agent of Heaven.
). The Spectre freezes Neron. In the chaos caused by Hell's realms invading Earth, Neron uses Superman's body as a gateway, and once again attempts to claim The Spectre's force for himself. He is thwarted when the Spectre chooses ex-Green Lantern
Hal Jordan
as its new human host instead, and punished by his fellow Hell-Lords for using Hell's power for his own pleasure. His Royalty is stripped, and he is demoted to the position of Rhyming Demon - Etrigan's plan all along. Later it is disclosed that Superman was not just used as a conduit to Earth, but was actually replaced by Neron in disguise while his psyche was battling for Lois Lane's soul in Hell.
To regain his place in Hells pantheon, Neron next tries to collect a number of dead superheroes' souls, Deadman, Flash (Barry Allen), Robin (Jason Todd) and Superman (who has been killed by Doomsday
). Unable to enter Superman's body himself, he discovers that his surrogate Caldera is rejected by Superman's body also, so uses Caldera's soul as the fourth of the five he requires. He then turns his attention to Hal Jordan/Green Lantern, tricking Deadman into saving Green Lantern from death during his battle with Mongul, ensuring Neron will have the chance to tempt Green Lantern later in his history after he has destroyed the planet Oa, and thus win back his position in Hell. Neron erases Deadman's memory of him so he cannot prevent this happening, but is thwarted when The Spectre restores his memory and Deadman changes the future by ensuring Caldera dies before Neron can offer him a deal.
Despite this setback, Neron appears to have somehow regained his position and powers within two years, after which the demon Calcabrina offers Neron the souls of 66 members of the Human Defense Corps in an attempt to deflect the both the Corps and other Earthly forces from war with him (although the deal is never completed as it is interrupted by the Corps launching a successful rescue bid in an attack on Hell). A year after this he enters into a deal with Richard Dragon which fails.
plots to deliver him Ralph Dibny's
soul at its moment of greatest despair. Pretending to be Dr. Fate, he attempts to convince Dibny that he can resurrect his dead wife, Sue
, and teaches him magic skills, but is tricked by Ralph, who has known for some time that he is not Dr Fate and Neron is responsible for the plot. When Neron appears he is goaded by Dibny into killing him, but discovers he has been tricked as Dibny has established a circle of binding around Dr. Fate's tower which can only be undone by the person who cast the spell that created it. Neron is trapped in the Tower of Fate with Faust.
The binding did not last long - through some unknown method Neron soon finds a way to escape and makes a deal with Kid Devil
, exchanging the superpowers he has dreamed of for his soul when he reaches 20 years old if his trust in his idol Blue Devil is broken. Typically Faustian, he then reveals Blue Devil was responsible for Kid Devil's aunt Marla dying and had hidden the fact from him.
, who attempt to take control of Hell while he is imprisoned in the Tower of Fate. The hordes of Purgatory invade Hell under their command, and influence Hell's demons against Neron by offering hope and redemption for the damned. To defeat the legions of the damned Neron has Lilith the Mother of Monsters recall all of her children to Hell to fight on his side. Despite this, and when Neron seems to be victorious, he is killed by Satanus, who had used the cover of war to infect Hell with a magical microbe that reverts demons to humans. For Neron the infection causes the many demonic entities he had consumed over the millennia to be driven from him and, no longer a match for Satanus, he is beheaded.
trident, or more common items such as the Secret Six's
recently acquired "Get Out of Hell - Free" card, or a box of Cuban cigars for The Joker. It should be noted that if killed, he returns to his own domain, and is considerably more powerful while there, even at times depicted as near omnipotent while in his realm.
Neron is unable to refuse a deal, and has often been tricked out of the deals he has made with mortals (especially Trickster, who outdealt him twice). He is also unable to deal with pure spirits, such as that of Captain Marvel, Superman, and when he took the love of Wally West
(the Flash) and Linda Park for each other, he discovered to his dismay that the purity of it began to corrupt him to the extent he begun to feel compassion for the damned souls in his realm. He is also unable to 'alter the fundamental laws of the universe'
Demon
call - 1347 531 7769 for more infoIn Ancient Near Eastern religions as well as in the Abrahamic traditions, including ancient and medieval Christian demonology, a demon is considered an "unclean spirit" which may cause demonic possession, to be addressed with an act of exorcism...
