Count Nefaria

Count Nefaria debuted in The Avengers #13 (February 1965), created by Stan Lee and Don Heck.{{cite book |last1=DeFalco |first1=Tom |last2=Sanderson |first2=Peter |last3=Brevoort |first3=Tom |last4=Teitelbaum |first4=Michael |last5=Wallace |first5=Daniel |last6=Darling |first6=Andrew |last7=Forbeck |first7=Matt |last8=Cowsill |first8=Alan |last9=Bray |first9=Adam |title=The Marvel Encyclopedia |date=2019 |publisher=DK Publishing |isbn=978-1-4654-7890-0 |page=94}} He appeared in the 2011 Moon Knight series.{{Cite web |last=Richards |first=Dave |date=December 9, 2011 |title=Bendis Has Nefarious Plans for "Moon Knight" |url=https://www.cbr.com/bendis-has-nefarious-plans-for-moon-knight/ |access-date=August 5, 2023 |website=Comic Book Resources |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Lancaster |first=Taylor |date=December 19, 2022 |title=Moon Knight's Version Of Kingpin Was More Brutal Than Daredevil's |url=https://screenrant.com/moon-knight-kingpin-count-nefaria-los-angeles-brutal/ |access-date=August 5, 2023 |website=Screen Rant |language=en}} He appeared in the 2018 Marvel Action Avengers series.{{Cite web |last=MacNamee |first=Olly |date=June 6, 2019 |title=A Long Way From Home: Take A Look At Marvel Action Avengers #5 |url=https://www.comicon.com/2019/06/06/a-long-way-from-home-take-a-look-at-marvel-action-avengers-5/ |access-date=August 5, 2023 |website=Comicon.com |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=MCGuire |first=Liam |date=November 13, 2022 |title=Avengers' Ruby Egress Is Basically Its Newest Infinity Stone |url=https://screenrant.com/avengers-new-infinity-stone-ruby-egress-powers/ |access-date=August 5, 2023 |website=Screen Rant |language=en}} He appeared in the 2023 New Mutants Lethal Legion series.{{Cite web |last=Damore |first=Meagan |date=February 3, 2023 |title='New Mutants Lethal Legion' #1 First Look Scatters the Team |url=https://www.marvel.com/articles/comics/new-mutants-lethal-legion-1-first-look-preview |access-date=August 5, 2023 |website=Marvel.com}}{{Cite web |last=AIPT |date=April 14, 2023 |title=Marvel Preview: New Mutants: Lethal Legion #2 • AIPT |url=https://aiptcomics.com/2023/04/14/marvel-preview-new-mutants-lethal-legion-2/ |access-date=August 5, 2023 |website=AIPTComics.com |language=en-us}}{{Cite web |last=Terror |first=Jude |date=May 23, 2023 |title=New Mutants: Lethal Legion #3 Preview: Count Nefaria vs. Scout |url=https://bleedingcool.com/comics/new-mutants-lethal-legion-3-preview-count-nefaria-vs-scout/ |access-date=August 5, 2023 |website=Bleeding Cool |language=en}}

Luchino Nefaria is a wealthy Italian aristocrat and traditionalist that also desires greater wealth and power, driving him to join the Maggia criminal organization.{{cite book |last1=Brevoort |first1=Tom |last2=DeFalco |first2=Tom |last3=Manning |first3=Matthew K. |last4=Sanderson |first4=Peter |last5=Wiacek |first5=Win |title=Marvel Year By Year: A Visual History |date=2017 |publisher=DK Publishing |isbn=978-1465455505 |page=106}} The recently formed Avengers superhero team, however, thwart many of his plans and force a direct conflict, so Nefaria lures the Avengers to his castle on the pretense of a charity event, and places the group in suspended animation, using images which threaten to take control of America. After he releases them, the Avengers become suspicious of him after hearing they are wanted and they cannot remember what happened at the castle. They go to the castle, however nearly all of them are paralyzed by Nefaria's gas. Meanwhile, the Teen Brigade were captured by Nefaria, and when they tried to contact the Avengers were thrown in a dungeon which would place them into suspended animation if they touched the walls. Captain America gets into the castle without touching the ground, other Avengers, or walls, and freed the Teen Brigade, who gave the antidote to the Avengers. Captain America was also paralyzed, and with his hands and feet attached to ropes he was suspended between floor and ceiling, where Nefaria mocked him, saying he would be a hero for capturing him. However, Iron Man then burst through the wall. Neferia was defeated and deported after an officer heard him confess to being in the Maggia.The Avengers #13 (February 1965). Marvel Comics. In retaliation, Nefaria then unsuccessfully attempts to destroy Iron Man,Tales of Suspense #67 (July 1965). Marvel Comics. and then suffers yet another defeat when stopped by the mutant X-Men team.X-Men #22-23 (July–August 1966). Marvel Comics.

