Benedict Kine - Marduk Kurios

Marduk Kurios

Marduk Kurios is a demon in the Marvel Comics universe.

The character, created by Gary Friedrich and Herb Trimpe, first appeared in Marvel Spotlight #13 (January 1974) and was identified as "Satan" in appearances until The Witches #3 (September 2004). He is also presented as the father of the characters Daimon Hellstrom and Satana.

Within the context of the stories, Marduk Kurios is a high level demon and ruler of one realm of hell who has from time to time presented himself as "Satan" or "Lucifer".

In pre-history Marduk Kurios is noted for repelling an invasion of the N'Garai. In later times, he became worshiped by the ancient Sumerians after his legions took part in a battle on Earth. This worship intrigues him and he keeps track of the mortal real for centuries, finally focusing on a family of satanists name "Hellstrom". Taking human form, he becomes part of this family, weds Victoria Wingate, and sires first his son Damion and then his daughter Satana.

Over time, Marduk Kurios sees that his son does not care for his demonic heritage and focuses on his more accepting daughter. While performing a ritual with Satana, Victoria stumbles upon them and is driven insane by his true nature. As a result, he commits his wife to an asylum where she spends the rest of her life and keeps a diary intended for her son when he is "old enough".

Marduk Kurios finally takes Satana to his realm in hell, leaving Daimon in the care of servants on earth. He continues to interact with his offspring, offering Daimon his birth right, testing Satana's loyalty., and encountering the Defenders during Daimon's time with the team.

Eventually, Daimon learns his father's true name and deposes him. Marduk Kurios, much reduced in power, tricks Andrew Kale into opening the Tome of Zhered-Na and releasing Hellphyr. He does this in order to hopes of reducing the number of magic users in the world and better his standing in the realm of magic. His plan is undone when Satana spurns his offer to join him and helps kill the Hellphyr.

During the storyline "Chaos War", Marduk Kurios is among the entities Amatsu-Mikaboshi defeats and adds to the ranks of his army of slave gods.

During the Fear Itself storyline, Marduk Kurios attended the Devil's Advocacy where they talked about the Serpent's actions on Earth. Marduk Kurios taunted Mephisto during this meeting.