, a comic book
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
character published by DC Comics
DC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
. He first appeared in the DC Comics cross-over event Underworld Unleashed
Underworld Unleashed
Underworld Unleashed was a multi-title comic book cross-over event released by DC Comics in 1995. As well as the core story-line of the three-issue Underworld Unleashed mini-series, most of the DC titles published in November and December 1995 and a number of one-off titles were part of the...
#1, (November 1995), and was created by Mark Waid
Mark Waid
Mark Waid is an American comic book writer. He is well known for his eight-year run as writer of the DC Comics' title The Flash, as well as his scripting of the limited series Kingdom Come and Superman: Birthright, and his work on Marvel Comics' Captain America...
and Howard Porter
Howard Porter
Howard Porter is an American comic book artist from southern Connecticut.-Biography:Porter graduated from Paier College of Art in Connecticut where he majored in illustration. One of his teachers there was Frank McLaughlin...
.
Publication history
Neron first featured as the major protagonist in the DC Comics multi-title comic book cross-over event Underworld UnleashedUnderworld Unleashed
Underworld Unleashed was a multi-title comic book cross-over event released by DC Comics in 1995. As well as the core story-line of the three-issue Underworld Unleashed mini-series, most of the DC titles published in November and December 1995 and a number of one-off titles were part of the...
released by DC Comics in 1995. As well as the core story-line of the three-issue Underworld Unleashed mini-series (November 1995 - December 1995), most of the DC titles published in November and December 1995 and a number of one-off titles were also part of the series. Neron appeared in most of these. After this introduction, he was next used in several storylines simultaneously: the three-part 'Hell to Pay' in Flash
Flash (comics)
The Flash is a name shared by several fictional comic book superheroes from the DC Comics universe. Created by writer Gardner Fox and artist Harry Lampert, the original Flash first appeared in Flash Comics #1 ....
vol 2 #127 - 129 (July - September 1997), by Mark Waid and Brian Augustyn
Brian Augustyn
Brian Augustyn is an award-winning comic book editor and writer. He has often worked, as both an editor and writer, with writer Mark Waid.-Biography:...
, Wonder Woman
Wonder Woman
Wonder Woman is a DC Comics superheroine created by William Moulton Marston. She first appeared in All Star Comics #8 . The Wonder Woman title has been published by DC Comics almost continuously except for a brief hiatus in 1986....
vol 2 #123 - 125 (July - September 1997) by John Byrne, and a two-part story in JLA
JLA (comic book)
JLA was a monthly comic book published by DC Comics from January 1997 to April 2006 featuring the Justice League.-Publication history:The low sales of the various Justice League spinoff books by the mid-1990s prompted DC to revamp the League as a single team on a single title...
#6 -7 (July - August 1997) by Grant Morrison
Grant Morrison
Grant Morrison is a Scottish comic book writer, playwright and occultist. He is known for his nonlinear narratives and counter-cultural leanings, as well as his successful runs on titles like Animal Man, Doom Patrol, JLA, The Invisibles, New X-Men, Fantastic Four, All-Star Superman, and...
, with art by Neron's co-creator Howard Porter. That last storyline continued in JLA: Paradise Lost #1 - #3 (January - March 1998) a key early story in the long process of re-ordering the position of Hell in the DC Universe
Hell (DC Comics)
Hell is a fictional location, an infernal underworld utilized in titles published by DC Comics. It is the locational antithesis of the Silver City. The DC Comics location known as Hell is based heavily on its depiction in Judeo-Christian mythology...
.
Neron then appeared in New Year's Evil: Rogues (February 1998), part of the New Year's Evil series that ran in nine one-off titles, followed by a two-page vignette featuring Etrigan The Demon in the one-off anthology title DCU Villains Secret Files #1 (1999); ending the year with a part in the weekly series Day of Judgement #1 - #5 (November 1999) and a stand-alone tale by J.M. DeMatteis, 'Heart of Hell' in the last issue of Superman: The Man of Tomorrow
Superman: The Man of Tomorrow
Superman: The Man of Tomorrow is the title of a comic book series published by DC Comics that ran for 16 issues from 1995 to 1999, featuring the adventures of Superman. At the time, the four Superman titles were released weekly with an intertwining story...
, #15 (Fall 1999) which fit into the Day of Judgement series.
