Spoiler Alert! This article contains spoilers for Ironheart.
After years of rumors and teases, Mephisto has finally made hisMarvel Cinematic Universedebut inIronheart, and in doing so has set up several other thrilling Marvel characters. After years of waiting, Marvel’s demonic manipulator has appeared in live-action, played by Sacha Baron Cohen. In doing so,the MCU timelinehas been primed for some exciting Marvel characters.
Mephisto’s introduction inIronheartopens the gates of Hell, literally and figuratively. It unlocks a darker side of the MCU filled with supernatural entities, demonic power brokers, and characters with deep comic roots tied to Mephisto’s hellish schemes. More than a simple cameo, Mephisto’s inclusion hints at a large supernatural arc in Marvel’s future, and will surely have long-reaching consequences.
10Ghost Rider
Mephisto’s Most Famous Creation
Ghost Rider’s entire origin is deeply rooted in Mephisto’s manipulation. This makesIronheart’s introduction of the demon aclear signal that the Spirit of Vengeance may soon follow. In the comics, Johnny Blaze becomes Ghost Rider after making a desperate deal with Mephisto to save his father from death.
The agreement backfires. Mephisto instead bonds Blaze with the demon Zarathos, turning him into the flaming-skulled vigilante. This origin highlights Mephisto’s preferred tactic,exploiting grief and desperationto enslave souls.
With Mephisto now officially in the MCU, the groundwork is laid for Ghost Rider’s emergence as either a pawn or a rebel against his infernal master. Their shared history of betrayal and supernatural conflict offers rich storytelling potential. Whether through Johnny Blaze, Robbie Reyes, or Danny Ketch, Mephisto’s presencealmost guarantees Ghost Rider’s futurein the MCU.
9Blackheart
Mephisto’s Son
Ironheart’s Mephisto reveal plants seeds for the introduction of Blackheart, Mephisto’s monstrous and rebellious son. In the comics, Blackheart is a powerful demon created from concentrated evil in a town plagued by violence. He often serves asboth rival and heirto Mephisto’s throne, challenging his father’s rule.
Blackheart frequently clashes with heroes like Ghost Rider, Doctor Strange, and the X-Men. His introduction could allow these characters to also come to the forefront. Blackheart’s introduction also means the MCUcould explore internal conflict within Hell’s hierarchy.
Ironheartsuggests that demonic politics are indeed in play, with Mephisto openly mocking Dormammu when mistaken for him. Blackheart’s unique look and brutal power set wouldmake for a striking onscreen villain. Whether as an enforcer, rebel, or full-blown antagonist, Blackheart’s connection to Mephisto makes him a logical and exciting next step in Marvel’s dark expansion.
8Hellstrom
Son Of Satan
In Marvel Comics, Hellstrom is the literal son of Satan. Daimon walks a morally complex line between exorcist, antihero, andfull-on supernatural powerhouse.Ironheart’s demonic themes and introduction of Mephisto lay the groundwork for Daimon’s appearance, possibly as part of a battle with greater Hellish threats.
Daimon was depicted in Hulu’sHelstromseries. However, it was short-lived and not connected to the MCU. With one Devil analog introduced with Mephisto,Satan himself could be round the corner.
Daimon Hellstrom’s unique weapon, the trident-like “Soulfire” staff, and his connections to both magic and Hell give hima dual role as both hunter and haunted. Hellstrom’s addition would deepen Marvel’s magical mythos and give fans a darker, more philosophical figure to explore the cost of living between two infernal worlds. It also opens the door to his sister, Satana.
7Green Goblin
Norman And Harry Osborn Are Corrupted By Mephisto
Ironheart’s Mephisto introduction sets up a surprising twist on one of Spider-Man’s greatest foes: the Green Goblin. InThe Amazing Spider-Man(vol. 5) #72, it’s revealed that Norman Osbornmade a Faustian bargain with Mephisto for wealth and power. In return, Norman traded his own son, Harry Osborn’s soul.
This horrifying deal retroactively explains Norman’s rise and his descent into madness. It also explains the torment that Harry endured throughout his life. Bringing Mephisto into the MCU facilitates that storyline to be adapted, whichcould justify Norman Osborn’s eventual arrival in the main MCU timeline.
Audiences have only seen Willem Dafoe’s Green Goblin variant fromSpider-Man: No Way Home. This could explain why there’s beenno sign of an MCU-native Goblin, as Mephisto is yet to put his schemes in motion. He could even choose to manipulate Ned Leeds into becoming Hobgoblin, a long-suspected development.
6Satannish
A Fellow Hell Lord
With Mephisto now part of the MCU, other Hell Lords like Satannish are likely to follow. In Marvel Comics, Satannish is a rival demon lord, created by Dormammu and known for making Faustian bargains like Mephisto’s deals. His inclusionwould provide both a rival and a narrative foilto Mephisto, suggesting a Hellish civil war brewing beneath the MCU’s surface.
Ironheartdrops hints about competing demonic agendas with references to Dormammu. It’s only a matter of time before the ruler of the Dark Dimension returns. He could do so bycreating and unleashing Satannish.
