Name

Current Alias

In the 6th Century, Modred was an apprentice magician underGervasse and betrothed to Gervasse's daughter Janice. Modred was asked to become an apprentice by "Merlin". However, after hearing tales of madness, he declined. Thinking the power of theDarkhold could oppose the mad wizard, he went to the tower to claim it. He battled theOther (Chthon) until Janice came in. Rather than have her become corrupted, Modred gave himself up. Gervasse sealed Modred in a crypt hoping that future generations might be able to help him.

Modred was resurrected in modern times byJanet Lyton andGrant Whittaker.^[2] He was startled by the changes to the world but managed to protect the couple when the Other came to claim him.^[3]

Since then, he has fallen under and out of Chthon's control and encountered a great many heroes and villains. When Chthon's possession takes over, Modred is a very dangerous individual. One can never tell when he is going to change, as theScarlet Witch found out as he helped her reach Wundagore to learn about her past, then attempted to offer her to Chthon.^[4]

When Modred is in control of himself, he will help others fight evil, although his actions usually have his own interests at heart. For example, he helpedPuck against theBrass Bishop thinking that he could find a method to retrieve his soul and end his possession.^[5] He also briefly assistedSpider-Woman (Jessica Drew).

He also has attackedCaptain Britain due to his association with Merlin. He seemed unaware that Brian served the trueMerlyn and not the impostor Merlin he knew in the past.^[6]

The Darkhold Redeemers[]

After the initially formed Darkhold Redeemers fought and successfully defeated Donald J Walsh, a record producer turned into a mass of worms in human form, Modred appeared and crushed the last worm, vowing to keep an eye on the Redeemers.^[7] He later saved the Redeemers from Darkhold cult hitmen, and later informed them that they needed to go to the town of Perfection.^[8] When theN'Garai came to Perfection, Modred brought theDarkhold Redeemers and was able to coerceSabretooth to help. While Creed and the other Darkhold Redeemers battled the creatures, Modred examined the cairn. Thinking that Chthon might be on the other side, he saved a woman, then tossed her through the portal. The resulting screams convinced Modred that he should not try to use it. He then whisked Sabretooth away before he could killSam Buchanan (whom he shared a past with) or anyone else. The other Redeemers realized that Modred had simply used them for his own goals rather than trying to save the townspeople.^[9] The Redeemers found themselves on Maui, and encounteredDr. Strange, theScarlet Witch, andAgatha Harkness. Modred and Dr. Strange fought, with Modred swearing to not leave the soil (of Maui) until he was "driven hence in defeat." He swore this as he was bleeding, creating a geas which bound him to Maui.^[10] Attempts to lose a drinking contest proved futile,^[11] and Modred could only rage as he sensed another page would be used soon (the Page of the Demogorge).^[12] He would later circumvent this geas by carrying a small bag with soil from Maui inside.^[13]

Blade, obsessed with finally destroying all supernatural beings, read a page of the Darkhold that turned him into the Demogorge, who would absorb the abilities and knowledge of any supernatural beings he killed. Now being called Switchblade, he hunted his former allies.^[14] He was opposed by Modred, who eventually fell to Switchblade, but not before emptying his bag of Maui soil, ensuring pain for Switchblade whenever Modred's powers were used.^[15] Modred and the others killed by Switchblade were resurrected whenLouise Hastings read the counterspell from the Darkhold.^[16]

Returned to life, Modred was approached by theDarkhold Dwarf. He was offered his soul back if he would trade his powers with an innocent holy woman. He did this, tricking the blind holy woman, who regresses in age upon possession and is revealed to be Janice, Modred's love. After a brief battle, Modred takes back the power (resulting in Janice's death) which taunts him.^[17] Modred becameJinx's instructor in the mystic arts.^[18] During theSiege of Darkness Jinx and Modred fought, asMorbius convinced Jinx that Modred had killed his grandmother, Louise.^[19] Later, the Darkhold Redeemers were sent to find theBlood known asTruthsayer. Under assault from theFallen called Metarchus, Modred held his own. Metarchus took Modred's form and seemingly slew Truthsayer. Later, at Louise Hastings' funeral, Modred teleported Jinx to live withVittorio Montesi. After everyone else left, it was revealed that Modred killed Truthsayer, as she was about to revealVictoria Montesi's true origins.^[20]