His next appearances came in the Deadman: Dead Again
Deadman
Deadman is a fictional character, a comic book superhero in the DC Comics universe. He first appeared in Strange Adventures #205 , and was created by Arnold Drake and Carmine Infantino.-Publication history:...
weekly series #1 - #5 (October 2001) written by Steve Vance, a humorous Christmas story 'Merry Christmas Justice League, Now Die' , in JLA #60 (January 2002), and a brief encounter in 'On Duty In Hell' in Human Defense Corps #6 (December 2003). Over a year later he featured in the last four parts of the 'Out Of the Past story-arc in Richard Dragon #9 - #12 (March - June 2005), then during the DC cross-over event 52 Neron was involved in Week 25 (October 25, 2006), Week 42 (February 21, 2007), followed by 'Devil May Care' in Teen Titans #42 (February 2007). None of these stories were critical to his character development or storyline. This was left to Keith Giffen
Keith Giffen
Keith Ian Giffen is an American comic book illustrator and writer.-Biography:Giffen was born in Queens, New York City....
, whose Reign In Hell (August 2008 - April 2009, missing September) eight-issue mini-series featured all-out war between Hell and Purgatory and re-defined Hell in DC comics continuity. Since then there has been one further vignette, a short non-continuity joke in typical Giffen Ambush Bug
Ambush Bug
Ambush Bug is a fictional character who has appeared in several comic books published by DC Comics.His real name is supposedly Irwin Schwab, but he has mental problems that prevent him from truly understanding reality around him, so even his true identity might be no more than a delusion on his part...
style in Ambush Bug Year None #3 (November 2008).
Fictional character history
Neron is one of the major demons of Hell, a 'Wishweaver', the 'King of Hate', and 'Lord of Lies'. It is not known how old he is, but he has claimed 'I brought the very first couple together' , and told Wonder Woman 'I am among the first that walked abroad in this universe, and my influence has been known since humanity's first fall from grace' although it should be remembered he is the Lord of Lies.. Although he is unknown to Earth's heroes until the events of Underworld Unleashed, the ancient villain Vandal SavageVandal Savage
Vandal Savage is a fictional character, a supervillain published by DC Comics. He first appeared in Green Lantern vol. 1 #10 , and was created by Alfred Bester and Martin Nodell....
is already long-acquainted with him - 'still making deals .. still collecting souls?' is his first seen greeting to Neron and they discuss matters as old acquaintances.
He specialises in making deals with people for their souls in exchange for their greatest desires. 'Deals are your passion, Neron. You grant us the desires of our hearts - in exchange for our immortal souls' . These deals are classic Faustian arrangements made only to further his own twisted aims, half-truths and treachery which lead to either the misfortune of the deal maker or their death, either as a result of their actions or by Neron claiming their soul when they fail in their task. In other cases he achieves his aim by offering similarly treacherous information, or by granting desires in exchange for the completion of a task for him - usually with similar results. To approach a victim, he will either appear before them directly, or send them a candle (a 'demon stick' made from demon's blood) which, when lit, either summons him or brings them to Hell.
Neron appears to be unable to forego a chance to deal - he is attracted to bargaining to corrupt and gain souls. He is also attracted to purity, and wishes to corrupt and destroy it where he finds it. Both of these are his downfall.
Underworld Unleashed
Neron's first appearance to Earth's superheroes and villains occurs during the Underworld Unleashed event, when he plots to take over Earth and ApokolipsApokolips
In the DC Comics fictional shared Universe, Apokolips is the planet ruled by Darkseid, established in Jack Kirby's Fourth World series. It is also integral to many DC Comics stories. The planet is considered the opposite of New Genesis....
by either enhancing the powers of, or offering their greatest desires to, dozens of supervillain
Supervillain
A supervillain or supervillainess is a variant of the villain character type, commonly found in comic books, action movies and science fiction in various media.They are sometimes used as foils to superheroes and other fictional heroes...
s and superhero
Superhero
A superhero is a type of stock character, possessing "extraordinary or superhuman powers", dedicated to protecting the public. Since the debut of the prototypical superhero Superman in 1938, stories of superheroes — ranging from brief episodic adventures to continuing years-long sagas —...
es in exchange for their immortal souls. When attempting to tempt Green Lantern
Green Lantern
The Green Lantern is the shared primary alias of several fictional characters, superheroes appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. The first Green Lantern was created by writer Bill Finger and artist Martin Nodell in All-American Comics #16 .Each Green Lantern possesses a power ring and...
