DENAK

Real Name: Denak

Identity/Class: Demon, magic user

Occupation: Mystic Entity, leader of demons

Group Membership: None

Affiliations: Ancient One, Sir Anthony Baskerville, Mr. Catherwood, Clea, Kaluu, Baron Mordo, Nox, Jacob Roark, Doctor Strange (Stephen Strange), Umar, Zom and a lot of other mystics

Enemies: Other unnamed mystic entities involved in the War of the Seven Spheres

Known Relatives: None

Aliases: Danak, Denakk

Base of Operations: Extradimensional realm, possibly the dimension of Raggadorr.

First Appearance: (Demons of Danak) Strange Tales#149 (October, 1966);
    (Demons of Denak, named) Strange Tales#157 (June, 1967);
    (seen in humanoid form) Doctor Strange Sorcerer Supreme#49 (January, 1993); {Italian issue: Dottor Strange#0 Marvel Italia (aprile 1995)}

Powers/Abilities: Denak has vast knowledge and power over magic forces at a level comparable to deities. Denak sometime grants his power to mystics and magic users who mainly invoke his demons. Some enchantements involving his power are: the "Disks of Denak", flat, purple disks that fly from the hand as Eldritch Crystals of Incredible power rank; the “Demons of Denak”  a spell that summons a moltitude of demons to obey to the sorcerer's will. The exclamation "Demons of Denak!" is not a simple interjection but considered a curse, it is rather common to be heard in dreadful, surprising and dangerous situations, it is unknown if its pronounciation serves also as a general form of exorcism against the threat forthcoming. Not all the uses of the "Demons of Denak" power were directed to evil purposes, in some cases it was used to dispel other enchantements and to restore magic objects to its original form; the "Daggers of Denak", a whirling wheel of cutting magic blades, effective in physical attacks or defenses. 

History: 
(Strange Tales#149 (fb) - BTS) - Denak and his demons were creature of darkness, and lived in a dimension beyond the farthest reaches of the universe, a Nameless dimension, "The Place which is not a Place". 

(Doctor Strange III#48 - BTS) - As many other powerful mystic beings, Denak was involved in the War of the Seven Spheres, a Pan-cyclic conflict between magic entities which will endure for 5000 years.

(Strange Tales I#149) - Some demons of Danak, summoned and driven by the evil Kaluu, were banished by Doctor Strange using the light of the Amulet of Agamotto.

(Doctor Strange III#49) - Denak, looking for a champion to fight for him in the War of the Seven Spheres, wanted to enslave Strange, because of the many times he granted his help to the sorcerer to cast his spells. So, he reached the dimension where Dr. Strange was. There, he found that many other mystic entities sought for the sorcerer's services: the Vishanti, who he considered his enemies, and also Cyttorak, Watoomb, Ikonn, the Seraphim, the Faltines, Munnopor, Raggadorr, Satannish and Valtorr. Unable to fulfil none of the requests, Strange invoked the Law of Emancipation, refusing to serve Denak and any other being in their multi-dimensional war. Denak and the other mystic entities then, had to accepted Strange's denial of service, so hurled him back to the Earth but negated him any help in the future.

(Doctor Strange III#80 (fb) - BTS) - Raggadorr presumably participated in the War of the Seven Spheres, but how active a roll he took and for which side he fought is unrevealed.

Comments: Demons of Danak created by Dennis O'Neil (writer), Bill Everett (pencils), Stan Lee (editor);
    Denak's name was first used in a spell by Stan Lee.
    Form revealed by Len Kaminski (writer), Geof Isherwood (pencils), Petrecca & Hudson (inks), George Roussos (colors).