Nefaria reappears several years later and attempts to take control of the United States base NORAD, but is stopped by the X-Men once again. Nefaria attempts to escape in a plane which is attacked by the X-Man Thunderbird. The plane then explodes, killing Thunderbird and injuring Nefaria.X-Men #94-95 (August–October 1975). Marvel Comics.

Now virtually destitute and discredited, Nefaria hires the supervillains Living Laser, Power Man and Whirlwind to form the second Lethal Legion. The group rob several banks, and unwittingly finance an experiment Nefaria has created in a bid to become superhuman. Employing the former scientific adviser to Heinrich Zemo, Nefaria devises a means of temporarily amplifying the abilities of the Lethal Legion, and then sends them into combat against the Avengers. The effect, however, is temporary and once defeated their combined abilities are drained by Nefaria who possesses them magnified a hundredfold. After a long and protracted battle, Nefaria is finally defeated.The Avengers #164-166 (October 1977-December 1977). Marvel Comics.

Nefaria is then kept in isolation and under observation by the Avengers, and it is discovered that the process to empower him makes Nefaria immortal but vulnerable as his body reconfigures itself. Whitney Frost, also known as Madame Masque and the daughter of Nefaria, attempts to find a cure for what is believed to be his deteriorating condition. She hires the Ani-Men to attack Avengers Mansion and free her father. While battling Iron Man, Nefaria's life-support system is severed and his weakened form is crushed by a stored Jupiter Landing Vehicle.The Invincible Iron Man #115-116 (October–November 1978) Nefaria briefly reappears some time later as a corpse reanimated by the Grim Reaper. Grim Reaper directs Nefaria to attack the Avengers, but loses control soon afterwards and Nefaria dies once again.The Avengers #353-354 (Early-Late September 1992). Marvel Comics.

Nefaria eventually reappears, but in an ionic humanoid form, and constantly requires ionic energy to sustain his existence. He battles Iron ManThe Invincible Iron Man Annual 99. Marvel Comics. and later Captain America and Ka-Zar in the Savage Land as he attempts to find sources of energy.Captain America (vol. 3) #29-31 (June 2000). Marvel Comics. Nefaria then plans to detonate an ionic bomb, which will transform millions of people into an ionic state which he can then control, perceiving it as the best way to guarantee that he receives the respect that he feels he deserves. Nefaria gains control of the ionic heroes Wonder Man and Atlas who he intends to use to kill the Avengers, but he is stopped by the combined efforts of the Avengers, fellow superhero team the Thunderbolts and Madame Masque, Masque using a weapon she had developed to disrupt Nefaria's own ionic energy.The Avengers (vol. 3) #32-34 (September–November 2000) and Thunderbolts #42-43 (September–October 2000). Marvel Comics. He is next seen as an inmate of The Raft, a prison for supervillains, and escapes when Electro stages a mass breakout.The New Avengers #1-2 (January–February 2005). Marvel Comics.

Following the "Siege" storyline, Madame Masque sought out her father to help the Hood after Loki took back the Norn Stones. The New Avengers capture John King (Hood's cousin) and use him to track the Hood and Madame Masque. After a battle with Count Nefaria, they capture the villains and bring all four of them to Maria Hill to place them under arrest.The New Avengers Finale one-shot. Marvel Comics.

Nefaria returns in Moon Knight, having established himself as the new Kingpin of Los Angeles.Moon Knight (vol. 4) #7. Marvel Comics. He kills Echo in battle,Moon Knight (vol. 4) #9. Marvel Comics. and is later apprehended by the Avengers.Moon Knight (vol. 4) #12. Marvel Comics. Also in L.A., Daken attempts to kill him but fails.Daken: Dark Wolverine #21. Marvel Comics. Later back in New York, he is summoned by Nightmare to destroy Squirrel Girl in dreams, but is bested at finger-counting, and leaves.The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #11. Marvel Comics.

