Legion of Super-Heroes but was rejected. He repurposed the design when he co-created the new X-Men.
Nightcrawler first appeared in the landmark Giant-Size X-Men #1 in May 1975, a comic designed to relaunch the X-Men title with a new, international cast. He was co-created by writer Len Wein and artist Dave Cockrum.
Cockrum's design for the character predates his work at Marvel. He had originally conceived of a demonic-looking, agile hero for DC Comics' Legion of Super-Heroes series, but the design was rejected for being “too weird.” When tasked with creating the new X-Men, Cockrum resurrected the design, and Wein developed the backstory and personality. They envisioned Kurt Wagner as a German circus performer, haunted by his appearance but maintaining a lighthearted, swashbuckling demeanor. This juxtaposition of a frightening exterior with a kind, even pious, interior became the character's defining trait and a powerful metaphor for the X-Men's core theme of battling prejudice. Nightcrawler, alongside other new recruits like Storm, Colossus, and Wolverine, revitalized the X-Men franchise, transforming it from a cancelled title into Marvel's most popular property for decades.
Kurt Wagner's origin is a tapestry of tragedy, mystery, and eventual revelation. He was born in the Bavarian Alps to two powerful mutants. His mother was the shapeshifting assassin Mystique (Raven Darkhölme), who was at the time living as the wife of Baron Christian Wagner. His biological father was the ancient, demonic-looking mutant warlord Azazel, leader of a race of mutants known as the Neyaphem. Born with blue fur, a prehensile tail, and glowing yellow eyes, Kurt's appearance horrified the local villagers. To save her own life and cover, Mystique threw the infant Kurt over a waterfall, callously proclaiming him a demon. Azazel secretly saved his son from the fall, giving him to his associate and lover, the Romani sorceress Margali Szardos, to be raised. Margali raised Kurt in the Bavarian circus where she worked as a fortune teller. He grew up without knowledge of his true parentage, believing Margali to be his foster mother. The circus environment was both a sanctuary and a stage; his unique physiology made him a natural acrobat and aerialist, and he became the circus's star attraction. He found a family there, particularly with Margali's own children, Stefan and Jimaine (who would later become the sorceress Amanda Sefton and Kurt's great love). His idyllic life shattered when his foster brother, Stefan, began murdering children, driven mad by a demonic pact. Kurt confronted Stefan and, in the ensuing struggle, accidentally broke his neck. The villagers, already fearful of Kurt's demonic appearance, discovered the scene and assumed he was the murderer. A torch-wielding mob pursued him, finally cornering him with the intent to kill. He was saved at the last moment by Professor Charles Xavier, who psychically paralyzed the mob and offered Kurt a place at his school and on a new team of X-Men. Kurt, forever grateful and seeking a new purpose, accepted immediately, adopting the code name Nightcrawler. For years, the truth of his parentage remained a mystery, with the “demonic” aspects of his nature being a source of deep personal conflict and spiritual questioning, a conflict that was only amplified when the shocking truth about Mystique and Azazel was finally revealed in the “The Draco” storyline.
Nightcrawler has not yet appeared in the prime Marvel Cinematic Universe (Earth-616/199999). His on-screen portrayals exist within the continuity of 20th Century Fox's X-Men films.
X2: X-Men United (2003): Portrayed by Alan Cumming, this version of Nightcrawler is introduced as a brainwashed pawn of the anti-mutant zealot William Stryker. Stryker uses a fluid from his own mutant son to control Kurt, forcing him to perform a spectacular, teleporting assassination attempt on the President of the United States. This act frames the X-Men and galvanizes public fear of mutants. When found by Storm and Jean Grey, he is a terrified, tormented soul, covered in self-inflicted scarifications that he explains are angelic symbols, one for each of his sins. This incarnation is deeply and explicitly Catholic, finding solace in prayer amidst his confusion. His origin is tied directly to Stryker's experiments, though his circus background is alluded to. He becomes a key ally to the X-Men, using his abilities to infiltrate Stryker's base at Alkali Lake and ultimately choosing to remain with the team at Xavier's school.
X-Men: Apocalypse (2016) & Dark Phoenix (2019): Portrayed by Kodi Smit-McPhee, this is a much younger, less experienced Kurt Wagner, introduced in the 1980s. He is first seen as a forced combatant in an underground mutant fight club in East Berlin. He is rescued by Mystique (in a significant departure from their comic relationship, as she acts as his savior here) and brought to Xavier's School. This version is more timid and socially awkward, but his inherent kindness and bravery shine through. His parentage with Mystique is hinted at but never explicitly confirmed on-screen. He quickly becomes a vital member of the young X-Men team, using his teleportation to rescue his teammates and civilians during the final battle with Apocalypse. This younger Nightcrawler grows in confidence but never fully develops the swashbuckling “elf” persona of his comic counterpart.
