| Felix Faust | |
|---|---|
 Felix Faust as depicted inSupergirl vol. 5 #15 (May 2007). Art byIan Churchill. | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | Justice League of America #10 (March 1962) |
| Created by | Gardner Fox Mike Sekowsky |
| In-story information | |
| Species | Homo magi |
| Team affiliations | Injustice League Crime Champions Secret Society of Super Villains The Conclave |
| Partnerships | Vandal Savage Nick Necro Apprentices: Fauna Faust(daughter) Sebastian Faust(son) Aurora |
| Notable aliases | Dekan Drache |
| Abilities | |
Felix Faust is asupervillain appearing inAmerican comic books published byDC Comics. The character first appeared inJustice League of America #10 (1962), created byGardner Fox andMike Sekowsky. He is depicted as amysticsorcerer, obsessed with restoring himself to his former might after being robbed of much of his power during a battle withDoctor Mist.[1] While typically empowered by the demonic powers of a trio of brothers known as the "Demons Three", to whom he sold his soul in afaustian deal, the character also frequently targets other magical entities and objects to strengthen his power, putting him frequently at odds with numerous superhero teams.
Faust has been adapted into numerous media outside comics, including television series and video games.Robert Englund,Dee Bradley Baker, andJon Cryer, among others, have voiced the character in animation. Faust appeared in live-action in the 2014 television seriesConstantine, portrayed byMark Margolis.
Felix Faust first appears inJustice League of America #10 and was created byGardner Fox andMike Sekowsky.[2]
Throughout the character's history, various stories showcase or mention the early history of the character. The earliest recorded accounts of the sorcerer known as Felix Faust date back to approximately 5,000 BC when he emerged in the African empire of Kor. During this time, Kor was ruled by KingNommo, a prominent wizard and the guardian of the Flame of Life. Faust, driven by malevolent ambitions, engaged in a fierce battle with Nommo to harness the Flame's power for himself. Nommo absorbs the Flame, defeats Faust, and banishes his spirit to another dimension.[3]
In the mid-1920s, a deranged individual named Dekan Drache inadvertently releases Faust after foolishly believing that he would be rewarded with magical powers for doing so. Instead, Faust consumes Drache's soul and inhabits his body as a replacement for his destroyed original. Having lost much of his former power, Faust devotes himself to seeking out objects and beings that possess strong magic, relying on his cunning nature to then gain control of said magic and turn it to his own uses.[1][3]
In the modern era, Felix has two children: Sebastian and Fauna. He attempts to sacrifice Sebastian's soul to the demon Nebiros, which instead gives Sebastian magic powers.[4][5]
In post-Rebirth continuity, Faust's backstory is further shown; he is revealed to be the son of Majika, one of the first sorcerers.[6] Around the 1500s, Faust was in an alliance withVandal Savage and had an apprentice named Aurora. During this time, he encounters a time-travelingRobin andSuperboy.[7]
Felix Faust first appeared inJustice League of America #10 (March 1962), where he attempts to regain his magic by summoning theDemons Three.[8] However,Aquaman distracts Faust and breaks the spell, after which he is imprisoned.[3] Faust also attempts to gain power from Neron in a separate deal, but Neron is so thoroughly disgusted by Faust's depravity that he personally strikes the sorcerer down. For some time, Faust's soul remains stranded in a portion ofHell reserved for magicians who abused or broke the laws of magic in life.
Felix would appear as one of the antagonists in the secondOutsiders series; learning of his son's activities in the Outsiders team, he attempts to track him by sending in mystic creatures tasked with bringing Sebastian to him. Initially fearing his father's return,Halo encourages Sebastian to realize his father is not infallible. Felix obtains the Green Bell of Uthool and the Silver Wheel of Nyorlath, but Halo andLooker destroy them.
In52, Felix Faust attempts to obtainElongated Man's soul to free himself from Neron.[3] However, Elongated Man sacrifices himself to trap the two in the Tower of Fate.
One year afterInfinite Crisis, Faust escapes, transfersRed Tornado's soul into a human body, and steals his original android body for his purposes. InJustice League of America (vol. 2) #13, Faust appears as a member of theInjustice League. Furthermore, he helps gather soil to createGenocide.[9]
InThe New 52 continuity reboot, Felix Faust is the son of the sorcerer Majika and sold Sebastian's soul in an attempt to garner immortality (unlike the previous versions where he attempted to obtain magical power). InForever Evil, Faust joins theSecret Society of Super Villains.[6][10][11][12][13][14][15]
The character appears as one of the villains refusing to be hired by Henry Bendix to killMidnighter andApollo duringDC Rebirth.[16]
Felix Faust is commonly portrayed as a master sorcerer, possessing extensive knowledge of the supernatural and the ability to manipulate organic matter through his mastery of dark arts. He demonstrates proficiency in various forms of magic, including black magic and soul magic, the latter in which he specializes in alongside his son. These magical abilities enable him to perform a wide range of feats, such as energy manipulation, resurrection, communing with the deceased, teleportation, elemental control, intangibility, illusion casting, telepathy, and scrying. To utilize mystical powers, Felix relies on spell books, scrolls, familiars, or sometimes strikes bargains with demonic entities.[5][17][18][19]
The character also possess a few limitations. Felix Faust's ability to achieve his full potential as a sorcerer has been limited since his encounter with Dr. Mist and his spirit being within the body of occult dabbler and human Dreken Drache. Additionally, he lacks proficiency in hand-to-hand combat.[20] In the New 52 continuity, he was initially regarded as a third-rate wizard who resorted to making Faustian deals to augment his powers, which had the unintended consequence of giving him a ghastly appearance.[21] Furthermore, Felix has limitations in manipulating certain forms of pure magic, being classified as a "dark magician." Any attempt to manipulate such magic poses a risk of death for him, necessitating the use of a medium to channel and utilize it effectively.[12]
Throughout his long lifetime, Felix has fathered two children of his own both ofBritish descent:
Felix Faust appears inJustice League Dark, voiced byEnrico Colantoni.[25][26][23]
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