    In Doctor Strange III#59, Strange revived Pura-Shamutra, one of the entities involved in the War of the Seven Spheres, whose death had caused a cosmic unbalance and had seriously damaged the tissue of the Universe. Strange convinced Pura-Shamutra that the War could lead to the annihilation of everything and that the annihilation was probably the purpose of the Trinity of Ashes. Pura-Shamutra promised to intervene to stop the destruction.
    It is my opinion that Geof Isherwood's purpose about the future events was that Pura-Shamutra and/or Strange would manage to stop the War, convincing the other mystic entities about the extreme danger related to the death of one of them, and eventually that Munipoor and the other entities who tried to enslave Strange would gave him again their favor.--Spidermay
    Instead, in Doctor Strange III#80, Strange revealed that he had fought BTS in the War and that he had regained the favor of the Vishanti (and, probably, Denak's favor, too).

    Denak received an entry in the Manual of Misticism by TSR. There, it is stated that one of his aliases is Danak, as shown in Strange Tales I#149. Also, in Defenders I#113, a spell casted by Strange, involved the "shrieking" demons of Denakk, which is another alias of Denak. Still in the Manual of Misticism it is supposed (as seen in Strange Tales I#157) that that the Demons of Denak (and, I suppose, Denak, too) were originated in the dimension of Raggadorr, a place also referred to as Nameless Dimension and "the Place which is not a Place".

Per David Sexton

1. Entities can steal energy from an unwilling source by consuming the source entirely or by draining a portion of energy from the source. This exchange is one-way. The entity takes energy.
2. Entities can be given spiritual energy unconditionally in the form of worship. Statements of worship come in the, "I believe..." format. Worshippers may also petition for favors, etc., but this form of prayer is an affirmation of their belief and of the entities existence. The worshippers expect nothing in return. This exchange is also one way. The entity is given energy. 
3. An entity may grant energy to a petitioner in answer to an invocation or prayer. The mere act of being asked gives the entity power and so to encourage this action, some spiritual beings will grant power to an individual who invokes their name in the proper way. The entity may chose to ignore the request. I would theorize that the spiritual energy or "mystic potential" present in the petitioner plays a part in how often requests are granted. The invocation or prayers of an individual who has large amounts of spiritual energy would provide the entity with a more enticing exchange and they would be more inclined to answer them.

    Thanks to Catherine Yronwode and her THE LESSER BOOK OF THE VISHANTI web-site, I was able to easily find some occasions in which Munnopor's name was used by Dr. Strange for his spells. The invocations which produced an effective spell could means that Munnopor was BTS. I added many other spells invoking Munnopor to the Yronwode's list, nonetheless, the list is not complete, and some spells are re-translated from Italian to English. Feel free to let us know what is missing or uncorrect, specifying the issue, the caster, the effects of the spell and all the information useful to describe and understand it. In this list, when not specified, the spellcaster was Strange.--Spidermay

Strange Tales I#157: Conjure: Final Destruction 

By all the demons of Denak--
let the ultimate fate--
the ultimate doom--
engulf you!

[Note: Zom invoked the demons of Denak and enveloped Strange with a shrinking force full of thorns.]

Strange Tales I#158: Alteration: Restore Cloak

By the Crimson Bands of Cyttorak --
by Hoggoth's Hoary horde --
by the dreaded demons of Denak --
my cloak now rise -- restored!!

Strange Tales I#175: Banish: Rings of Negativistic, Nihilistic Force

By the seven Bands of Cyttorak --
by whom all things are held --
by the dark-souled Demons of Denak --
now be these bands dispelled!

Marvel Feature I#1: Conjure

Chiamo in aiuto le forze di Hoggoth...  i Demoni di Denak...  il nome dell'Onnipotente Oshtur...  e anche il Satannish stesso...! Italian version

I call in my aid the Hosts of Hoggoth... the Demons of Denak... the name of the All-Knowing Oshtur... and the Satannish himself...! Attempt at re-translate--Spidermay

[Note: Strange used the enchantement to give to his body the strength pass through a wall of steel.]

Doctor Strange II#9:
    Exclamation: Demons of Denak! (Umar)
    Exclamation: Demons of Denak! (Umar)

Doctor Strange II#12: The Ancient One conjured the Demons of Denak

Defenders I#38: Exclamation: Demons of Denak!

