In the most recent issue of Teen Titans (#42), we learn that Kid Devil reached his current status of flame-breathing demon-looking feelow that creeps out Moody Raven, by making a deal with Neron, who's DC's version of the Devil (I think). In return, Kid Devil promised to forfeit his soul if he lost trust in Blue Devil by his 21st birthday. Ah, those deals with the Devil, they bone you over every time. Just ask Master Pandemonium (if you can find him; where'd he go?).
The thing is, Niles Caulder told Elasti-Girl in Teen Titans #36 that there was nothing mystical about Kid Devil; that'd he'd been subjected to meta-human gene manipulation. This leads me to conclude someone's lying about something. But who? Neron or Caulder?
Caulder could be right, if Neron isn't a devil at all, but just some sort of highly advanced alien scientist, one that masquerades as a devil, because Earth religions make it more likely people would turn to the Devil for help than a creepy alien. The souls could be the aura or life force that Thanos described in Annihilation #3 (yes, I'm mixing comic universes, and I plan to continue), and I'm sure a clever alien can find some use for those. It's reminiscent of someone's quote that advanced enough alien technology would be indistinguishable from magic to us (I know it from Arthur C. Clarke novels, but I think it originated with someone else).
It's not unprecedented, as the alternate universe Earth X put forth the idea that Mephisto wasn't a devil at all, just a human with a lot of power trying to be Mephisto that eventually became convinced he was Mephisto (I think, maybe that was Odin. Or both).
Of course, the other option is that Caulder was b.s.ing about Kid Devil's appearence not being the result of magic. A magical origin would put him somewhat outside Niles' standard realm of science-related accidents, and weaken Caulder's claims that he could help Eddie, and thus, Eddie should remain with the Doom Patrol.
So, who do you trust more? The Devil, or the Scientist? I figure Neron was being straight with us. Like he said, the truth is the strongest weapon (or something. I'm paraphrasing).
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7 comments:
(I think, maybe that was Odin. Or both)
Earth X tried to tell me that Mephisto was Nightcrawler, but maybe he was a human at start.
Odin believed he was a norse god because he was a shapeshifting alien that lost his identity.
But still, I like the idea of an alien saying he's the 'Devil' to be more understandable.
carla: Thanks I knew Earth X seemed to be all about people not being who they said they were.
I take Neron at face value... In this case, anyway. Sure, he might be the Prince of Lies, but why lie when the truth suits one's purposes?
diamondrock: Sounds good to me.
I'm thinking Kid Devil was originally supposed to be a product of Luthor's everyman project but Johns changed his mind after the Doom Patrol arc.
Niles Caulder is a stinking liar and I wouldn't trust him any farther than I could throw Robotman. If Niles Caulder told me it was sunny out, I'd put up my umbrella.
captain great: I'd been thinking that as well. The question is, why did Johns shift gears?
matthew e: And that sums up my feelings about Niles Caulder as well as anyone ever has.
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