In the 1990s, Marvel unveiled the Midnight Sons, a unique assemblage of supernatural heroes designed to confront the formidable Mother of Demons and the enigmatic Darkhold. Although they achieved victory in earlier battles, the current landscape of Marvel’s supernatural narratives has shifted dramatically: Chthon has been unleashed, the Darkhold is wandering free, and a cult of Darkholders has ignited the resurgence of one of Hell’s most ominous threats. For this reason, the Midnight Sons must rise once more.
While the brightly dressed heroes—think Captain America and Spider-Man—often steal the spotlight, a more sinister narrative has woven its way through Marvel’s supernatural comic universe. The ramifications of this dark story arc have permeated through every major supernatural comic line, and following the Blood Hunt, malevolent forces are becoming increasingly bold.
The Blood Hunt has catalyzed a partial regrouping of the Midnight Sons; however, the original malevolence that invoked their creation is back. In the sixth issue of Werewolf by Night, crafted by Jason Loo and Ton Lima, the notorious Lilith has made her comeback, laying the groundwork for the Midnight Sons’ revival.
The Origins of the Midnight Sons
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First Generation Roster of the Midnight Sons: |
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Johnny Blaze |
Vengeance |
Danny Ketch |
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Blade |
Morbius |
Hannibal King |
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Vicki Montesi |
Doctor Strange |
The Caretaker |
During the reign of the original Midnight Sons, Lilith launched a strategic offensive against Marvel’s supernatural guardians to weaken the mystical barriers restraining her. This initial team was mysteriously convened by Doctor Strange to stand against Lilith and her Lilin. Although they managed to thwart her, Lilith returned, now pregnant and accompanied by her lover, the demon Zarathos. Following another fierce battle, the elite members of the team were marked with the brand of the true Order of the Midnight Sons, originally established millennia ago to combat Chthon and the inaugural Darkholders.
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Second Generation Roster of the Midnight Sons: |
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People |
Doctor Voodoo |
Johnny Blaze |
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Blade |
Moon Knight |
Iron Fist |
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Elsa Bloodstone |
Scarlet Spider |
Man-Thing |
Although various factions of the Midnight Sons have briefly formed throughout the years, the most significant reassembly occurred during the Doctor Strange: Damnation arc. When Mephisto took Las Vegas and the Avengers fell under his control, Wong called upon a new version of the Midnight Sons to combat this Hellish peril. After they succeeded, the team disbanded once more. A new grouping emerged later amid the Endless Darkness instigated by Varnae, the original vampire and founding member of the Darkholders. Notably, hidden within the Blood Hunt narrative is the foreshadowing of events yet to unfold.
Chthon’s Return Begins a New Era for the Darkhold
Until the occurrence of the Blood Hunt, Marvel’s supernatural champions experienced a respite from their greatest adversary. In Steve Orlando’s Darkhold series, the Scarlet Witch finally vanquished Chthon, absorbing both his essence and the Darkhold. Within this binding, the Earth’s primal evil was contained. But in a misguided ambition to fabricate a new Darkhold, Agatha Harkness infiltrated Wanda’s spirit and extracted Chthon’s heart. This ambitious act led to the unintended birth of a living embodiment of the Darkhold.
Although Wanda’s psychic confinement kept Chthon at bay, her tragic demise at the hands of the Griever during the End of All Things cracked the barrier enough to allow the Elder God to escape. Chthon now roams freely in the shadows, gathering his strength, unchained for the first time in modern memory, with plans to unleash turmoil across the Earth and reclaim his dominion, awaiting the restoration of the Darkhold as his companion.
Lilith’s Return to Reclaim Her Throne
The living Darkhold has recently found a place within the Strange Academy, but a new faction of Darkholders is assembling with ambitions of recreating a true Darkhold. Implicated by Varnae’s global domination and his ephemeral hostings of Zarathos, The Hood and his followers have embraced their deepest desires with unrestrained fervor. They believe that the Werewolf by Night—whose existence intricately links him to the Darkhold—is integral for their ritualistic plans and have begun fervently pursuing him as a means to that end.
With Chthon and Lilith unbound, the prospect of the Darkhold being restored looms ominously, urging for the Midnight Sons to intervene. In this intense climate, Jack Russell and Elsa Bloodstone’s efforts are being countered by the Darkholders’ malevolent scheme; indeed, they have captured the Werewolf by Night. However, in their grim pursuit has arisen an even greater menace, signaling that only the Midnight Sons can stave off the impending chaos—Lilith’s return signifies an approaching apocalypse heralded by ancient evils. The necessity for the Midnight Sons to assemble has never been greater.
The Midnight Sons Are More Powerful Than Ever
When United, No Evil Can Overcome Them
Fortunately, Marvel is blessed with heroes poised to tackle this looming calamity. As threats surrounding the Darkhold grow, so too does the power of the Midnight Sons. Following the Blood Hunt, a new force known as the Spirit of Violence emerged, calling forth the original Ghost Riders—Johnny Blaze, Danny Ketch, and Vengeance. In his quest for redemption, Blade has remolded himself into a formidable warrior, hardened by resilience. Moon Knight has emerged once more, stepping in to aid against the Darkholders’ resurgence.
Although neither carries the title of Sorcerer Supreme currently, Stephen and Clea Strange have evolved into an extraordinary magical force. Moreover, the clash between the Scarlet Witch and Agatha Harkness presents a convoluted mess to resolve. Alongside other stalwarts of the Marvel supernatural landscape—such as Doctor Voodoo, Nico Minoru, Magik, and Man-Thing—the stage is being carefully set for the most potent incarnation of the Midnight Sons yet.
Back-to-Back Marvel Events May Slow the Sons’ Comeback
Future Narratives Could Reveal Clues
While Jack Russell and Elsa Bloodstone find themselves sidelined for the moment, intervention remains plausible. Realistically, Marvel’s timeline for resurrecting the Midnight Sons may not be imminent. With Doctor Doom positioned as a world-dominating Sorcerer Supreme, there’s a different arcane crisis at the forefront. Coupled with the inescapable threat of upcoming Tribulation Events, including the “Death Moon” and the “Cannibal Culture,” Marvel may be concealing hints to the Midnight Sons’ return within these unfolding narratives.
As the ramifications of the Blood Hunt continue to ripple throughout the Marvel Universe, and with Doom’s ascension, the responsibilities of the Sorcerer Supreme may falter. The actions of Varnae have unearthed numerous ancient evils, as Chthon once again treads the Earth and Lilith’s Darkholders inch closer to their sinister objectives. The power of the Darkhold is amplifying at an alarming rate, which cannot remain unchecked for long. Piece by piece, Marvel is progressing toward an unprecedented catastrophe, preparing the only heroes capable of thwarting it. The moment for the revival of Marvel’s Midnight Sons is nearing.
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