Defenders Annual#1: Exclamation: Demons of Denak!

Doctor Strange II#23: Exclamation: Demons of Denak!

Doctor Strange II#24: Exclamation: By the Demons of Denak!

Defenders I#57: Exclamation: Demons of Denak! (Clea)

Doctor Strange II#38: Exclamation: Demons of Denak! (Clea)

Doctor Strange II#42: Exclamation: Demons of Denak!

Defenders I#73: Exclamation: Demons of Denak!

Defenders I#81:
    Exclamation: Demons of Denak!
    Exclamation: Demons of Denak! (again)

Doctor Strange II#45: Exclamation: Demons of Denak!

Defenders I#98: Exclamation: Demons of Denak!

Defenders I#100: Exclamation: Demons of Denak!

Doctor Strange II#47: Conjure: Chains of Krakkan

Per i Demons of Denak e di Hoggoth il cupo clan, che il nemico sia racchiuso nelle catene di Krakkan. Italian version

By the demons of Denak and Hoggoth's gloomy clan... be the enemy restrained by the Chains of Krakkan! Attempt at re-translate--Spidermay

    Conjure: Disks of Denak

Doctor Strange II#51: Necromancy

Per l'orda demoniaca di Denak, per la fiamma alle Faltine strappata, per la scarlatta notte di Draggus, lasciate che Mordo rinasca! Italian version

By Denak's dreadful hordes, by the Faltine's robbed flame, by the purple night of Draggus, let Mordo born again! . Attempt at re-translate--Spidermay

[Note: Casted by Sir Anthony Baskerville.]

 

Doctor Strange II#56: Exclamation: By Denak! [Demonicus]

Defenders I#113: Doctor Strange conjured a Sphere of Silence against Lady Lark 

Per gli urlanti Demons of Denakk Per il grido senza tempo di Eternità che appaia ora una Sfera di Silenzio... e faccia cessare questo canto! Italian version

By the shrieking demons of Denakk By the timeless screaming of Eternity let a Sphere of Silence now attack... and let this singing no more be! Attempt at re-translate--Spidermay

Doctor Strange II#78: Exclamation: Demons of Denak!

Doctor Strange II#80: Exclamation: Demons of Denak!

Strange Tales II#4: Exclamation: Demons of Denak!

Strange Tales II#12: Exclamation: Demons of Denak! (Catherwood)

Strange Tales II#15: Exclamation: Demons of Denak! (Kaluu)

Strange Tales II#19: Exclamation: ...Demons of Denak... (Jacob Roark)

Doctor Strange Sorcerer Supreme#5: Invocation: Reveal Foe

By the Demons of Denak--
reveal the foe at the Mirror's back!

Doctor Strange Sorcerer Supreme#7/1: Banish: Agamotto

By Faltine and Ikonn and dark Valtorr,
by Seraphim, Denak and Raggadorr--
by Dormammu, Watoomb and Cyttorak--
Agamotto be now hurled back!

Black Knight II#4: Banish: Fomorians

Mentre lo scudo protettivo di Seraphim trattiene le legioni delle cose-demoni... che questi Fomor dinanzi a me siano incatenati...con i rossi legami di Cyttorak... e che la mia magia possa scagliarli per sempre nei reami oscuri del terribile Denak! Italian version

While the protective shield of the Seraphim holds the demon-things' pack... let these Fomorians before me be chained...with the crimson bands of Cyttorak... and let my magic hurl them in the dark realms of the dreadful Denak! Attempt at re-translate--Spidermay

Doctor Strange Sorcerer Supreme#39: Invocation

By the horned hellions of Rangsabb,
and the sibilant slithers of Sligguth,
by the misbegotten myghty Mytorr,
and the fear-some fangs of Faralloh,
By the darksome depths of Draggus--
the deadly daggers of Daveroth--
and the dreaded demons of Denak--
let night's shadow now enfold and slay!