During the "Secret Empire" storyline, Count Nefaria appears as a member of the Army of Evil and took part in the attack on Manhattan in retaliation for what happened at Pleasant Hill during "Avengers: Standoff!".Secret Empire #0. Marvel Comics.

During the "Spider-Geddon" storyline, Count Nefaria is engaging Superior Octopus, who counters his ionic abilities by having his tentacles charged with energy that disrupts ionic fields. Count Nefaria breaks free from the tentacles as Superior Octopus plans to spy on him and threaten his family.Spider-Geddon #1. Marvel Comics.

In the "Sins Rising" arc, Nefaria forms a new incarnation of the Lethal Legion with Grey Gargoyle, Living Laser, and Whirlwind in a plot to target the Catalyst.The Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 5) #41. Marvel Comics.The Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 5) #46. Marvel Comics.Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 5) #47. Marvel Comics.The Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 5) #56. Marvel Comics.

During the "Gang War" storyline, Count Nefaria arrives at the location where Hammerhead and his men are having a meeting. Having found out what happened to Madame Masque, Count Nefaria states to Hammerhead that he'll take the blame for what happened. He also tells Hammerhead that the crime lords will bow to the Maggia once again.The Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 6) #37. Marvel Comics. At the Seat of Power, Count Nefaria meets with Silvermane where they talk about the upcoming gang war. In a surprising turn of events, a mysterious person takes control of Silvermane and attacks Count Nefaria.The Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 6) #38. Marvel Comics. When Hammerhead's men arrive and confront Madame Masque, they find a defeated Count Nefaria and Silvermane's head in Shotgun's arms as he throws them to the ground.The Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 6) #40. Marvel Comics. After getting a status report of the gang wars from Shotgun, Madame Masque tells her father that she has a use for him.The Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 6) #41. Marvel Comics. In the face-off in Central Park between the Maggia and Beetle, the Sinister Syndicate, Digger, and the gang members recruited by Beetle, Count Nefaria is seen under the same mind-control spell that Madame Masque placed on Shotgun and Silvermane.The Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 6) #42. Marvel Comics. As the fight in Central Park begins, Count Nefaria and Silvermane are tackled by Digger. Spider-Man and his allies appear and stop Nefaria.The Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 6) #43. Marvel Comics.The Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 6) #44. Marvel Comics.

Count Nefaria has a genius-level intellect. He is a versed scientist, inventor, theoretical physicist, adept strategist and organizational leader with deep ties to the underworld through his own crime family, the Maggia. During his first appearance he easily turned the American public and the world over against the Avengers in their first meeting.The Avengers #13 (February 1965). Marvel Comics. It was not until being subjected to a process perfected by one of Baron Heinrich Zemo's scientists, Dr. Kenneth Sturdy, that he was granted the combined powers of the villains the Living Laser, Power Man, and Whirlwind, amplified a hundredfold.Avengers #164 (1977). Marvel Comics. Count Nefaria gained superhuman attributes in consequence. He has toppled a 40-story building with little effort, withstood a blow from Wonder Man without flinching, and fought an enraged Thor to a standstill with no apparent damage from strikes of his hammer, even stopping it with his bare hand.The Avengers #166 (1977). Marvel Comics.

