Eventually, it is revealed that Nightcrawler's biological mother, previously unknown, is the mutant terrorist
Mystique, which had been hinted at to varying degrees since they first appeared together.
It is also revealed that although Mystique was married to a wealthy German, Herr Wagner, Nightcrawler's father was
Azazel, a member of a race of
demonic-looking mutants dating back to
Biblical times who were banished to another dimension by another race of
angelic mutants. The storyline was furthered by the revelation that fellow X-Man Archangel's healing blood did not heal Nightcrawler, and in fact caused him great pain.
Veteran comic book writer
Chris Claremont had originally intended for Mystique and
Destiny to have been Nightcrawler's biological parents.
[12] Mystique, being a shape-shifter, would have taken the form of a man and impregnated Destiny. Marvel, however, felt the idea to be too controversial and an alternative origin was developed.[
citation needed]
Nightcrawler's siblings include his foster sister
Rogue and half-brothers
Graydon Creed from Mystique, and
Abyss and
Kiwi Black from
Azazel.
It is also revealed that in a parallel universe, an alternate Nightcrawler fathered a daughter with an alternate
Scarlet Witch, named
Nocturne, a dimensionally stranded mutant bearing traits similar to Nightcrawler himself. She has since referred to him as father.