Hephaestus (DC)
Hephaestus is a male character who features in DC Comics.
Contents |
Biography
Pre-Crisis
Hephaestus
Hephaestus, god of fire, was an enemy of Wonder Woman and ally to Ares. He crafted the android Golden Girls, whom Diana realized were only obeying him because he had forced control over them after giving them autonomy when she accidentally freed Hesione. One of his plans with Ares involved burning hundreds of people in New York, but while he and his Golden Girls caused a lot of property damage Diana was able to keep the fatalities to a minimum. Diana's friend Julie Gabriel was the only confirmed death in Hephaestus' fiery assault, outside of the Golden Girls that were torn apart in the fight. (Wonder Woman v1 #227)
Post-Crisis
Following the Crisis on Infinite Earths, a new version of reality was created with a different history of events.
Post-Flashpoint
Following the Flashpoint, a new version of reality was created with a different history of events.
When he was still a very young god, Hephaestus was exiled from Mount Olympus, banished for his lameness. Determined to regain his place among the gods, he devoted himself to creating wonders in his forge here on Earth, instruments of peace and war, and his first creation was made from a meteorite that fell to Earth, made of ore and immense magical power with something trapped in its core: the Amber Lightning. The small beast inside it whispered to whoever touched its prison voices that declaimed words of hate, driving all those who listen mad. (Shazam! v5 #17)
Later Lennox, Eros and Hephaestus journey to Hades after being invited to his wedding with Diana, only to arrive in time to see Diana make her escape. Despite the wedding being cancelled and Hades being very upset about it all, mostly because he didn't understand how Diana could love everyone since he doesn't love himself to any degree, Hephaestus presents Hades with a present, which turns out to be a silver mirror. Diana makes a long shot at Hades with one of Eros' pistols while he was looking at himself in the mirror.
Overview
Personality and attributes
One incarnation of him was a large ogre like creature with pointed teeth and crusting lava from his elbows down.
He was known as the God of Fire and as He Who Shines by Day. (Wonder Woman v1 #226)
Among his Golden Girl androids was Hesione who was created by Hephaestus to serve him in burning humans in his alliance with Mars, but her emotional restraint was removed by Wonder Woman and she immediately betrayed him. (Wonder Woman v1 #227)
Powers and abilities
Hephaestus was notable for being a Greek god of the Olympian pantheon that gave him a range of superhuman abilities. (Wonder Woman v1 #226)
As an Olympians, he could mentally communicate with his worshippers, transmitting their image at interdimensional range, and possibly can do the same to any other intelligent being. (Countdown to Final Crisis v1 #10)
He could turn his fists into flames where it was said that no living being either mortal or immortal were capable of withstanding it. These limbs of living flames could extend allowing him to strike distant targets. He could also use this power to send enough flames to create a wall of fire. (Wonder Woman v1 #226) Hephaestus could easily defy the natural laws and set water on fire. (Wonder Woman v1 #227)
The Olympians can travel between Olympus and Earth, or send artifacts between them. (Wonder Woman v2 #1)
Among his creations included:
- Golden Girls : (Wonder Woman v1 #227)
- Viscero-Combustor : a weapon capable of causing fires to erupt among those that experienced intense emotions with these passion-flames consuming everything around them. (Wonder Woman v1 #226)
- Lasso of Truth :
He created female humanoid constructs called Golden Handmaidens that were robots built in his forges and served him. (Wonder Woman v1 #226)
His forge hidden under Mount Etna, because he prefers not having visitors. While his armory contains many weapons and suits of armor, both ancient and modern, like swords and miniguns, Hepheastus also creates many pieces of exceptional jewelry.
Notes
- Hephaestus was created by Martin Pasko and Jose Delbo where he made his first appearance in Wonder Woman v1 #226 (November, 1976).
- The character was based on the Hephaestus from Greek Myth.
Alternate Versions
In other media
Television
- In Justice League Unlimited, Hephaestus appeared in the setting of the DC Animated Universe in the episode "Hawk and Dove" where he was voiced by actor Edward Asner. Hephaestus was responsible for the armor of Wonder Woman and the Annihilator commissioned by his brother Ares. According to himself, he always includes some sort of weakness in everything he makes, so that no one or thing can get too powerful. He also offered to make alterations to Wonder Woman's armor since it was originally made for her mother, who did not have Diana's build.
Video games
- In DC Legends, Hephaestus was referenced in the setting of the mobile video game. The Sword of Hephaestus was an item that was equipped by Wonder Woman.
Appearances
- Wonder Woman v1: (1976)
- Wonder Woman v2:
External Links
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