Kyle Rayner
Kyle Rayner
Kyle Rayner is a fictional comic book superhero appearing in books published by DC Comics, usually in those starring the Green Lantern Corps, an extraterrestrial police force of which Rayner is a member. Created by writer Ron Marz and artist Darryl Banks, Rayner first appeared in Green Lantern vol...
, he offered to bring back his girlfriend, Alexandra DeWitt
Alexandra DeWitt
Alexandra "Alex" DeWitt is a fictional character in the . She is the girlfriend of Kyle Rayner before he receives the Green Lantern power ring from Ganthet. She is best known, however, as the murder victim whose manner of disposal led Gail Simone to coin the phrase "Women in Refrigerators". Alex...
, from the dead, similarly he offers to revive Jason Todd
Jason Todd
Jason Peter Todd is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. Jason first appeared in Batman #357 and became the second Robin, sidekick to the superhero Batman, when the previous Robin went on to star in The New Teen Titans under the moniker of Nightwing.Though...
to Batman
Batman
Batman is a fictional character created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger. A comic book superhero, Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27 , and since then has appeared primarily in publications by DC Comics...
and to bring Barry Allen
Barry Allen
The Flash is a fictional character, a superhero in the DC Comics universe. He is the second character known as the Flash. The character first appeared in Showcase #4 , created by writers Robert Kanigher and John Broome and penciler Carmine Infantino. His name combines talk show hosts Barry Gray...
back from the dead to Wally West
Wally West
The Flash is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. He is the first Kid Flash and the third Flash....
.
He tricks five of The Flash's Rogues Gallery
Rogues (comics)
Some of the enemies of the comic book superhero the Flash, led by Captain Cold, constitute a loose criminal association who refer to themselves as the Rogues, disdaining the use of the term "supervillain" or "super-criminal"....
(Captain Boomerang
Captain Boomerang
Captain Boomerang is a fictional character in the . A supervillain traditionally portrayed as an enemy of the Flash...
, Captain Cold
Captain Cold
Captain Cold, real name Leonard Snart, is a comic book villain created by John Broome and Carmine Infantino as one of the archenemies of Flash. He is a leader of the Rogues...
, Heat Wave
Heat Wave (comics)
Heat Wave is a fictional villain in the DC Universe and a primary foe of the Flash.-Fictional character biography:Born on a farm outside Central City, Mick Rory became fascinated with fire, as a child. This fascination turned into an obsession and one night, he set his family's home ablaze...
, Mirror Master II, and Weather Wizard
Weather Wizard
Weather Wizard is a fictional DC Comics supervillain. The Weather Wizard first appeared in Flash #110 .- Early life :...
) into causing a series of explosions that kill them. When seen from the sky, the five explosions resemble the points of a pentagram
Pentagram
A pentagram is the shape of a five-pointed star drawn with five straight strokes...
and the symbol, combined with the deaths of the villains, creates a gateway which enables Neron to travel to Earth and to influence humanity. Many super-villains and superheroes are either approached directly with deals for their soul, or given candles which, when lit, either summon Neron to them or them to Hell. Around fifty super-villains had their powers increased to varying degrees as a result.
Ultimately Neron is scheming to take over Earth, and to obtain a 'pure soul' that he could corrupt. Initially everyone assumes this refers to Superman
Superman
Superman is a fictional comic book superhero appearing in publications by DC Comics, widely considered to be an American cultural icon. Created by American writer Jerry Siegel and Canadian-born American artist Joe Shuster in 1932 while both were living in Cleveland, Ohio, and sold to Detective...
's soul, but he actually seeks the soul of Captain Marvel
Captain Marvel (DC Comics)
Captain Marvel is a fictional comic book superhero, originally published by Fawcett Comics and later by DC Comics. Created in 1939 by artist C. C. Beck and writer Bill Parker, the character first appeared in Whiz Comics #2...
