Nicholas Scratch is a

supervillain A supervillain, supervillainess or supercriminal is a major antagonist and variant of the villainous stock character who possesses Superpower (ability), superpowers. The character type is sometimes found in comic books and is often the primary ...

appearing in

American comic book An American comic book is a thin periodical literature originating in the United States, commonly between 24 and 64 pages, containing comics. While the form originated in 1933, American comic books first gained popularity after the 1938 publ ...

s published by

Marvel Comics Marvel Comics is a New York City–based comic book publishing, publisher, a property of the Walt Disney Company since December 31, 2009, and a subsidiary of Disney Publishing Worldwide since March 2023. Marvel was founded in 1939 by Martin G ...

. The son of

Agatha Harkness Agatha Harkness is a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in ''Fantastic Four'' #94 (October 1969). Agatha Harkness is a powerful wi ...

, he is a warlock and father of the

Salem's Seven Salem's Seven is a fictional team of magical beings and former supervillains appearing in Marvel Comics. They were initially foes of the Scarlet Witch and the Fantastic Four, but became allies to both. All seven are the children of Nicholas Scrat ...

and predominantly a foe of the

Fantastic Four The Fantastic Four, often abbreviated as FF, is a superhero team appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The team debuted in '' The Fantastic Four'' #1 ( cover-dated November 1961), helping usher in a new level of realism i ...

and

Patsy Walker Patricia "Patsy" Walker is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Stuart Little and Ruth Atkinson, Patsy Walker first appeared in ''Miss America Magazine'' #2 (November 1944), published by Marvel prec ...

. The character made his live-action debut in the

Marvel Cinematic Universe The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is an American media franchise and shared universe centered on List of Marvel Cinematic Universe films, a series of superhero films produced by Marvel Studios. The films are based on characters that appe ...

miniseries '' Agatha All Along'', portrayed by Abel Lysenko.

Publication history

Nicholas Scratch first appeared in ''

'' #185 (August 1977) and was created by

Len Wein Leonard Norman Wein (; June 12, 1948 – September 10, 2017) was an American comic book writer and editor best known for co-creating DC Comics' Swamp Thing and Marvel Comics' Wolverine (character), Wolverine, and for helping revive the Marvel sup ...

(writer) and

George Pérez George Pérez (; June 9, 1954 – May 6, 2022) was an American comic book artist and writer, who worked primarily as a penciller. He came to prominence in the 1970s penciling ''Fantastic Four (comic book), Fantastic Four'' and ''The Avengers (c ...

(artist). The name "Nicholas Scratch" is an

amalgam Amalgam most commonly refers to: * Amalgam (chemistry), mercury alloy * Amalgam (dentistry), material of silver tooth fillings ** Bonded amalgam, used in dentistry Amalgam may also refer to: * Amalgam Comics, a publisher * Amalgam Digital, an in ...

of colloquial and

euphemistic A euphemism ( ) is when an expression that could offend or imply something unpleasant is replaced with one that is agreeable or inoffensive. Some euphemisms are intended to amuse, while others use bland, inoffensive terms for concepts that the u ...

names for the Devil: "

Old Nick Old Nick can mean: * A nickname for the devil in Christian tradition * Niccolò Machiavelli * Old Nick (beer), from Young's Brewery * Old Nick Company, a student theatre company at the University of Tasmania, Australia * A nickname for the Swa ...

" and "

Old Scratch Old Scratch or Mr. Scratch is a nickname or pseudonym for the Devil. The name likely comes from Middle English ''scrat'', the name of a demon or goblin, derived from Old Norse ''skratte''. Mentions Examples of usage of the name "Old Scratch" are ...

" or "Mr. Scratch" (as used in "

The Devil and Daniel Webster "The Devil and Daniel Webster" (1936) is a short story by American writer Stephen Vincent Benét. He tells of a New Hampshire farmer who sells his soul to the devil and is later defended by a fictionalized Daniel Webster, a noted 19th-century A ...

").