Modred began tutoringKyllian Boddicker (who was now calling himself Wildpride) in the mystic arts. Teaming withJack Russell, Morbius andVengeance, they confronted Salome, whom Mordred offered a deal to: power over the Midnight Sons in exchange for slaying Doctor Strange. Salome rejected his offer and struck him savagely.^[1]

Sorcery: Before his encounter with the Darkhold, Modred was an apprentice sorcerer capable of only minor magic spells. Once the Darkhold had corrupted him and he had become connected with the Elder God Chthon, Modred's mystical abilities increased exponentially as he now has access to all of the spells contained within the Darkhold.^[23] He was considered as a possible Sorcerer Supreme.^[24]

Spells and Phrases: Modred has a vast knowledge of mystical spells and incantations invoking names and aspects of various extra-dimensional objects and beings of power. Through these incantations, the magi are able to call upon these extra-dimensional power sources for very specific effects without taxing the personal abilities.^[25] Modred is also capable of casting any of the vast number of powerful spells contained within the Darkhold. While Modred hasn't knowingly tapped into the complete resources the Darkhold offers, the Darkhold contained spells tosummon powerful demons such as: Dragonus, The Hellhound, Monstrosity, and Wish-Demon, that he could use.^[23] Modred possesses the power of:

• Binding: Modred has displayed the ability to bind his targets from moving. He has formed a magical leash that restrains Switchblade.^[15]

• Dimensional Manipulation: As a high-tier level magic user, Modred has proven to be capable to change, shape, and manipulate dimensions. He has created Null Space, which is his own pocket dimension, where normal laws of physics are altered. He could trap/imprison, contain/store/put, as well as send himself and any other people or objects into this dimension at his will.^[1] He could even merge himself with other dimensions, amplifying his power to a greater extent.^[26]

• Divine Sources: On rare occasions, Modred has utilized spells that tap into the energies of mystical entities other than the Elder God Chthon, such as Cyttorak and Munnopor.^[23]

• Elemental Control: Modred has shown to be capable to control various elemental beings and forces, such as:
  • Aerokinesis: Modred is capable of mystically manipulating the wind and air.^[27][15]
  • Plant Manipulation: Modred is capable of mystically manipulating the plants and vegetation.^[27][3]
  • Electrokinesis: Modred is capable of mystically manipulating the electricity and lightning.^[20]
  • Geokinesis: Modred is capable of mystically manipulating the earth.^[3][27]
  • Hydrokinesis: Modred is capable of mystically manipulating water.^[15]
  • Pyrokinesis: Modred is capable of mystically manipulating fire.^[27][19]

• Energy Constructs: During his time as a mystic, Modred has performed the ability to use and turn his mystical energy in order to create and make magical objects. He has magically made a mystical platform.^[28]

• Energy Projection: Modred possesses the power to emit powerful blast of magical energy that he can use to destroy and attack any objects or persons he wants.^[29][28]

• Enhanced Condition: Due to the Darkhold's corruption, not only magical abilities, but Modred's physical which included durability, reaction speed, and strength, has been increased and boosted too. He is apparently immune to intoxication as he has stated and proven himself.^[11]

• Flight: Modred the Mystic is capable of self-propelled flight, reaching to speeds up to 300 mph.^[23]

• Force Field: Through the use of his supernatural powers, Modred can form a magical sphere to trap and imprison his enemies like he did to Doctor Strange. It is also possible that he can use this power to shield himself and prevent him from getting any harm or any damage.^[30]

