Necronomicon Ex-Mortis (Evil Dead)

The Necronomicon Ex-Mortis, also known as Naturom Demonto or the Book of the Dead, is a fictional ancient manuscript containing prophecies, funerary rituals, and passages for resurrecting demons. It was created by a race of beings called the "Dark Ones" as a comprehensive guide to the supernatural for their exclusive use. However, the book eventually fell into human hands and has since been transferred from one owner to another. The Necronomicon Ex-Mortis made its first appearance in Sam Raimi's 1981 horror-comedy film The Evil Dead, where it was designed by the film's special effects artist Tom Sullivan.
==Description==
The Necronomicon Ex-Mortis is depicted as a sinister and malevolent book bound in human skin with a cover made from a demon's face. Its pages contain dark incantations and rituals that allow for the summoning and control of evil entities. The book is notorious for its ability to unleash horrific demons known as Deadites upon the world, wreaking havoc on anyone who encounters it.
The origin of the Necronomicon Ex-Mortis varies across different timelines and universes:
*Ancient Mesopotamia: In one timeline, the book was created by Urigan, a high priest from the ancient city of Kandar around 3000 BC. Urigan, believing that evil forces were avatars of the goddess Ereshkigal, was guided by the Kandarian Demon and a being named Beletseri to produce the Necronomicon.
*730 AD: Another version attributes the book's creation to Abdul Alzeez, a human scholar who translated and compiled texts left by the Dark Ones before their banishment. Alzeez completed the Necronomicon Ex-Mortis in 730 AD but was killed by a demonic entity shortly after.
*Alternate Dimensions: Some accounts suggest the book was crafted in an alternate dimension, possibly Hell itself. In the primary universe of the Evil Dead franchise, the Necronomicon is often linked to a Dark One named Ruby, although other accounts describe its creation as a collaborative effort.
==Contents==
The Necronomicon Ex-Mortis consistently contains similar content across its various iterations. This includes:
*Prophecies: Foretelling events related to the supernatural and demonic forces.
*Funerary Incantations: Rituals related to death and the afterlife.
*Demon Resurrection Passages: Spells and rituals for summoning and controlling demons.
The Necronomicon Ex-Mortis has been duplicated multiple times. These copies are either created by the Dark Ones themselves or by others who have come into contact with the original. The number of copies varies across different universes, but there are generally at least three known versions in most scenarios.
==Appearances in Media==
* Film Debut: The Necronomicon Ex-Mortis first appeared in Sam Raimi's 1981 film The Evil Dead, where it was designed by special effects artist Tom Sullivan. The book plays a crucial role in the film, setting off the chain of events that lead to the unleashing of Deadites.
*Franchise Expansion: The book has appeared in various sequels and spin-offs within the Evil Dead franchise, including Evil Dead II (1987), Army of Darkness (1992), the television series Ash vs Evil Dead (2015-2018), and even crossover comic book series such as Marvel Zombies vs. Army of Darkness (2007).
==Inspirations from H.P. Lovecraft’s Necronomicon==
*Name and Concept: The most direct connection is the shared name Necronomicon, which signals a link to forbidden knowledge and dark forces. Sam Raimi and his team used the name as a homage to Lovecraft's influential work in the horror genre. The choice of name helps establish a thematic resonance with Lovecraft’s work, invoking a sense of ancient, arcane evil.
*Thematic Influence: Both iterations of the Necronomicon serve as conduits for unleashing supernatural horrors. Lovecraft’s Necronomicon is a gateway to cosmic dread, exploring themes of forbidden knowledge and existential terror. In contrast, the Ex-Mortis in Evil Dead focuses more on practical horrors such as demonic possession and dark magic. Despite these differences, both concepts emphasize the danger of engaging with unknown, malevolent forces.
*Cultural Impact: Lovecraft’s Necronomicon has inspired many other works of horror fiction, creating a broad mythos that other creators have drawn from. Raimi’s use of the name for his Necronomicon Ex-Mortis is part of a broader trend of referencing Lovecraftian elements in modern horror, blending classic horror tropes with new creative interpretations.
Category:Mythos Books (fictional)
Category:Artefacts Originating From Mythos-Inspired Works