Fictional character biography

The son of

, Nicholas Scratch originates from New Salem, Colorado, a secret community of magic users. After Agatha leaves Salem, Scratch becomes a warlock and the father of

with several mothers. He turns Salem's residents against Agatha, but is defeated and banished to the Dark Realm after the Fantastic Four confront him. While in the Dark Realm, Scratch restores the Seven's powers and brainwashes the Fantastic Four to conquer the world, but Agatha thwarts his plans and confines him to the Dark Realm. He also mentally possesses Franklin and has the Seven take over New Salem, but Agatha and

Gabriel the Devil Hunter Gabriel the Devil Hunter is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character has appeared as an exorcist in several of Marvel's occult titles. A female version of the character named Gabriella Rose ...

defeat him, after which Agatha removes his powers and disowns him. Following the destruction of New Salem, Scratch resurfaces in the town of Centerville as "Mayor Nicholas", which, along with its residents, had entered a contract as an amusement park version of "America's Heartland Next-Door." When

returns to visit her hometown, she discovers that its residents have been possessed by demons. A team composed of the

Avengers Avenger(s) or The Avenger(s) may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Marvel Comics universe * Avengers (comics), a team of superheroes **Avengers (Marvel Cinematic Universe), a central team of protagonist superheroes of "The Infinity Sag ...

and the Thunderbolts help to clear the town, which was being victimized by a conspiracy composed of the amusement park developers, the

Sons of the Serpent The Sons of the Serpent are a supervillain group appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist Don Heck, the group first appeared in '' The Avengers'' #32 (September 1966). The Sons of the Se ...

, and the Seven. After defeating them, the Avengers and the Thunderbolts depart, but Patsy decides to stay in Centerville. After discovering that Scratch is the mastermind behind the ongoing haunting of Centerville, Patsy defeats him and accuses him of serving

Mephisto Mephisto or Mephistopheles is one of the chief demons of German literary tradition. Mephisto or Mephistopheles may also refer to: Film and television * ''Méphisto'', a 1931 French film * Mephisto (1981 film), ''Mephisto'' (1981 film), a Germa ...

. However, Scratch summons his true master,

Dormammu Dormammu () is a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, the character first appeared in ''Strange Tales'' #126 (November 1964). He is the extra and inter-dimensional demonic e ...

, who abducts Hellcat and reveals his plans for domination by conquering Hell and that Scratch will become

Sorcerer Supreme Dr. Stephen Vincent Strange is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Steve Ditko, the character first appeared in ''Strange Tales'' #110 (cover-dated July 1963). Doctor Strange serves as ...

. However, the Hell Lords thwart Dormammu's plan, after which he and Scratch flee. In ''

Marvel Knights 4 ''Marvel Knights 4'' is the name of a comic book series featuring the Marvel Comics superhero team, the Fantastic Four. The series was launched as part of the company's Marvel Knights imprint, and ran for 30 issues (Apr. 2004 – Aug. 2006). Al ...

'', Scratch manipulates the Seven and the Fantastic Four into releasing

Shuma-Gorath Shuma-Gorath () is a character (arts), character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Steve Englehart and Frank Brunner, the character first appeared in ''Marvel Premiere'' #10 (September 1973). Shuma-Gorath bel ...

. However, he is defeated and banished to Hell, where he meets and allies with Mephisto.

Powers and abilities

Nicholas Scratch possesses vast indeterminate power through manipulation of the forces of magic. This gives him various magical powers, including teleportation, energy manipulation, dimensional travel, mind control, telepathy, and illusion generation. Scratch also wields the Satan Staff, a mystical power object that focuses his magic.

In other media

* Nicholas Scratch appears in '' The Avengers: United They Stand'' episode "The Sorceress's Apprentice", voiced by

Stephen Ouimette Stephen Ouimette is a Canadian actor and director. Although mostly known for his stage work, particularly at the Stratford Festival of Canada and on Broadway in '' La Bete'', he achieved TV fame (and a Gemini Award) as the ghostly Oliver Welles i ...

. * Nicholas Scratch appears in '' Agatha All Along'', portrayed by Abel Lysenko. This version was born in the 1750s and was intended to die at birth. However,

saves him by bargaining with

Death Death is the end of life; the irreversible cessation of all biological functions that sustain a living organism. Death eventually and inevitably occurs in all organisms. The remains of a former organism normally begin to decompose sh ...

to raise him for six years until he ultimately dies.

References

External links

Nicholas Scratch
at Marvel.com * {{DEFAULTSORT:Scratch, Nicholas Characters created by George Pérez Characters created by Len Wein Comics characters introduced in 1977 Fantastic Four characters Marvel Comics characters who can teleport Marvel Comics characters who use magic Marvel Comics supervillains