Margali Szardos

Margali Szardos is a powerful sorceress and longtime figure in Marvel's mystical world, best known as the foster mother of Nightcrawler (Kurt Wagner). A Romani witch of considerable magical ability, she raised Kurt among her traveling circus family before their paths diverged dramatically.

Margali Szardos made her entrance in the Bronze Age pages of X-Men Annual #4 (1980), courtesy of Chris Claremont and John Romita Jr., and she's been a compelling presence in Marvel's mystical corners ever since. A sorceress whose world intersects with the likes of Kurt Wagner, Nightcrawler, and Charles Xavier, she's the kind of figure who turns up in the most significant company — her appearances span Excalibur, Legion of X, and the celebrated Dr. Strange & Dr. Doom: Triumph & Torment, a collector favorite that alone signals the caliber of storytelling she's drawn into. With two key issues to her name and a publishing history stretching over four decades to 2023, Margali is a rare Bronze Age creation who never quite faded — she endured. Nineteen catalog appearances may sound modest, but for a character of her mystique and staying power, every one counts.