Kurt Wagner's mutant physiology and extensive training make him one of the most unique and versatile members of the X-Men.
Kurt's personality is a study in contrasts. Outwardly, he is a swashbuckling, charming romantic—the “fuzzy elf,” as Wolverine calls him. He is a notorious prankster with a theatrical flair and an infectious sense of humor. Beneath this cheerful exterior, however, lies a deeply philosophical and spiritual man. His devout Roman Catholicism is not just a character trait but the very bedrock of his identity. It provides him with immense strength and a moral framework to cope with his demonic appearance and the hardships of being a mutant. He is the team's conscience, often offering counsel and compassion when others resort to anger or violence.
The powers of the film versions are visually spectacular but less defined in their mechanics.
bamf sound. The X2 version's teleportation is particularly violent and effective in combat, as seen in the White House opening sequence. The younger version's power is just as potent but used with less precision initially. The concept of the Brimstone Dimension is not explicitly mentioned.X2 version is a highly effective, if reluctant, fighter due to Stryker's conditioning. The younger version is initially inexperienced but grows into a capable combatant, though he is never depicted as the master swordsman of the comics.The film versions capture Kurt's inherent gentleness and kindness but downplay the confident, swashbuckling aspect of his personality.
God Loves, Man Kills graphic novel is a defining moment for Kurt, forcing him to defend not only his people but the very essence of his own faith against those who would twist it into a weapon of hate.During this seminal X-Men event, Nightcrawler played a crucial role as part of the core team struggling to save Jean Grey from the corrupting influence of the Phoenix Force. While not the central character, his perspective was vital. As the team's moral center, he constantly argued for compassion and trying to save Jean's soul, not just destroying the cosmic threat she represented. His teleportation was key in many of the story's battles, from the fight with the Hellfire Club to the final confrontation on the moon.
This graphic novel is arguably the single most important story for understanding Nightcrawler's character. When the charismatic and hateful Reverend William Stryker launches a crusade against mutants, using religious rhetoric to fuel public fear, Nightcrawler is put at the forefront. He is kidnapped and studied by Stryker, who sees Kurt's demonic appearance as proof of mutants' unholy nature. The story forces Kurt to confront the ugliest side of humanity's faith and to reaffirm his own, concluding with him famously telling a television audience, “I am not a demon. I am Kurt Wagner. And I am an X-Man.”
A controversial but pivotal storyline that fundamentally changed Nightcrawler's history. This arc revealed the full truth of his parentage. Kurt discovers that his father is Azazel, the leader of an ancient race of demonic-looking mutants called the Neyaphem, who were banished to another dimension by a race of angelic-looking mutants. Azazel's plan was to use Kurt, his son, as a key to open a permanent portal and bring his army to Earth. The story cemented his connection to Mystique and established a new, formidable foe in his father, forever tying his demonic appearance to a literal demonic heritage.
During the “Second Coming” crossover, the mutant messiah Hope Summers returned to the present, pursued by the relentless Sentinel, Bastion. In a final, desperate battle, Bastion projected a massive energy blast at Hope. With no time to think, Nightcrawler teleported into the path of the blast, allowing it to pass through his body and strike Bastion. However, he had to rematerialize around Bastion's arm to complete the teleport with Hope, mortally wounding himself in the process. He died a hero's death in the arms of his friends, having saved the future of mutantkind. His last words were a testament to his faith.
Nightcrawler did not remain dead. His friends, particularly Wolverine, refused to accept his loss. The X-Men discovered that Azazel had captured Kurt's soul in the afterlife and was using it to power a portal to invade Heaven. In a swashbuckling adventure, a team of X-Men journey to the afterlife, fighting their way through Azazel's pirate demons. Kurt, fighting from the inside, rallies the souls in Heaven to fight back. In a final confrontation, Kurt sacrifices his place in Heaven to trap Azazel and returns to the world of the living, resurrected but with his soul now permanently bound to Earth.
X-Men: The Animated Series (1990s): This classic animated portrayal was for many their first introduction to the character. Largely faithful to the comics of the era, he was depicted with a prominent German accent and his classic swashbuckling, devout personality. His key episode, “Nightcrawler,” adapted elements of his origin story, showing him as a monk in a German monastery, ostracized by locals who believe him to be a demon.Wolverine and the X-Men (2009): In this animated series, Nightcrawler is portrayed as a more mature and responsible figure from the outset. He serves as the pilot of the Blackbird and is a key teacher at the institute. While his playful side is still present, the series emphasizes his competence and reliability. His romance with the Scarlet Witch is also a major subplot.Legion of Super-Heroes but was rejected. He repurposed the design when he co-created the new X-Men.Giant-Size X-Men #1 (May 1975Uncanny X-Men series under Chris Claremont, who then masterfully wove it into the core of Kurt's identity.