&sq=&lang=&file=File:Question_book-new.svg){kind=small} | This article needs additional citations for verification. (June 2019) |
| The Purifiers / Stryker Crusade | |
|---|---|
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | Marvel Graphic Novel #5: X-Men: God Loves, Man Kills (1982) |
| Created by | Chris Claremont Brent Anderson |
| In-story information | |
| Type of organization | Terrorist |
| Leader(s) | Reverend William Stryker (founder) Matthew Risman (successor) Bastion Jason Stryker (successor) |
| Agent(s) | Nimrod Rictor (Mole for the X-Men) Reverend Craig |
The Purifiers, also known as the Stryker Crusade, are a fictional paramilitary/terrorist organization appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. They are usually depicted as enemies of the X-Men. Created by writer Chris Claremont and artist Brent Anderson, they first appeared in the 1982 graphic novel X-Men: God Loves, Man Kills.
A force of Christian fundamentalists led by the ruthless Reverend William Stryker, the Purifiers see themselves in a holy war against mutants, believing them to be the children of the Devil and thus worthy of extermination. The Purifiers made only sporadic appearances since their first appearance, but returned to prominence in the 2000s, when they became prominent antagonists in the series New X-Men and X-Force, and played a major role in the 2007 - 2008 crossover storyline X-Men: Messiah Complex.
The Purifiers appear in the television series The Gifted as antagonists to the mutants, although not a wide organization like the comics. They are led by failed Senator Benedict Ryan played by Peter Gallagher.