• Illusion Casting: Modred has demonstrated the ability to cast realistic illusions. He can disguise himself and take the appearance of someone else^[21] and can use illusion in a combat to fool his enemies.^[15] He once fools Doctor Strange into thinking he had teleported them to a different place only later to reveal they had never left.^[29] He also can use this power to make hypnotic effect on his targets^[31] as well as to attack his victims by surrounding someone with illusions of himself.^[15]

• Intangibility: As one of the most powerful sorcerer, Modred can become intangible allowing him to phase through solid objects and physical matter.^[32]

• Magic Negation: Mordred has the power to negate and nullify magic, spells, and their effect. He was able to dispel Doctor Strange's Bands of Bedevilment easily.^[29]

• Magic Reflection: Modred can use his sorcery to deflect magical attack such as eldritch blast that is targeted at him and tries to harm him.^[28]

• Mystical Invulnerability: As a magician, Modred has resistance against magic and mystical attacks. He has tanked and survived an attack from Frank Drake's exorcist gun, that is designed to counter against supernatural entities.^[15][33]

• Mystical Senses: Like any other sorcerers, Modred possessed acute mystical senses that can detect thepresence of another people and sorcerer or the presence of an enchanted place or item.^[31][34]

• Necromancy: Modred has performed the power to manipulate and control the dead. He has resurrected and reanimated the army of the warriors to fight for him.^[35]

• Size Alteration: Modred the Mystic has displayed the ability to alter the size of everything and anything. He was able toshrink Ben Grimm and Puppet Master in his subconscious sleep.^[36]

• Solar Manipulation: His magic can be used to manipulate and control the very sun itself. He has used this ability to burn away an elemental enemy.^[26]

• Telekinesis: His sorcery allows him to move objects and persons as he pleases, seen for example when he frees himself from Ghost Rider's chain.^[15]

• Telepathy: Modred has demonstrated the power to manipulate, dominate, and affect the mind of others. He was able toerase and search through people's memories.^[26][37] While sealed away, he oncecontrolled Rachel Summers, a Phoenix Host, into opening a portal to free him and become his thrall.^[38] Not only that, he was also able todampen the emotions as well as communicate telepathically with others.^[1][15]

• Teleportation: Modred has proven to be able to teleport to another place he wanted and he could bring several people within him.^[15] He was able to teleport certain persons or objects away from and into his location instantly.^[15][34] He has even been able totransport inter-dimensionally.^[1]

• Voice Manipulation: On a few occasions, Modred has shown to be able to mimic and replicate someone else's voices in order to trick his victims.^[32]

• Formerly theDarkhold.
• Nimbus: Modred can use, summon, and send a magical cloud called Nimbus to pick himself and others up in order to travel great distances from one location to another location he wants.^[34]

• Due to their similar names and from both being from the Arthurian Era,Modred the Mystic is often confused withMordred the Evil. The confusion is compounded by Mordred the Evil's name sometimes being spelled "Modred" in early issues ofBlack Knight. (Both are valid names for the figure from Arthurian legend.)
• There has been an inconsistency related to Modred's birth date. In his first appearance inMarvel Chillers #1 (1975), Modred claimed to have lived 11 centuries before the current date (which was 1975, so around 875 AD), but also during the times of Camelot.Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe #7 (1983, Modred's entry) already corrects this, specifying that he had been born in the 6th century (but also specifying that he "slept" in suspended animation for only 11 centuries, so he should have woken up in the 17th century).Amazing Spider-Man Annual #22 (1988) says that Modred was born in 554 AD, and was an adult man when he visited the Tower of Darkhold.Doctor Strange Sorcerer Supreme #11 (1989) says that Camelot was in 500 AD (apparently extending for decades after that point, so as to reach a point when Modred, born 54 years after 500 AD, was an adult), and that Modred slept not 11 centuries, but 15 centuries.Domains of Doom (1992) mentions that Modred found the Darkhold in the 6th century after Morgan lost it; and then that Modred slept for 14 centuries.Marvel Zombies: The Book of Angels, Demons & Various Monstrosities places the events in the 6th centuries. The mention to 875 AD, from Modred's lips, can be attributed to character error, Modred being mistaken about the year he had lived on.

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