His grotesque, four-faced design would make him a visually distinct villain. While his role in empowering mortal villains like the Lethal Legion makes him a narratively rich addition. Satannish wouldexpand the realms of dark powerbeyond just Mephisto’s and Dormammu’s domain.
5Belasco
Lord Of Limbo
Ironheart’s demonic revelations subtly open the door to therealm of Limbo and its terrifying ruler, Belasco. In the comics, Belasco is a sorcerer-turned-demon who governs Limbo. He has tangled with characters like Magik, the X-Men, and Doctor Strange.
Belasco’s dark magic, obsession with corruption, and use of bloodstones make him a natural fit for the increasingly mystical MCU. Belasco’s ties to Illyana Rasputin could serve as a connectivebridge between the supernatural and mutant cornersof the universe. In the comics, Belasco is the demon who teaches Illyana the dark magic that turned her into Magik.
Magik’s time in Limbo affects her character significantly, and with the MCU’sX-Menin the works, Belasco could be spotlighted. Belasco’s ancient, corrupted sorcery could become akey threat in the growing tapestry of dark magic. Especially as Marvel continues to explore characters from alternate realms and Hell-adjacent spaces.
4Mys-Tech Board
Corporation Who Sold Their Souls To Mephisto
Among the more obscure but thematically perfect setups introduced through Mephisto’s arrival is the potential for the Mys-Tech Board. The group is a shadowy corporation thatsold their souls for eternal life. In exchange for demonic power and influence, the board serves Mephisto while engaging in secretive, soul-harvesting operations on Earth.
Their morally bankrupt business model could tie directly intoIronheart’s themes of technological ambition corrupted by dark forces. A reimagined Mys-Tech in the MCU would offer apowerful metaphor for corporate greedmeeting supernatural evil. They could serve as recurring villains across multiple shows and projects.
Mys-Tech (sometimes spelled MyS-TECH) could manage magical artifacts, manipulate public perception, and even work with street-level dark operatives. With Mephisto’s arrival, Mys-Tech’s soul-trading schemes wouldfit seamlessly into the MCU’s unfolding magical economy. Their reveal could further cement Mephisto as Marvel’s most prolific manipulator.
3Master Pandemonium
Supervillain Created By Mephisto
Master Pandemonium is one of Marvel’s strangest and most tragic villains. A failed actor named Martin Preston, he loses his soul to Mephisto. He is then transformed intoa grotesque entity with demonic armsand a fractured psyche.
His body is literally a gateway to Hell, oftenused by Mephisto as a vessel for dark plans. WithIronheartintroducing Mephisto and his Faustian deals, the MCU has laid the groundwork for Pandemonium’s horrifying origin. His ties to Wanda Maximoff and the lost souls of her children also make him a strong candidate for future crossover with Agatha Harkness.
Pandemonium represents how Mephisto’s promises of power ultimately destroy the soul.Ironheart’s magical corruption arc is the perfect narrative thread to bring such a tortured figure into live-action. As botha conduit for Mephisto and a villainin his own right, Pandemonium is perfect for Marvel’s supernatural future.
2Malevolence
Mephisto’s Daughter
Though rarely seen, Malevolence, Mephisto’s daughter, is a powerful supernatural figure with ambitions tooverthrow her father and rule Hellherself.Ironheart’s introduction of Mephisto opens the door for family drama in Marvel’s infernal hierarchy. Malevolence could be a wild card in the struggle for Hell’s throne.
Malevolence has served as an antagonist and uneasy ally to multiple Marvel heroes. She also once operated in Limbo, making her a potential link between characters like Belasco and Mephisto. Her rivalry with other Hell Lords and her magical abilitiesgive her both personal and magical stakesin the MCU’s growing dark magic arc.
If Mephisto is playing the long game, Malevolencecould emerge as an ambitious, chaotic force. She might even oppose him or even try to seduce mortal characters to her own cause. As the MCU continues, the next generation of Hell Lords must surely appear.
1Nighthawk
Hero Mephisto Manipulates
Nighthawk, often seen as Marvel’s version of Batman, is a surprising but fascinating character to connect to Mephisto’s schemes. In several comic arcs, Kyle Richmond has beenmanipulated by Mephisto. Most notably, Mephisto poses as an angel to Nighthawk, and convinces him to kill Daredevil.
Ironheart’s finale suggests that even heroic figures are not immune to demonic manipulation. Nighthawk’s darker morality and vigilante tactics make him vulnerable to influence from Hell’s forces, especially if he’s promised power or redemption. Mephisto’s appearance means thatNighthawk could readily appear in a future Daredevil projector beyond.
A Mephisto-corrupted Nighthawk would offer acompelling mix of heroism, madness, and moral decay. He could serve as both an adversary and eventual ally, showcasing how Mephisto’s reach isn’t limited to villains; it can twist even the noblest of intentions into something monstrous. This is one of the most thrilling characters set up byIronheart’s dynamic final episode.
