No matter how tempting he can be, you should never make a deal with the Devil - or any of his non-copyright infringing stand-ins. Now, most of Marvels heroes are either religious or grew up in religious households. So when they encounter a guy who looks like the Biblical definition of Satan, you'd think they'd avoid him like the Black Plague. Credit where credit is due, Mephisto is just that charming.
Over the years, Mephisto's tricked some of Earth's Mightiest Heroes through sheer persistence and trickery. Mephistopheles is so crafty, even Loki once applauded his proficiency at subterfuge. In laymen's terms, this red devil is a slippery snake. The following ten will illustrate just how slimy Old Scratch can be.
9 Cynthia von Doom
Cynthia von Doom isn't a hero in the same vein as Captain Marvel or Black Widow. However, she did attempt to fight back against old school bigotry and discrimination - which is pretty heroic in our book. Unfortunately, Cynthia consorted with Mephisto when her earlier efforts failed to make a difference.
Mephisto helped Cynthia get revenge against her oppressors, but she also killed scores of innocent children in the process. By the time Cynthia's bloodbath ended, Mephistopheles collected her soul - pitting him against Victor von Doom, Cynthia's son, for many decades to come.
8 Scarlet Witch
The MCU's depiction of the Scarlet Witch is cool but has yet to delve into the mystic arts. In the comics, however, Wanda does a lot more to live up to her name - often to the detriment of her loved ones. Wanda often has good intentions when she makes hasty decisions - a vulnerability that a being like Mephisto loves preying on.
Wanda once used Mehpisto's soul to create two children - a smart move, right? While Scarlet Witch didn't make a traditional deal with the Devil, she should've known better than to play with Black Magic.
7 Magma
For all of his bravado and menace, Mephistopheles can be a genuinely goofy guy. In New Mutants Vol 3 #30, All Mephsito wanted as a date with this Magma. When a team of young X-Men accidentally entered the Prince of Lies' domain, he offered to free them in exchange for a night out with Amara Aquilla.
Magma reluctantly agreed, enduring Mephisto's company until her teammates succeeded in their mission. All the while, Old Scratch made a fool of himself trying to impress Amara.
6 Magik
Whenever Magik's involved, you should expect things to get convoluted and demon-y. After all, Illyana's the ruler of a demonic realm as well - she knows a thing or two about dealing with devils. Normally, Magik would shoot down Mephisto - and likely tan his hide for trying to trick her.
However, her son Hutch changed everything; he was a baby born in between multiple dimensions. To keep him safe, Magik made a deal with Mephisto. This pact resulted in the deaths of all mutants across the multiverse. Though he was just a child, Hutch realized that cost was too great and sacrificed himself for the greater good.
5 Doctor Strange
It was in Sin City that Strange and Mephisto played the highest stakes game of Blackjack ever conceived. The time, during the Doctor Strange: Damnation storyline. The place, the Hotel Inferno - points for subtly Red.
The terms of the game were simple; Mepshito would have to leave Las Vegas if Strange beat him. If Old Scratch won, conversely, the Sorcerer Supreme would be in deep water! Unfortunately, Strange tried to cheat the Lord of Lies (i.e. the guy who invented lying in the first place!) Wong and Johnny Blaze had to ride in and save the day, leaving Strange with brimstone scented egg on his face.
4 Susan Storm
A running gag among Marvel fans is that Reed Richards is a jobber; despite allegedly being the smartest man in the Marvel Universe, Reed constantly gets himself in trouble - requiring other people with fewer doctorates to bail him out. Susan Storm usually fills that role, looking out for Reed when his head's too high in the clouds.
To save Reed Richards in the "Give the Devil His Due!" storyline, Susan once agreed to stay in Hell with Mephisto. Have you noticed a theme here? Mephistopheles usually tricks people into simply hanging out with him. He's less so the ultimate evil in the Marvel Universe and more so genuinely lonely.
3 Spider-Man
Hehe, some of you just knew that this black spot on Marvel's track record would turn up sooner or later. Where do we even begin with One More Day? Okay, okay, we'll take it from the top; Aunt May sadly finds herself kneeling on Death's door and Spider-Man desperately tries to bring her back. Everyone - from Doctor Strange to the X-Men - decline to help. Only Mephisto offers his aid, but his price is steep.
To save Aunt May, Mephisto requires that Spider-man sell - his marriage to Mary-Jane Watson. We're not kidding; the Lord of Evil and ruler of Hell wants Pete and MJ's marriage in exchange for Aunt May's health. Like, there's got to be an easier way to retcon Spidey than this!
2 Johnny Blaze
We probably all know the story by now; Johnny Blaze makes a deal with Mephisto to save his loved ones. In exchange for this boon, Blaze agrees to serve as the Ghost Rider - but breaks free due to his strong will.
But what you probably don't know is that the Ghost Rider isn't one being - it's the result of Johnny Blaze merging with Zarathos, one of Mephisto's arch-enemies. Blaze and Zarathos never really saw eye socket to eye socket, but they both hate Old Scratch's guts - forging a tentative alliance between the two.
1 The Silver Surfer
Quick question; how many of you thought that Mephisto started as a Ghost Rider villain? Most of you? Almost all of you? Yeah, we were in the same boat for a while as well. As it turns out, Mephistopheles first debuted in Silver Surfer #3 - eagerly trying to claim Norrin Radd's pristine soul!
To this day, Mephisto tries to tempt the Surfer with his heart's greatest desires. Norrin, ever the paragon of justice, turns Old Scratch down every time. The two then usually proceed to fight, the Surfer smacks Red down, and life goes on unabated.