DEMON of the DIAMONDS

Real Name: Unrevealed

Identity/Class: possible Demon (see comments)

Occupation: Guardian of the Diamonds of Doom

Group Membership: None

Affiliations: possible agent of Neptune

Enemies: Namor;
    all who have ever approached the Diamonds of Doom

Known Relatives: None

Aliases: None

Base of Operations: The Diamonds of Doom, located at the farthest corner of the realm of Atlantis

First Appearance: Tales to Astonish I#73 (November, 1965)

Powers/Abilities: The Demon of the Diamonds lives at the ocean depths and is thus amphibious, and possesses superhuman strength (Class 10-25) and durability. He carries a knife and wears a jeweled hat which renders him immune to the life-sapping light of the Diamonds of Doom.

History:
(Tales to Astonish I#72+73 (fb) - BTS) - The Diamonds of Doom have allegedly existed since the beginning of time...feared and shunned by all who inhabit the silent world. The Demon of the Diamonds was apparently placed there to serve as a challenge for any who had seek the role of Sub-Mariner, or the worthy heir(?) of Namor. He had apparently slain or enslaved all who have approached and been weakened by the Diamonds, as they have proven unworthy.

(Tales to Astonish I#72 - BTS) - As part of his quest to gain the trident of Neptune, Namor was sent--by a big fish with a diamond in its mouth, no less--to the location of the forbidden Diamonds of Doom. As he approached, the Diamonds began to sap his life-force and he collapsed to the ground.

(Tales to Astonish I#73) - The Demon of the Diamonds appeared and identified Namor as his next servant. Brandishing his knife, the Demon insisted that Namor swear eternal servitude or perish. However, Namor renewed his strength by drawing energy from the undersea flora and fauna around him (one of his on-again, off-again fish powers). Namor dodged the several parries from the Demon's blade, striking back mightily and battering the Demon, knocking the hat from his head. Though the Demon was now affected by the Diamonds as well, he managed to retrieve his hat and renew his power, while Namor was blinded by the glare and stumbled as the Diamonds sapped his power again.

    The Demon raised his blade and prepared to finish off Namor, but the Avenging Son summoned a school(?) of electric eels which shocked the Demon into unconsciousness. The eels then spoke with the voice of Neptune, sending Namor on the final step of his journey: to face the Faceless Ones!

Comments: Created by smilin' Stan Lee and amiable Adam Austin (Gene Colan).

    It would appear likely that both the Demon and the Diamonds are creations of Neptune, but they may have just been perceived as a worthy test for Namor by him. If they were creations, the Demon could be a magical creation, an empowered human of Homo mermani (Atlantean), or an Olympian God.

CLARIFICATIONS:
No known connection to:

• DEMON of the CAVES of the Hyborian era - see BLACK STRANGER--Treasures of Tranicos; Savage Sword of Conan#47
• DEMON of the DARK - --Defenders I#1
• DEMON of the DUNES - encountered Arabian Knight, possessed his family, attempted to trick him into slaying his own son to free his family, dispelled when the Knight refused to kill his son--Marvel Comics Presents#47/4
• DEMON of the MASK - Netherworld of Eternal Doom dimension--Strange Tales I#136
• DEMON of the SANDS - gigantic demon summoned by Rakses via Orb of Ra, returned to sands after N'Kantu retook the Orb--Bloodstone#3
• DEMON who DEVOURED HOLLYWOOD - film, demon originally played by Jason Roland who made deal with Satannish to become better actor and had suit bonded to skin by him, a remake was attempted more recently, but was sabotaged by Roland as Hangman
      --Tower of Shadows#5
• other "Demon" or "Diamond" characters

The Diamonds of Doom have no known connection to:

• DIAMOND of DOOM – weapon of Mole Man, used to bring victims down to Subterranea
       —Marvel Treasury Edition#25

DIAMONDS of DOOM

    The Diamonds of Doom are of unknown origin, but have allegedly existed since the beginning of time...feared and shunned by all who inhabit the silent world. Namor was sent to the Diamonds of Doom by an agent of Neptune. As Namor approached them, he collapsed when they began to drain his life-force. The Demon of the Diamonds appeared to finish off Namor, but he managed to overcome the Demon.

    The Diamonds emit a brilliant light which saps the strength from those exposed to it. Only the jeweled hat of the Demon of the Diamonds can protect its wearer from their power.

--Tales to Astonish I#72 (73

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Other appearances:
Tales to Astonish I#72 (October, 1965) - Stan Lee (writer/editor), Gene Colan (pencils), Vince Colletta (inks)

Last updated: 12/09/03

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

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