Malik Tous was the title of a "foul god-thing" worshiped in the "mysterious wastes of deep Asia".[1] It was also worshiped during the Hyborian Age as Melek Taosi.[2]
Allegedly the sole dark master over the souls of men, he was also known as Satan, the prince of darkness, Beelzebub, or Ahriman, and signed contracts with mortals, exchanging their soul and body for wealth and longevity.[1]
History
Origin[]
It was stated that Malik Tous was the only master over the souls of men, that he was the essence of all evil in the universe, the prince of darkness himself.[1]
Hyborian Age and further worship[]
During the Hyborian Age, his name was invoked as Melek Taosi by a Skull-Boner in the Brythunian city of Potrebia.[2]
It became worshiped in the "mysterious wastes of deep Asia". It was stated that he was the only dark master over the souls of men, and they called him Satan, the Prince of Darkness, Beelzebub, Ahriman, or Malik Tous.[1]
18th century[]
Over two hundred years ago, John Grimlan signed a contract with Malik Tous, selling over his soul and body in exchange for longevity or wealth. He also formulated a will where he granted all his worldly possessions to Malik Tous.
The contract was the following:
- "To ye contract elsewhere recorded, I, John Grimlan, hereby swear by ye name of ye Nameless One to keep good faith wherefore I now do write in blood these words, to be read over my body at the appointed time.
- He beginneth ye incantation:
- Before Man was, ye Elder Ones were and their Lord, who dwelleth ever among ye shadows to which, if a man set his foot, he may not turn upon his track! He may gain his heart's desire --riches beyond counting, and life beyond mortal span of many a year. Nor let ye mortal flinch as ye time draweth nigh for payment of ye price which hath been agreed upon for that which hath been promised... even that shall be delivered!
- There is but one dark master over ye souls of men-- though men may call him Satan, or Beelzebub, or Ahriman, or Malik Tous.
- Approacheth now ye moment of payment! Ye light fails-- Ye shadows gather, there is no god but evil-- No light but darkness-- No hope but-- Doom![1]
20th century[]
_from_Journey_Into_Mystery_Vol_2_1_0002.jpg){kind=link}
Human form
Grimlan gave his friend, the professor Conrad, a sealed envelope with the contract, asking him to never give him back to him, but would a month later, on his deathbed, ask for Conrad to destroy it or to give him back, and to scatter pieces of his body in the world.
Conrad immediately went to his friend Dan Kirowan, for the two to return to Grimlan's house to inquire on the subject of his death. They were soon faced by the revelation of Malik Taus in the matter, and were soon joined by a mysterious man (in fact Malik Tous) who organized a ceremony for Grimlan. Without presenting himself, the man urged Conrad to read the contract, which he felt compelled to. At the end of the invocation, both the man and Grimlan's body had disappeared, and the house started to burn. Kirowan and Conrad were able to flee, only to see the house burned down and a monstrous bat-like being flee in the sky with Grimlan's body.[1]Attributes
Powers
Malik Tous was somehow able to assume different forms, including a human form and the one of a massive humanoid monstrous bats.
Through contract, he granted a mortal longevity over two hundred years.[1]Paraphernalia
Equipment
Notes
- The name "Malik Tous" derived from that of an angel in the Yazidi religion which is also known as Melek Taus, Tawûsê Melek, or Taus-Melek. The angel is a benevolent entity according to the Yazidi faith, but he has been re-interpreted as a demon by some religious opponents.
- He was adapted by Robert E. Howard in the story "Dig Me No Grave" (Weird Tales; February, 1937), adapted in Journey Into Mystery (Vol. 2) #1 (October, 1972) by Roy Thomas and Gil Kane.
- An angel by the name of Taus-Melek is mentioned in a list of angels who have fallen but, according to unconfirmed sources, Taus-Melek was pardoned by Yahweh and his fate remains unrevealed.[3][4] It is unknown whether Taus-Melek and Malik Tous are the same entity.
See Also
- 1 appearance(s) of Malik Tous (Earth-616)
- 1 invocation(s) of Malik Tous (Earth-616)
- 2 image(s) of Malik Tous (Earth-616)
Links and References
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 Journey Into Mystery (Vol. 2) #1 ; Dig Me No Grave
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Conan the Adventurer #5 ; The Woman Who Walks Alone
- ↑ Marvel Zombies: The Book of Angels, Demons & Various Monstrosities #1 ; Angels' profile
- ↑ Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A-Z #1 ; Angels' profile