The Basilisk is the name of three fictional characters that appear in the Marvel Universe. The first is a supervillain who debuts in Marvel Team-Up vol. 1, #16. The second is a mutant who first appears in New X-Men vol. 1, #135. The third is a lizard-like villain who first appears in Morbius, the Living Vampire vol. 1, #5.

Basilisk (Basil Elks)

Publication history

The Basilisk first appeared in a story line in Marvel Team-Up vol. 1, #16-17 (December 1973-January 1974), and was created by Len Wein and Gil Kane. The character returned shortly thereafter in Marvel Team-Up #47 and Marvel Two-in-One #17 (both July 1976).

The Basilisk also featured in the 1986 crossover storyline involving the Scourge of the Underworld, a vigilante who assassinates numerous minor supervillains. The Basilisk is murdered in Fantastic Four #289 (April 1986).

The origin of the Alpha and Omega Stones was later revealed in Thunderbolts #46 (2001).

Basilisk received an entry in the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Deluxe Edition #16.

Fictional character biography

Basil Elks is a petty thief who breaks into a museum to steal what he believes is an ordinary emerald - but is in fact a Kree artifact called the Alpha Stone. Elks, however, miscalculates the security guards rounds and was caught and fired upon when he reached for a weapon. The guard’s bullet accidentally hits and shatters the gem, causing an explosion that transforms Elks into a humanoid reptilian - his skin becomes green and scaly and his eyes are now large and red. Elks then flash-freezes the guard in place, and realizing that he now had superhuman abilities decides to become a supervillain and calls himself the Basilisk. The Basilisk then realizes that the Alpha Stone has a twin - the Omega Stone - which he becomes determined to find so as to increase his powers. This brings the Basilisk into conflict with Captain Marvel (who is seeking the Stones), Spider-Man, Mr. Fantastic and finally the Mole Man in his underground lair.

The Basilisk is presumed dead after being engulfed by a wave of lava, but survives and several years later he resurfaces to attack New York City. Although now powered by both Stones, the Basilisk is defeated by Spider-Man and the Thing, and is again thought to be dead.

The Basilisk eventually reappears and decides to retaliate against the Thing by attacking Four Freedoms Plaza, the headquarters of the Fantastic Four, which is under construction at that time. As soon as the Basilisk appears, however, he is shot and killed by the vigilante called the Scourge of the Underworld.

Powers and abilities

Courtesy of the Alpha Stone, the Basilisk possessed enhanced physical strength, reflexes, and stamina. The Basilisk's main offensive weapon were his eye beams, which could be concussive force (these could also be directed at the ground for limited flight) or energy that manipulated temperature (boiling or freezing extremes) or molecules. While these powers are enhanced once the Basilisk acquires the Omega Stone, he was still not invulnerable, as Scourge kills him with one shot.

Basilisk (unnamed mutant)

Fictional character biography

Basilisk is a mutant and a student at the Xavier Institute. Possessing limited intelligence and persecuted in his youth due to his abnormal appearance (bald, abnormally large and with one eye), Basilisk is extremely aggressive. Once Basilisk's mutant power manifests, he suffers from brain seizures until a scientist gives him a device to help regulate the ability.

At one point, Basilisk saves his class from the U-Men - humans who hunt mutants for their organs - after being told that fellow student No-Girl would agree to date him. Soon afterwards, Basilisk joins the Brotherhood. The Brotherhood's leader Magneto - who was before posing as Xorn -launches an assault against New York and in the process accidentally kills Basilisk.

Powers and abilities

Basilisk possesses an overly-fleshy head devoid of all features except for sunken ears, a slit-like mouth, and a single centered eye socket. A camera-like device is located in this socket that allows Basilisk to control his superhuman mutant ability to emit a pulse of high-frequency strobe light from his brain. The light paralyzes any sentient being that views it, causing them to break into a rigid fascinated state. The length of the effect varies depending upon the strength of will of the onlooker.

Basilisk (Wayne Gifford)

Fictional character biography

Gifford is a dysfunctional person who turns to satanism to create an alternate persona, the Basilisk. Although possessed of a paralyzing stare, the Basilisk is tricked and defeated by Morbius, and reverts back to a now-deceased human form. The psychic essence that is the Basilisk, however, survives, and merging with the remains of Gifford reincarnates it self and goes on a killing rampage. Morbius defeats the creature once again, although the Basilisk survives and reforms in local sewers, intent on vengeance.

Powers and abilities

Wayne Gifford was a normal human until becoming the Basilisk, a large humanoid reptile. The creature possesses superior strength and agility. The Basilisk's one weakness is its reflection, which serves as a reminder of its former state.

References

External links

• Profile at Spiderfan.org
• Basilisk on the Marvel Universe Character Bio Wiki
• http://www.marvunapp.com/Appendix3/basiliskelks.htm
• http://www.marvunapp.com/Appendix3/basiliskgifford.htm