Now that the Darkhold has been introduced via WandaVision, can you please tell us about Stephen's experience/relationship with that dread tome? I've only read a few early comics (and immediately loved Stephen for his nobility and manner of speech), but MCU Stephen is my EVERYTHING. Thank you for sharing your knowledge here.
Greetings and thanks for asking!
Well... Before we get into comics, I’d like to add that the Darkhold was actually introduced first in Agents of SHIELD, and then in Runaways (it was the same book with the same design). But I suppose they’re no longer canon, despite all the lies about AoS being part of the MCU. To learn more about that version of the Darkhold, you can check this post about magic in the MCU’s tv shows.
To be completely honest with you, the story of the Darkhold is quite complex and, for that reason, I may be missing many points. But here’s what I know: it goes back to Chthon, its creator, and the Elder Gods. But it’s also deeply connected to Atlantis before its fall and is primarily related to vampires.
The Chthon part is not my field of expertise because it belongs to Wanda and the Avengers, which I’m not entirely familiar with. But the vampire part is where I lie my knowledge on.
The sorcerers who worshipped the Darkhold cast a spell to create the first vampire on Earth, Varnae.
Centuries later, Morgan le Fey put together Chthon’s scrolls in the form of a book, the Darkhold we know today, and became its most (in)famous user. Morgan imprisoned Chthon’s spirit under Mount Wundagore after failing at binding him to her will. This would be later an important plot to Wanda and her connection to Chthon and chaos magic.
There’s a very long story (which I really didn’t pay any attention to) about how the book ended up in the hands of the Montesi family for generations in Sorcerer Supreme #9-15. This is also important because of the Montesi formula, a spell in the book which would exterminate all vampires on Earth. And that’s where Stephen comes in.
Wanda told Stephen where the book was so he could use the Montesi Formula. And he did. He literally killed all vampires on Earth, including Dracula himsef. Of course, it wouldn’t last (and it’s quite ironic assuming that Stephen’s brother would be the source of the new generation of vampires). But he did it once and that’s a great feat (as seen in Doctor Strange v2 #60-62).
Later, the book would be torn apart and Victoria Montesi would be responsible for collecting its pages and protecting the book. Agatha and Wanda sought Stephen’s aid to find some missing pages as well, even though they ended up fighting Victoria. Fortunately, they settled their differences and allowed the book to stay with Victoria, as seen in Darkhold #5-7.
I 100% ignore Victoria’s fate as how she ended up giving birth to Chthon’s child because I hate this kind of plot. But in case you want to check this out, it happens in Sorcerer Supreme #90.
There’s also a complex event involving the Darkhold, Lilith and the Midnight Sons, but that’s not so important to Stephen because he was actually behind the stage, only putting the team together. The second rising of the Midnight Sons is a little more complex for Stephen, though, because he was split into three characters and lost his title of Sorcerer Supreme to Salomé. Let’s just say it’s just too long to explain on this post haha.
That’s pretty much his involvement with the Darkhold. He can resist its temptations and bad influence, even though it takes him some willpower and concentration.
On a side note, in Super Hero Squad, Stephen places the Darkhold underneath his couch to keep its balance lmao.
By Hoggoth, I love this show.
Oof, that was a ride. Hopefully, it was enough to enlighten you about the Darkhold in comics!
PS: If you love MCU!Stephen, then you’ll love comics!Stephen even more, I 100% assure you. ‘Till this very day, it still surprises me that the more I read about him, the more I love this miserable man.
PPS: Guys, for those of you who know I’m deeply in love with Victor and Illyana... Did you know Victor found a page of the Darkhold and used it to try and conquer Limbo? Lucky him Illyana was depowered at that time, otherwise he’d have his ass kicked big time.