Count Nefaria aged until his body evolved, eventually shifting into pure ionic form. This granted him new abilities,Thunderbolts #43 (2000). Marvel Comics. such as the creation and manipulation of ionic energy for teleportation,Moon Knight (vol. 6) #6 (December 2011). Marvel Comics.Avengers Confidential: Black Widow & Punisher (Mar, 25 2014). Marvel Comics. hand and eye blasts,The New Avengers Finale #1 (May 2010). Marvel Comics. ionic force punches,Marvel Action: Avengers - The Ruby Egress #1 (Oct 23 2019). Marvel Comics. or controlling other ionic beings via siphoning their energy.The Invincible Iron Man #116 (November 1978). Marvel Comics.Marvel Avengers: The Ultimate Character Guide #1 (September 2010). Marvel Comics. Through this he can also convert others into ionic energy beings as well, in a vampiric fashion, turning them into his superpowered thralls.The Avengers (vol. 3) #32. Marvel Comics.Thunderbolts #43 (2000). Marvel Comics. As such, Count Nefaria is effectively immortal and virtually indestructible. He also has the power of flight, when before he could only leap great distances.The Avengers #165 (1977). Marvel Comics. He's also showcased a new power, creating energy constructs to surround his opponents in ionic energy and move them about telekinetically.The New Avengers #2 (November 2007). Marvel Comics.Moon Knight (vol. 6) #1 (May 2011). Marvel Comics. He has withstood simultaneous attacks by multiple teams of superheroes at once.The Avengers (vol. 3) #33 (2000). Marvel Comics. Although it is possible to deplete Count Nefaria's ionic energy in combat by forcing him to expend it faster than his body can replenish it, it would take several weeks to do so.The Avengers (vol. 3) #34 (Nov 2000). Marvel Comics.

As a head of the Maggia, Count Nefaria also has access to vast amounts of technology, munitions, and gadgetry developed by his Research and Development department.Tales of Suspense #67 (July 1965). Marvel Comics. Much of this, he had a hand in crafting, such as the Electro-disc, Time Transcender Ray, Visio-Projector, Worldwide Electro-scanner, The Dream Master, and the Ionic Bomb.The Avengers #13. Marvel Comics.Tales of Suspense #67. Marvel Comics.Thunderbolts #43 (2000). Marvel Comics. Being of Italian nobility, Count Nefaria has also inherited a vast fortune, which he has used in conjunction with his intellect for the purpose of furthering his revenue and power. To that end he would use it for the hiring of super villains, scientists and expendable workforce in his organization branch for the creation of inventions that were far in the advances of modern science, give himself super powers or broaden the reach of his connections to both the unlawful and political circuit of the world. Being an aristocrat of considerable stature and influence, Nefaria also has claims to diplomatic immunity and as such he cannot be tried outside of his own home country.Marvel Avengers: The Ultimate Character Guide #1. Marvel Comics.

Chase Magnett of ComicBook.com included Count Nefaria in their "10 Iron Man Villains Who Should Return in Dan Slott's Run" list, calling him a "great pick for a new arch nemesis in Tony Stark: Iron Man."{{Cite web |last=Magnett |first=Chase |date=July 28, 2018 |title=10 Iron Man Villains Who Should Return in Dan Slott's Run |url=https://comicbook.com/marvel/news/iron-man-villains-dan-slott-comics/ |access-date=August 5, 2023 |website=ComicBook.com |language=en}} Comic Book Resources ranked Count Nefaria 4th in their "10 Most Powerful Crime Bosses In Marvel Comics" list,{{Cite web |last=Avina |first=Anthony |date=January 6, 2020 |title=The 10 Most Powerful Crime Bosses In Marvel Comics, Ranked |url=https://www.cbr.com/marvel-comics-most-powerful-crime-bosses-maggia-mobsters-organized-kingpin-ranked-compared/ |access-date=August 5, 2023 |website=Comic Book Resources |language=en}} 5th in their "10 Coolest Avengers Villains" list,{{Cite web |last=Harth |first=David |date=September 19, 2022 |title=10 Coolest Avengers Villains |url=https://www.cbr.com/coolest-avengers-villains/ |access-date=August 5, 2023 |website=Comic Book Resources |language=en}} and 8th in their "Wonder Man's 10 Greatest Enemies" list.{{Cite web |last=Lovett II |first=Walter |date=September 8, 2022 |title=Wonder Man's 10 Greatest Enemies |url=https://www.cbr.com/wonder-man-marvel-greatest-enemies/ |access-date=August 5, 2023 |website=Comic Book Resources |language=en}} Nathan P. Gibson of Looper ranked Count Nefaria 14th in their "Every Moon Knight Villain Ranked From Worst To Best" list.{{Cite web |last=Gibson |first=Nathan P. |date=March 25, 2022 |title=Every Moon Knight Villain Ranked From Worst To Best |url=https://www.looper.com/810484/every-moon-knight-villain-ranked-from-worst-to-best/ |access-date=August 5, 2023 |website=Looper |language=en-US}}

