WARNING: The following article contains spoilers from Avengers #55, on sale now from Marvel Comics.
Javier Garrón's massive double-spread revealing Mephisto's army of alternate versions of himself in Avengers #55 includes a hidden David Bowie reference.
Garrón spoke to Marvel about creating the artwork the Mephisto reveal, which features 79 uniquely designed versions of the villain while hundreds more hang in the shadows of the background. When asked about any deep-cut pop culture references hidden within the double-spread, Garrón said he designed one of the Mephistos to look like David Bowie's character in Labyrinth. "We had to tweak a few of them to avoid being too similar to the original thing, so now they’re kind of farther from the origin and thus a bit more complicated to see the resemblance (it worked!)," Garrón said. "But in terms of the reference itself, regardless of anything else, I think it’s a movie and music one. There’s a certain singer-actor, who appeared as a cunning, evil wizard in a movie a long time ago… a movie with puppets! The movie, it’s a-maze-ing! Maybe it’s the deepest cut, since it’s a kids’ cult movie from the 80s and I don’t know how popular or known it is right now for a broader, international audience. Many of the classics I grew up with in Spain (where I was born and live) are not so well known outside our borders, and I mean American or British films!"
Labyrinth released in 1986 and was directed by Jim Henson. In the film, Bowie plays Jareth/the Goblin King, the main antagonist takes Sarah's (Jennifer Connelly) infant brother, Toby, away to a mystical land. He then gives Sarah 13 hours to make her way through an immersive maze full of puppet-made creatures before he turns Toby into a goblin.
The reveal in Avengers #55 comes after a demonic-looking dog appears in front of some of the Avengers and reveals itself to be Mephisto. After introducing Earth's Mightiest Heroes to his army, Mephisto takes his leave with the promise that they'll see them all again soon. "The Avengers are facing a threat like no other in the history of the Marvel universe," Garrón said. "Mephistos are pouring left and right, and every issue there are more and more coming. Everyone is different from the other. It’s an immeasurable, ever-changing and growing danger in an escalating situation. For issue #55, we had to draw the line somewhere! Many, many of them were left out of the issue. But don’t worry, they’ll have their time in the spotlight! Something wicked this way comes!"
Avengers #55 comes from writers Jason Aaron and Javier Garrón, color artist David Curiel and letterer VC's Cory Petit, with cover art by Garrón and Curiel, with variant cover art by Peach Momoko and Ernanda Souza. The issue is on sale now from Marvel.
Source: Marvel