Dweller-in-Darkness

He Who Dwells in Darkness, often referred to as the Dweller-in-Darkness, is a fictional demon character from Marvel Comics, known for being one of the Fear Lords and an adversary of Doctor Strange. 
==Biography==
The Dweller-in-Darkness is a demon, allegedly sired by Cthulhu himself, hailing from the dimension Everinnye, similar to the demon Nightmare. He was ostracized by his own kind for adhering to "The Way of the Shamblu." Like Nightmare, the Dweller draws strength and sustenance from the fear of living beings. In a previous universe, he caused a rupture in the M'Kraan Crystal with the aim of destroying the universe and feeding on the resultant fear. However, just before the crystal's destruction, the Phoenix Force intervened telepathically, uniting all life in peace and thwarting the Dweller's plan. As a result, the current Marvel Universe was created.
In this new universe, when the Dweller-in-Darkness first arrived on Earth, he fed on the fear generated by the conflict between the Atlanteans and the Lemurian Deviants. The Atlantean sorceress Zhered-Na discovered the Dweller's presence and, with the aid of Agamotto and the Atlantean god Valka, banished him. After Atlantis sank, the Dweller absorbed the fear of the survivors and used it to create D'Spayre, instructing him to exact revenge on Zhered-Na. D'Spayre manipulated a tribesman into killing Zhered-Na, and her student, Dakimh the Enchanter, would spend the following millennia battling D'Spayre as he sought to generate enough fear on Earth to release his creator. During this period, the Dweller also created other beings with similar goals, including the demoness Spite. Despite this, D'Spayre remained his most formidable creation.
In the 20th century, the Dweller began appearing in the dreams of numerous people, promising them eternal life if they died. Many of these individuals committed suicide, only to become Shade Thralls—powerful beings loyal to the Dweller but weak against light. His scheme was thwarted by the gods Thor and Hercules, who battled and defeated the Shade Thralls. Additionally, he influenced Zoltan Drago to take on the role of the first Mister Fear.
==Powers and Abilities==
The Dweller has the power to instill fear in other living beings, which both sustains and strengthens him, enabling him to generate even more fear. He also possesses other mystical abilities: he can create independent entities from fear, such as D'Spayre, and transform humans who die under his influence into Shade Thralls—shadowy beings with superhuman strength. These thralls can be killed or banished by strong light.
The Dweller is immortal and does not age. Even the sorceress Zhered-Na, with the help of powerful allies like Agamotto and Valka, could only banish him rather than destroy him.
The "Way of the Shamblu," the Dweller's chosen path, involves a ritual in which he separates his head from his body. While his body perishes, his head survives as a physical entity, unlike other beings from Everinnye who are more ethereal. The Dweller's head is mounted on a robotic body with superhuman strength, and it can detach and maneuver using the tentacles near its mouth in emergencies.
==In Media ==
===Film===
*The Dweller-in-Darkness features in the Marvel Cinematic Universe film Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021). In this portrayal, the Dweller is a wyvern-like demon that consumes souls and has been imprisoned by the people of Ta Lo for thousands of years. The Dweller deceives Xu Wenwu into believing it is his deceased wife, Ying Li (played by Fala Chen), and manipulates him into using his Ten Rings to set it free. After its release, the Dweller kills Wenwu and orders its minions to eliminate Death Dealer and many others. However, it is ultimately defeated by Shang-Chi, Katy, Xialing, and the Great Protector.
===Video Games===
*The Dweller-in-Darkness appears as a boss character in Marvel Avengers Academy.
*In Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy, the Dweller-in-Darkness is featured as a boss and is depicted as a pet and minion of Lady Hellbender.
==Lovecraftian Influences==
The character’s design and attributes clearly echo Lovecraftian elements, particularly in the following ways:
#Cosmic Horror Aesthetic: The Dweller's Cthulhu-like appearance, with its otherworldly and monstrous features, strongly evokes Lovecraft’s tradition of depicting ancient and incomprehensible entities from beyond the known universe.
#Eldritch Powers and Origins: The Dweller’s origins and powers resonate with Lovecraftian themes of ancient, god-like beings. The Dweller’s ability to consume souls and manipulate others reflects this archetype.
#Imprisonment and Release: The Dweller’s long imprisonment and subsequent release parallel the Lovecraftian theme of ancient beings being sealed away or forgotten, only to be unleashed upon the world.
#Manipulation and Deception: The Dweller’s ability to deceive Xu Wenwu by taking on the guise of his deceased wife is reminiscent of Lovecraftian entities that use deception and manipulation to achieve their ends.
==Gallery==
File:The-Dweller-In-Darkness-explains-his-evil-plans-in-Marvel-Comics..jpeg
File:Do-you-think-adaptation-dweller-in-darkness-in-mcu-the-v0-kw9e5l5mvlla1.webp
File:Dweller in darkness by williamsquid dfn551m-fullview.jpg|Concept art by williamsquid, DeviantArt
File:Dweller-in-Darkness.webp
Category:Characters Originating From Expanded Mythos Works
Category:Extra-Dimensional Characters