An alternate universe variant of Count Nefaria from Earth-58163 appears in House of M.House of M: Masters of Evil #3

Count Nefaria appears in JLA/Avengers #4 as a brainwashed minion of Krona.JLA/Avengers #4

An alternate universe variant of Count Nefaria from Earth-807128 appears in Old Man Logan.Old Man Logan (vol. 2) #1

An alternate universe variant of Count Nefaria from Earth-105709 appears in the What If? story "What If the X-Men Died on their First Mission?".What If (vol. 2) #9 (1990)

• Count Nefaria appears in the "Iron Man" segment of The Marvel Super Heroes,The Marvel Super Heroes on TV! Book One: Iron Man (2017) - by J. Ballmann, ISBN 9 781545 345658 voiced by Chris Wiggins.{{Cite web |last=Motes |first=Jax |date=February 8, 2020 |title=Super Saturday: 'The Marvel Super Heroes' (1966) - The FIRST Marvel Cartoon Ever! |url=https://sciencefiction.com/2020/02/08/super-saturday-the-marvel-super-heroes-1966-the-first-marvel-cartoon-ever/ |access-date=August 5, 2023 |website=ScienceFiction.com |language=en-US}}
• Count Nefaria appears in Iron Man: Armored Adventures, voiced by Russell Roberts.{{citation needed|date=February 2016}} This version sports an electricity-shooting cane and is the only known leader of the Maggia. Throughout the series, he and the Maggia battle the Mandarin's gang, the Tong, along with Iron Man and assists former members, the Guardsmen, in fraudulently establishing themselves as heroes before Justin Hammer captures Nefaria and makes him a test subject for his zombification gas.

Count Nefaria makes a non-speaking cameo appearance in Avengers Confidential: Black Widow & Punisher.{{cite web |title=Voice Of Count Nefaria – Behind The Voice Actors |url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/movies/Avengers-Confidential-Black-Widow-and-Punisher/Count-Nefaria/ |website=Behind The Voice Actors |type= Check marks indicates role has been confirmed using screenshots of closing credits and other reliable sources}}

• Count Nefaria appears in Marvel Avengers Alliance.{{citation needed|date=February 2016}}
• Count Nefaria appears in Lego Marvel's Avengers.{{Cite web |last=Mecchi |first=Jason |date=May 5, 2021 |title=10 Best Lego Marvel's Avengers Characters |url=https://screenrant.com/best-lego-marvel-avengers-characters/ |access-date=August 5, 2023 |website=Screen Rant |language=en}}{{Cite news |last=Hensel |first=Markus |date=December 23, 2021 |title=Lego Marvel Avengers: Alle Cheats und Freischaltbares (PS4, PC, Xbox One) |url=https://www.eurogamer.de/lego-marvel-avengers-cheats-und-freischaltbares-ps4-pc-xbox-one |access-date=August 5, 2023 |work=Eurogamer.de |language=de}}{{Cite web |last=Thielenhaus |first=Kevin |date=August 12, 2017 |title=Unlock Characters & Powers in LEGO Marvel's Avengers With These Cheats |url=https://www.escapistmagazine.com/unlock-characters-powers-in-lego-marvels-avengers-with-these-cheats/ |access-date=August 5, 2023 |website=The Escapist |language=en-US}}

{{Reflist}}

• [http://marvel.com/universe/Count_Nefaria Count Nefaria] at Marvel.com
• [http://www.marveldirectory.com/individuals/c/countnefaria.htm Marvel Directory: Count Nefaria]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20050829082741/http://www.leaderslair.com/ionicpeople/nefaria.html Leader's Lair: Count Nefaria]

{{Avengers characters}}

{{Moon Knight}}

{{Thunderbolts}}

{{X-Men characters}}

{{Stan Lee}}

Category:Characters created by Don Heck

Category:Characters created by Stan Lee

Category:Comics characters introduced in 1965

Category:Fictional counts and countesses

Category:Fictional gangsters

Category:Fictional inventors in comics

Category:Fictional Italian people

Category:Fictional physicists

Category:Marvel Comics characters who can move at superhuman speeds

Category:Marvel Comics characters with accelerated healing

Category:Marvel Comics characters with superhuman strength

Category:Marvel Comics male supervillains

Category:Marvel Comics mutates

Category:Marvel Comics scientists