. In the end, he is thwarted by the Trickster
Trickster (comics)
The Trickster is the name of two fictional characters, DC Comics supervillains that are both enemies of the Flash. The original Trickster first appeared in Flash #113 , while the second debuted in Flash #183 .-James Jesse:The original Trickster is a practical joker and conman whose favorite...
suggesting Cap should accept the deal. and the most powerful members of Justice League America, including Captain Marvel, though not before causing mass chaos and worldwide destruction on Earth and killing the alien despot Mongul
Mongul
Mongul is the name of two fictional characters that appear in comic books published by DC Comics. The first version of the character debuted in DC Comics Presents #27 and was created by writer Len Wein and artist Jim Starlin. The second version first appears in Showcase '95 #85 and was created by...
and a number of other villains who refuse his deals. A deal is made with Captain Marvel to not destroy Earth, but Captain Marvel's soul is too pure for Neron to touch, but Neron must honour his agreement. Critically to later events, he also makes a deal so that the essence of The Spectre will not go against him, and reveals that he wants The Spectre as his agent and slave and ultimately his replacement in Hell.
After the Underworld Unleashed event, an unknown number of Neron's candles still existed and cause major trouble for their possessors, and others, in later years.
The Flash: Hell to Pay
Two years later, the soulless Rogues previously killed by Neron's trickery return to cause havoc in Keystone CityKeystone City
Keystone City is a fictional city in the . Specifically, it is the home of both the original Flash, Jay Garrick, and the third Flash, Wally West...
, causing The Flash to challenge Neron for their souls after gaining an audience in Hell by using a candle that The Piper had kept - all of which Neron had supposedly planned. Neron offers The Flash a deal for the Rogues souls, but he refuses, and is allowed to leave Hell with the original Flash, Jay Garrick
Jay Garrick
Jay Garrick is a fictional character, a comic book superhero in the DC Comics universe and the first to use the name Flash.-The Flash:...
, who Neron had captured earlier. Knowing that the now almost-immortal Rogues are too powerful Neron's ploy is that Flash will be forced to bargain to save Keystone City. Neron refuses Flash's soul and asks for his love for news reporter Linda Park instead, because of its purity. He gets it, and Linda's soul also, which she bargained earlier in exchange for Neron not going after Flash's soul. Neron planned this in order to use Flash's 'Speed Force
Speed Force
The Speed Force is a concept presented in various comic books published by DC Comics, primarily in relation to the various speedsters in the DC Universe.-Empowered:...
' to enter and rule Heaven, but the plan backfires and the essence of their love 'corrupts' him, forcing him to frantically offers Flash and Linda a deal to take their love back.
Immediately afterwards he captures Wonder Woman and Artemis
Artemis of Bana-Mighdall
Artemis of Bana-Mighdall is a fictional Amazon superheroine, a comic book character published by DC Comics. She debuted in Wonder Woman Artemis of Bana-Mighdall is a fictional Amazon superheroine, a comic book character published by DC Comics. She debuted in Wonder Woman Artemis of Bana-Mighdall is...
in Hell as part of a plan to cause the downfall of his enemy Etrigan the Demon. After being seriously hurt by Artemis in the ensuing battle, he kills Wonder Woman.
JLA: Paradise Lost
Next, Neron's ambitions for Heaven are furthered when he notices chaos and 'strife between the orders of angels' when AsmodelAsmodel
Asmodel is a fictional fallen angel, a comic book character published by DC Comics, his namesake deriving from the Asmodel of real Christian theology, the Angel of April and Patience. He first appeared in JLA #7, and was created by Grant Morrison and Howard Porter...
, a King-Angel who has waited a million years to rebel against Heaven, and Zauriel
Zauriel
Zauriel is a fictional character in the DC Universe. Originally a guardian angel who served Heaven for millions of years, he willingly fell to Earth and becomes a superhero, having been a member of DC's all-star Justice League. He first appeared in JLA #6...
, an angel who knows his secret, use Earth as their battlefield. Asmodel makes a deal with Neron to help in his plans to take over Heaven, but at the last moment of the assault on Heaven Neron abandons his support and returns to Hell.
Immediately after this he is once again tricked by Trickster and defeated by an agent of Heaven.
Day of Judgment and after
Etrigan the Demon causes trouble in Neron's realm by bonding Asmodel (who is bound in Hell and tortured by Neron) to the spirit of The Spectre (who is awaiting a new host after the death of Jim CorriganJim Corrigan
Jim Corrigan is the name of three fictional characters that have appeared in numerous comic books published by DC Comics. The first Corrigan initially appeared in More Fun Comics #52 , a deceased cop acting as host to the cosmic entity the Spectre, and was created by Jerry Siegel and Bernard...
