Holocaust (Marvel Comics)

Holocaust is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in X-Men Alpha (February 1995), and was created by Scott Lobdell and Roger Cruz; however, a character with the same name and similar appearance (without armor) was featured in Stryfe's Strike Files (January 1993), two years before X-Men Alpha was released (the information on Holocaust in Stryfe's Strike Files seems to support an understanding that both versions of the character are one and the same).
Fictional character biography
The Age of Apocalypse
The character of Nemesis, originally known as Holocaust, is the purported son of Apocalypse and serves as one of his father's Four Horsemen in the Age of Apocalypse timeline. During his first mission, Nemesis kills the Scarlet Witch, leaving her for Magneto to find.
During Apocalypse's attack on Europe and Asia, Nemesis joins him in Japan and absorbs Sunfire's energy. However, Magneto flays him and leaves him to die.
Apocalypse later recovers Nemesis and brings him to Dark Beast, who gives him crystalline armor. He eventually returns to the Horsemen after absorbing Candra's energy.
Later Holocaust attempts to kill Magneto, but is stopped by Nate Grey. He stabs Holocaust with a shard of the M'Kraan Crystal, causing them both to disappear.
Arriving on Earth 616
It was later revealed that Holocaust and Grey were transported to the main Marvel universe. Holocaust materializes in Earth’s orbit and is discovered by the Acolytes, who he drains energy from to recover.
After arriving on Earth, Holocaust encounters Sebastian Shaw and becomes a minion of Onslaught. However, his armor begins to destabilize, forcing him to seek assistance from the Dark Beast. The two are kidnapped by the Shi'ar, who seek to reclaim the remnants of the M'Kraan Crystal's power within them, and work with Nate Grey and Sugar Man to escape.
Return and death
Holocaust later returns to his native reality and joins the Exiles. He claims the M'Kraan Crystal before being killed by Weapon X member Hyperion, who destroys his armor and absorbs his energy.
Powers and abilities
Holocaust possesses the mutant ability to manipulate energy, enabling him to absorb energy from others to sustain himself. He is later transformed into an energy being who can become intangible and shapeshift, but is forced to wear crystalline armor to prevent his body from dissipating.
Reception
In 2018, Comic Book Resources (CBR) ranked Holocaust 22nd in their "Age Of Apocalypse: The 30 Strongest Characters In Marvel's Coolest Alternate World" list.
Other versions
Holocaust's Earth-616 counterpart is William Rolfson / Genocide, the son of Apocalypse and Autumn Rolfson. He battles the X-Men before being killed by Magneto, who destroys his armor.
In other media
Television
* Holocaust makes a non-speaking cameo appearance in the X-Men: The Animated Series episode "One Man's Worth".
* Holocaust was originally set to appear in Wolverine and the X-Men had the series been renewed for a second season.
Video games
Holocaust appears as a boss in X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse, voiced by Peter Lurie. This version is a Horseman of Apocalypse who is based at the Madri Temple and is the protector of the Stepford Cuckoos, whom he refers to as the "Trinity".

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See Also

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