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Quote1 Never let it be said Medusa isn't one to learn from her mistakes. No reflections for you two. If you boys want to beat me... you'll have to look at my beautiful face to do so. Quote2
Medusa[src]

Medusa Gorgon was the sister of the Gorgons Euryale ("wide-stepper") and Stheno ("strength") and daughter of the primeval sea beings Phorcys and Cetus.[2]

History

Pre-Cataclysmic Age[]

The Gorgon sisters did not worship their grandfather Set, but instead the Olympian gods,[2] and all three of them served as chaste priestesses of Athena.[3] Deities in their own right,[3] the Gorgons were among the most beautiful in the world, and Medusa was the comeliest.[4] Medusa lived on the remote isle in the shadow of Atlas,[4] Atlantis.[2]

Eventually, Medusa laid with Poseidon on Athena's very altar. Enraged, Athena transformed the Gorgon sisters into scaly hags with snakes for hair. All their descendants bore the same curse, creating the snake-haired Gorgons.[4]

Perseus[]

During the 14th century BC, Perseus located the Gorgons' hermitage in the wilderness surrounded by the petrified victims. Using his shield's reflective surface, Perseus beheaded Medusa and subsequently used her head as a weapon.[5][6][verification needed] The Shield of Perseus was then imbued with Medusa's power, turning those who look in its eyes to stone. It was wielded by Hercules as part of his post-invulnerability armament.[7]

Medusa-Land[]

After Medusa's death, her daughter relocated to the subterranean world below Olympia: Medusa-Land. Medusa's daughter, who took her mother's name, became the ruler of the city.[8]

Hercules[]

Generations later King Kreon of Pylos sent Hercules to retrieve the gold of Medusa from the Isle of Fear. On the island he encountered Medusa, alive and well, concealing her face behind a hood. Hercules and the Argonauts ended up slaying her once again. With Medusa's death, Jason and all her prior victims reverted back to flesh.[9]

20th Century[]

Some time later Medusa moved to Paris, France with her husband, a blind Greek man. He won an art competition by using one of Medusa's victims as an art piece.[citation needed]

Years later Mr. and Mrs. Grey bought the cursed European castle with Medusa imprisoned inside. Mr. Grey unknowingly released Medusa from her prison, but she failed to turn to stone. Thinking that her own curse had been somehow lifted, Medusa looked at herself in the mirror turning herself to stone.[10]

Modern Age[]

Medusa's Head[]

In modern times the head of Medusa was found in an archaeological dig in Greece by J. Collins Stacy. He held on to the head for many decades, until it was stolen from him by. Mr. Collins hired Marc Spector to recover the head of Medusa. Spector managed to recover the head but in a petrified state.[11]

Wolverine/Hercules[]

More recently the original Medusa was brought back to life via the Hand's resurrection ritual alongside with a number of Ancient Greek monsters to be used by Matsu'o Tsurayaba against Wolverine and Hercules.[12] Medusa's attack was unsuccessful and resulted in beheading. Ironically enough, her head was used as a weapon against another resurrected Ancient Greek monstrosity, the Kraken.[13]

Medusa Gorgon (Earth-616) from Deadpool The Gauntlet Infinite Comic Vol 1 13

Medusa sees the body Deadpool got her.

Dracula's Gauntlet[]

Sometime thereafter Medusa returned, only to be beheaded by Dracula once again. He then used her visage to turn Shiklah to stone.[14] Upon defeating Dracula after a fierce battle, Deadpool struck a deal with Medusa to reverse the petrification of his wife in exchange for helping her get a new body, which turned out to have previously belonged to Frankenstein's Monster.[15]

Attributes

Powers

Rock Transmutation: Can turn people into stone with a simple gaze. Also able to reverse the effect of petrification.[5]

Paraphernalia

Weapons

Wielded dual Greek broadswords at least on one occasion.[citation needed]

Notes

Medusa's body was used by Athena to produce numerous artifacts with mystical power, such as flutes made from Medusa's ribs.[citation needed]

Trivia

Medusa's name means a guardian or protector.

See Also

Links and References

References

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