). The Spectre freezes Neron. In the chaos caused by Hell's realms invading Earth, Neron uses Superman's body as a gateway, and once again attempts to claim The Spectre's force for himself. He is thwarted when the Spectre chooses ex-Green Lantern
Green Lantern
The Green Lantern is the shared primary alias of several fictional characters, superheroes appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. The first Green Lantern was created by writer Bill Finger and artist Martin Nodell in All-American Comics #16 .Each Green Lantern possesses a power ring and...
Hal Jordan
Hal Jordan
Harold "Hal" Jordan is a DC Comics superhero known as Green Lantern, the first human shown to join the Green Lantern Corps and a founding member of the Justice League of America. Jordan is the second DC Comics character to adopt the Green Lantern moniker...
as its new human host instead, and punished by his fellow Hell-Lords for using Hell's power for his own pleasure. His Royalty is stripped, and he is demoted to the position of Rhyming Demon - Etrigan's plan all along. Later it is disclosed that Superman was not just used as a conduit to Earth, but was actually replaced by Neron in disguise while his psyche was battling for Lois Lane's soul in Hell.
To regain his place in Hells pantheon, Neron next tries to collect a number of dead superheroes' souls, Deadman, Flash (Barry Allen), Robin (Jason Todd) and Superman (who has been killed by Doomsday
Doomsday (comics)
Doomsday is a fictional character, a supervillain that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. The character first appears in Superman: The Man of Steel #18 , and was created by writer-artist Dan Jurgens. IGN's list of the Top 100 Comic Book Villains of All Time ranked Doomsday as #46...
). Unable to enter Superman's body himself, he discovers that his surrogate Caldera is rejected by Superman's body also, so uses Caldera's soul as the fourth of the five he requires. He then turns his attention to Hal Jordan/Green Lantern, tricking Deadman into saving Green Lantern from death during his battle with Mongul, ensuring Neron will have the chance to tempt Green Lantern later in his history after he has destroyed the planet Oa, and thus win back his position in Hell. Neron erases Deadman's memory of him so he cannot prevent this happening, but is thwarted when The Spectre restores his memory and Deadman changes the future by ensuring Caldera dies before Neron can offer him a deal.
Despite this setback, Neron appears to have somehow regained his position and powers within two years, after which the demon Calcabrina offers Neron the souls of 66 members of the Human Defense Corps in an attempt to deflect the both the Corps and other Earthly forces from war with him (although the deal is never completed as it is interrupted by the Corps launching a successful rescue bid in an attack on Hell). A year after this he enters into a deal with Richard Dragon which fails.
52
Under thrall to Neron, Felix FaustFelix Faust
Felix Faust is a fictional character and supervillain who appears in stories published by DC Comics. The character first appeared in 1962 as an adversary of the Justice League of America...
plots to deliver him Ralph Dibny's
Elongated Man
The Elongated Man is a fictional comic book superhero in the DC universe. He is a reserve member of the Justice League. His first appearance was in The Flash vol. 1, #112...
soul at its moment of greatest despair. Pretending to be Dr. Fate, he attempts to convince Dibny that he can resurrect his dead wife, Sue
Sue Dibny
Susan "Sue" Dearbon Dibny is a fictional character from DC Comics associated with the Elongated Man. Created by John Broome and Carmine Infantino, the character first appeared in Flash vol. 1 #119...
, and teaches him magic skills, but is tricked by Ralph, who has known for some time that he is not Dr Fate and Neron is responsible for the plot. When Neron appears he is goaded by Dibny into killing him, but discovers he has been tricked as Dibny has established a circle of binding around Dr. Fate's tower which can only be undone by the person who cast the spell that created it. Neron is trapped in the Tower of Fate with Faust.
The binding did not last long - through some unknown method Neron soon finds a way to escape and makes a deal with Kid Devil
Kid Devil
Red Devil , formerly known as Kid Devil, was a superhero in the DC Comics universe. Created by Alan Kupperberg, Dan Mishkin, and Gary Cohn, he first appeared in Blue Devil #14.-Origin and early heroics:...
, exchanging the superpowers he has dreamed of for his soul when he reaches 20 years old if his trust in his idol Blue Devil is broken. Typically Faustian, he then reveals Blue Devil was responsible for Kid Devil's aunt Marla dying and had hidden the fact from him.
Reign in Hell
Neron is opposed by the demons Blaze and SatanusBlaze and Satanus
Blaze and Satanus are fictional demonic siblings published by DC Comics. Blaze debuted in Action Comics #655 ; she was created by Roger Stern and Bob McLeod...
