Holocaust (Marvel Comics)
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| Holocaust | |
|---|---|
 Holocaust as depicted in Astonishing X-Men #4 (June 1995). Art by Joe Madureira. | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | X-Men Alpha (February 1995) |
| Created by | Scott Lobdell (writer) Roger Cruz (artist) |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | William Rolfson |
| Species | Human mutant |
| Team affiliations | Horsemen of Apocalypse Dark Descendants Exiles |
| Abilities | Pre-evolution
Post-evolution
|
Holocaust is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in X-Men Alpha (February 1995), and was created by Scott Lobdell and Roger Cruz; however, a character with the same name and similar appearance (without armor) was featured in Stryfe's Strike Files (January 1993), two years before X-Men Alpha was released (the information on Holocaust in Stryfe's Strike Files seems to support an understanding that both versions of the character are one and the same).
Fictional character biography
[edit]The Age of Apocalypse
[edit]The character of Nemesis, originally known as Holocaust,[1] is the purported son of Apocalypse and serves as one of his father's Four Horsemen in the Age of Apocalypse timeline. During his first mission, Nemesis kills the Scarlet Witch, leaving her for Magneto to find.[2][3]
During Apocalypse's attack on Europe and Asia, Nemesis joins him in Japan and absorbs Sunfire's energy.[4] However, Magneto flays him and leaves him to die.[volume & issue needed]
Apocalypse later recovers Nemesis and brings him to Dark Beast, who gives him crystalline armor. He eventually returns to the Horsemen after absorbing Candra's energy.[5][6]
Later Holocaust attempts to kill Magneto, but is stopped by Nate Grey. He stabs Holocaust with a shard of the M'Kraan Crystal, causing them both to disappear.[7]
Arriving on Earth 616
[edit]It was later revealed that Holocaust and Grey were transported to the main Marvel universe. Holocaust materializes in Earth’s orbit and is discovered by the Acolytes, who he drains energy from to recover.[8][9]
After arriving on Earth, Holocaust encounters Sebastian Shaw and becomes a minion of Onslaught.[10][11][12][13][14] However, his armor begins to destabilize, forcing him to seek assistance from the Dark Beast. The two are kidnapped by the Shi'ar, who seek to reclaim the remnants of the M'Kraan Crystal's power within them, and work with Nate Grey and Sugar Man to escape.[15][16]
Return and death
[edit]Holocaust later returns to his native reality and joins the Exiles.[17] He claims the M'Kraan Crystal before being killed by Weapon X member Hyperion, who destroys his armor and absorbs his energy.[18][19][20]
Powers and abilities
[edit]Holocaust possesses the mutant ability to manipulate energy, enabling him to absorb energy from others to sustain himself. He is later transformed into an energy being who can become intangible and shapeshift, but is forced to wear crystalline armor to prevent his body from dissipating.
Reception
[edit]In 2018, Comic Book Resources (CBR) ranked Holocaust 22nd in their "Age Of Apocalypse: The 30 Strongest Characters In Marvel's Coolest Alternate World" list.[21]
Other versions
[edit]Holocaust's Earth-616 counterpart is William Rolfson / Genocide, the son of Apocalypse and Autumn Rolfson. He battles the X-Men before being killed by Magneto, who destroys his armor.[22][23][24][25]
In other media
[edit]Television
[edit]- Holocaust makes a non-speaking cameo appearance in the X-Men: The Animated Series episode "One Man's Worth".
- Holocaust was originally set to appear in Wolverine and the X-Men had the series been renewed for a second season.
Video games
[edit]Holocaust appears as a boss in X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse, voiced by Peter Lurie.[26] This version is a Horseman of Apocalypse who is based at the Madri Temple and is the protector of the Stepford Cuckoos, whom he refers to as the "Trinity".
References
[edit]- ^ X-Men Chronicles 01 (1995)
- ^ X-Men Chronicles #1
- ^ Astonishing X-Men #3
- ^ Astonishing X-Men #2
- ^ Gambit and the X-Ternals #1
- ^ Astonishing X-Men #1-4
- ^ X-Men: Omega
- ^ X-Men: Prime
- ^ X-Men #42-43
- ^ X-Force #48-50
- ^ X-Man #15
- ^ X-Man #16
- ^ X-Man #17
- ^ Avengers #402
- ^ X-Man Annual '97
- ^ X-Man #44
- ^ Exiles #60
- ^ Exiles #61
- ^ Exiles #62
- ^ Exiles #62
- ^ Lealos, Shawn S. (September 16, 2018). "Age Of Apocalypse: The 30 Strongest Characters In Marvel's Coolest Alternate World". CBR. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
- ^ Uncanny X-Force #13
- ^ Uncanny X-Force #14
- ^ Uncanny X-Force #17
- ^ Uncanny X-Men (vol. 4) #10
- ^ "Holocaust Voice - X-Men Legends 2: Rise of Apocalypse (Video Game)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved October 10, 2024. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its opening and/or closing credits and/or other reliable sources of information.
External links
[edit]- Holocaust at the Marvel website
- Holocaust in the "Character Glossary" of Uncannyxmen.Net
- Holocaust on Marvel Database, a Marvel Comics wiki
- Characters created by Scott Lobdell
- Comics characters introduced in 1995
- Fictional mass murderers
- Marvel Comics characters who can move at superhuman speeds
- Marvel Comics characters with superhuman strength
- Marvel Comics mutants
- Marvel Comics superheroes
- Marvel Comics supervillains
- X-Men supporting characters