One of the most twisted villains within the Marvel Universe is called Morningstar, a supernaturally sinister antagonist who has posed a threat to the superheroes on multiple occasions. The sentence applies equally well to two completely different characters within the larger Marvel Universe.
While one of those characters is Zadkiel, a heavenly angel who took on a nefarious agenda involving Ghost Rider and dubbed himself "the new Morningstar," another, simply called Morningstar, is original playable character in the popular mobile fighting game Marvel: Contest of Champions. While they might have similar names, we're taking a closer look at who these characters are and how their powers stack up to each other.
Zadkiel, the New Morningstar
Created by Jason Aaron and Tang Eng Huat in 2008's Ghost Rider #27, Zadkiel led a host of angelic armies known as the Black Host during Lucifer Morningstar's rebellion against Heaven. Following Lucifer's defeat, Zadkiel and his followers' punishment for their alliance with the fallen one relegated them to Heaven's more unsavory, secret tasks including the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and the supervision of the Spirits of Vengeance.
Quietly orchestrating Johnny Blaze's eventual bonding to the Spirit of Vengeance millennia later, Zadkiel sought to use the power of the Ghost Riders to return to Heaven and take over the throne for himself. Tricking Danny Ketch into relinquishing his powers to him, Zadkiel succeeded in opening the gates of Heaven, proclaiming himself the new Morningstar. Eventually the efforts of the Ghost Riders and God led to Zadkiel's defeat and banishment to Hell, where he was tortured by his old spurned ally Lucifer.
Morningstar from Contest of Champions
As established when she joined the mobile game in 2017, Queen Haasen was a cruel dictator from the 10th century who was eventually overthrown by the people of Languria after subjecting them to her oppressive rule. The deposed Haasen was imprisoned within a cursed iron maiden, enchanted to torment the body and soul of its occupant even long after death.
Centuries after the death of her physical form, the still-suffering Haasen was approached by Mephisto for a chance for bloody vengeance. Accepting the demon's offer, Haasen was reborn as Morningstar, with the iron maiden she had been sealed inside transforming into her magical armor. Upon her release, Morningstar scoured the Earth for her demonic sword La Fleur du Mal, which was currently wielded by the mobile game's other original fighter Guillotine.
Who Reigns Supreme?
Following her cursed rebirth, the Contest of Champions Morningstar is armed with a large, medieval morning star from which she takes her name. Those killed by the weapon have their souls absorbed within it, augmenting both it and Morningstar's power. The undead Morningstar is resistant to many different physical attacks and can channel her hellish fury to generate flame attacks. Morningstar receives a boost when working with supernatural fighters but struggles when facing synthetic opponents, including Vision and Ultron, as they lack a soul for her to absorb and empower herself.
Given his divine nature, the comic book incarnation of Morningstar possesses vast superhuman strength, speed and endurance. In addition to his angelic powers of flight, immortality and the ability to seize souls of the departed, Zadkiel can wield an array of magical spells and possesses an accelerated healing factor, capable of regrowing severed limbs. During his brief control of Heaven's throne, Zadkiel could manipulate reality itself, steadily growing in power as he grew acclimated to the throne before his eventual defeat, which makes him Marvel's most intimidating new Morningstar.
Developed by Kabam, Marvel: Contest of Champions is available on the App Store and Google Play for iOS and Android devices.