, who attempt to take control of Hell while he is imprisoned in the Tower of Fate. The hordes of Purgatory invade Hell under their command, and influence Hell's demons against Neron by offering hope and redemption for the damned. To defeat the legions of the damned Neron has Lilith the Mother of Monsters recall all of her children to Hell to fight on his side. Despite this, and when Neron seems to be victorious, he is killed by Satanus, who had used the cover of war to infect Hell with a magical microbe that reverts demons to humans. For Neron the infection causes the many demonic entities he had consumed over the millennia to be driven from him and, no longer a match for Satanus, he is beheaded.
Powers and abilities
Neron is normally portrayed as being one of the most powerful magical creatures in the DC Universe; almost invulnerable and can warp reality and raise the dead. However, despite manifesting great strength and magical powers on occasion, he normally relies on a bargain to obtain human souls and only claims them when the deal is up or they fail their side of the bargain. He is able to give superheroes and villains magic-based powers (as he did with Kid Devil) and greatly enhance a metahuman's existing powers, and has the ability to assume a human-like appearance - although he sometimes uncontrollably reverts back to demon form when angry. He possesses immense physical strength, as evidenced when he killed Mongul with his bare hands or when killing demons. He is also adept at creating items of power, for example Ocean Master'sOcean Master
The Ocean Master is a fictional supervillain published by DC Comics. He first appeared in Aquaman #29 , and was created by Bob Haney and Nick Cardy.-Pre-Crisis:...
trident, or more common items such as the Secret Six's
Secret Six (comics)
The Secret Six is the name of three different fictional comic book teams in the , plus an alternate universe's fourth team. Each team has had six members, led by a mysterious figure named Mockingbird, whom the characters assume to be one of the other five members.-Original Secret Six:The Secret Six...
recently acquired "Get Out of Hell - Free" card, or a box of Cuban cigars for The Joker. It should be noted that if killed, he returns to his own domain, and is considerably more powerful while there, even at times depicted as near omnipotent while in his realm.
Neron is unable to refuse a deal, and has often been tricked out of the deals he has made with mortals (especially Trickster, who outdealt him twice). He is also unable to deal with pure spirits, such as that of Captain Marvel, Superman, and when he took the love of Wally West
Wally West
The Flash is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. He is the first Kid Flash and the third Flash....
(the Flash) and Linda Park for each other, he discovered to his dismay that the purity of it began to corrupt him to the extent he begun to feel compassion for the damned souls in his realm. He is also unable to 'alter the fundamental laws of the universe'
Other information
- Neron's name is based on a reading of 666 as meaning Neron Caesar in GematriaGematriaGematria or gimatria is a system of assigning numerical value to a word or phrase, in the belief that words or phrases with identical numerical values bear some relation to each other, or bear some relation to the number itself as it may apply to a person's age, the calendar year, or the like...
numerologyNumerologyNumerology is any study of the purported mystical relationship between a count or measurement and life. It has many systems and traditions and beliefs...
. - When the super-villains arrive in Hell (Underworld Unleashed #2), Neron's first words to them are 'Please allow me to introduce myself' , the opening line of The Rolling StonesThe Rolling StonesThe Rolling Stones are an English rock band, formed in London in April 1962 by Brian Jones , Ian Stewart , Mick Jagger , and Keith Richards . Bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts completed the early line-up...
' song "Sympathy for the DevilSympathy for the Devil"Sympathy for the Devil" is a song by The Rolling Stones which first appeared as the opening track on the band's 1968 album Beggars Banquet. It was written by Mick Jagger credited to Jagger/Richards...
". It is also the first thing he says to Paul Christian, who becomes PurgatoryPurgatoryPurgatory is the condition or process of purification or temporary punishment in which, it is believed, the souls of those who die in a state of grace are made ready for Heaven...
(Green Lantern #68). - Neron had an important, albeit off-screen role, in the myth arc of the StarmanStarman (comics)Starman is a name used by several different fictional DC Comics superheroes, most prominently Ted Knight and his sons David and Jack.Created by writer Gardner Fox and artist Jack Burnley, the original Starman, Ted Knight, first appeared in Adventure Comics #61...
series. After The Shade spurns Neron during the 'Underworld Unleashed' event (Showcase '95 #12), he grants extra abilities to three of the series' villains: the Mist, Copperhead and Dr. Phosphorous.