[Note: Casted by Nox]

Doctor Strange Sorcerer Supreme#49: Emancipation Incantation

Satannish, Watoomb e Raggadorr Ikonn, Seraphim e Cyttorak Agamotto, Oshtur e Munipoor Hoggoth, Faltini, Valtorr e Denak! Voi che ho nominato e voi che ho omesso voi che minacciate la mia amata libertà udite questa sentenza: ciò non sarà permesso. Le vostre pretese su di me rigetto le richieste di servitù devo rifiutare per la vostra saggezza ho grande rispetto ma per essa è troppo alto il prezzo da pagare! Il sentiero che percorro deve essere solo mio. Ascoltate queste parole: che il mio destino lo decida io. Italian version

Satannish, Watoomb and Raggadorr Ikonn, the Seraphim and Cyttorak Agamotto, Oshtur and Muniporr Hoggoth, the Faltine, Valtorr and Denak! Those whom I named plus other I'v omitted whose who threatened my cherished liberty hark to this irrevocable decree: such enslavement will not be permitted your claims on my person I now reject all demands of servitude I must deny for your wisdom and might I've the utmost respect but the price for its use is far too high better the path I walk be mine alone hear now these words: let my fate be my own! Original version

Doctor Strange Sorcerer Supreme Annual#3/2: Conjure: Daggers of Denak

Doctor Strange & Doom Triumph and Torment: Exclamation: Demons of  Denak!

Graphic Novel: What is it that disturbs you, Stephen?: Exclamation: Demons of Denak!

Defenders II#1: Exclamation: Demons of Denak!

Defenders II#3: Exclamation: Demons of Denak!

Defenders II#5: Exclamation: Demons of Denak!

Defenders II#8: Exclamation: Demons of Denak!

The Demons of Denak are often recalled in exclamations, and the spells directly invoking them are a minimum part of the total. Here is a spell I invented for fun:

Let the savage strenght of the Demons of Denak
fill my limbs till I'll draw all my enemies' blood.
With their broken bodies I'll make a burning stack,
and my debt I'll pay, with a river of souls' flood.

Profile by Spidermay.

CLARIFICATIONS:
Denak has no known connections to

• Denak IV, planet, home of Asteroid Eaters, @ Marvel Comics Presents#1/4
•  any other character with a similar name.

The Demons of Danak

The Demons of Danak lived in the farthest reaches of the Universe.
Their shape and form higly varied from demon to demon so, they could show humanoid, reptilian, amphibian or invertebrate traits, they had tentacles, eyes, protrusions, scales, tails, fur, fangs and teeth, their bodies were of a substance alien to the human description.
Their only touch resulted extremely chilling, astonishing, on a human being, and their continuous, peculiar shrieking was almost unbearable for the human mind. Their intelligence was at an animal level and acted upon basic instincts.

    The Demons of Danak were summoned on the Earth by the evil mystic Kaluu. They were an horde, and were hurled against Dr. Strange and the Ancient One in an attempt to slay them. The demons were sustained by Kaluu's force of will, but after they passed the barrier that surronded Strange's Sancta Sanctorum, they lost the telepathic contact with Kaluu, losing also his power, even remaining lethal. One of them was enwrapped by Strange's cloak of levitation, but it easily escaped, thanks to its melting form. However, a banishing spell, using the light of the Amulet of Agamotto, helped by the Shades of the Seraphim, overwhelmed and dissolved them.

--Strange Tales I#149

Images: 
Doctor Strange III#49, p16, pan2 (Denak, full body)
Doctor Strange III#49, p16, pan2 (Denak, head shot)
Strange Tales I#149/2, p3, pan4 (demons of Danak)
Strange Tales I#149/2, p5, pan3 (demon of Danak)
Doctor Strange Sorcerer Supreme Annual#3/2, p4, pan2 (Daggers of Denak used by Dr. Strange)